Seadogs and Scallywags

Game Master Grymp

First, I missed this particular loot that was in Inkskin's longboat: six potions of water breathing.

Alright, you have been at sea for several weeks to get to the island where you expect to find Mancatcher Cove. It is a series of smaller islands in roughly a U shape. The complete left side of the U is the island actually containing Mancatcher Cove, and that island itself has a large C shaped cove visible on its eastern side.

Profession(sailor): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 YES!

Only if you made the first Perception check (and Gresham is ineligible for this one), then:

At some point Gresham approaches Doc.

"Pardon me, Rogar. I understand from speaking with the crew that you are an alchemist. I myself have dabbled in that art myself, and would be amenable to a trade of formulae if that would be agreeable to you."

"Me formulae? Sure, ye can take a look. Jus' be careful, I might've been a bit drunk when I wrote some o' them down." Rogar digs up a heavily damaged book with pages torn, and others added up from different sources. Most pages have nigh-illegible scribbling all over the page, with many lines smudged over and margins filled with notes.

You can check Doc's formulae from his profile. Feel free to copy any.

----

At supposed Mancatcher Cove

Perception : 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Perception : 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

"Bugger me breeches! Look, there! Inkskin's old ship! Tryin' t' hide from us! Maybe they be wantin' their late captain's skin back, ha! "

Oh I like playing cat and mouse. Especially when we get to be the cats!

Alessandra grins. "Want more, do they? Well, I'm game for that. Up sails and prepare to board the *******************ers!"

Perception: 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 15 + (2) = 24

Gresham squints against the glare of the sun off the waves but is unable to make out what his crewmates spy.

He shrugs and trusts to their capabilities as he quaffs an extract, and prepares another to drink just before the boarding action.

False Life: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Excellent Alessandra, a good authoritative and decisive Captain is what we need!

Sailor: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Whomever is driving this boat, give me a Profession(sailor) check, let's see who has the upper hand going into this fight.

Let me know if you would like Gresham to pilot, he is d20+9+1d6 for Profession (sailor)

Gresham taps himself with his wand of heightened awareness

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

He'll trigger it when we roll initiative for +4 to initiative

Chaenath casts Mage Armor to bump AC up to 17.

Gresham drinks an extract of shield about a minute before making contact with the opposing ship.

Gresham grabs the ship's wheel and attempts to out maneuver the enemy vessel.

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 9 + (4) = 21

He'll also take a swift action to activate Kirin Style if possible.

Rogar joins the others and drinks a few extracts in preparation for the oncoming battle.

Mutagen and Shield a few moments before making contact.

As the Chimaera turns towards the Thresher, it is obvious that your enemy realizes their hiding game is up. They catch a good wind, and turn towards you, raking your ship with fire from their scorpions and ballistae, as your crew returns fire.

As the ships slide together for the inevitable boarding action, the crews hurl their lines back and forth and bind the two ships together.

With the superior seamanship battle narrowly going to the Thresher, Knuckles and three of his mean leap aboard your ship and bring the fight to you.

Knuckles charges...

Random: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Alessandra

Spiked Gauntlet: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 181d4 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 4 = 16 Miss. A 1 always misses!

The three buccaneers with him then spread out and attack each of the other officers:

On Chaenath

Cutlass: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 221d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

On Doc

Cutlass: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

On Gresham

Cutlass: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 181d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

That was the "surprise round." Then the buccaneers have initiative, so they attack again...

On Chaenath

Cutlass: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 211d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

On Doc

Cutlass: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

On Gresham

Cutlass: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 131d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Alessandra is up...

Alessandra cooly steps back and launches a volley of arrows at Knuckles. "Did for your boss, and I'll do for you, too!" she promises him.

Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 5 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 5 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 15
Damage: 2d8 + 4 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (8, 6) + 4 + 4 + 8 = 30

Longbow: 1d20 + 6 + 5 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 5 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 + 4 = 16

Longbow: 1d20 + 1 + 5 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 5 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 + 4 = 9

Alessandra's arrows meet varying degrees of success. Her first two miss, but the latter two hit.

Knuckles comes forward and leans into Alessandra attempting to Bull rush her off of the ship.

Bull Rush: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

Alessandra's efforts to stay onboard are futile, as the big man sends her careening over the side and into the water. Knuckles looks around and sets his sights on Doc next!

The rest of the party is up.

Gresham grimaces as the buccaneer's cutlass nicks his flesh and bleeds off some of his magical vitality. Trusting that the grapnels which bind Thresher and Chimera will forestall any immediate nautical disasters, he releases the wheel and brings his nodachi to bear. Taking a defensive stance, he swings at his attacker after taking a moment to study his weaknesses.

Move action to draw nodachi, swift action to use kirin style on the buccaneer attacking him, and standard action to attack with Combat Expertise which increases his AC by 2. Artful Dodge gives Gresham a +1 dodge bonus to AC against enemies threatened by him and no other ally.

Knowledge (local) DC 15 + the creature's CR: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 14 + (5) = 23

Nodachi w/Combat Expertise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

EDIT apologies, the attack and damage is two higher than it should be (those are my studied combat numbers). I whiffed horribly so it doesn't matter but I'll try to be more careful in the future.

Chaenath stumbles back and casts Stinking Cloud 20 foot radius to grab as many of the attackers as possible (preference for the one that attacked her and Knuckles being not in the edge of the cloud so they can't just step out with a 5 foot.)

DC18 Fort Save or Nauseated while in cloud. If Nauseated, it remains for Round: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 rounds after they exit the cloud.

Gresham succeeds on his knowledge check, but does miss on the attack against B2.

B1 and Knuckles fall inside Chaenath's cloud

Fort B1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Success
Fort Knuckles: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 Fail

"Oi, that smells foul! Worse than a fart after three weeks o' drinkin'!"

Doc retreats a bit to take distance both the buccanneer swinging his cutlass, and to the poisonous, thick cloud Chaenath conjured. Knuckles sounds like a dangerous opponent, the way he sent Alessandra pummeling into the sea. But also, the sound of him losing his lunch somewhere in the cloud assures Doc that the man will be harmless for a while.

So he quicky fuses a bomb, and sends it toward the buccanneer that was just trying to hit him.
Tanglefoot bomb, PBS: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) + 4 = 11 DC 16 ref or entangled and glued to floor

@Alessandra: Remember that Doc gave you a Touch of Sea in potion sponge a while back. Just for situations like this :)

BTW, Doc's CMD vs bull rush is 24 (because dwarf), in case someone tries the same trick

Gresham attempts to identify Chaenath's spell.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 10 + (5) = 28

He quickly nods his approval as he hears Knuckles succumb to the stinking cloud.

Good news/bad news situation for Doc.

Good news: you hit
Good news: you get +4 to your CMB vs Bull Rush
Bad News: standing on deck isn't "standing on the ground"

B3 Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 Fail

B1 moves out of the cloud (taking more than a 5' step, but not provoking an AOO from Chaeneth, because when in the cloud he has concealment, and then when he emerges, he is next to her.

B1 takes a swing at her...

B1 cutlass: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

B2 attacks Gresham...

B2 cutlass: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 181d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

B3 hurls his boarding axe at Doc

B3 axe: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 2 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Alessandra gets her action, after which Knuckles moves to the rail of the ship out of the cloud and begins retching overboard.

And then the other 3 PCs are up...

As Gresham parries the buccaneer's cutlass he takes a few seconds to analyze his opponent's fighting style and adjusts his own swings to take advantage of the buccaneer's weak points.

Combat Expertise causes the buccaneer's attack to miss, and Gresham takes a move action to use studied combat on the buccaneer.

Nodachi w/Combat Expertise and studied combat: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 1 = 24 damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Gresham then takes a moment to consider Chaenath, in case she should mis-time one of her spells and accidentally affect him.

Swift action to use Kirin Style on Chaenath.

Knowledge (local) DC 15 + Chaenath's CR: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 14 + (1) = 27

Gresham thumps B2.

A-le-sandra! Chaenath calls This is no time for a swim

Chaenath steps back and hits the Buccaneer attacking her with an Evil Eye Hex affecting his attack rolls and then Cackles.

-2 to attack rolls for B1. For either 2 rounds or 10 rounds depending on Will Save DC 18

B1 Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11 Fail

Gresham spares a moment's attention for Chaenath, "Chaenath, when I dispatch my opponent do you require assistance, or shall I see to our evacuating friend?"

Ugh, looks like I didn't read the stability ability thoroughly. You're right, need to be standing on firm ground

Pumped with magic from his extracts, Rogar has defences the buccaneer's axe cannot penetrate. One opponent safely stuck by the goo of his bombs, and another occupied with emptying his bowels. So hurry to finish anyone, Doc decides to help out Cheanath, and lobs a sticky bomb at the sailor chasing her.

Tanglefoot Bomb @B1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5, 1) + 4 = 16 DC 16 ref or entangled and glued to floor

Doc successfully hits B1, thus also successfully spreading the damage around evenly between all of the buccaneers.

Ref B1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Success

B1 steps up and attacks Chaenath again.

B1 cutlass: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 2 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

B2 stays on Gresham.

B2 cutlass: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

B3 attempts to break free.

B3 STR: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Fail

Alessandra would be up, and is likely still in the water.

Knuckles retches some more.

The other three PCs are up again!

Gresham artfully dodges the buccaneer's blow, and retaliates.

Nodachi w/Combat Expertise, and studied combat: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 - 1 = 15 damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16

He also takes a moment to study the retching Knuckles.

Knowledge (local) DC 15 + Knuckles's CR: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 14 + (4) = 21

You take care of yours. I will take care of this one. Mr Gresham Elmaleh of the Ivory Cross in Sargava. Chaenath says and steps back to Hex the one going after her again. Same as before but this time targeting Saves. And then Cackling.

-2 to saves for B1. For either 2 rounds or 10 rounds depending on Will Save DC 18. The Cackle resets the Attack Hex

Could you try that sticky bomb thing again Doc?

Gresham just misses his swing at the buccaneer attacking him.

B1 Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17 Fail

"Sonofa..!" Alessandra's curse ends with a splash.

"Ah!

Stung by salt spray, she tries to keep her head above water and get a grip on the sides of the ship.

Swim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

"Sure thing, lassie. I've got plenty o' these t' throw!"

And just as Chaenath requested, Doc delivers another gooey bomb towards her assailant.
Tanglefoot bomb, PBS: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 4 = 10 DC 16 ref or entangled and glued to floor

"Now, I reckon some'un ought t' give a little pain on Mr. Knuckles there. It might not be fair, while he's vomitin' like that. But it sure is much easier, with him not hittin' back. Gresham, looks like ya got yer on him already. Will ye do th' favours?"

Doc's bomb nails the buccaneer that was assaulting Chaenath, and he drops to the ground.

B2 attacks Gresham...

B2 cutlass: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

B3 attempts to break free...

B3 STR: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Doc is that successful?

Ok, then Alessandra gets an action, Knuckles vomits more, and the three still on the ship are up!

Gresham drops his guard a bit in an attempt to finish off his opponent.

Nodachi w/studied combat: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16 damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

If successful he moves over to the rail near where Alessandra went over, avoiding any remaining buccaneers.

Gresham hits the buccaneer, who becomes staggered by the blow (0 HP).

So, does Gresham move, or no?

If Gresham is able to end his studied combat to make a studied strike (for an extra 1d6 damage) that would be best. Otherwise...

Gresham quickly evaluates the battlefield, and concludes that getting Alessandra back in the fight is worth the risk of a potential wound from the buccaneer, especially since the buccaneer's efforts will render him unconscious.

Chaenath turns her attention to Knuckles, seeming to rotate on the spot and hits him with an Evil Eye Hex to his saves, cackling all the while.

2 to saves for Knuckles. For either 2 rounds or 10 rounds depending on Will Save DC 18.

B2 attacks Gresham...

B2 cutlass: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 231d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

... and falls to the ground

Did you get Chaenath's hex on Knuckles? Simul posted

Knuckles Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Fail

Ok, back to the top of the round, with the lone remaining buccaneer.

B3 needs a DC 17 STR check to break free:

B3 STR: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Fail

Ok, the party is up again!

Gresham shifts the grip of his nodachi from two to one hands. The weapon isn't meant to be used this way, but he would rather not risk loosing it to Besmara's Locker. With his now free hand he grasps a coil of rope, using gravity to coil it loosely around his free arm as he lets the rest fall over the side to Alessandra.

He spares no attention to see if Alessandra takes hold of the rope (a sudden tension will give him that information) instead focusing his gaze on Knuckles, making note of the pirate's capabilities for their eventual combat.

He swiftly evaluates the struggling buccaneer, in case the man should be able to free himself.

Knowledge (local) DC 15 + B3's CR: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 14 + (4) = 31

Free action to shift grip on nodachi, move action to grab the coil of rope, free action to drop one end over the side, move action to use studied combat on Knuckles, swift action for Kirin Style on B3.

"Finally." Alessandra mutters to herself. Took long enough, she's soaked right through.

Climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Oh come ON

The rope is wet and her hands can't grip it properly. Swearing in the tongues of orcs and men, she waits for it to float by again.

Without taking his eyes off Knuckles, Gresham calls down to Alessandra. "Apologies Captain! I am afraid I did not have time to knot the rope."

I don't know if the ship's hull counts as a wall to brace against, but a rope + wall is a DC 5.

That was my assumption, but the 'slippery' condition adds 5 to the DC, making it 10.

Alessandra swears, again. "Stop *****ing apologising! I don't ******ing care how ***********ing sorry you are - just don't ****** it up, OK?!" Her teeth are beginning to chatter.

Chaenath continues her focus on the boss of the depleted crew. Hitting him with a Misfortune Hex, cackling all the while.

Do not worry Knuckle Man. You will not feel sick for much longer

Gresham calls out to Knuckles. "It is a shame, sir, that you have chosen the path of the aggressor for you face a clearly superior force. Perhaps if you were to surrender then Captain Alessandra might grant you mercy and spare your life? Marooned on an island should be preferable to death. What cause is there for you pursue such a foolhardy course? Simple plunder?"

Gresham glances over the side as Alessandra's string of cursing floats up from the waves. "Though the Captain currently seems to be in a... less than forgiving mood." He coughs, but is unable to cover his mouth as both of his hands are occupied.

Knuckles Will: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 2 = 17 Fail

So, Knuckles is "Pugwampi'd!"

"If ye wanna surrender, just say so. But ye better be quick, 'cause I will be tickling ye a bit with me bombs!"

And true to his words, Rogar tosses one of his bombs Knuckles. That might speed up his decision to surrender. And in case he wants to fight until the end, being glued to the deck should prevent him of doing anything hasty.

Tanglefoot bomb, PBS: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 4 = 12 DC 16 ref or entangled and glued to floor

BTW, the glue loses it's effectiveness in 2d4 rounds, so here goes:

Glue duration, B3: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Glue duration, Knuckles: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4