Chilling Adventures in the North

Seeing that the captain is quite well able to deal with the skeletons, Arogna runs towards the big creature and swings her hammer at its side.

Warhammer to hit 19 + 3 Bless  for 6 damage

With the skeletons delt with, Bjorn would pick up his bow once more and fire away at the huge creature.

Longbow Attack: 14 for 7 + 6 piercing damage

Well, thank you all for an excellent game! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. If you ever need a player, PM me!

You all gather around the remaining huge creature and strike it with an assortment of attacks. It gives off a final roar as it attempts to thrash at the nearest crew member. However, it fails to reach the crew member as it explodes into a burst of fragmented bone and teeth.

(Dexterity saving throw - DC 13, 4 piercing damage half as much on a success.)

Nearby the remaining crew and caught in the blast and are knocked out as they land on top of the deck of the Icebreaker.

All that remains of the creature that you just fought are the two large black onyx gemstones that were used as the creature's eyes.

Dex Save: 6  

Qinfaren ducks down behind a water barrel on the deck, trying to shelter himself from the spray of sharp bone shards.

"How does something like that even come to exist?" he asks as he stands back up, dusting pieces of bone off his shoulders, wincing as he pulls one long shard out of his arm. "Is everyone okay?"

He then prods at what's left with his staff, pushing one of the gemstones a little to see if it's really just a gem.

Dex save: 18

Arogna tries to leap out of the way of the explosion.

Half damage from rage

Muharg tries to raise his shield to mitigate the damage of the flying pieces of bone.

Dex save: 18

He manages to parry most of them, but the explosion is too large for his shield to prevent all damage. "What in the seven seas?!"

He then restores as many members of the crew as he can, starting with the captain if he is down.

Lay on hands for 1hp on up to 10 unconscious crew members.

Dex Save: 19

Unable to dodge the shrapnel coming his way, Bjorn is left having to gingerly pick the shards of bone and teeth from his skin. Looking warily about he asks to no one in particular, "Just what was that thing? I have lived here all my life and have never heard such a creature mentioned."

Qinfaren crouches down as low as he can and examines the onyx "eyes" that have rolled out of the skeleton.

"This isn't just something made undead," Qinfaren says. "Can't think of any creatures with these gems for eyes. I wonder if someone used these to animate the beast some how?"

(Roll to examine the gems more closely: 20  and +3 if Nature is more appropriate or +6 if Perception)

Captain Silvermane studies the piles of bones that remain. Kicking a skull with his foot and watches as it turns to dust.

"No, I think this was something of dark magic. The work of a necromancer... most likely. I think the necromancer animated several skeletons together. Must have been eight human skeletons in what looks to be the skeleton of a shark."

Qinfaren shudders at the idea of a necromancer intentionally making this creature. He then picks up the two onyx gemstones.

"Why would they do that?" he wonders aloud. "And then to just let it loose in the sea to attack passing ships. That takes a cold heart."

Qinfaren shows the gems to the captain.

"Did any of the crew that perished from this creature have families? Perhaps we could sell these and help their widows and children?"

He then turns and looks at the crew and his companions, checking to see if anyone is seriously wounded and needs help. Seeing Muharg is already checking on the crew members, Qinfaren moves over to help him.

"I've never encountered a necromancer before. But I would have to guess this can't be their only creation." he says as he assists Muharg with the crew.

"Hmm, I'm not sure, I will have to speak with Saderthe," Captain Silvermane replies. "Then we had better make haste back to Fireshear. We don't want to wait around in these waters for another attack."

"A necromancer! Why would there be one who dabbles with the dead here? If there is such an evil here, surely someone one would have sent people to deal with it?" Bjorn would comment as he surveys the damage once again.

“Necromancy... As foul a magic as it can go.” Says Muharg, a deep frown on his face. “Nobody around the docks mentioned such a threat, we might have been the first ones to survive the beast’s attack... or we have just been its first intended victims.”

“Either way we should warn the people in Fireshear as well as ask them to send word to Ice Peak.” Ends Muharg with a shake of his head.

For now, while the Captain determines if there are any families to help out, Qinfaren slips the onyx gems into his pouch.

"If there are no families that these can help. Maybe they could help the people of Fireshear with their rebuilding," Qinfaren says. 

He then looks around the deck.

"Did Griggle get off Aurilssbarg? I don't imagine he will get a warm welcome if he's still on board."

"Maybe this was where they tied up the necromancer and threw them into the sea, but it didn't work," Arogna suggests, scowling around at the icy waters as if more dead things might emerge from them. "You can't keep a good necromancer down."

(OOC: Thank you, TheBritGeek, for inviting me back. I hope you feel much better soon!)

Shad slowly climbs down from the mast. "As long as there are not more of them!" he says. "I thought all this water was bad enough. No offense," he says to the closest crew member. "Qinfaren, I also would contribute to a fund to help the families of those who have been taken, and Cat Lord willing, to the health of any survivors."

"Agreed best we get to the safety of the shores for now. Hopefully these dark powers won't reach too far just yet."

“Agreed, let’s take the ship and crew to safety and warn the people from town.” Nods Muharg. “But let me tell you, if there’s a necromancer playing games out there, I’m very much willing to pay them a visit and send them straight to the Raven Queen.”