Pirate Ninjas part 3: Behold the Slug Slayer
The Ambassador contracts an archmage to teleport the party directly to the island kingdom, warm and tropical in the Jade Isles. The kingdom is clearly just the one island, and in fact just one rowdy pirate port on said island.
The party is ably teleported directly to the docks, where a ship is having the last stages of being loaded with weapons and men, for the defense of the embassy against rival kingdoms who have been harassing the embassy, so the ambassador told you.
"You're the Alexandra adventurers?" a man calls out in a heavy Jade Isles accent from the large sailing ship. "Come on board, we're leaving in five minutes for Alexandria." he instructs, pointing to a plank.
Azog looks confused. He explains, "We were just teleported here -from- Alexandria. Now we're sailing back?" But he will follow along none the less, his great height making the main deck his only real comfortable area.
To clarify, the Ambassador hired you from the guild to provide security for this shipment, alleging that the rival kingdoms may attack the ship with dreadful piracy.
Hun'rar nods "So we are to protect the ship then I take it? How long is the trip?" he asks donning his helmet, glad to have Azog and Morgan with him, who he knows and can count on.
Morgan smiles "I so do love boat rides." strange to see Morgan so perky and happy for a change. She walks towards rhw ship "Morgan by the way."
GAME: Hun'rar refreshes spells.
GAME: Morgan refreshes spells.
GAME: Hun'rar attempts to cast Magic Missile but fails due to ASF.
Azog nods to Morgan, and says, "I am Azog, of the Lightning Maul tribe." He nods to Hun'rar, who he knows. "We shall see what we see," he declares.
The captain watches as the party comes. "The trip takes a week to go that far north east. We have all the food and drink you will need provided, and more when we get there safely. You will have quarters next to mine, the best on the ship."
Crew members, one with an actual patch, but no peg legs, will show the party down as the ship leaves dock into the clear, beautiful waters of the Jade Isles.
Morgan nods as she looks to the crew here "will we have to contend to pirates or things under the sea?" asked as she is wondering what she has to deal with.
Patches the Pirate answers Morgan "Yahar. I've seen it all in my days on this ship. Krakens. Demonic pirates. Sometimes you're lucky just to lose your cargo. If Yanero is attacking us, we're glad to have you on board."
Azog hunches over to look over the crew quarters, then returns to deck. "Sound like quite the challenge," he says to Patches. "I've never fought a kraken before."
Morgan hmms "I only read about the Kraken before, and I hope we do not run in to it."
Patches doesn't look as optimistic about taking on a kraken as Azog is. Overall, as any sight of land vanishes, and the ship goes into the deep sea, the crew finds its routine. No traditional naval ship, these pirates are rough and scruffy. Foul mouthed, lacking in discipline, with a fair bit of physical correction used in place of verbal orders. And the alcohol. That smell never uite goes away below decks.
Two days pass uneventfully, when from the top mast a voice calls out "Ship spotted to the north. Approaching us."
Azog is all about challenges. That's the whole point of any of this: to find out just how hard he is. At the call of ship spotted, he'll head to the rail and squint into the distance.
Hun'rar comes up from below deck when a ship is sighted, leaving his shield slung across his back to free both hands. "What kind is it?" he asks of whomever is nearby "An enemy?"
Morgan walks with the others and give it a look "Well its a ship." With that said she then says a few arcane words and she hovers a few inches off the ground.
GAME: Morgan casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 12 DC: 23
GAME: Morgan rolls perception: (12)+15: 27
GAME: Azog rolls perception+4: (4)+16+4: 24
GAME: Hun'rar rolls perception: (19)+0: 19
The Captain comes up from below shortly after, carrying a jug of booze.
"Evade them!" he growls. "Can't, Captain. We're so overloaded with steel we're crawling. And they have the wind."
Azog and Morgan just barely see the spot on the horizon. If Morgan elevates a bit, she can see that the ship looks remarkably like their own, just with a different crude flag raised.
Azog asks the captain, "What would you normally do in this case if you couldn't run away? Strike colors? Heel to? I'm suggesting you play this normally, so that they won't be tipped off to our presence. That gives us an element of surprise."
Hun'rar nods, drawing his sword "Sounds like your best off drawing them in. We can engage at range." he notes with determination.
GAME: Morgan rolls knowledge/local+6: (8)+13+6: 27
As the ship approaches, the Captain pulls out a spyglass to look. "It's not Yanero. We'd normally take them on. Adjust sails! Get closer!" And the crew drunkenly gets to it, the ship picking up whatever speed it can, turning into the wind to approach as well as possible.
Morgan says "I know its a pirate flag of the Jade isles, but what kingdom I have no idea. Best leave them alone, but if you want I can fireball them if they are dangerous."
Hun'rar nods "If they threaten us we can see how they deal with a dragon." he says clearly getting ready for a fight.
The ships are definitely getting closer to each other in the wide, empty sea. Close enough now that you all can see three divers jump into the water and disappear beneath the waves.
We'll say 2500 feet apart now
For his part, the captain nods. "Whatever you suggest, we'll do. Crew, our guests will give you the orders on how to move. If they say stop, you move those sails." "Yahar!"
Azog stows his shield and breaks out a bow that looks a bit ... tree-like. Well, it's beyond stout, a composite bow for someone of his stregth. "Yes, let's see how this goes. I've never used this except on food before." He nocks an arrow.
GAME: Morgan casts Fireball. Caster Level: 12 DC: 21
GAME: Morgan rolls 6d10: (34): 34
Hun'rar shakes his head "Fireballs will do more than my sword I think." he says as he is consumed by flame and billowing smoke, once it clears in the sea air a red dragon is left standing there.
GAME: Morgan rolls 10d6: (40): 40
GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Azog rolls 1d8+6: (1)+6: 7
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Erendriel has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Erendriel to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The ships draw closer, and closer. Close enough that the crews are able to see each other. Tension visibly mounting on the faces of both sides. Then the attacks happen and the tension breaks.
Azog's first shot flies throught he air, and thwacks into the arm of one of the riggers, he calls out in pain and falls to the deck. Which is good for him,b ecause when Morgan follows that up with a fireball, the sails catch fire, and one crew member can be heard crying out as he, too, jumps into the water to douse the flames.
However, all that noise doesn't cover the sound of alarm across the decks, as the crew of your ship notices three creatures crawling up the side of the ship, and climbing on deck.
The divers look... different now. They have human bodies, but the heads of sharks, mouths full of teeth. Each is pulling out a trident from their backs.
"We'd have let you live, but setting our ship on fire means no survivors."
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 19.
It is now Hun'rar's turn! PirateAlice is next!
GAME: Hun'rar rolls 12d6: (39): 39
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 12.
It is now PirateAlice's turn! Azog is next!
Hun'rar huffs and blows smoke from his nostrils. "This fishbait is nothing for a dragon." he flaps his wings and soars into the sky, breathing down an enormous gout of flame on the creatures crawling onto the deck.
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15
One of the pirates, her scales freshly toasted, growls, and makes for Morgan. "Unforgivable!" she calls out, approaching Morgan and stabbing with her trident. But in anger she's not particularly close with the attempt.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 10.
It is now Azog's turn! PirateBob is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 8.
It is now PirateBob's turn! PirateCarol is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+12: (17)+12: 29
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d8+6: (1)+6: 7
Bob follows after Alice, raising his trident as he approaches, and stabs at Morgan, getting in a good hit with the pointy end. "Take that, pirate scum!"
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 7.
It is now PirateCarol's turn! Morgan is next!
GAME: Azog rolls intimidate+4: (7)+29+4: 40
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+12-2: (5)+12+-2: 15
Azog stows his bow and draws sword and shield out, and goes to square off against the shark-headed fellows. "You're not expecting to survive?" he asks with a deadly snarl. "Then we both have the same goal." He nods and advances on the enemy, growing to sixteen feet in height as he does so, bellowing a battlecry that can be heard for miles and performing quite an imposing display of prowess with his sword. Now they have been put on notice that it's gotten real.
Carol is running up to Azog, and after pausing just briefly in the face of Azog's intimidating display, tries to stab at him! But the tines of her trident are perfectly repelled by his armor.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 6.
It is now Morgan's turn! Hun'rar is next!
GAME: Morgan casts Hold Person. Caster Level: 12 DC: 21
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 19.
It is now Hun'rar's turn! PirateAlice is next!
Morgan hackles a bit as she gets stab and steps back "Please I am worse then a pirate, I am a adventure." when she is out of range of staby things she says a few Arcane words as blue bands wrap around the wereshark holding her in place.
GAME: Hun'rar rolls melee+3-3: (4)+19+3+-3: 23
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 12.
It is now PirateAlice's turn! Azog is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 10.
It is now Azog's turn! PirateBob is next!
Hun'rar swoops down out of the air and snaps with his large dragon jaws at one of the pirates, barely missing his for.
GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+28: (12)+28: 40
GAME: Azog rolls 2d8+35: (8)+35: 43
Azog ignores the shark-thing that's attacking him, he knows to defend the casters, and he does so, advancing without his shield, sixteen feet of oruch raising his bastard sword in both hands. His savage blow cuts the shark down where he stands, blood spraying across the deck.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 7.
It is now PirateCarol's turn! Morgan is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+12: (17)+12: 29
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d8+3: (3)+3: 6
Carol is outraged, and LUNGES at Azog, trying to take a bite out of his arm with those fearsome teeth! But the armor makes the attack ineffective.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 6.
It is now Morgan's turn! Hun'rar is next!
GAME: Morgan casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 12 DC: 20
GAME: Morgan rolls ranged: (7)+9: 16
GAME: Morgan rolls ranged: (10)+9: 19
GAME: Morgan rolls ranged: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Morgan rolls 12d6: (44): 44
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 19.
It is now Hun'rar's turn! Azog is next!
GAME: Hun'rar rolls melee+3-3: (2)+19+3+-3: 21
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 10.
It is now Azog's turn! PirateCarol is next!
Morgan takes up off the ground 20 feet as she says more strange words and sends three lances of fire all hitting Alice hard killing her "Shame I always wanted to talk to other were shifters."
GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+28: (3)+28: 31
GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+23: (6)+23: 29
GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+18: (17)+18: 35
GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+13: (15)+13: 28
GAME: Erendriel removes the timestop.
Timestop by Erendriel has left.
The sharks seen to be obliterated, the crew come out to help, eagerly rifling their bodies for cash, and then rolls their bodies into the sea, spitting after them.
Azog is faced with one enemy, and with a snarl, he turns to attack it. His blows land one after the other, slashing, gutting, cutting, severing, slaying the wereshark messily, in a fountain of gore. He looks vaguely pleased at this.
Hun'rar proles across the deck, watching the other ship to see if it comes closer. "I am ready for some more of them." he says with a growl, small flames lick up from his maw.
Morgan lands next to her friends "Well we burned the sails and some of the ship. I could cast another fireball if needed." she takes a look closer "would it be ok to "Adventure" this ship or leave it to the others?"
GAME: Hun'rar rolls perception: (5)+0: 5
GAME: Azog rolls perception: (10)+16: 26
GAME: Morgan rolls perception: (6)+15: 21
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+19: (9)+19: 28
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Erendriel has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Erendriel to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Hun'rar rolls reflex: (3)+11: 14
GAME: Morgan rolls reflex: (17)+9: 26
GAME: Azog rolls reflex: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Erendriel rolls 10d6: (26): 26
Suddenly a being appears atop the stern of your ship. Having come invisibly after Morgan's fireball attack, the robed human points at you all and shouts "Two can play!" and a fireball blasts out between you all. Crew members caught in the blast let out yelps, those that don't die instantly.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 24.
It is now Hun'rar's turn! SurpriseCleric is next!
GAME: Hun'rar casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17
GAME: Hun'rar rolls ranged: (16)+10: 26
GAME: Hun'rar rolls ranged: (2)+10: 12
GAME: Hun'rar rolls 6d8+6: (33)+6: 39
GAME: Hun'rar rolls 3d8+3: (20)+3: 23
GAME: Hun'rar rolls 3d8+3: (11)+3: 14
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 23.
It is now SurpriseCleric's turn! Morgan is next!
Hun'rar opens his fanged maw to blast the enemy with a pair of red beams. "Your fire has no power here. It is weak!" he calls out as he takes to the air once more.
It's hard to tell precisely what god this cleric is following, but a short prayer after Hun'rar's fiery shots causes a curtain of whirling blades to appear between the cleric and the party. One poor deck hand is chopped to bits instantly.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 19.
It is now Morgan's turn! Azog is next!
GAME: Morgan casts Baleful Polymorph. Caster Level: 12 DC: 23
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+9: (3)+9: 12
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+13: (12)+13: 25
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 11.
It is now Azog's turn! Hun'rar is next!
Morgan lurches a little bit forward as she is suprised by the fire. She turns around and says a few words in arcane language as a black mist strikes the cleric turning him in to a slug "I hate copy cats."
GAME: Azog rolls reflex: (13)+8: 21
GAME: Erendriel rolls 11d6: (41): 41
GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+28: (5)+28: 33
GAME: Azog rolls 2d8+35: (7)+35: 42
This is -not- Azog's most gloroed moment. He'll rush through the blade barrier, which cuts him up pretty roughly, all things considered, and leaves him looking pretty rough. All this so he can ... kill a slug. It's a bit anticlimactic, in his view, but rushing through the blades seemed important - he's not sure what might have happened if we gave the fellow time to act. Not that a slug is a threat, but ... he wasn't sure, and Azog's impulsive.
GAME: Erendriel removes the timestop.
Timestop by Erendriel has left.
by this time the crew is pretty rough. Some burned. Others cut up. But it's better than the other ship, which is now entirely engulfed in flames.
Morgan looks to the other ship that is in flames "You know there is a good chance we might be the assholes here." She does not seem to care or is letting on that she does at least.
Azog shakes his head. "They attacked us," he says to Morgan. "We simply met their challenge."
The Captain himself is singed up pretty badly as he approaches. "No, you did good. They turned on us. They admitted as such when they boarded. This is life in the Jade Isles. Without you this would have been a tough fight, but now we won for sure. You've earned every copper, say I. HELM, resume course. Sails to half, back on the trade winds."
Azog asks the Captain, "Do you mean to let the survivors of that ship swim ashore? Or will you pick them up and clap them in chains? I do not know your customs."
Hun'rar lands and turns back to his human form "I can see to any wounded, " he announces with concern.
Morgan takes a seat in a spot out of the way of every one, but when Hun'rar offering to help people "I do have a few burns."
The Captain shakes his head. "They'd have left us to our rafts. They can do the same I say." He shows no emotion as he says this, not positive or negative. Very cool about it. "I've been there. If you want to see to anyone, see to my crew."
Azog nods about leaving the injured from the other ship to their fate. There may be lifeboats. "In war, if you choose to fight, you must accept your fate," he says. "I see it is much the same at sea."
Hun'rar nods "They were pirates and they got what they deserved, there is no guilt to be had. I can bandage wounds and provide a little healing to those who die without it. I can do little more."
The party is able to help injured survivors, which is greatly appreciated. IF they were treated well before, they're treated like kings after. And when the ship returns to dock in Alexandria a few days later, they all chip in to treat the party to a FEAST in their choice of taverns in the city.