"Runners over the water with axes to hack at the water line", repeats Chen. "That could be a tactic we employ ourselves", he adds with a grin. "I'm sure I could resist their defenders long enough to cripple their ships. They'd be forced to disengage and return to their ports. We could avoid conflict, and no one would get hurt."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Silly suggestion... But is there a way to communicate with them?" Fianna asks, ever the levelheaded one. "If they are just merchants traveling together we don't want to attack unnecessarily."
"My familiar is headed over there now. I could try to establish a line of conversation... But people unused to dealing with such don't always respond well to such."
Mirica gets a message from Toc, "Let me know if you need assistance."
-----------------------------
Fi'Finella flaps up wind, fighting the breeze to get above the incoming ships. A few hundred feet below she sees the five vessels. They're spread out, staggered, with two ships clearly outdistancing the remaining three by at least a couple hundred feet. On board each vessels ballistas are loaded and manned, one on each bow aimed towards the Straight Shot that is about two thousand feet ahead. The ships appear to be lighter, and aren't weighed down by tonnes of ore, and seem to skip across the water gaining quickly. Groups of armored soldiers are scattered across the lead vessel...near the railings, watching as they near their prey...while a group of 10 soldiers is sitting around a man who seems to be performing some ritual on them.
The captain of the lead ship is a man, thick bearded and a backwards captains hat, gripping the wheel as he shouts strangely calm sounding orders at his men on the sails. The captain on the 2nd ship, an elf with pale skin and dark hair stands calmly, his men seemingly knowing what to do with quiet efficiency, as they lag slightly behind the about a hundred feet to the starboard side of the lead vessel.
The three trailing vessels are full of yells and you see oars emerge from one of them, as there are screams of "don't be left behind", "they get all the glory and you'll all be gettin the whip!" and other such encouraging screams.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"They're not merchants," Fianna says ominously and then relays all the information she has been able to gather.
"Once they're within 500 feet I could get myself and another to their ship to cause close up and personal damage and mayhem, but this ship would be vulnerable to their armaments by then. Still, I think it'll be worth it to get there and target the one performing the ritual. I couldn't quite make out what it is ((Could I? Arcana: 18 )) but I am sure it isn't good news for us..."
"Alternatively, I could create an invisible 100 foot wall between us and the closest ships. Still, would not save this ship from their armaments but it would cause them much headaches and hopefully save us from being boarded... Though I would be best remaining on board to do that," Fianna offers, seeming to leave the decision on tactics to Tessa.
"We are chased by five pirate ships,"did not hide the truth of the situation from Toc Mirica, "our group can escape, but the crew and the ship can not. We are going to fight". That long explanation basically meant "judge for yourself". Toc's presence would sure help but the idea of leaving Mythallar unguarded did not sit well with her. In the end, she decided to ask others "Do we want to summon Toc now?"
Chen doesn't have the magic ability or knowledge of the others, and knows only a little of what Fianna, Mirica and Toc can do, and almost nothing of Nujez's powers. But as the group are brainstorming ideas, Chen throws in his two-coppers-worth.
Replying to Fianna he says: A pre-emptive strike seems more prudent than waiting for them to come within range. I could carry you across the water to within 500 feet of the ships, then you could teleport both of us the rest of the way to the deck of the closest ship. You could attack the first ship while I go attack the second ship, then I'll return and you can teleport us both out of there.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Nuzej consults his spellbook briefly, and listens to the scouting report. "That imp of yours is extremely useful and actually rather brave. I can also conjure the same force wall you mentioned, Fianna, as well as teleport myself and one other about 500 feet from where we stand. I can also fly myself closer, or turn myself or one of you into a beast, or make Chen go very fast, or make it so most of the people on one of the ships fall upward instead of downward, or control water to an extent, from about 300 feet away -- though I can only do one of those at a time. I can also flood their ships from a bit closer with tidal waves. Do we want to try to capsize or disable them when they get to around 300 feet from us?"
He peers ahead, trying to see the two ships breaking apart from the pack and gaining swiftly. How far are they right now?
"Or is that too late, and we should try getting closer with a strike force to protect this ship from their ballistae. It's a tricky thing. We're not going to outrun them. So we could de-power the sails, stall, and let them come to us, controlling the battlefield with two invisible walls that will keep this ship mostly protected from missiles, and absolutely destroy any ship that collides with them. While Chen runs around hacking at the water line and the others contribute in their own special ways."
It seemed the group decided against summoning Toc and if he was still in contact Mirica sent back message that there is no need to interrupt his studies just yet.
"Can you set their ships on fire? Destroying sails might be enough". "Should you decide to run over there - tell me and I'll send a helper with you"
Even two Walls of Force would only bump two, maybe three opponent ships and unless striking them did serious damage to the ship it wouldn't be that much an impediment once they figured it out? If we did them we could probably coordinate to do a V shape to try to angle the middle three ships all into crashing into the center gap they wouldn't fit through... But also Wall of Force is concentration so we would basically have Fianna and Nuzej very limited on what they could do until that happened, and after for as long as we wanted the ships still thus tied up.
What kind of beast can Nuzej do? If you could do a whale then the rest of us could ride that to the other ships... Heck, if you can do a whale, could you polymorph Fi'Finella into a whale? That would leave us all still battle capable! And give Fianna a whale for a familiar! At least temporarily... LOL, I love this idea! Ok, not Fi'Finella, they're only a CR 1 so I don't think you could make her a whale. Damn. But still, one of us could be transformed and then transport the others... then maybe even attack the ships? Sperm Whale one of us!
All in all, I think it best to go to these ships and try to dissuade their continued pursuit before they're within the balustrade range of 500'... If we could take out two or three of their ships quickly I think it would be difficult for the others to think it wise to continue to press the attack.))
(A ship going full speed and striking an invisible immobile force would be the same as it ramming a rock cliff....you figure a wall of force would be pretty disastrous to a ship going fast.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
(Hmmm... Ok, so I STILL like the polymorph someone into a whale to transport us and to attack ships with idea but... On the way to the ships, once within Wall of Force range, they are created to have the opposing ships crash into. I was going to volunteer Fianna to be the whale but... Get her in range and Bam! Wall of force for first ship to crash into. Next round, Bam! Second Wall for second ship. Next round, Bam! She can do 4 WoF immediately in front of 4 different ships in 4 rounds. Sure, prior WoFs drop once new one is created but they already crashed into the rock cliff so cliff is no longer needed. Not saying we all would be safe but I think our ship would be...)
((This is why we need Fianna fighting, not transporting someone. Same with Nuzej and Chen can add physical damage if it's still needed - that leaves either the summon or Russel and Mirica. Or a volunteer form the crew.))
Fianna whistles out and yells to her companions to gather. "We need a plan," she says, seriously. "I think it best we go to the ships before they get in range of this one... I would prefer to stop them from every getting within range. If I get within 500 feet of them, I can have them slam into an invisible wall. One at a time, mind you... But I think I could likely take out 2 or three that way... The trick is getting that close before they're that close to this ship."
"Does someone want to be a whale? And ferry any a small group closer to the ships? I could be the whale, or ride someone else who is a whale. We can all breathe water, so they likely would not see us on approach,"Nuzej says, scoping out the ships. "If I am not the whale, the best I can do is wait until I am around 120-150 feet and toss off fireballs and tidal waves."
He looks around for a length of rope the whale could grip in its mouth, towing a small dinghy behind it, so that when the whale begins its attack, the others have a floating platform from which to attack, likely behind a wall of force that would serve as a battering ram for the ships.
"Would you be able to use your spells while polymorphed? Though, even in this case it would be a waste - we can use creature's strength here. I can summon help that might work just as well. And then you will turn one of us - me, probably - into a whale, just for efficiency sake."The help she was talking about, appeared on the deck a minute later in its frightening beauty - long snake with the brilliantly colored feathered wings that the creature was using to hover above the deck. Mirica extended her hand as if to pet the magnificent being but stopped right away. "Greeting." She bowed her head instead."Would you help us? We need to get closer to the attacking ships, and the group would have to be protected from enemies too. Should you be able to prevent that vessels from moving, that would help much as well."
"There is one problem, though. Keeping that holy being here takes a lot of strength. Should not be too difficult but there is a risk of loosing the connection. Other than that - ready when you are."
((The spell need concentration, for the full hour it seems. With feat and whale's ability to dive should be fine, but chance of loosing concentration does exist.))
((So it seems Mirica is going to be Polymorphed into a Sperm Whale by Nuzej. Rope in mouth to pull dinghy along, which test of us ride in. Good idea, that. I was thinking more us riding atop like worm riders in Dune but dinghy better. Surely the boat has ropes that can be tied together to provide length we need.
So whale pulls us towards closest approaching ship. Whale should be underwater as much as they can without drawing dinghy under too... once within 500 ft range, Fianna does Wall of Force immediately in front of closest ship... like an inch in front of it. Bottom of wall 5 feet below water to wall is half submerged... once ship crashes the whale release rope and dives further water, going to attack second closest ship from below. Safer to attack bottom of ship, harder for them to hit whale... obviously we’d be in combat order by this time and chaos would ensue but that’s general idea of the plan?
We may want a couple brave ship volunteers who can run the dinghy? We don’t want it to crash into debris or such, and we don’t want us doing the towing or such...))
Fianna outlines the plan as best she can for everyone. She asks Tessa if they could indeed use a dinghy and if she knew of some competent volunteers to operate it. “We’ll keep them as safe as possible. We need them, after all. And it is for the good of the ship...”
“after initial contact I’m sure all he’ll will break loose, as usual. But in general- Mirica attacks the ships from below, as does her... sorry, not sure what to call them? But you two on physical offense. Myself and Nuzej are on the spell attack. I’ll have a few more walls available, Nuzej will do what they can. Chen? Russel? You two protect the dinghy as best you can. They’ll have warriors who can water walk, do what you can to keep them off us...”
((Nope, Mirica as whale goes on her own, the Couatle will polymorph for the transportation as soon as it will be decided into which animal))
Change Shape. The couatl magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating equal to or less than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the couatl's choice).
In a new form, the couatl retains its game statistics and ability to speak, but its AC, movement modes, Strength, Dexterity, and other actions are replaced by those of the new form, and it gains any statistics and capabilities (except class features, legendary actions, and lair actions) that the new form has but that it lacks. If the new form has a bite attack, the couatl can use its bite in that form.
"Runners over the water with axes to hack at the water line", repeats Chen. "That could be a tactic we employ ourselves", he adds with a grin. "I'm sure I could resist their defenders long enough to cripple their ships. They'd be forced to disengage and return to their ports. We could avoid conflict, and no one would get hurt."
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Silly suggestion... But is there a way to communicate with them?" Fianna asks, ever the levelheaded one. "If they are just merchants traveling together we don't want to attack unnecessarily."
"My familiar is headed over there now. I could try to establish a line of conversation... But people unused to dealing with such don't always respond well to such."
Mirica gets a message from Toc, "Let me know if you need assistance."
-----------------------------
Fi'Finella flaps up wind, fighting the breeze to get above the incoming ships. A few hundred feet below she sees the five vessels. They're spread out, staggered, with two ships clearly outdistancing the remaining three by at least a couple hundred feet. On board each vessels ballistas are loaded and manned, one on each bow aimed towards the Straight Shot that is about two thousand feet ahead. The ships appear to be lighter, and aren't weighed down by tonnes of ore, and seem to skip across the water gaining quickly. Groups of armored soldiers are scattered across the lead vessel...near the railings, watching as they near their prey...while a group of 10 soldiers is sitting around a man who seems to be performing some ritual on them.
The captain of the lead ship is a man, thick bearded and a backwards captains hat, gripping the wheel as he shouts strangely calm sounding orders at his men on the sails. The captain on the 2nd ship, an elf with pale skin and dark hair stands calmly, his men seemingly knowing what to do with quiet efficiency, as they lag slightly behind the about a hundred feet to the starboard side of the lead vessel.
The three trailing vessels are full of yells and you see oars emerge from one of them, as there are screams of "don't be left behind", "they get all the glory and you'll all be gettin the whip!" and other such encouraging screams.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"They're not merchants," Fianna says ominously and then relays all the information she has been able to gather.
"Once they're within 500 feet I could get myself and another to their ship to cause close up and personal damage and mayhem, but this ship would be vulnerable to their armaments by then. Still, I think it'll be worth it to get there and target the one performing the ritual. I couldn't quite make out what it is ((Could I? Arcana: 18 )) but I am sure it isn't good news for us..."
"Alternatively, I could create an invisible 100 foot wall between us and the closest ships. Still, would not save this ship from their armaments but it would cause them much headaches and hopefully save us from being boarded... Though I would be best remaining on board to do that," Fianna offers, seeming to leave the decision on tactics to Tessa.
"We are chased by five pirate ships," did not hide the truth of the situation from Toc Mirica, "our group can escape, but the crew and the ship can not. We are going to fight". That long explanation basically meant "judge for yourself". Toc's presence would sure help but the idea of leaving Mythallar unguarded did not sit well with her. In the end, she decided to ask others "Do we want to summon Toc now?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Chen doesn't have the magic ability or knowledge of the others, and knows only a little of what Fianna, Mirica and Toc can do, and almost nothing of Nujez's powers. But as the group are brainstorming ideas, Chen throws in his two-coppers-worth.
Replying to Fianna he says: A pre-emptive strike seems more prudent than waiting for them to come within range. I could carry you across the water to within 500 feet of the ships, then you could teleport both of us the rest of the way to the deck of the closest ship. You could attack the first ship while I go attack the second ship, then I'll return and you can teleport us both out of there.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Nuzej consults his spellbook briefly, and listens to the scouting report. "That imp of yours is extremely useful and actually rather brave. I can also conjure the same force wall you mentioned, Fianna, as well as teleport myself and one other about 500 feet from where we stand. I can also fly myself closer, or turn myself or one of you into a beast, or make Chen go very fast, or make it so most of the people on one of the ships fall upward instead of downward, or control water to an extent, from about 300 feet away -- though I can only do one of those at a time. I can also flood their ships from a bit closer with tidal waves. Do we want to try to capsize or disable them when they get to around 300 feet from us?"
He peers ahead, trying to see the two ships breaking apart from the pack and gaining swiftly. How far are they right now?
"Or is that too late, and we should try getting closer with a strike force to protect this ship from their ballistae. It's a tricky thing. We're not going to outrun them. So we could de-power the sails, stall, and let them come to us, controlling the battlefield with two invisible walls that will keep this ship mostly protected from missiles, and absolutely destroy any ship that collides with them. While Chen runs around hacking at the water line and the others contribute in their own special ways."
He raises his eyebrows excitedly.
He also casts mage armor on himself.
The group discusses their dirth of options as the other ships slowly gain on them.
Fianna figured the ritual was probably a water walk ritual.
(Squares are 100 feet squares)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
It seemed the group decided against summoning Toc and if he was still in contact Mirica sent back message that there is no need to interrupt his studies just yet.
"Can you set their ships on fire? Destroying sails might be enough". "Should you decide to run over there - tell me and I'll send a helper with you"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
((OOC strategy talk...
Even two Walls of Force would only bump two, maybe three opponent ships and unless striking them did serious damage to the ship it wouldn't be that much an impediment once they figured it out? If we did them we could probably coordinate to do a V shape to try to angle the middle three ships all into crashing into the center gap they wouldn't fit through... But also Wall of Force is concentration so we would basically have Fianna and Nuzej very limited on what they could do until that happened, and after for as long as we wanted the ships still thus tied up.
What kind of beast can Nuzej do? If you could do a whale then the rest of us could ride that to the other ships... Heck, if you can do a whale, could you polymorph Fi'Finella into a whale? That would leave us all still battle capable! And give Fianna a whale for a familiar! At least temporarily... LOL, I love this idea! Ok, not Fi'Finella, they're only a CR 1 so I don't think you could make her a whale. Damn. But still, one of us could be transformed and then transport the others... then maybe even attack the ships? Sperm Whale one of us!
All in all, I think it best to go to these ships and try to dissuade their continued pursuit before they're within the balustrade range of 500'... If we could take out two or three of their ships quickly I think it would be difficult for the others to think it wise to continue to press the attack.))
(A ship going full speed and striking an invisible immobile force would be the same as it ramming a rock cliff....you figure a wall of force would be pretty disastrous to a ship going fast.)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
(Hmmm... Ok, so I STILL like the polymorph someone into a whale to transport us and to attack ships with idea but... On the way to the ships, once within Wall of Force range, they are created to have the opposing ships crash into. I was going to volunteer Fianna to be the whale but... Get her in range and Bam! Wall of force for first ship to crash into. Next round, Bam! Second Wall for second ship. Next round, Bam! She can do 4 WoF immediately in front of 4 different ships in 4 rounds. Sure, prior WoFs drop once new one is created but they already crashed into the rock cliff so cliff is no longer needed. Not saying we all would be safe but I think our ship would be...)
((This is why we need Fianna fighting, not transporting someone. Same with Nuzej and Chen can add physical damage if it's still needed - that leaves either the summon or Russel and Mirica. Or a volunteer form the crew.))
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
((Oh! I like volunteer from crew except... they would be like CR 0 or 1 or something. One of us allows us the CR 8 gargantuan Sperm Whale...))
((Then Russel or Mirica it is!))
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Fianna whistles out and yells to her companions to gather. "We need a plan," she says, seriously. "I think it best we go to the ships before they get in range of this one... I would prefer to stop them from every getting within range. If I get within 500 feet of them, I can have them slam into an invisible wall. One at a time, mind you... But I think I could likely take out 2 or three that way... The trick is getting that close before they're that close to this ship."
"Does someone want to be a whale? And ferry any a small group closer to the ships? I could be the whale, or ride someone else who is a whale. We can all breathe water, so they likely would not see us on approach," Nuzej says, scoping out the ships. "If I am not the whale, the best I can do is wait until I am around 120-150 feet and toss off fireballs and tidal waves."
He looks around for a length of rope the whale could grip in its mouth, towing a small dinghy behind it, so that when the whale begins its attack, the others have a floating platform from which to attack, likely behind a wall of force that would serve as a battering ram for the ships.
"Would you be able to use your spells while polymorphed? Though, even in this case it would be a waste - we can use creature's strength here. I can summon help that might work just as well. And then you will turn one of us - me, probably - into a whale, just for efficiency sake." The help she was talking about, appeared on the deck a minute later in its frightening beauty - long snake with the brilliantly colored feathered wings that the creature was using to hover above the deck. Mirica extended her hand as if to pet the magnificent being but stopped right away. "Greeting." She bowed her head instead. "Would you help us? We need to get closer to the attacking ships, and the group would have to be protected from enemies too. Should you be able to prevent that vessels from moving, that would help much as well."
"There is one problem, though. Keeping that holy being here takes a lot of strength. Should not be too difficult but there is a risk of loosing the connection. Other than that - ready when you are."
((The spell need concentration, for the full hour it seems. With feat and whale's ability to dive should be fine, but chance of loosing concentration does exist.))
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
((So it seems Mirica is going to be Polymorphed into a Sperm Whale by Nuzej. Rope in mouth to pull dinghy along, which test of us ride in. Good idea, that. I was thinking more us riding atop like worm riders in Dune but dinghy better. Surely the boat has ropes that can be tied together to provide length we need.
So whale pulls us towards closest approaching ship. Whale should be underwater as much as they can without drawing dinghy under too... once within 500 ft range, Fianna does Wall of Force immediately in front of closest ship... like an inch in front of it. Bottom of wall 5 feet below water to wall is half submerged... once ship crashes the whale release rope and dives further water, going to attack second closest ship from below. Safer to attack bottom of ship, harder for them to hit whale... obviously we’d be in combat order by this time and chaos would ensue but that’s general idea of the plan?
We may want a couple brave ship volunteers who can run the dinghy? We don’t want it to crash into debris or such, and we don’t want us doing the towing or such...))
Fianna outlines the plan as best she can for everyone. She asks Tessa if they could indeed use a dinghy and if she knew of some competent volunteers to operate it. “We’ll keep them as safe as possible. We need them, after all. And it is for the good of the ship...”
“after initial contact I’m sure all he’ll will break loose, as usual. But in general- Mirica attacks the ships from below, as does her... sorry, not sure what to call them? But you two on physical offense. Myself and Nuzej are on the spell attack. I’ll have a few more walls available, Nuzej will do what they can. Chen? Russel? You two protect the dinghy as best you can. They’ll have warriors who can water walk, do what you can to keep them off us...”
“any other ideas or questions or concerns?”
((Nope, Mirica as whale goes on her own, the Couatle will polymorph for the transportation as soon as it will be decided into which animal))
Change Shape. The couatl magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating equal to or less than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the couatl's choice).
In a new form, the couatl retains its game statistics and ability to speak, but its AC, movement modes, Strength, Dexterity, and other actions are replaced by those of the new form, and it gains any statistics and capabilities (except class features, legendary actions, and lair actions) that the new form has but that it lacks. If the new form has a bite attack, the couatl can use its bite in that form.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice