PrP: Of Contracts and Defence

Log Info

• Title: Of Contracts and Defence
• Emitter: Albrecht
• Characters: Conrad Level 2, Melbert Level 2, Jibbom Level 3, Munch Level 4, Kalkorth Level 2.
• NPCs: Clanbert Whistletop, the crew of the Astalicia.
• Place: Alexandria - The Skygate, and aboard the Skyship Astalicia
• Time: Jun 21, 2012
• Summary: Brave souls, hired by the Guild of the Skies by way of the Guild of Explorers are set to take down the renegade engineer-turned-pirate, Professor Heironymus Muxx and his nefarious gang.
• APL: 3
• Encounter 1: Klaus Stoddlemeyer (Wererat), Muxx (2nd level Gobber Artificer), Bransen, Beaker (Tengu rogues), "CR 5"
• Encounter 2: Sneaker and Clyde (Tengu rogues) and Pretty Jenny (Harpy), "CR 5"

| Name | Race | Class | E Lev| CHP | HP | AC | For | Ref | Wil |

|Conrad |HUMAN |Ftr | 2 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 2 |

|Melbert |HUMAN |Rog | 2 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 3 |

|Jibbom |HALFLING|Sor | 3 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

|Munch |WAR_GOLE|Bbn/Sor | 4 | 38 | 42 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 3 |

The appointed meeting spot is in a small plaza near the Skygate, the day after the contracts were issued from the Guild of Explorers. The instructions were to meet a representative of the principals in front of the shop of a merchant of fine imports, just past noon. Standing in front of the well-appointed building is a gnome, dressed in a crimson waistcoat and calf-length braies, with a pair of fancy looking spats over his shoes, looking impatiently at a pocket watch. His hair is a pale green and swept back into something more elegant than, but resembling closely a cowlick.

Jibbom shows up attired in his strange multicolored robe, just like he does for any adventure. He strides right up to the gnome in the waistcoat, waving in greeting. "Howdy there! You're the fellow who hired folks to deal with the nasty sky bandits or somesuch?"

Conrad arrives five minutes early, carrying a large, long parcel on his back. It is wrapped in sheepskin, and held to him by a leather thong over his shoulder. His eyes are lidded and his expression serious. When he spots Jibbom, he blinks, widens his eyes, and then winces, in that order.

Munch is technically naked, save for a thin leather strap holding his axe. But being a golem, he's also technically genderless, and has no real need of clothing. Peering about, he raises a hand in greeting to the various folks gathered.

Melbert has arrived early, but waits until the others arrive to step forward. He bows his head a little in greeting, and speaks formally, with a local accent. "Good day. I'm looking for the one who offered the job through the Explorers' Guild?" He looks around at the other volunteers, and offers, "I am Mel. It's good to meet you all."

The gnome adjusts a pair of pince-nez spectacles on the bridge of his nose and says "Ahm, yes. I am Clanbert, factor for Messr. Restimov and his associates, who are backing the contract. It is good of you to come. My employers represent a shipping concern within the Guild of the Skies that oversees cargo transports between here and Gateway, among other locations. Unfortunately, of late, we've been experiencing trouble with one of our former engineers, one Professor Heironymus Muxx. He seems to have fallen in with some banditary elements, and must be stopped. Some nonsense about problems with the termination of his contract. Anyway, we've intelligence that they plan on hitting this afternoon's shipment, aboard the Astalicia, and you are here to ensure its saftey."

| Name | Race | Class | E Lev| CHP | HP | AC | For | Ref | Wil |

|Conrad |HUMAN |Ftr | 2 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 2 |

|Melbert |HUMAN |Rog | 2 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 3 |

|Jibbom |HALFLING|Sor | 3 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

|Munch |WAR_GOLE|Bbn/Sor | 4 | 38 | 50 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 3 |

"Got it. Take a fun airship ride, blast some bandits along the way, get paid. All in a good day's work for the heroes of the Explorer's Guild!" Jibbom says with a beaming grin, glancing back at the others who have joined the group. "What can you tell us about this Muxxy fellow? How many men does he have? How well armed?"

The human huntsman nods slowly, "No problem. I'm Conrad. Good to be working with you. Are we staying overnight at our destination, or making the round trip aboard?"

Munch faces splits into a grin, his 'teeth' a series of tiny buzzsaws and grinders. "Sounds fun! I'm Munch. You concerned with live capture, or just stopping them?"

Melbert nods gravely to Clanbert. "I see. So we are providing security for your airship, which you're expecting will be attacked?" He falls silent as Jibbom gets straight to the point. He looks a bit nervous, but listens attentively to Clanbert's answers.

Clanbert Whistletop produces a folder from within his vest, containing a set of credentials and passes for the Skygate. "Your contract is for the trip to gateway. Your passes will allow you passage back to Alexandria abord the Astalicia, or you may remain, as you see fit. Should you remain, and your contract be completed, we will forward your wages to you through the guild. As to Professor Muxx, he is a goblin engineer, not unskilled, but temperamental, and seems to have fallen in to working with the Crax brothers. They are a low-level gang of Tengu knaves, but there are rumors that they have allied with some even less savory sorts, but our intelligence in this regard is incomplete. I advise caution."

"Just an artificer and two thugs, then? Piece of cake." Jibbom says with a confident grin. He looks back at the others. "By the way, the name's Jibbom Taribree. Also known as Steel Von Ironblood, Bane of the Night. Or just 'The Jibbom' to some. Pleasure to be working with you all. So, who's ready to take a ride and blast a goblin?"

Conrad nods, smirking in the process, "Not a problem. Good to be flying again. I've missed Alexandria." He eyes Jibbom sidelong, "I'm ready when you are. And...ah." Conrad's eyebrows rise, "My apologizes, I briefly mistook you for someone else." He nods toward Skygate, "Shall we?"

Munch buzzes softly, frowning. "Tengu. Dangerous foes, in my limited experience. I recomend caution."

Melbert ahems softly, and asks with some trepadition, "How important is it that Professor Muxx survives this?" He looks around to the others, and then to the man, "I mean, we'll ask him to surrender. But if he doesn't. It's not always easy to get people to stand down, I mean." He looks nervous at Jibbom's cheerful fearlessness, and Munch seems to make him very nervous even without the warning about Tengu. He sidles closer to Conrad, and nods about getting going. He tugs his cloak a bit, and settles his sword belt.

The estimable Mr. Whistletop seems dubious of the cavalier attitude prsented by the halfling in regards to the threat presented, but says nothing, trusting the adventurers to know their trade and craft. "The good professor has taken the path of the outlaw. I have no particular wish to see him dead for its own sake, but if he is not, then I must insist on his capture and incarceration. If there'll be naught else, I'll leave you to it. It is at gate Seven B. Good luck, gentlefolk." The gnome gives a perfunctory bow after passing out the papers and ducks back into the shop.

Jibbom gives Conrad a grin. "Happens all the time." Mr. Whistlestop's instructions are listened to before the halfling nods in acknowledgement. "Of course. The Jibbom never kills a foe who is willing to surrender. I pledge to make efforts to bring this ne'er-do-well in alive if at all possible." He grins at the others. "Well then, let's be off!"

Conrad trudges off toward Skygate, his long stride carrying him swiftly. His coat flares in the breeze he creates, and he holds on to the wrapped parcel over his back by its strap. His gaze is firm, and his eyes narrowed.

Munch nods, and doublechecks his axe before heading towards the indicated gate, his stubby little wings flapping in anticipation.

Melbert nods to Whistletop, though it seems it wasn't what he'd expected. "Um, okay." But he doesn't ask anything further, and follows Conrad and the others toward the Skygate. He takes long strides, falling into step with the others without really thinking about it.

Time and space warp and....

The Skygate bustles with activity, the techno-magical ships that are the staple of the city's trade being loaded and unloaded. A brief word with an attendant at the entrance, and an inspection of the guild approved credentials yields a helpful enough response. Up the spire just past the one on the left, and take the lift up to the third landing, first dock you see. And sure enough, those directions are, more or less, correct! The dock is a bustle with sailors and stevedores handling the cargo transfers both on and off in a quick and efficient manner. The landing is a circular outcropping from the central spire with a wide dock built off of it, to which is moored the Astalicia. She is a mid-sized ship, lightly armored, with a lanteen-style sail and a high aft deck with a captain's wheel set above a shaft that goes all the way through to the botom of the ship, in which rotates a large magicite crystal, suspended as its power suffuses the machinery of the ship. Standing to the side of the gangway is a massive man, seven and a half foot, wearing a bandana tied at the side, and bare to the waist, with a hatchet tucked into his belt, and a close cropped, mustacheless beard. "Ho! You must be the company's agents, if I'm not mistaken. Welcome aboard. We'll be underway shortly, so don't be dawdling too long," he booms in a stentorian voice.

Jibbom greets the bandana-ed man with a grin and a wave as he hops forward. "Yes indeed we are! You are lucky to have the protection of Steel Von Ironblood, Bane of the Night! And... associates." A sweeping gesture is made towards the other three. "Rest assured, you and your cargo are in safe hands!"

Conrad nods silently, boarding the ship after the greeting. Once aboard the ship proper, almost with the first step, Conrad unfurls the wrapping from the mysterious parcel. A rifle, brilliant in the light, gleams with fresh oil and care. Conrad slings it around to the ready, and stuffs the sheepskin into a sack latched onto his belt. He seems no-nonsense as he moves to find a good vantage point from which to watch the skies.

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+9: (1)+9: 10 to Albrecht

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+9: (12)+9: 21 to Albrecht

Munch nods polite greetings, and wanders the ship a bit, familiarizing himself with the layout and locations. The golem does make some effort to stay out of the crew's way, no reason to be a larger problem then the one he's here to stop.

Melbert looks a bit vexed at Jibbom's assertion of being an associate, insisting to the large man, "We are independent, but working together on this contract," he clarifies. "We will each receive our pay separately." He glances at Jibbom suspiciously now as he moves aboard, himself, and finds a position where he can see all around clearly, finding himself close by Conrad again, and like Munch, he tries to stay out of the crews' way.

GAME: Conrad rolls perception: (12)+4: 16

GAME: Melbert rolls perception: (8)+8: 16

GAME: Munch rolls perception: (6)+6: 12

<Kalkorth joins scene>

GAME: Jibbom rolls perception: (15)+4: 19

| Name | Race | Class | E Lev| CHP | HP | AC | For | Ref | Wil |

|Kalkorth |GIANTBOR|Bbn | 2 | 26 | 26 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 0 |

|Conrad |HUMAN |Ftr | 2 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 2 |

|Melbert |HUMAN |Rog | 2 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 3 |

|Jibbom |HALFLING|Sor | 3 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

|Munch |WAR_GOLE|Bbn/Sor | 4 | 50 | 50 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 3 |

GAME: Kalkorth rolls perception: (12)+7: 19

All present notice a strange happening, primarily that one of the crates that was just carried aboard the ship is trying to sneak over toward the aft of the ship, with tiny bird feet tiptoeing so as not to be noticed. It is not a very sneaky box, however. The lift dings an arrival once more, with another arrival.

Jibbom eyes the moving box with suspicion and amusement. "Bird feet. Gotta be a tengu." He alerts his 'associates' quietly. "Hrm. I have an idea." He sneaks over towards the box, then shouts out in the deepest voice the halfling can manage. "Woah, hold on there! Alexandria Customs Inspector here. Sir, we'll have to be thoroughly checking inside each of these crates before you cast off." He watches the crate for reactions.

Munch is tempted to bullrush the crate, smashing it to bits. But, perhaps a more civil aproach shall serve, and thus the golem approaches the 'sneaking' crate with somewhat less violence.

Conrad rolls his eyes at Jibboom's exclamation. The huntsman casually approaches the sneaking box, rifle aimed, "Thank you for arriving to provide us with critical information. Your gracious and willing assistance will be rewarded with us not killing you."

Melbert looks at the others' reactions, a bit puzzled, but for himself, he draws his sword and readies his buckler, standing close to the box in case he needs to strike at whoever's hiding.

Kalkorth finishes waiting for the lift to come up and he finally gets to the top. "Finally!" He has his axe with him all ready drawn and he stomps out. "So we catch any raiders yet?" He moves out to the others and he looks around..."Boxes with bird feet?"

GAME: Munch rolls initiative: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 16

GAME: Melbert rolls initiative: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 19

GAME: You roll initiative for Bransen: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 21

GAME: Conrad rolls initiative: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 11

GAME: You roll initiative for Beaker: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 18

GAME: Jibbom rolls initiative: Roll: 9 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 12

GAME: You roll initiative for Klaus: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

GAME: You roll initiative for Muxx: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 13

GAME: Kalkorth rolls initiative: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 15

A box nearby flips open, and a second tengu emerges, a knife in his hand, which he flicks through the air toward the rifleman aiming at the box, as he shouts "Run, Beaker! We're made! BOSS! We can't wait, gotta go now!" At the sound from the croaking voice of the tengu, a man on one of the other two adjacent docks, a sallow looking man in tattered armor with a rapier at his side, draws his blade and begins toward the docked airship hurriedly.

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9

Current Initiative Order ====

---

21 Bransen

---

21 Klaus

---

19 Melbert

---

18 Beaker

---

16 Munch

---

15 Kalkorth

---

13 Muxx

---

12 Jibbom

---

11 Conrad

---

============================

The Tengu appears to have been waiting for something else to happen after he threw the knife, but finds that he is quicker on his feet than he thought, and he steps out of the toppling box, drawing a short sword as he moves in, shouting "You get away from my brother!" He swings his blade at the most immediate threat to his still-covered sibling, the same as his knife throw, and makes an poking stab and cut.

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d6+1: (3)+1: 4

GAME: Albrecht damaged Conrad for 4 points. 15 remaining.

The rapier-carrying ruffian, a jaundiced looking fellow up-close, with rough stubble, gives a mirthless smile to the newly arrived warrior, apparently on the side of the adventurers and says "I'm afraid it's just not your lucky day, my friend," as he lets fly a vicious cut toward the face with his sword, with little warning.

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d6+1: (1)+1: 2

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21

GAME: Melbert rolls 2d6+2: (10)+2: 12

Melbert looks small and nervous ... because he -is- small and nervous, but he's also the first one of the party to snap out of it as the bad guys begin their ambush. Shouting, "Defend the ship!" in a sort of rallying tone that you might expect from a soldier, he shifts to one side a little, to where he judges the pirate is not expecting an attack from, and he thrusts viciously. His blade strikes home, and he thrusts deep, twisting it as he pulls the blade free running with blood.

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+6+2+2: (14)+6+2+2: 24

The box clatters to the ground as Beaker expires, and Bransen shouts "Noooo! I knew we should have waited for the others! Damn you, Muxx!" Also he probably is about to die.

GAME: Munch rolls 1d12+7: (6)+7: 13

GAME: Kalkorth rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9

Kalkorth grunts as he gets stabbed with the rapier and he growls as he takes a hard swing at the man holding the rapier. He misses badly and he narrows and his eyes as he starts to laugh.

Munch moves quickly once he has his bearings, stepping around to flank the attacking Tengu. The golem's muscles pulse and steam faintly as dangerous chemicals pump thru them, his large axe riseing overhead, then falling like a crashing airship, barely slowed by tengu flesh or bone. The steel head thunks into the wooden deck, the sound covered by the splattering of blood and gore.

There is a sound from above as a parachute carries a small figure, clad in clockwork armor down toward the landing near the exchange between the huge barbarian and the agile swordsman. A goblin, holding a pistol in one hand, and a foul expression on his face. "So! You've taken out my lackies, have you? Fine, dogs of the guild, but you'll not get the best of Heironymus Muxx THIS day! Have at you!" He levels the gun toward the barbarian engaging with the swordsman and says, "Perish, oaf," as he pulls the trigger upon landing.

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d6: (6): 6

GAME: Albrecht damaged Kalkorth for 5 points. 21 remaining.

GAME: Albrecht damaged Kalkorth for 2 points. 19 remaining.

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Jibbom rolls 2d4+2: (4)+2: 6

"And that must be Muxxy, then." Jibbom says, narrowing his eyes at the goblin descending and firing upon his 'associates'. "Hey, goblin! If you give up now, you might keep your fancy toys before I break them all!" He points and fires two bolts of sparkling purple light that slam into the titan armor with surprising force, leaving sizeable dents. "See?"

GAME: Conrad rolls weapon2+1: (2)+6+1: 9

Conrad whirls about to shoot the thing that stabbed him in the back, but grrs when he notices the tengu already dead. "Wouldn't have died if you'd just given up." Turning about, Conrad GLARES at Muxx and raises the rifle, "MUXX!" BOOM!

As the bullets and magic fly, and the battle is joined in earnest, there comes a sick gleam in the swordsman, Klaus' eye. His sickly complexion begins to look worse and worse, and... Is his hair growing longer? Oh no. With a sickening twisting and an inhuman howl, the man begins changing before your very eyes, his body elongating, hunching, legs twisting backward and face becoming the snarling, toothy maw of a wererat, acoutered in the man's armor and weaponry, slavering as it menaces anew.

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+6+2: (20)+6+2: 28

GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+6+2: (14)+6+2: 22

GAME: Melbert's inititave total changed to '16'.

GAME: Munch rolls 3d12+21: (18)+21: 39

GAME: Kalkorth rolls 1d20+9: (13)+9: 22

GAME: Kalkorth rolls 1d12+10: (6)+10: 16

Munch's magicite eyes light up as Klaus changes forms. "A ratman! Awesome! Do you taste like rat, or like man?" Sadly, Klaus is unable to answer, for as the question is asked, the golem's greataxe swings low catching teh wererat right in the crotch. As painful as that may be, Klaus doesn't suffer long, the axehead continuing it's upward slice thru belly, ribs, and neck, finally ripping thru rat snout with a shower of gore. For a brief instant Klaus wobbles, the pieces of his severed body starting to regenerate. But some tasks are just too great, and the corpse falls in a wet splatter across the deck. Munch raises his axe above his head in a brief victory pose. "Two for me! Where's a third?!"

Kalkorth gets shot and he laughs louder, laughter that's becoming slowly more maniacal as he turns towards Muxxx. He raises his axe and slams it down hard on the goblin, who's titan armor can't stop the blow. He looks over at Munch and laughs, "One for me!" He kicks the dead goblin off his axe and he looks around for another opponent.

But there is no other opponent for Brave Kalkorth to do battle with. Two of the Crax brothers, the infamous lycanthropic rakehell Klaus Stoddlemeyer, and the unhinged but brilliant Professor Heironymous Muxx lay dead on the docks, high above Alexandria, their quarry denied them. But who were these "others" that Bransen Crax referred to in his final moments? Dark questions for a dark sky as rain appears on the horizon. The giantborn captain steps forward from the forecastle where he had watched the battle, arms crossed, and nods his approval at the display of martial and magical prowess. "Hm. Well. You lads can certainly handle yourselves. Glad you were here. My men are mostly merchant airmen, not marines. Most haven't seen boarding action." He glances at the bloody gouge in the Astalicia's deck, where Munch's axe cleaved the tengu, and winces, but shakes his head. "Stow all cargo, and get ready to fly. I want us out of here ahead of the storm!"

Conrad didn't get to shoot anything, but he shrugs. He seems undisturbed by this fact. Instead, he shoulders his rifle and heads off for the healer, to get his stab wound staunched. He's bleeding. Profusely at that, but magical healing can't be too far away. They haven't even left the city.

Jibbom has another missile being prepared, but it fizzles out at the last moment as he finds all possible targets for it felled by his fellow adventurers. He looks vaguely disappointed. "Hrm. I sort of expected a bandit who had our employers in such an uproar to put up more of a fight." He eyes the bleeding Conrad. "Huh. Perhaps they did. You alright there, big guy?"

Melbert is left on deck, waiting for an opening, but when the last two enemies fall without needing his involvement, he breathes a sigh of relief. He takes out a rag and begins to clean the blood from his blade, but he stands around warily, expecting further attacks. "Well, at least he was prompt," he says grimly. "I suppose we won't need to fly anywhere now?" he wonders, not sure if we're to guard against the others now, or what?

Munch peers for a moment, then relaxes, slumping a little as his hyperactive combat mode ends. Pressure releases, and a hiss of expired chemicals release in a foul smelling but harmless cloud. Peering towards the others, the golems idly licks clean his axe, his long black tongue flicking away ever speck of blood. "I am unharmed, but they mentioend others. Another attack is possible, we should remain, just in case."

Conrad turns and looks, "Minor wound. Took a knife to the back. ...Think you can heal this, The Jibbom?" Turning about fully, he wanders back over toward the sorcerer, rifle in tow.

"Of course the Jibbom can!" And the Jibbom points. A ray of sparkling dazzling light issues forth... and does absolutely nothing. Jibbom blinks, then looks a little sheepish. "Er... The Jibbom has the power to heal the wounds of those pure of heart and deed. And... well..." He trails off, thinking the better of making the logical conclusion.

Conrad shrugs, "Not a problem. I'll find the healer. See you up here in a few." And with that, Conrad wanders off to find said person.

Melbert nods as Munch mentions possible future attack. "This is so." He heads over to Conrad, sheathing his own blade, and stowing the buckler as he pulls some clean strips of cloth from his pack. "Uh, I can at least bind your wounds. Until you can find a priest?"

Kalkorth stops laughing and he comes down from his rage. He takes a deep breath and he wipes off the blood from his wound. "I'll be find if there is going to be another attack." He looks over at Conrad, "Do you want a potion?"

Munch frowns, peering towards the sky and the hurrying crew. "Might not be time for a priest. Looks like we're leaving quite soon."

The cargo is stowed, the bodies cleared away and the deck sluiced by efficient airmen. The captain climbs the aft deck and roars "All hands to the ready, power up the engines and rig sails for ascent!" Looking over the railing at the group he says "Unless any of you are sailing men, I'd advise you sit this next part out below. There's a bunk room for you, and you might see the medicus. I appreciate the hand with that, but this part's what we do best, so we'd best be about it." And so begins the voyage of the Astalicia, pulling free of its moorings and ascending the skies high above Alexandria, racing ahead of the summer storm on the horizon, speeding toward Gateway.

• Airship music*

Kalkorth heads onto the boat after he helps put the cargo on and he nods as he moves down bellow to one of the bunks. He patches himself up as his wounds aren't that bad and he catches some rest.

Being a fantasy character on an airship voyage, Jibbom mostly spends the trip pacing in circles in one particular spot, performing repetive tasks and repeating stock phrases to those who interact with him.

Conrad is usually found recovering in the bunk areas. He gives repetitive dialogue after a while, occasionally referencing how he became an adventurer.

Munch spends some time cleaning up the mess he made. The bodies disappear swiftly enough, much simply tossed overboard, the rest... well, ratmen taste neither like rat, nor men. He also helps with the slice he made into the deck. The goo he secretes drying quickly and almost matching the orginal color, though best not to think to hard what it's made from. Troubles corrected, Munch heads below to keep out of the way, peering out the portholes with casual curiousity and no fear of heights.

Melbert will take the captain's advice and wait out the evolution down below. He's actually good with waiting, patient and quiet, and he's happy not to see any more of Munch helping to clean up. He'll chat with the sailors once we're underway, and he'

... he's got some experience with military cooking, if that is of any service.

It is late in the next day, and a crack of thunder heralds the arrival of the rain, catching up to the speedy airship. It's almost time for the evening mess, with whatever the cook, with Melbert's help, have rigged up. Airmen are lashing the sails into a new configuration when there is a shout from above, followed by a commotion, and a head pokes down from above decks. "Trouble, lads! And it's headding straight for us. Something winged."

GAME: Albrecht damaged Conrad for -4 points. 19 remaining.

GAME: Albrecht damaged Kalkorth for -4 points. 23 remaining.

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Albrecht has cleared initiatives.

Jibbom looks up at the call from the shouting airman, immediately curious. "Something winged? Up here, in the clouds? Who would've guessed?" He appears excited all the same. "Associates of Steel Von Ironblood! Come, we're needed above decks!" The halfling charges ahead.

Munch glances to the others, then after Jibbom. "Guess we'd best go as well."

Melbert actually finds time passes faster when he's got things to do, so he inserts himself as an assistant to the ship's cook, and seems to know how things go, though when the warning comes that there is danger, he apologizes and hurries up to the deck to see what's going on.

Kalkorth gets up and he stretches out, "Winged trouble." He picks up his weapons and he looks at the Jibbom and laughs a bit. "I guess just Steel Von Ironblood is gonna take them on by himself." He heads up onto the deck.

Conrad arrives on deck in his longcoat, rifle in hand. The wind whips his hair about as he searches the skies, "Where is it? Give me directions!" Lifting his rifle he sights down it, searching the skies with swift footsteps.

The clouds above are darkening rapidly, and are positively black just behind the ship, a curtain of water cascading down to the land below as the storm winds gust the Astalicia just ahead of the leading edge. From dead ahead, however, comes a figure, winged, and somewhat humanoid in shape, bearing down on the ship. As it draws closer at speed, feathered wings can be made out, in place of arms on the woman's form, with the talons of a raptor for feet. She bears a basket on her back, carrying a pair of small, black clad figures, which leap into the rigging as they pass by. One of them cries out "You gits killed our brothers on account of we was late due to taking care of our ailing mum! But now Pretty Jenny here's gonna set you lot to rights! No quarter!"

GAME: Kalkorth rolls initiative: Roll: 4 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 6

GAME: Jibbom rolls initiative: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 13

GAME: You roll initiative for Sneaker: Roll: 3 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 6

GAME: Melbert rolls initiative: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 8

GAME: You roll initiative for Clyde: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 10

GAME: Munch rolls initiative: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 4

GAME: You roll initiative for Pretty Jenny: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 3

GAME: Munch rolls initiative: Roll: + Bonus: = Total: 0

GAME: Conrad rolls initiative: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 20

Current Initiative Order ====

---

20 Conrad

---

13 Jibbom

---

10 Clyde

---

8 Melbert

---

6 Sneaker

---

6 Kalkorth

---

4 Munch

---

3 Pretty

---

============================

GAME: Conrad rolls weapon2+1: (9)+6+1: 16

GAME: Conrad rolls 1d12+1: (11)+1: 12

Conrad lifts the rifle casually, remarking with a deadpan tone, "You really shouldn't announce 'No Quarter' to heavily armed mercenaries." The rifle explodes with fire and sound, and a Kulthian bullet rips its way through Jenny, "...Makes us less well disposed toward you."

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Jibbom rolls 2d4+2: (5)+2: 7

Jibbom takes his lead from Conrad, raising his arm to the skies and firing off a pair of sparkling purple bolts that slam into the already wounded Jenny. Jibbom winces as if in sympathy. "Ouch! That's gotta hurt!" He calls out loudly. "Best to surrender now, I think! You'll be treated fairly. Medical attention and all that."

Up in the rigging, perched with purpose, Clyde the Tengu, eldest brother of Bransen, Beaker and Sneaker draws back his shortbow, aiming it at the figure of the rifleman that just shot Jenny "None of that now! Sneaker, get the magic one!"

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d6: (4): 4

GAME: Albrecht damaged Conrad for 4 points. 15 remaining.

Melbert comes up out from down below, a wooden spoon in his hand. He realizes this isn't going to help him and drops it. They have others. Seeing the parachutes and the flying enemies, he rushes over and straps on the parachute. Well, if someone throws him over the side, he doesn't want to fall to his death. It seems reasonable. And it's not like he can do a lot until the enemies land.

Responding to big bro's instructions, sneaker takes aim and fires at the halfling with a vicious "Yeah! Eat it, tiny magic guy!"

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d6: (6): 6

GAME: Albrecht damaged Jibbom for 6 points. 14 remaining.

GAME: Kalkorth rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

GAME: Kalkorth rolls 1d6+5: (4)+5: 9

GAME: Munch rolls climb: (17)+8: 25

Kalkorth takes out his javelin and he takes careful aim before he hefts it at one of the brothers. The javelin flies from the mighty toss and hits Sneaker right in the chest. The raider falls to the ship with a bone crunch sound and Kalkorth laughs, "Call out the next one you want me to hit." He says as an insult to Clyde, "And leave our magic halfling alone."

GAME: Conrad rolls initiative: Roll: + Bonus: = Total: 0

GAME: Jibbom rolls will: (10)+6: 16

GAME: Kalkorth rolls will: (2)+0: 2

GAME: Melbert rolls will: (18)+3: 21

Munch frowns, shouting at Conrad and Jibbom. "Don't kill that until it lands! I havn't eaten one of her yet!" Thorwing himself at the rigging, the golem scrambles upward rapidly, with zero regard for the fall below. "You should have told him to aim for the dangerous one!" he taunts at Clyde. And then Sneaker falls, and the golem pauses. "....me. I was refering to me. But I guess the other guys are pretty dangerous too."

<Apparently at this point I forgot to pose, the Harpy flew further out and began using her Captivating song. Conrad, Munch and Kalkorth are all compelled to walk off the ship toward her. Conrad reaches the edge and snaps out of it. Jibbom shoots another magic missile>

GAME: Munch rolls will: (6)+3: 9

GAME: Conrad rolls will: (5)+2: 7

GAME: Conrad rolls will: (19)+2: 21

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Jibbom rolls 2d4+2: (3)+2: 5

Clyde, the last Tengu standing sees the golem waver in its resolve and begin descending at the harpy's command, and croaks a cackle, taking aim again, first at the sorcerous halfling, but then sees that the dangerous rifleman has snapped out of it, and must be dealt with, loosing an arrow!

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20

Jibbom recoils from the blow when Sneaker shoots him. "Ow!" He seems poised to retaliate, but then he notices his fellow adventurers marching towards certain doom. That's no good. "Hey! Stop that!" Off go another sparkling pair of kinetic bolts that slam into the harpy, though the growing moisture in the air takes a bit of the punch out of them.

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d6: (6): 6

GAME: Albrecht damaged Conrad for 6 points. 9 remaining.

GAME: Melbert rolls 1d20+3: (3)+3: 6

Melbert, having donned his parachute, is far enough away from the strange song that he's not affected. Or perhaps he's in just the right part of the slipstream where the worst of the song goes past him. He sees his allies walking to their dooms, though, and he rushes towards the Giantborn and tries to stop him. Shouting does no good, so he tries to trip him, though the attempt is laughable - the man is over three times his weight.

As the two axemen, the giant and the golem, remain under her song and advance, the harpy shrieks in rage as the rifleman that shot her seems to snap out of his trance. With the sorcerer and the gunner both free to act, her gambit is called, and she swoops in, ceasing her song and readying the wicked looking mace she carries as she makes for the prow of the ship and Conrad, winding up a powerful swing.

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24

GAME: Albrecht rolls 1d8+1: (1)+1: 2

GAME: Albrecht damaged Conrad for 2 points. 7 remaining.

Munch pauses in his upward climb as the Harpy's song sounds, his eyes dialating wide as her peers towards the singer. "....pretty. Pretty bird. My bird." Swinging around the rigging he's on, Munch simply lets go, his stubby little wings flapping madly for balence before he lands on the deck with a tump, swiftly picking himself up and starting towards Jenny.

GAME: Conrad rolls weapon2+1: (13)+6+1: 20

GAME: Conrad rolls 1d12+1: (12)+1: 13

Conrad urghs under the mace hit, already having been badly wounded by the arrow from earlier. And a knife wound the day before that! Shaking off the flying harpy, Conrad whirls away from her, ducking into a no-handed cartwheel brought on by sheer willpower to stay alive and not fall, swooning to his death. Coming up from the dramatic maneuver, he levels his rifle, one-handed, at her face, "You're working too hard." BOOM! The rifle kicks hard and flies up, but the airborne fighter had greater agility, and dodged aside enough to only take the punishing bullet to the shoulder. "Just give it up. You've lost."

GAME: Jibbom casts Magic Missile.

GAME: Jibbom rolls 2d4+2: (4)+2: 6

"Well... can't say we didn't give you a chance to surrender. Sorry there, bird lady." Jibbom says with a frown and a shrug of his shoulders, which makes him wince as he remembers the bullet lodged there. Two final bolts are fired, one of which smacks the harpy solidly in the head and knocks her down. She's not getting up from that one.

Seeing the arcane energies slam into his vastly more powerful ally, the last avian standing, Clyde, up there alone in the rigging shouts "Jenny! Fiddlesticks. Clyde surrenders! Don't shoot, I'm coming down! Don't leave poor Mama Crax alone! Is... Is Sneaker still alive? I think he's breathing."

Melbert has saved Kalkorth, and the singer has been stopped, and ... it looks like the enemy is surrendering. With the one fellow climbing down, he'll head over to the fallen one, though it looks, after some examination, that he'll be okay. "This one's just out cold!" he calls out to his allies after some cursory examination. He looks around for some rope to tie the fellow up with.

"Good. Let's get them tied up and in the brig, then we can heal them up and bring them to face proper justice. Just like we were paid for!" Jibbom winces again. "... Also, speaking of healing, I seem to have been shot."

Munch pauses as the song ends, and blinks hard, peering around. "That.... was diffrent." Turning towards Clyde, the golems makes no move to help, or hinder, simply waiting until the Tengu gets down on deck. "I'm still pretty okay with chopping you in half. Just in case you think of anything sneaky."

The tengu alights the deck and holds out his hands to be tied, nodding rapidly and saying "We will behave. This is a nice ship. When we get back, can me and Sneaker be airmen? We'd be good at that. We wouldn't be good at being prisoners. Just like we weren't very good at banditing."

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Albrecht has cleared initiatives.

Conrad lowers his rifle slowly...and starts to limp back toward the others. He's taken quite a few bad hits. "...Medic. Medic? Urgh." He's got an arrow sticking out of him, and that mace rattled him good.

Kalkorth blinks as he's right at the edge and he shakes his head. "What in the name of the Garganos Behemoth's Mighty Earthbreaker happened?" He looks around and he aws softly, "The fun's all done." He stomps over and he pulls his javelin out of Sneaker. He looks at Munch, "We are tied."

"I think we've had enough chopping people in half for this trip, don't you agree?" Jibbom replies to Munch as he approaches the captive tengu. "Your fate will be up to the courts, I expect. For what it's worth, paying off your debts by working sounds fair to me. But I don't expect they'll ask my opinion. And... for what it's worth, sorry I had to kill your friend there. I gave her every chance to surrender. Glad you decided to take that option."

Melbert ties the unconscious fellow up stoutly, cause he'll probably struggle before he can be briefed on his new condition. He'll bind the other one, too, if no one else is doing so, and he'll stand watch over the two if needed. He shrugs at Jibbom's comments, and rolls his eyes at Kalkorth and Munch. "I didn't think to bring any potions, sorry," he says apologetically to Conrad.

The roar from the aft deck comes as the captain shouts "The storm's catching us," over the wind, accompanied by the cascade of rain on the deck, washing blood off of wood. "I suggest you lads get you and your prisoners below, get patched up. It'll be a bumpy trip for the next while. but we caught a lot of time on that air current. Shortened our trip quite a bit. So rest up."

Munch nods to Kalkorth. "You fight well. I look foreward to witnessing more of your prowess in the future." Though not overly concerned with the weather, he does head belowdecks as recomended, hanging back a bit to keep an eye on the birdmen, just in case. To Conrad, he shakes his head. "The potion I possess is made for golems. I do not think it would do plesant things to your insides."

Kalkorth puts his javelin away and he hefts his axe. "Let's go down below." He nudges the captive and conscious with his axe and he leads the captives down and guard them.

True to the captain's word, the Astalicia is buffeted and shaken for hours, but eventually pulls through the storm as the winds slow, and emerges on the other side. It's still a bit of a way to Gateway, but it's pleasant sailing afterward, and the captain and crew are grateful for your service, the captain inviting you to dine with him that night. And so, a couple of days later, the Astalicia pulls into its dock in Gateway, and the unloading begins, for the first time in months safe from fear of attack by Professor Muxx and his cohort.

Coming to the railing as the sailors unload the cargo, the giantborn captain pulls the group aside and says "I really appreciate what you've done, and Mr. Whistletop asked me to give you this," producing a letter. "I've sent my man ahead to the guild, so should any of you remain, you can draw your pay here, or you're welcome to ship out with us back to Alexandria in two days time. Your papers should be in with the letter."

Paid for a job well done, and they didn't even need to slaughter everybody. This counts as a good aventure in Jibbo's book. He grins gleefully at the mention of pay. "Oh, I'll be returning to Alexandria. But until then... are there any taverns around here that are frequented by comely halfling lasses? Or quarry nymphs?" Priorities!

Conrad nods, leaning on a crutch, "If it's all the same to you, I'll travel with you back to Alexandria. Your medic is quite skilled, and I need more time to heal. I am, however, going to do some light shopping in Gateway. I'll be back before you're ready to shove off."

Melbert nods to the skipper, but also says, "I'll be shipping home to Alexandria with you, but if I can draw my pay here, I'd count that as a blessing. A little coin will help two days pass more quickly in a strange town," he says with a little laugh.

Munch nods with the others. "Two days should be as much as I care to linger. Of course, always a chance of something comming up, dragon attack or whatever. Not likely, but can hope."

Kalkorth nods, "Alexandria sounds good to me." He looks at Jibbom, "That's the first smart thing I've heard come out of your little mouth...of course I'll be looking for some lusciously curvy giantborn woman." He moves his hands in a curvy motion and smiles brightly.

The giant nods and says "Well, I'll look forward to seeing you lads again, then. Enjoy Gateway, she's a heck of a town." The man grins and raps the railing with his knuckles before lifting his hand and striding back toward the hold to attend to business. The letter contains directions from Whistletop that he's made arrangements for lodgings for the group at one of the local inn and hostelries, until the return trip, accompanied by directions from the docks."

Fin.