The Champion nods to Gumerawan. “It does. I am The Champion of the Raven Queen. I am an engine of her purposes. Some of the others here remember someone else, but that person was just a chrysalis for The Champion. He died, and I arrived. And so far it seems the Raven Queen has continued purpose for me here.”
" Raven Queen.....interesting...don' ha' too muck to do wit' gods meself...well t'ose I'm not related to...though...not really a god...anyway!! Good to have you aboard on this rescue mission."
" You a good swimmer? T'eres gonna be a whole mess o' swimmin'."
The Champion gives a cheery, amiable smile. ”As a matter of fact, I am! You seem like you are as well. You give the impression of a colorful life, Miss.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jaxon also details the equipment and provisions that he has gathered for your journey. He indicates that there are provisions for 3 months, including "fine provisions" for the entire crew for every fourth meal. He indicates that there are dried provisions, cured meats and cheese, vegetables and fish in brine, fresh fruit and vegetables (including a small on-ship-garden), a dozen laying hens for for eggs (until they before fresh meat themselves), fresh water, very watery beer, weak but expertly spiced dark rum and weak but deliciously peaty whiskey.
Anyone who has spent long sailing knows that this is more in line with what royalty has on offer when they are sailing than what adventurers and their crew would usually expect (except for the alcohol, which he explains is weak so that the crew can feel like they are being looked after without it impacting their ability to work).
He indicates that he has bought up all the spell scrolls of Water Breathing that he was able to get his hands on (which is 4 of them), though he requests that these are used for the rescue of the people trapped in "the jellyfish husks", so they (hopefully) do not drown in the rescue attempt. He provides an additional 4 Potions of Water Breathing which he indicates can be used if needed, though he stresses these may also be required for the rescue.
He has stocked an officer's armoury on board The Bounty with three handaxes, two greatswords, three longswords, two quarterstaffs, two tridents, three javelins, a spear, one hand crossbow, two heavy crossbows, eighty crossbow bolts, two longbows, a shortbow, sixty arrows, three nets, a suit of studded leather armour, a suit of scale mail, two suits of half plate armour, a suit of plate armour and two shields. [None of this equipment can be sold, it is just for your use if needed. No need to be polite about taking anything, first in best dressed. If anyone just bought any of these items in Port Damali, sorry.]
He indicates that the recovery of his daughter (and crew) is very important to him and he has spared no expense.
[As a DM, I should make clear that the reason I am being very generous with equipment, sidekicks and a well armed ship is that things are likely to be very challenging going forward. I am giving you the tools so that I can throw some very difficult battles at you (though you may still want to try to avoid some of these if possible).]
Gumerawan is not trained in any of the extra equipment and lets it be, she instead goes around introducing herself to all the crew that haven't already approached her and helps with casting off.
Kenton will take the full plate, impressed as he has never had enough money even to think about buying such a thing for himself. He already has a longsword for land fighting and a spear for underwater fighting, so he won't take any weapons.
We are well equipped, and fully crewed, and I think it is time to set sail. Kenton is now looking eagerly towards sea and the adventure that lies before them. He wants to talk to the others, but when they are actually underway.
To Jaxon Brand, at a time when they have some privacy: From what you have said, and what others have said, your daughter is capable and strong-willed. As soon as we find her, I believe she will order me to postpone any attempt at rescuing her, and instead fight alongside her in freeing any other prisoners and then defeating the enemy that has taken them. I don't think I can disobey her in this, but I will do my best to keep her safe, I swear.
[Just checking if Gumerawan is going to have a sidekick? If so, you can choose one of the people from post 1603 (except the Air Genesis).
I'll get to the party shipping off tomorrow morning (it is just before midnight here). Today has been full of the fun things in life - taxes and getting covid tested, yay!]
He will, if he can, spend a little more time with Jaxon Brand, asking after the rest of the Brand family, Martin in particular as Kenton knows him best.
To Jaxon Brand, at a time when they have some privacy: From what you have said, and what others have said, your daughter is capable and strong-willed. As soon as we find her, I believe she will order me to postpone any attempt at rescuing her, and instead fight alongside her in freeing any other prisoners and then defeating the enemy that has taken them. I don't think I can disobey her in this, but I will do my best to keep her safe, I swear.
Jaxon thanks Kenton for asking about his family when they are off to the side and says "Martin is very well, he has just finished another play. I think he is going to be a fantastic playwright someday - possibly someday soon, which is bitter-sweet as I will miss having his silver tongue and way with words for negotiating and assisting with the business. Tina is off exploring again, though she messaged last week to say she would be back for her birthday. It is hard to believe she will be nineteen! They grow up so quickly. Thank you for asking about them, it is good to speak about happier things than what has happened to Elisa.
You are correct that Elisa will almost definitely insist on rescuing her crew and any other prisoners when you free her. She is every bit the heroic adventurer I once was and then some [he pauses].
This brings me to Timothy, who I need to speak to you about [he pauses again]. I don't believe you have had the... pleasure... of meeting my eldest son. He is insisting that he captains The Bounty on this voyage. Now I love all my children equally; however, I do not believe Timothy would necessarily be an asset in helping to get Elisa back safely. He does have experience as a captain, though reports I have got back from trusted officers who sailed with him - supported by the fact that on his few voyages a number of crew have left at the end of the voyage - are that he does not embody the Brand or Zephyr Assimilated spirit. I feel terrible saying all this about my own flesh and blood and if the voyage was not so important I would also insist he captain as I believe he will one day find the path, though I will instead leave it up to you for this voyage. If you have someone capable of acting as the captain, then I will tell Timothy that you are using them instead. Let me know before you set off."
I do not know the crew as well as my comrades do. I will ask them who they plan to ask to serve as captain. I think Boerth perhaps, but I am not certain. Thank you for trusting me with this, sir. I will let you know, as you suggest.
At some point before they set sail, Kenton will look for a chance to talk to the others about this privately, and ask who they think would take the captain's role. He resists the urge to volunteer himself; part of him is absolutely confident that he would do a splendid job, but the other part is reminding him that he has almost no sailing experience.
Everyone: You need to decide who will be the captain (it cannot be a sidekick) OR you will be assigned Timothy Brand as captain.
Whilst having a sailor background is preferable for the Captain, it is not mandatory (though you might need to make deception checks to hide this from the crew or face disadvantage). I will provide details about the other roles that need to be filled by PCs and sidekicks shortly.
About being captain:
The ultimate authority on any ship, their word is law to all on board. The captain chooses where to sail among many other command decisions. Leadership often proves perilous, however, as a captain is, above all, meant to secure success for his ship and crew. Failing to do so increases the threat of mutiny.
The individual in command of the vessel must be available each turn to direct the actions of the crew and observe the enemy’s actions. If the commander fails to direct the ship’s movement they cannot direct the pilot to change heading or the watch to change speed, or order the ship to perform any special maneuvers. This role is for someone on the deck of the ship shouting orders to the crew, relaying info from the lookout to the pilot and so on. Imagine them standing in the bow or on the sterncastle with a spyglass.
The other two important ship combat roles that need to be filled are:
- First Mate [can be sidekick though a PC is preferable, should have sailor/pirate/smuggler background and water vehicle proficiency],
- Bosun [can be a sidekick or PC, should have proficiency in carpenter's tools and water vehicles. I think Firische is the only PC or sidekick so far* that can fill that role]. *There might be a second option depending on who (if anyone) Gumerawan chooses as a sidekick.
I'm DM ruling that Beorth is the navigator.
I am mostly using the UA for ships for combat modified to best match the version used in Critical Role for the Dieter battle (as per critrolestats) rather than the Ghosts of Saltmarsh ship combat rules.
Ship-to-ship and ship-to-creature combat will be mostly optional, so I don't want to scare you all off with lots of rules/a new system. As such, there is no need to read the below spoiler sections if you do not want to (they are not actual spoilers) as I will explain them as they are relevant/needed. You can read them if you are interested.
As per the UA and CR episode "During an encounter, the captain, first mate, and bosun each have access to two special action options described below: Full Speed Ahead and Fire at Will."
Descriptions:
Full Speed Ahead
As an action while on deck, the captain, first mate, or bosun can exhort the crew to work harder and drive a ship forward. Roll a d6 and multiply the result by 5. Apply the total as a bonus to the ship’s speed until the end of the ship’s next turn. If this bonus is applied to a ship’s speed when the ship is already moving faster than normal, use the higher result. Don’t add the two bonuses together.
Fire at Will
As an action, the captain, first mate, or bosun aids the crew in aiming one of the ship’s weapons. Select one of the ship’s weapons that is within 10 feet of the officer. It gains advantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of the ship’s next turn.
One slight difference to the DMG/UA that I'm using the following change for the siege weapons:
A siege weapon can target a ship’s hull, a ship’s rigging, or a ship’s crew. It cannot target individuals, such as a particular PC or the ship’s captain. Weapons that do piercing damage, do only half damage to a ship’s hull or ship’s rigging. It is quite difficult to hit a mast, yardarm or anything else in the rigging that would damage sail use, so attacks against a ship’s rigging always have a -2 penalty to attack rolls. If the attack comes as a surprise to the other ship, the crew has half cover for the first round of combat. When not surprised the crew will attempt to carry out their duties staying behind cover as much as possible, providing them with three-quarters cover.
Optional Officer Activities While Travelling:
The activities available to a ship’s crew and passengers are a bit different from the options available to a group traveling by land. A number of activities are restricted to certain officers, unless it narratively makes sense (check with me).
The party’s pace has no effect on the activities they can engage in while traveling by ship.
Forage The character casts out fishing lines, keeping an eye out for sources of food, making a Wisdom (Survival) check. Individuals who can breath under water and have a swim speed can also try to gather food underwater (as Dillyu and Oden did previously.)
Raise Morale (First Mate and/or Bard Only)
The first mate can manage the crew’s time to grant extended breaks, provide instruction, and improve morale. Once per day, if the crew’s quality score is 3 or lower, the first mate can make a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. On a successful check, the crew’s quality score increases by 1. A bard might be allowed to engage in the raise morale activity if the player controlling them makes it work narratively.
The crew's quality starts at +4, I'll let you know if it increases or decreases.
Navigate (Quartermaster and/or Navigator Only) The quartermaster and/or navigator can try to prevent the group from becoming lost, making a Wisdom (Survival) check when the DM calls for it. (See “Becoming Lost” in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for more information.)
Noticing Threats Use the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of the characters or the crew to determine whether anyone on the ship notices a hidden threat. The crew has a passive Wisdom (Perception) score equal to 10 + the crew’s quality score. The DM might decide that a threat can be noticed only by characters in a specific area of the ship. For example, only characters below deck might have a chance to hear or spot a creature hiding on board.
Repair (Bosun Only) The ship’s bosun can undertake this activity. At the end of the day, the bosun can make a Strength check using carpenter’s tools. On a 15 or higher, each damaged component regains hit points equal to 1d6 + the crew’s quality score (minimum of 1 hit point). A component other than the hull that had 0 hit points becomes functional again.
Stealth (Captain Only) The ship’s captain can engage in this activity only if the weather conditions restrict visibility, such as in heavy fog. The ship makes a Dexterity check with a bonus equal to the crew’s quality score to determine if it can hide.
UA description of Officer roles that need to be filled (in addition to not instead of what I wrote at the top):
Captain. The captain issues orders. The best captains have high Intelligence and Charisma scores, as well as proficiency with water vehicles and the Intimidation and Persuasion skills. [Needs to be a PC.]
First Mate. This specialist keeps the crew’s morale up by providing close supervision, encouragement, and discipline. A first mate benefits from a high Charisma score, as well as proficiency with the Intimidation and Persuasion skills. [PC or sidekick.]
Bosun. The bosun (or boatswain) provides technical advice to the captain and crew and leads repair and maintenance efforts. A good bosun has a high Strength score, as well as proficiency with carpenter’s tools and the Athletics skill. [PC or sidekick - should have proficiency in carpenter's tools and water vehicles.]
Quartermaster. The quartermaster plots the ship’s course, relying on knowledge of nautical charts and a study of weather and sea conditions. A reliable quartermaster tends to have a high Wisdom score, as well as proficiency with navigator’s tools and the Nature skill. [PC or sidekick.]
Surgeon. The ship’s surgeon tends to injuries, keeps illnesses from spreading throughout the ship, and oversees sanitation. A capable surgeon benefits from a high Intelligence score, as well as proficiency with herbalism kits and the Medicine skill. [PC or sidekick, can magically heal instead of the suggested characteristics.]
Cook. A ship’s cook works with the limited ingredients aboard a ship to make meals. A skilled cook keeps the crew’s morale in top shape, while a poor one drags down the entire crew’s performance. A talented cook has a high Constitution score, as well as proficiency with brewer’s supplies and cook’s utensils. [PC or sidekick, can ignore suggested characteristics if narratively makes sense (for instance a spell caster who uses Prestidigitation to re-flavour meals where their cooking isn't great).]
Gumerawan has only served as general crew before and has never thought of herself as officer grade material....though she's happy to help out as Cook...she's also happy to work as a Rigger aloft if needs be.
( Does anyone have any suggestions for a Sidekick? She doesn't really know any of the crew or your former crew.)
[Unless someone volunteers to be captain before leaving, you will have Jaxon's eldest son Timothy Brand as the captain of The Bounty by default. As mentioned, he has captained before and is very keen to captain this voyage. The only other two positions that need to be decided fairly quickly are the First Mate and Bosun - though Timothy Brand will assign those if nobody volunteers for the captain position. The rest of the officer positions are able to be shared (at least for the moment).]
The Heroes of the Isle set off from Port Damali with a new party member, a new ship and a significantly larger crew.
Let me know where you are heading first. As a reminder:
- You know there is an invisible ship near Palma Flora (around where Flora Isle previously was) with a sahuagin sending out rafts of kobolds and lacedons to capture people.
- You know that two of the ships that have been plucked from the water by sahuagin cultists were attacked a day or two past Bisaft Isle towards Stillben.
- Gumerawan knows that an item was procured by Elisa in Stillben prior to the trip in which the ship was attacked. [Unrelated: Beorth was "born into a family of muckdwellers in Stillben on the Lucidian Coast of Tal'Dorei"].
- You know at some stage you are going to have to travel to the Elemental Plane of Water.
I will get Oden to roll a d100 for Faendal's amulet.
I will get someone else to roll two d100s for other reasons.
Sun and gray clouds do battle overhead for dominance, sometimes plunging the water into a dark twilight or bright daylight. Numerous waves, about the size of a man run the length of the water as far as the eye can see, all topped with a cone of white froth. The wind picks this froth from each and carries it along and coats all surfaces. This cooling spray makes the trip enjoyable for most on board, even in the shade. The rigging and sails flap in the breeze, occasionally dropping additional sprays to the deck, glinting like jewels in the periodic sun.
You all get to know some of the new crew you are travelling with. Lonzar (the Triton) is very forward in introducing himself and launches into stories about his people, his glorious battles defending the ocean, his journey to the surface as an emissary of his people, his time spent on ships assisting "the people of the surface" (from some stories it appears he has served on revelry, concord and trade vessels and does not seem to understand that these are not all aligned) and how he came to find out about "the threat from The Elemental Plane of Water, which it is my sworn duty to protect your world from." [Lonzar would actually make a very good Bosan, even better than Firische. They both have the Shipwright Feature: I’ll Patch It!, but Lonzar also has the mending cantrip, has many tool proficiencies, is a skill-monkey and has +6 athletics.]
In the early evening Dillyu offers to go fishing and collect other ingredients from the sea. He asks Oden to join him again and asks "was there something wrong with the quality of food I served on the Wavechaser? I thought I did a good job, but..." and he looks at Gumerawan peeling potatoes on the deck. "Should I offer to help cook? Do you think she would mind? I don't care if she is head chef, I'd follow her lead."
If anyone else who has a swimming speed of at least 25 ft and can breath underwater (at least temporarily) wants to join Dillyu, they can.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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The Champion gives a cheery, amiable smile. ”As a matter of fact, I am! You seem like you are as well. You give the impression of a colorful life, Miss.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
The Champion will approach the Air Genasi about needing clever hands for helping
(unless someone else wants dibs, I’m very agreeable.)
Paladin - warforged - orange
[Air Genasi is yours, I'll add the character sheet shortly.]
Jaxon also details the equipment and provisions that he has gathered for your journey. He indicates that there are provisions for 3 months, including "fine provisions" for the entire crew for every fourth meal. He indicates that there are dried provisions, cured meats and cheese, vegetables and fish in brine, fresh fruit and vegetables (including a small on-ship-garden), a dozen laying hens for for eggs (until they before fresh meat themselves), fresh water, very watery beer, weak but expertly spiced dark rum and weak but deliciously peaty whiskey.
Anyone who has spent long sailing knows that this is more in line with what royalty has on offer when they are sailing than what adventurers and their crew would usually expect (except for the alcohol, which he explains is weak so that the crew can feel like they are being looked after without it impacting their ability to work).
He indicates that he has bought up all the spell scrolls of Water Breathing that he was able to get his hands on (which is 4 of them), though he requests that these are used for the rescue of the people trapped in "the jellyfish husks", so they (hopefully) do not drown in the rescue attempt. He provides an additional 4 Potions of Water Breathing which he indicates can be used if needed, though he stresses these may also be required for the rescue.
He has stocked an officer's armoury on board The Bounty with three handaxes, two greatswords, three longswords, two quarterstaffs, two tridents, three javelins, a spear, one hand crossbow, two heavy crossbows, eighty crossbow bolts, two longbows, a shortbow, sixty arrows, three nets, a suit of studded leather armour, a suit of scale mail, two suits of half plate armour, a suit of plate armour and two shields. [None of this equipment can be sold, it is just for your use if needed. No need to be polite about taking anything, first in best dressed. If anyone just bought any of these items in Port Damali, sorry.]
He indicates that the recovery of his daughter (and crew) is very important to him and he has spared no expense.
[As a DM, I should make clear that the reason I am being very generous with equipment, sidekicks and a well armed ship is that things are likely to be very challenging going forward. I am giving you the tools so that I can throw some very difficult battles at you (though you may still want to try to avoid some of these if possible).]
The Champion will scoop up that half plate
Paladin - warforged - orange
Gumerawan is not trained in any of the extra equipment and lets it be, she instead goes around introducing herself to all the crew that haven't already approached her and helps with casting off.
Beatrice will grab the javelins and the spear :)
Kenton will take the full plate, impressed as he has never had enough money even to think about buying such a thing for himself. He already has a longsword for land fighting and a spear for underwater fighting, so he won't take any weapons.
We are well equipped, and fully crewed, and I think it is time to set sail. Kenton is now looking eagerly towards sea and the adventure that lies before them. He wants to talk to the others, but when they are actually underway.
To Jaxon Brand, at a time when they have some privacy: From what you have said, and what others have said, your daughter is capable and strong-willed. As soon as we find her, I believe she will order me to postpone any attempt at rescuing her, and instead fight alongside her in freeing any other prisoners and then defeating the enemy that has taken them. I don't think I can disobey her in this, but I will do my best to keep her safe, I swear.
[Just checking if Gumerawan is going to have a sidekick? If so, you can choose one of the people from post 1603 (except the Air Genesis).
I'll get to the party shipping off tomorrow morning (it is just before midnight here). Today has been full of the fun things in life - taxes and getting covid tested, yay!]
Jaxon thanks Kenton for asking about his family when they are off to the side and says "Martin is very well, he has just finished another play. I think he is going to be a fantastic playwright someday - possibly someday soon, which is bitter-sweet as I will miss having his silver tongue and way with words for negotiating and assisting with the business. Tina is off exploring again, though she messaged last week to say she would be back for her birthday. It is hard to believe she will be nineteen! They grow up so quickly. Thank you for asking about them, it is good to speak about happier things than what has happened to Elisa.
You are correct that Elisa will almost definitely insist on rescuing her crew and any other prisoners when you free her. She is every bit the heroic adventurer I once was and then some [he pauses].
This brings me to Timothy, who I need to speak to you about [he pauses again]. I don't believe you have had the... pleasure... of meeting my eldest son. He is insisting that he captains The Bounty on this voyage. Now I love all my children equally; however, I do not believe Timothy would necessarily be an asset in helping to get Elisa back safely. He does have experience as a captain, though reports I have got back from trusted officers who sailed with him - supported by the fact that on his few voyages a number of crew have left at the end of the voyage - are that he does not embody the Brand or Zephyr Assimilated spirit. I feel terrible saying all this about my own flesh and blood and if the voyage was not so important I would also insist he captain as I believe he will one day find the path, though I will instead leave it up to you for this voyage. If you have someone capable of acting as the captain, then I will tell Timothy that you are using them instead. Let me know before you set off."
I do not know the crew as well as my comrades do. I will ask them who they plan to ask to serve as captain. I think Boerth perhaps, but I am not certain. Thank you for trusting me with this, sir. I will let you know, as you suggest.
At some point before they set sail, Kenton will look for a chance to talk to the others about this privately, and ask who they think would take the captain's role. He resists the urge to volunteer himself; part of him is absolutely confident that he would do a splendid job, but the other part is reminding him that he has almost no sailing experience.
[Oops, was typing this when you responded.]
Everyone: You need to decide who will be the captain (it cannot be a sidekick) OR you will be assigned Timothy Brand as captain.
Whilst having a sailor background is preferable for the Captain, it is not mandatory (though you might need to make deception checks to hide this from the crew or face disadvantage). I will provide details about the other roles that need to be filled by PCs and sidekicks shortly.
About being captain:
The ultimate authority on any ship, their word is law to all on board. The captain chooses where to sail among many other command decisions. Leadership often proves perilous, however, as a captain is, above all, meant to secure success for his ship and crew. Failing to do so increases the threat of mutiny.
The individual in command of the vessel must be available each turn to direct the actions of the crew and observe the enemy’s actions. If the commander fails to direct the ship’s movement they cannot direct the pilot to change heading or the watch to change speed, or order the ship to perform any special maneuvers. This role is for someone on the deck of the ship shouting orders to the crew, relaying info from the lookout to the pilot and so on. Imagine them standing in the bow or on the sterncastle with a spyglass.
The other two important ship combat roles that need to be filled are:
- First Mate [can be sidekick though a PC is preferable, should have sailor/pirate/smuggler background and water vehicle proficiency],
- Bosun [can be a sidekick or PC, should have proficiency in carpenter's tools and water vehicles. I think Firische is the only PC or sidekick so far* that can fill that role]. *There might be a second option depending on who (if anyone) Gumerawan chooses as a sidekick.
I'm DM ruling that Beorth is the navigator.
I am mostly using the UA for ships for combat modified to best match the version used in Critical Role for the Dieter battle (as per critrolestats) rather than the Ghosts of Saltmarsh ship combat rules.
Ship-to-ship and ship-to-creature combat will be mostly optional, so I don't want to scare you all off with lots of rules/a new system. As such, there is no need to read the below spoiler sections if you do not want to (they are not actual spoilers) as I will explain them as they are relevant/needed. You can read them if you are interested.
As per the UA and CR episode "During an encounter, the captain, first mate, and bosun each have access to two special action options described below: Full Speed Ahead and Fire at Will."
Descriptions:
Full Speed Ahead
As an action while on deck, the captain, first mate, or bosun can exhort the crew to work harder and drive a ship forward. Roll a d6 and multiply the result by 5. Apply the total as a bonus to the ship’s speed until the end of the ship’s next turn. If this bonus is applied to a ship’s speed when the ship is already moving faster than normal, use the higher result. Don’t add the two bonuses together.
Fire at Will
As an action, the captain, first mate, or bosun aids the crew in aiming one of the ship’s weapons. Select one of the ship’s weapons that is within 10 feet of the officer. It gains advantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of the ship’s next turn.
One slight difference to the DMG/UA that I'm using the following change for the siege weapons:
A siege weapon can target a ship’s hull, a ship’s rigging, or a ship’s crew. It cannot target individuals, such as a particular PC or the ship’s captain. Weapons that do piercing damage, do only half damage to a ship’s hull or ship’s rigging. It is quite difficult to hit a mast, yardarm or anything else in the rigging that would damage sail use, so attacks against a ship’s rigging always have a -2 penalty to attack rolls. If the attack comes as a surprise to the other ship, the crew has half cover for the first round of combat. When not surprised the crew will attempt to carry out their duties staying behind cover as much as possible, providing them with three-quarters cover.
Optional Officer Activities While Travelling:
The activities available to a ship’s crew and passengers are a bit different from the options available to a group traveling by land. A number of activities are restricted to certain officers, unless it narratively makes sense (check with me).
The party’s pace has no effect on the activities they can engage in while traveling by ship.
Forage
The character casts out fishing lines, keeping an eye out for sources of food, making a Wisdom (Survival) check. Individuals who can breath under water and have a swim speed can also try to gather food underwater (as Dillyu and Oden did previously.)
Raise Morale (First Mate and/or Bard Only)
The first mate can manage the crew’s time to grant extended breaks, provide instruction, and improve morale. Once per day, if the crew’s quality score is 3 or lower, the first mate can make a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. On a successful check, the crew’s quality score increases by 1. A bard might be allowed to engage in the raise morale activity if the player controlling them makes it work narratively.
The crew's quality starts at +4, I'll let you know if it increases or decreases.
Navigate (Quartermaster and/or Navigator Only)
The quartermaster and/or navigator can try to prevent the group from becoming lost, making a Wisdom (Survival) check when the DM calls for it. (See “Becoming Lost” in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for more information.)
Noticing Threats
Use the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of the characters or the crew to determine whether anyone on the ship notices a hidden threat. The crew has a passive Wisdom (Perception) score equal to 10 + the crew’s quality score. The DM might decide that a threat can be noticed only by characters in a specific area of the ship. For example, only characters below deck might have a chance to hear or spot a creature hiding on board.
Repair (Bosun Only)
The ship’s bosun can undertake this activity. At the end of the day, the bosun can make a Strength check using carpenter’s tools. On a 15 or higher, each damaged component regains hit points equal to 1d6 + the crew’s quality score (minimum of 1 hit point). A component other than the hull that had 0 hit points becomes functional again.
Stealth (Captain Only)
The ship’s captain can engage in this activity only if the weather conditions restrict visibility, such as in heavy fog. The ship makes a Dexterity check with a bonus equal to the crew’s quality score to determine if it can hide.
UA description of Officer roles that need to be filled (in addition to not instead of what I wrote at the top):
First Mate. This specialist keeps the crew’s morale up by providing close supervision, encouragement, and discipline. A first mate benefits from a high Charisma score, as well as proficiency with the Intimidation and Persuasion skills. [PC or sidekick.]
Bosun. The bosun (or boatswain) provides technical advice to the captain and crew and leads repair and maintenance efforts. A good bosun has a high Strength score, as well as proficiency with carpenter’s tools and the Athletics skill. [PC or sidekick - should have proficiency in carpenter's tools and water vehicles.]
Quartermaster. The quartermaster plots the ship’s course, relying on knowledge of nautical charts and a study of weather and sea conditions. A reliable quartermaster tends to have a high Wisdom score, as well as proficiency with navigator’s tools and the Nature skill. [PC or sidekick.]
Surgeon. The ship’s surgeon tends to injuries, keeps illnesses from spreading throughout the ship, and oversees sanitation. A capable surgeon benefits from a high Intelligence score, as well as proficiency with herbalism kits and the Medicine skill. [PC or sidekick, can magically heal instead of the suggested characteristics.]
Cook. A ship’s cook works with the limited ingredients aboard a ship to make meals. A skilled cook keeps the crew’s morale in top shape, while a poor one drags down the entire crew’s performance. A talented cook has a high Constitution score, as well as proficiency with brewer’s supplies and cook’s utensils. [PC or sidekick, can ignore suggested characteristics if narratively makes sense (for instance a spell caster who uses Prestidigitation to re-flavour meals where their cooking isn't great).]
Beatrice could be the Surgeon and Dajarkal could be the Quartermaster :)
The Champion only has the skills to perform as the Surgeon, I believe.
Happy to hear other role ideas thrown out there. Maybe Dajarkal as the Quartermaster?
Paladin - warforged - orange
Gumerawan has only served as general crew before and has never thought of herself as officer grade material....though she's happy to help out as Cook...she's also happy to work as a Rigger aloft if needs be.
( Does anyone have any suggestions for a Sidekick? She doesn't really know any of the crew or your former crew.)
[Unless someone volunteers to be captain before leaving, you will have Jaxon's eldest son Timothy Brand as the captain of The Bounty by default. As mentioned, he has captained before and is very keen to captain this voyage. The only other two positions that need to be decided fairly quickly are the First Mate and Bosun - though Timothy Brand will assign those if nobody volunteers for the captain position. The rest of the officer positions are able to be shared (at least for the moment).]
The Heroes of the Isle set off from Port Damali with a new party member, a new ship and a significantly larger crew.
Let me know where you are heading first. As a reminder:
- You know there is an invisible ship near Palma Flora (around where Flora Isle previously was) with a sahuagin sending out rafts of kobolds and lacedons to capture people.
- You know that two of the ships that have been plucked from the water by sahuagin cultists were attacked a day or two past Bisaft Isle towards Stillben.
- Gumerawan knows that an item was procured by Elisa in Stillben prior to the trip in which the ship was attacked. [Unrelated: Beorth was "born into a family of muckdwellers in Stillben on the Lucidian Coast of Tal'Dorei"].
- You know at some stage you are going to have to travel to the Elemental Plane of Water.
I will get Oden to roll a d100 for Faendal's amulet.
I will get someone else to roll two d100s for other reasons.
D100 1: 41
D100 2: 5
Sun and gray clouds do battle overhead for dominance, sometimes plunging the water into a dark twilight or bright daylight. Numerous waves, about the size of a man run the length of the water as far as the eye can see, all topped with a cone of white froth. The wind picks this froth from each and carries it along and coats all surfaces. This cooling spray makes the trip enjoyable for most on board, even in the shade. The rigging and sails flap in the breeze, occasionally dropping additional sprays to the deck, glinting like jewels in the periodic sun.
You all get to know some of the new crew you are travelling with. Lonzar (the Triton) is very forward in introducing himself and launches into stories about his people, his glorious battles defending the ocean, his journey to the surface as an emissary of his people, his time spent on ships assisting "the people of the surface" (from some stories it appears he has served on revelry, concord and trade vessels and does not seem to understand that these are not all aligned) and how he came to find out about "the threat from The Elemental Plane of Water, which it is my sworn duty to protect your world from." [Lonzar would actually make a very good Bosan, even better than Firische. They both have the Shipwright Feature: I’ll Patch It!, but Lonzar also has the mending cantrip, has many tool proficiencies, is a skill-monkey and has +6 athletics.]
In the early evening Dillyu offers to go fishing and collect other ingredients from the sea. He asks Oden to join him again and asks "was there something wrong with the quality of food I served on the Wavechaser? I thought I did a good job, but..." and he looks at Gumerawan peeling potatoes on the deck. "Should I offer to help cook? Do you think she would mind? I don't care if she is head chef, I'd follow her lead."
If anyone else who has a swimming speed of at least 25 ft and can breath underwater (at least temporarily) wants to join Dillyu, they can.