The boat lands with a thud. Rollo looks up, not seeing any new bugs around, before looking over to the horizon.
(People take the following fall damage from their rolls. Sim: 9, Abigail: 11, Lafetha: 13, Morgan: 13, Wilson: 0)
"Listen up, we've got a calm section right here. We can either bank it against the rocks and take the day. Or we can push on..."
the steam eventually stops pouring out from the slats. Mr. Firmin coming back up, a slight cut across his cheek and his hands looking a little burned from playing with a engine. "Supplies are just above half. Boat's hull is holdin' up. "
Rollo gives a little bit of a nod as he eases along the wheel. "Well.. what do you all say. I don't know what's up ahead. Stay here for a day, or keep pushing along in hopes to gain some ground?"
" I say we stay here for the day! Maybe we could find some supplies at the shore, also it wouldn't hurt to rest up some since we don't know what's up ahead." Lafetha looks for the groups opinion.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rollo seems to frown, his heart on the bigger prize, but eventually agrees. "You're not wrong. If this is the only day we take, we should still come out ahead."
The Windhook continues for about an hour - waiting to find a clear spot to set down for the night. He orders the crew to the oars, turning the boat and bringing it to shore. A crude anchor is tossed over, while lines are brought and staked into the ground by the greenish-brown grass that lines the shores.
Captain Wednesday and Mr. Firmin stay on the boat, only coming over to enjoy a good meal made with the rations on the boat (-7 to supplies; unless rolled better), giving everyone the proper time to rest, relax, heal, pray, and do their routine.
Mr. Firmin spends most of his time not resting - but hammering building patches for the random sections of hull that have been injured and damaged. (5 HP Healed)
(You all gain a long rest, regardless of choosing any of these other options) Hunt & Fish!Survival/WIS DC 10. Success = 1d6 + WIS people fed Cooking! (Cooking Utensils + INT): any extra from Hunting & Fishing can be turned into a ration. Disadvantage if you do not have the needed gear. (cooking utensils) Identify! any items you have found (*cough* Morgan *cough*) ((In case people have forgotten what they may have picked up)) Scout!Stealth/DEX. DC 25. Success brings a major bonus. Failure by 10+ brings a major disadvantage. Relax! Just give some details of how you hang out on the shore.
Morgan identifies that thing they found and definitely didn't forget about
Morgan spends some time studying the rock, reaching out to it, connecting with it before a small feeling rushes over them. The rock begins to spin like a top, glowing faintly before orbiting their head. Around and around. However, they don't feel any need to eat or drink... although they certainly could.
Sim waits until everyone else is distracted with other tasks then he goes over to the dead bug he lashed to the deck and takes a knife and begins to carve up the body showcasing the different abilities of the bug.
”Hmm...what to choose...the eyes to see in the dark better? The wings? Maybe the sticky limbs to better grapple enemies...or the stinger to paralyze enemies. So many options.
Thinking it over finally he cuts off the wings and carves a hole in each shoulder. Sticks the wing in and is amazed when the casket gem in his chest begins to glow and the wound and the wings begin to graft to each other. The muscles, sinew, bones and tissue knitting together.
”Amazing!”
Once it feels better again Sim folds the wings down out of sight under his cloak and goes to sleep.
Morgan looks at the stone, "Ugh, when is this ever going to come up? we live on the river so we never run out of water, we have access to fish and a forest full of game if one goes scarce we have the other. What's next a stone that helps me breathe? lame." Morgan thinks about the food stores... "point taken. But I don't like this for my style and I love eating too much... What if... I gave it to someone else. If Sim doesn't need to eat we might not find food for the rest of us. I'm pretty sure Lafetha has some strange magic convince fish to jump right in her mouth if she's hungry... Wilson already likes me... "
Morgan approaches Abigail, "Hey do you want this rock, it floats around your head and then you don't have to eat. I'm giving it to you for free, but if you want to give me some favors for it I'm open to it." Morgan winks.
Sim... when you slice open the small wiggling nodules that have formed on your body...
There's a flash of white hot pain. As a changeling, you know what it's like to move an organ or have a bone change place. It's impossible to describe to those who aren't one of the changeling communities, but this is... different. You feel something wrapping around your organs and pulling at them. Forcing them into positions. From the small mirror you placed in some trees to make sure you weren't cutting somewhere you shouldn't, you see these thin red strands of string spring out. Wiggling. Spreading out. Halfway expecting it to emit some kind of eldritch horrific noise but instead it's just silence. The strands wrap around the first wing, then the other. Skin and bone instantly generating along the strands. Nerve ending suddenly flaring to life with a sharp, hot, pain that subsides after a clenching of your jaw. The wound stitching close with a spiral of threads pulling back inside. Once done, you're certainly sore. Feeling new bone, muscles, nerves. The wings flap, like you've always had them. But it does feel like someone stabbed you in the back quite a few times..... Sim: Gain fly speed 30 feet. Can't fly with medium or heavy armor, or if encumbered.
Lafetha, you notice Sim goes off a bit. But what catches your eye is a moment later...
A breeze comes from a unusual direction. What was a soft breeze from the waterfall seems to shift in the opposite direction. Now blowing into your face. Blowing and seeming to vibrate against your ears.
Listen.... ...Watch
Birds take flight in all directions. Three birds in the south, flying away from your group. Two birds from the east, flying away from your group. Two vultures, circling over the pass, begin to turn and make their way away.
Unnatural happenings. The folly of... The fall of...
The breeze fades, and the world seems to return to normal.
[If Abigail, Wilson, Lafetha want to do any partiular actions, they do here. Giving some time to fill in the blank still. Not required, nothing bad will happen if you choose to relax.]
That night...
(Whoever is on second watch) notices Morgan twisting and turning in their sleep. Small murmuring. Fingers twitching out of reflex, in some of the same patterns as both using a blade, and, when they summon the arcane energies to their motions. None of it fully pronounced; only the faint twitches of being caught in a dream....
Morgan...
You walk the mossy stone pathway of something familiar. Soft grass. A ledge. The horizon is just a blur. A endless smudge of green/blue/gray. While you can look around, your feet continue to carry you forward. On this set path. When you try to look at yourself, your hands, feel your hair, it's all wrong. Familiar - but - wrong.
Grass and stones turn to matted, bound, corded reeds on a floor. Paper walls and the faint smell of iron and spilled blood. You stop in the middle of what may be a training room. There are others here, but again, all smudges. There are patterns on the wall, but when you look they seem to shift to just the corner of your eye. Not letting you stay and focus on them. Then, a sound. A conversation. Your mouth moves, but it's all nonsense back and forth. Your body turns, and you see the outline of a humanoid form. A faint purple outline, filled in with the twinkling of stars. It's holding a segmented rapier. That part is clear as day.
"Find them. Or rejoin us."
That part was clear as day. Again mumbles and words and nonsense come from your mouth.
"Find them. Or rejoin us. One of you will be stronger. The other will return."
Mumbles and sounds.
"This is the deal you made...."
...you wake up.
[I'll post the beginning of the next leg of the Pass in a bit]
Abigail looks at the stone, and then back at Morgan - perplexed. 'Is Morgan finally recognizing me as the superior sailor - gifting me loot? Or, is it that Morgan is trying to get me to feel like I owe them? That seems the more likely... some sort of clever ploy to make me feel more beholden to them. Also, did Morgan just coming on to me? Hummm, I've done much worse - but there again, as favors. Definitely trying to get me indebted feeling.'
"Wait, it spins around your head, and then you do not need to eat or drink? What sort of useless annoyance is that? We are surrounded by water and game." Abigail pauses for a moment, "Although, it could have come in handy during my last hellhole mission."
"Fine. I will take it, but you must take this in return." Abigail pulls out a ring and puts it in Morgan's hand [Ring of the Executioner of Hope], "It seems to be right up your lane, all that black magic stuff you do."
Abigail's time ashore...
"Well, we are not getting any better informed just waiting here. With your leave, Captain, I will scout out ahead."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Seeing the others Setting up camp and going about their tasks Wilson head out to go hunting, leaving a note on his weapons and gear so Morgan won't worry wanting to stretch his talons in the silence of the wilderness.
Survival 22 if successful feeds 6
while out he reflects on how attached to these people he is becoming and if their names come up.... no he won't think that way it has been years since he had friends and he doesn't want to spoil things
The surrounding area is rather nice. Strong winds changing currents due to the pass give a natural ability to soar and float every so often. Dense packets of trees dot the horizon, before grass and fields. The ground itself is a little rocky and not fantastic for most crops, but the wilds do have a way of keeping themselves green. You see a few deer, rabbits, small felines, and others going about their day and early evening. Hunting, stalking, eating... A quiet moment from the hustle and bustle.
comes back from his hunt with a boar. Along with some wild fruits and vegetables for the meal. The water of the pass is rather clean, although setting it up for a quick boil never hurt anyone.
Abigail...
Your few hour long journey was rather... successful. A few miles down river is a large cliffside. Likely a old colony of those wasps that has been long abandoned. What has turned up, is a encampment of raiders. There were dozens of them walking around. A few torches lit. More impressive were the few ballistas and cannons. While you weren't able to tell their arms and armaments - not wanting to get too close and ruin them knowing you're there - you did see several flying up and around. It's likely there are at least a few Aarakocra among them.
Faint scraps of sails and broken masts line the shore. Whoever these people are, they are likely to pillage the boat for cargo, than risk destroying it. It's only a few hundred feet of cliff to get past, before sailing off to the horizon... but it'll be a dangerous few hundred feet of cliff.
The way the river flows, the boat will be a clear sight for these raiders, making any sort of stealth approach impossible. But at least you'll be at the ready for the chaos, rather than reactionary.
You return later that night when most others are cooking the wild boar. Rollo gives a nod after hearing the story, and tells the others to get prepared for the fight that'll come tomorrow.
Morgan's eyes go wide upon seeing the ring, "Abigail... this ... this is all happening so fast... I... I don't know what to say... Yes. of course I do!" Morgan gives Abigail a deep embrace. "We need to set a date... tell the crew. Oh my there is so much that needs to be done!" Morgan hurries off and attunes to the ring when they have time.
Morgan bolts straight up after having that dream, " Find what or rejoin what? Ugh, if I had known that making deals with cosmic beings beyond my comprehension was going to be this much of a hassle I'd have just died instead."
Hull 67/ 100 AC: 15 / DR 10 / If rendered to 0: ship sinks
Sails 46/100 AC 12 25 ft speed / 35 feet speed with the wind -5 ft per 20 damage taken.
Oars 65/100 AC 12 +20 feet for the round -5 ft per 20 damage taken Requires 2 characters to spend their action rowing
Ballista 50/50 AC 15 / 5 shots left / requires 3 actions to use (load / aim / fire) +6 Attack, 3d10 damage
Helm 50/50 AC 12 If destroyed, ship cannot turn. Enemies get advantage to shoot the hull.
Engine 30/30 +30 ft for the round AC 15 If on / can be targeted Requires Tinkerer Tools + Dex (DC 15) every round - action - or Engine and Roller take 1d6 fire damage. Roll of a 1 uses up 1 resource. (Has 2). After 2, engine seizes and reduced to 0 HP.
A Note On Siege Weapons: Use their bonus to attack of the weapon; not the character. Weapons can be attacked. Requires a crew of to fire every round. (Ballista & Cannons, Load Action, Aim Action, Fire Action) Ballista does 3d10 damage Cannon does 8d10 damage
Special Actions & Bonus Actions for this Leg: Make-shift Repairs! (Action) - DC 10 Carpenter's Tools + STR Roll. Give temporary HP to a section equal to 1d6+STR. Section cannot be at 0 (/destroyed). Mr. Firmin Please Shoot! (Bonus Action) - if the ballista is loaded, you can request he fires the boat. Provide Cover! (Action) - stand in front of a single character, giving them 1/2 cover ranged opponents disadvantage on their attack Helm the Boat (Action) - move the boat it's speed. Only 1 per round. Cannot dash. Captain Wednesday is at the helm.
The crew packs up their small camp, participating in their morning prayers, exercises, and getting ready for the day. (Change up any spells / cast anything you may need.) As Rollo takes the helm, he can't help but to look over at Abigail. "...did you propose to Morgan? Or was their giddy nonsense just more of their changeling shenanigans."
It takes a few hours through the bends and turns of the river to reach what Abigail saw the other day. A towering old cement-like colony. It's easily over 50 feet high and set back from the bank at points. For a long while you sit in what you know to be cannon range; their trap getting ready. Luckily, you know what's coming....
200 feet away is a small turn and some packets of trees. The river itself picks up back into another rushing pass after that. A few rocks jut out, with signs of old ships that tried to make it through but likely crashed and were raided. Knowing your spotted, turning back would likely result in being bombarded until sunk to the bottom and left in the wilds. The wind isn't directly with the sails, but it's providing enough to keep the boat moving steady. Captain Wednesday mans the helm, while Mr. Firmin sits on the loaded ballista, in his best "nonchalant" way.
"Ok, keep your eyes open everyone... and.... get ready."
To Win: The boat must move and survive the 200 ft journey to the turn, before catching some rapids and being able to escape from the range of the cannons.
This will again be side initiative. Due to Abigail's roll; you will have the initiative to start.
Situation: The Windhook is at the start of it's 200 foot journey. The water is fairly calm, compared to your first major challenge. Keeping an eye out, you all spot the ambush. Easily more than twenty people are springing into action.
Siege Groups (no group is closer than 30 feet from each other. Closing any of these distances requires flight, as their up on cliffs.) Cannon A - about 100 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are loading a readied cannon with chainshot. Cannon B - about 100 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are loading a readied cannon with regular shot. Ballista A - about 40 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are reading a ballista with a chain harpoon. Ballista B - about 40 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are reading a ballista with a chain harpoon. Ballista C - about 80 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are reading a ballista with a regular bolt.
6 Aarokocra Warriors are about to jump into the air (1 - 6), forming units of 3. Each carrying a ranged weapon, a melee, and a net.
4 Soldiers of varying races are hiding near ballista A in a small group, 40 feet away from the deck of the Windhook. (1/2 cover) 4 Soldiers of varying races are hiding near ballista B in a small group, 40 feet away from the deck of the Windhook. (1/2 cover)
Dotted around the cliffs, you can see the heads of 8 others hiding behind some cover (ranges 20 - 100 feet). You're unsure how many others may be in the caves...
(Rollo will go after all other characters, to maximize the amount of movement speed done)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
When Abigail returns and warns everyone of what is coming Sim starts thinking of ways he can best protect the vulnerable sails. Finally he digs out his Wand of Webbing and sprays them to create a disadvantage on doing any damage to them. (DC15)
Then he readies his bow and takes aim at where one of the gunners should be for the Balista B.
Wilson takes to the air loosening the straps on his net on the way to make it easier to grab, walks past Rollo and whispers to him "If you or I don't make it....thanks"
Lining up the shot after a quick analysis, he pauses exhales and sees the crew for Cannon A line up handing off ammunition.... Piercing shot at all three and the powder magazine of the weapon....
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Morgan sees all the Ballistas and cannons pointed at their ship, the swarm of a Aarokocra descending on them. They say to no one, "Okay, you got me, I'm totally going to unite them... whatever they are. Just get me through this!" Morgan looks at the ring Abigail gave her and says, "This is going to be hard to explain, but I want you to know. I did this for us." Morgan invokes the ring as a bonus action they slice their smoking sword in the air and a dark mass of writhing tentacles spill out over Cannon B Hunger of Hadar3 cold damage to all creatures starting turn in darkness and 2 acid damage to all creatures ending turn in there.
If someone else is also rowing Morgan will use their action to also row with them.
If no one is rowing then 17 ((don't know why I put that there, please disregard)
With Morgan: Abigail balks at Morgan. "No, I... Wait, come back here..." Yelling after them, "That was not my intention you headcase! Nope, too far away. Well, shit."
Later with Rollo: "Wait, Morgan is a changeling?"
Abigail raises her voice, "Come ditty ditty, all peoples old and new. Come ditty ditty, all races, shapes, and hues. On waves of emotion we all travel through, every feeling we have just stays in us accrued. Come ditty ditty, all peoples old and new. Come ditty ditty, I now beseech you. To release these emotions we build up and stew, there is one simple action that even you can do. Come ditty ditty, all peoples old and new. Come ditty ditty, this part I say is true. All you need to do to say a fond adieu, is to sleep deep and wake up fresh and renewed."
Ballista Group A:Sleepfor 20
Action Surge! If anyone in Ballista Group A is still awake, then Short Bow attack against them. If everyone in the group is asleep, then aim for Sim's target of Ballista Group B. Short Bow - Attack: 21 Damage: 5
Cannon A: Dead (Wilson: Line Shot) Cannon B: Dead (Morgan: Hunger of Hadar)
Ballista A: Asleep (Abigail) Ballista B: Dead (Morgan, Abigail, Sim)
Rollo moves boat (25 feet)
Soldiers around Ballista A: Shake their comrades asleep while shouting at them.
Soldiers around Ballista B: Attempt to fire at the Windhook with the chain harpoon, pushing the dead to the side. Attack: 13 Damage: 39
Ballista C: Fires at the Sails Attack: 14 Damage: 14 *Readies another standard ballista bolt* *Aims*
Aarokocra Group 1: Takes to the air, flying towards the back of the windhook, firing at Rollo Attack: 10 Damage: 9 Attack: 10 Damage: 3 Attack: 20 Damage: 5
Aarokocra Group 2: Takes to the air, flying towards the middle of the windhook, while firing at Morgan Attack: 14 Damage: 9 Attack: 7 Damage: 7 Attack: 18 Damage: 3
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....
acrobatics 10
The boat lands with a thud. Rollo looks up, not seeing any new bugs around, before looking over to the horizon.
(People take the following fall damage from their rolls. Sim: 9, Abigail: 11, Lafetha: 13, Morgan: 13, Wilson: 0)
"Listen up, we've got a calm section right here. We can either bank it against the rocks and take the day. Or we can push on..."
the steam eventually stops pouring out from the slats. Mr. Firmin coming back up, a slight cut across his cheek and his hands looking a little burned from playing with a engine. "Supplies are just above half. Boat's hull is holdin' up. "
Rollo gives a little bit of a nod as he eases along the wheel. "Well.. what do you all say. I don't know what's up ahead. Stay here for a day, or keep pushing along in hopes to gain some ground?"
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
" I say we stay here for the day! Maybe we could find some supplies at the shore, also it wouldn't hurt to rest up some since we don't know what's up ahead." Lafetha looks for the groups opinion.
Rollo seems to frown, his heart on the bigger prize, but eventually agrees. "You're not wrong. If this is the only day we take, we should still come out ahead."
The Windhook continues for about an hour - waiting to find a clear spot to set down for the night. He orders the crew to the oars, turning the boat and bringing it to shore. A crude anchor is tossed over, while lines are brought and staked into the ground by the greenish-brown grass that lines the shores.
Captain Wednesday and Mr. Firmin stay on the boat, only coming over to enjoy a good meal made with the rations on the boat (-7 to supplies; unless rolled better), giving everyone the proper time to rest, relax, heal, pray, and do their routine.
Mr. Firmin spends most of his time not resting - but hammering building patches for the random sections of hull that have been injured and damaged. (5 HP Healed)
(You all gain a long rest, regardless of choosing any of these other options)
Hunt & Fish! Survival/WIS DC 10. Success = 1d6 + WIS people fed
Cooking! (Cooking Utensils + INT): any extra from Hunting & Fishing can be turned into a ration. Disadvantage if you do not have the needed gear. (cooking utensils)
Identify! any items you have found (*cough* Morgan *cough*) ((In case people have forgotten what they may have picked up))
Scout! Stealth/DEX. DC 25. Success brings a major bonus. Failure by 10+ brings a major disadvantage.
Relax! Just give some details of how you hang out on the shore.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Morgan identifies that thing they found and definitely didn't forget about
Morgan spends some time studying the rock, reaching out to it, connecting with it before a small feeling rushes over them. The rock begins to spin like a top, glowing faintly before orbiting their head. Around and around. However, they don't feel any need to eat or drink... although they certainly could.
Ioun Stone of Sustenance,
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Sim waits until everyone else is distracted with other tasks then he goes over to the dead bug he lashed to the deck and takes a knife and begins to carve up the body showcasing the different abilities of the bug.
”Hmm...what to choose...the eyes to see in the dark better? The wings? Maybe the sticky limbs to better grapple enemies...or the stinger to paralyze enemies. So many options.
Thinking it over finally he cuts off the wings and carves a hole in each shoulder. Sticks the wing in and is amazed when the casket gem in his chest begins to glow and the wound and the wings begin to graft to each other. The muscles, sinew, bones and tissue knitting together.
”Amazing!”
Once it feels better again Sim folds the wings down out of sight under his cloak and goes to sleep.
Medicine 17
Morgan looks at the stone, "Ugh, when is this ever going to come up? we live on the river so we never run out of water, we have access to fish and a forest full of game if one goes scarce we have the other. What's next a stone that helps me breathe? lame." Morgan thinks about the food stores... "point taken. But I don't like this for my style and I love eating too much... What if... I gave it to someone else. If Sim doesn't need to eat we might not find food for the rest of us. I'm pretty sure Lafetha has some strange magic convince fish to jump right in her mouth if she's hungry... Wilson already likes me... "
Morgan approaches Abigail, "Hey do you want this rock, it floats around your head and then you don't have to eat. I'm giving it to you for free, but if you want to give me some favors for it I'm open to it." Morgan winks.
[Morgan & Abigail's Conversation Goes Here]
Sim... when you slice open the small wiggling nodules that have formed on your body...
There's a flash of white hot pain. As a changeling, you know what it's like to move an organ or have a bone change place. It's impossible to describe to those who aren't one of the changeling communities, but this is... different. You feel something wrapping around your organs and pulling at them. Forcing them into positions. From the small mirror you placed in some trees to make sure you weren't cutting somewhere you shouldn't, you see these thin red strands of string spring out. Wiggling. Spreading out. Halfway expecting it to emit some kind of eldritch horrific noise but instead it's just silence. The strands wrap around the first wing, then the other. Skin and bone instantly generating along the strands. Nerve ending suddenly flaring to life with a sharp, hot, pain that subsides after a clenching of your jaw. The wound stitching close with a spiral of threads pulling back inside. Once done, you're certainly sore. Feeling new bone, muscles, nerves. The wings flap, like you've always had them. But it does feel like someone stabbed you in the back quite a few times.....
Sim: Gain fly speed 30 feet. Can't fly with medium or heavy armor, or if encumbered.
Lafetha, you notice Sim goes off a bit. But what catches your eye is a moment later...
A breeze comes from a unusual direction. What was a soft breeze from the waterfall seems to shift in the opposite direction. Now blowing into your face. Blowing and seeming to vibrate against your ears.
Listen....
...Watch
Birds take flight in all directions. Three birds in the south, flying away from your group. Two birds from the east, flying away from your group. Two vultures, circling over the pass, begin to turn and make their way away.
Unnatural happenings.
The folly of...
The fall of...
The breeze fades, and the world seems to return to normal.
[If Abigail, Wilson, Lafetha want to do any partiular actions, they do here. Giving some time to fill in the blank still. Not required, nothing bad will happen if you choose to relax.]
That night...
(Whoever is on second watch) notices Morgan twisting and turning in their sleep. Small murmuring. Fingers twitching out of reflex, in some of the same patterns as both using a blade, and, when they summon the arcane energies to their motions. None of it fully pronounced; only the faint twitches of being caught in a dream....
Morgan...
You walk the mossy stone pathway of something familiar. Soft grass. A ledge. The horizon is just a blur. A endless smudge of green/blue/gray. While you can look around, your feet continue to carry you forward. On this set path. When you try to look at yourself, your hands, feel your hair, it's all wrong. Familiar - but - wrong.
Grass and stones turn to matted, bound, corded reeds on a floor. Paper walls and the faint smell of iron and spilled blood. You stop in the middle of what may be a training room. There are others here, but again, all smudges. There are patterns on the wall, but when you look they seem to shift to just the corner of your eye. Not letting you stay and focus on them. Then, a sound. A conversation. Your mouth moves, but it's all nonsense back and forth. Your body turns, and you see the outline of a humanoid form. A faint purple outline, filled in with the twinkling of stars. It's holding a segmented rapier. That part is clear as day.
"Find them. Or rejoin us."
That part was clear as day. Again mumbles and words and nonsense come from your mouth.
"Find them. Or rejoin us. One of you will be stronger. The other will return."
Mumbles and sounds.
"This is the deal you made...."
...you wake up.
[I'll post the beginning of the next leg of the Pass in a bit]
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Catching up on things....
Morgan and Abigail
Abigail looks at the stone, and then back at Morgan - perplexed.
'Is Morgan finally recognizing me as the superior sailor - gifting me loot? Or, is it that Morgan is trying to get me to feel like I owe them? That seems the more likely... some sort of clever ploy to make me feel more beholden to them. Also, did Morgan just coming on to me? Hummm, I've done much worse - but there again, as favors. Definitely trying to get me indebted feeling.'
"Wait, it spins around your head, and then you do not need to eat or drink? What sort of useless annoyance is that? We are surrounded by water and game." Abigail pauses for a moment, "Although, it could have come in handy during my last hellhole mission."
"Fine. I will take it, but you must take this in return." Abigail pulls out a ring and puts it in Morgan's hand [Ring of the Executioner of Hope], "It seems to be right up your lane, all that black magic stuff you do."
Abigail's time ashore...
"Well, we are not getting any better informed just waiting here. With your leave, Captain, I will scout out ahead."
Stealth: 27
Seeing the others Setting up camp and going about their tasks Wilson head out to go hunting, leaving a note on his weapons and gear so Morgan won't worry wanting to stretch his talons in the silence of the wilderness.
Survival 22 if successful feeds 6
while out he reflects on how attached to these people he is becoming and if their names come up.... no he won't think that way it has been years since he had friends and he doesn't want to spoil things
That Night (Con't)
Wilson...
The surrounding area is rather nice. Strong winds changing currents due to the pass give a natural ability to soar and float every so often. Dense packets of trees dot the horizon, before grass and fields. The ground itself is a little rocky and not fantastic for most crops, but the wilds do have a way of keeping themselves green. You see a few deer, rabbits, small felines, and others going about their day and early evening. Hunting, stalking, eating... A quiet moment from the hustle and bustle.
comes back from his hunt with a boar. Along with some wild fruits and vegetables for the meal. The water of the pass is rather clean, although setting it up for a quick boil never hurt anyone.
Abigail...
Your few hour long journey was rather... successful. A few miles down river is a large cliffside. Likely a old colony of those wasps that has been long abandoned. What has turned up, is a encampment of raiders. There were dozens of them walking around. A few torches lit. More impressive were the few ballistas and cannons. While you weren't able to tell their arms and armaments - not wanting to get too close and ruin them knowing you're there - you did see several flying up and around. It's likely there are at least a few Aarakocra among them.
Faint scraps of sails and broken masts line the shore. Whoever these people are, they are likely to pillage the boat for cargo, than risk destroying it. It's only a few hundred feet of cliff to get past, before sailing off to the horizon... but it'll be a dangerous few hundred feet of cliff.
The way the river flows, the boat will be a clear sight for these raiders, making any sort of stealth approach impossible. But at least you'll be at the ready for the chaos, rather than reactionary.
You return later that night when most others are cooking the wild boar. Rollo gives a nod after hearing the story, and tells the others to get prepared for the fight that'll come tomorrow.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Morgan's eyes go wide upon seeing the ring, "Abigail... this ... this is all happening so fast... I... I don't know what to say... Yes. of course I do!" Morgan gives Abigail a deep embrace. "We need to set a date... tell the crew. Oh my there is so much that needs to be done!" Morgan hurries off and attunes to the ring when they have time.
Morgan bolts straight up after having that dream, " Find what or rejoin what? Ugh, if I had known that making deals with cosmic beings beyond my comprehension was going to be this much of a hassle I'd have just died instead."
Leg 2 - The Marauders
The Windhook: (Will Update Accordingly)
Hull 67/ 100
AC: 15 / DR 10 /
If rendered to 0: ship sinks
Sails 46/100
AC 12
25 ft speed / 35 feet speed with the wind
-5 ft per 20 damage taken.
Oars 65/100
AC 12
+20 feet for the round
-5 ft per 20 damage taken
Requires 2 characters to spend their action rowing
Ballista 50/50
AC 15 / 5 shots left / requires 3 actions to use (load / aim / fire)
+6 Attack, 3d10 damage
Helm 50/50
AC 12
If destroyed, ship cannot turn. Enemies get advantage to shoot the hull.
Engine 30/30
+30 ft for the round
AC 15
If on / can be targeted
Requires Tinkerer Tools + Dex (DC 15) every round - action - or Engine and Roller take 1d6 fire damage. Roll of a 1 uses up 1 resource. (Has 2). After 2, engine seizes and reduced to 0 HP.
A Note On Siege Weapons:
Use their bonus to attack of the weapon; not the character. Weapons can be attacked. Requires a crew of to fire every round. (Ballista & Cannons, Load Action, Aim Action, Fire Action)
Ballista does 3d10 damage
Cannon does 8d10 damage
Special Actions & Bonus Actions for this Leg:
Make-shift Repairs! (Action) - DC 10 Carpenter's Tools + STR Roll. Give temporary HP to a section equal to 1d6+STR. Section cannot be at 0 (/destroyed).
Mr. Firmin Please Shoot! (Bonus Action) - if the ballista is loaded, you can request he fires the boat.
Provide Cover! (Action) - stand in front of a single character, giving them 1/2 cover ranged opponents disadvantage on their attack
Helm the Boat (Action) - move the boat it's speed. Only 1 per round. Cannot dash. Captain Wednesday is at the helm.
The crew packs up their small camp, participating in their morning prayers, exercises, and getting ready for the day. (Change up any spells / cast anything you may need.) As Rollo takes the helm, he can't help but to look over at Abigail. "...did you propose to Morgan? Or was their giddy nonsense just more of their changeling shenanigans."
It takes a few hours through the bends and turns of the river to reach what Abigail saw the other day. A towering old cement-like colony. It's easily over 50 feet high and set back from the bank at points. For a long while you sit in what you know to be cannon range; their trap getting ready. Luckily, you know what's coming....
200 feet away is a small turn and some packets of trees. The river itself picks up back into another rushing pass after that. A few rocks jut out, with signs of old ships that tried to make it through but likely crashed and were raided. Knowing your spotted, turning back would likely result in being bombarded until sunk to the bottom and left in the wilds. The wind isn't directly with the sails, but it's providing enough to keep the boat moving steady. Captain Wednesday mans the helm, while Mr. Firmin sits on the loaded ballista, in his best "nonchalant" way.
"Ok, keep your eyes open everyone... and.... get ready."
To Win: The boat must move and survive the 200 ft journey to the turn, before catching some rapids and being able to escape from the range of the cannons.
This will again be side initiative. Due to Abigail's roll; you will have the initiative to start.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Leg 2 (Round 1)
Situation: The Windhook is at the start of it's 200 foot journey. The water is fairly calm, compared to your first major challenge. Keeping an eye out, you all spot the ambush. Easily more than twenty people are springing into action.
Siege Groups (no group is closer than 30 feet from each other. Closing any of these distances requires flight, as their up on cliffs.)
Cannon A - about 100 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are loading a readied cannon with chainshot.
Cannon B - about 100 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are loading a readied cannon with regular shot.
Ballista A - about 40 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are reading a ballista with a chain harpoon.
Ballista B - about 40 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are reading a ballista with a chain harpoon.
Ballista C - about 80 feet away, a crew of three with some cover are reading a ballista with a regular bolt.
6 Aarokocra Warriors are about to jump into the air (1 - 6), forming units of 3. Each carrying a ranged weapon, a melee, and a net.
4 Soldiers of varying races are hiding near ballista A in a small group, 40 feet away from the deck of the Windhook. (1/2 cover)
4 Soldiers of varying races are hiding near ballista B in a small group, 40 feet away from the deck of the Windhook. (1/2 cover)
Dotted around the cliffs, you can see the heads of 8 others hiding behind some cover (ranges 20 - 100 feet). You're unsure how many others may be in the caves...
(Rollo will go after all other characters, to maximize the amount of movement speed done)
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
When Abigail returns and warns everyone of what is coming Sim starts thinking of ways he can best protect the vulnerable sails. Finally he digs out his Wand of Webbing and sprays them to create a disadvantage on doing any damage to them. (DC15)
Then he readies his bow and takes aim at where one of the gunners should be for the Balista B.
attack 15 Damage 9
Wilson takes to the air loosening the straps on his net on the way to make it easier to grab, walks past Rollo and whispers to him "If you or I don't make it....thanks"
Lining up the shot after a quick analysis, he pauses exhales and sees the crew for Cannon A line up handing off ammunition.... Piercing shot at all three and the powder magazine of the weapon....
Attack: 28 Damage: 11 crewman A
IF that hits
Crewman B Attack: 15 Damage: 13
Crewman C Attack: 19 Damage: 16
Cannon Attack: 23 Damage: 11
Morgan sees all the Ballistas and cannons pointed at their ship, the swarm of a Aarokocra descending on them. They say to no one, "Okay, you got me, I'm totally going to unite them... whatever they are. Just get me through this!" Morgan looks at the ring Abigail gave her and says, "This is going to be hard to explain, but I want you to know. I did this for us." Morgan invokes the ring as a bonus action they slice their smoking sword in the air and a dark mass of writhing tentacles spill out over Cannon B Hunger of Hadar 3 cold damage to all creatures starting turn in darkness and 2 acid damage to all creatures ending turn in there.
If someone else is also rowing Morgan will use their action to also row with them.
If no one is rowing then 17 ((don't know why I put that there, please disregard)
Eldritch Blast on the operators of Balista B
Attack: 16 Damage: 11
Attack: 18 Damage: 9
Prior to getting into all this mess:
With Morgan:
Abigail balks at Morgan. "No, I... Wait, come back here..." Yelling after them, "That was not my intention you headcase! Nope, too far away. Well, shit."
Later with Rollo:
"Wait, Morgan is a changeling?"
Abigail raises her voice, "Come ditty ditty, all peoples old and new. Come ditty ditty, all races, shapes, and hues. On waves of emotion we all travel through, every feeling we have just stays in us accrued. Come ditty ditty, all peoples old and new. Come ditty ditty, I now beseech you. To release these emotions we build up and stew, there is one simple action that even you can do. Come ditty ditty, all peoples old and new. Come ditty ditty, this part I say is true. All you need to do to say a fond adieu, is to sleep deep and wake up fresh and renewed."
Ballista Group A: Sleep for 20
Action Surge! If anyone in Ballista Group A is still awake, then Short Bow attack against them. If everyone in the group is asleep, then aim for Sim's target of Ballista Group B.
Short Bow - Attack: 21 Damage: 5
Ballista Group A saves VS sleep:
3, 17, 8
Cannon A: Dead (Wilson: Line Shot)
Cannon B: Dead (Morgan: Hunger of Hadar)
Ballista A: Asleep (Abigail)
Ballista B: Dead (Morgan, Abigail, Sim)
Rollo moves boat (25 feet)
Soldiers around Ballista A:
Shake their comrades asleep while shouting at them.
Soldiers around Ballista B:
Attempt to fire at the Windhook with the chain harpoon, pushing the dead to the side.
Attack: 13 Damage: 39
Ballista C:
Fires at the Sails
Attack: 14 Damage: 14
*Readies another standard ballista bolt*
*Aims*
Aarokocra Group 1: Takes to the air, flying towards the back of the windhook, firing at Rollo
Attack: 10 Damage: 9
Attack: 10 Damage: 3
Attack: 20 Damage: 5
Aarokocra Group 2: Takes to the air, flying towards the middle of the windhook, while firing at Morgan
Attack: 14 Damage: 9
Attack: 7 Damage: 7
Attack: 18 Damage: 3
2 Crossbowmen Shoot at Sim
Attack: 8 Damage: 7
Attack: 11 Damage: 9
2 Crossbowmen Shoot at Abigail
Attack: 6 Damage: 8
Attack: 6 Damage: 5
2 Crossbowmen Shoot at Wilson
Attack: 15 Damage: 6
Attack: 16 Damage: 4
2 Crossbowmen Shoot at Mr. Firmin
Attack: 9 Damage: 4
Attack: 5 Damage: 5
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour