[Game Thread] --> Chapter 1: Into the Storm <--

[Battlechaser]

Retracting his lips back from his teeth in an almost feral grin, Brunner steadied himself easily as the ship lurched. The warlock turned his burning gaze upon the defenseless engineers. "Where's the skipper? The one who controls the elemental?"

Two possible courses of action:

1. When none responded, Brunner grabs the nearest hobbo, pulls it closer and puts his left fist underneath the creature's shin. His eyes flashed white as two claws extended on both sides of the hobgoblins' head and the third one just punctures the skin. "Don't make me ask again." The monk whispered.

 

swift: claws

Dice Intimidate:

1d20-1

(10)-1

Total = 9

Do I get a circumstantial bonus for killing the shaman in front of their eyes?

2. As soon as the quivering hobgoblins provided the necessary intel, Brunner faded from sight. The only thing they heard was a soft "Snikkt" like velvet gliding over a smooth metal surface. The monks' heart started to race as he made his way to his next target. The hunter was prowling again.

 

standard: invisibility (walk unseen)
Swift claws
Standard: hunt for the skipper

Dice Stealth:

1d20+10

(2)+10

Total = 12

Dice Perception:

1d20+13

(12)+13

Total = 25

 

Dice Acrobatics:

1d20+8sh15

(18)+8

✔

Total = 26

[spikehed]

 

Dice Fortitude:

1d20+8

(4)+8

Total = 12

Daegrel turned from the machinery that hissed, groaned, and shuddered to a stop like some dying metal beast. Glancing around at the condensing smoke, he could not help but be impressed by the concoction that the hobgoblin had released in the room. Quite an impressive mixture... for someone who's not a gnome. The thought was brief as he eyed the porthole that he'd dropped down from. Instead of struggling against the condensing webs, he closed his eyes and made a small motion with his hands into a particular combination of martial symbols.

Upon the motion's completion, the smoke around him turned wispy and enveloped his body completely. Suddenly, the smoke dispersed and he was gone. He reappeared at the top of the porthole and moved across the main deck toward where his ship was now separating from the Marguul's.

"I've worn out my welcome, I think." He used the free moment to rebalance his inner energy in order to ensure secure footing as he attempted to reach his allies.

Actions   Standard Action: Shadow Jaunt to main deck. Move Action: Move toward Breeze. Swift Action: Shift stance to Dance of Spider.   Daegrel HP:98/98 AC:29, Touch:23, Flat:27 Fort:7, Ref:8, Will:11 Str:10 - Dex:14 - Con:14 - Int:14 - Wis:19 - Cha:10 Active Enhancements: - Dance of Spider (Stance), as per Spider Climb spell - Bless, +1 morale to hit and saves vs. fear, 5 mins remaining Active Penalties: - None. Used Abilities/Items: - Mountain Hammer Strike. - Shadow Jaunt.

[Sir Alex]

Aribel chopped twice at the foe on her right. The blade dropped like a felled tree, pummeling the hobgoblin with razor sharp metal. "You get the other one, Princess," she roared. Or...tried to roar. The silence was deafening. She gave a nudge with with her foot instead, and the griffon unleashed her own attacks, darting in with claws and beak to tear flesh off the bone.

 

Aribel: Full Attack on one adjacent hobgoblin:

Dice Attack1, Damage1, Attack2, Damage2:

1d20+12	(7)+12			Total = 19
2d8+7	(2, 4)+7			Total = 13
1d20+12	(15)+12			Total = 27
2d8+7	(4, 3)+7			Total = 14

Princess:Full Attack on other adjacent hobgoblin:

Dice Bite attack, damage:

1d20+13	(18)+13			Total = 31
2d6+4	(1, 4)+4			Total = 9

Dice Claws attacks, damages:

1d20+12	(19)+12			Total = 31
1d4+2	(2)+2			Total = 4
1d20+12	(6)+12			Total = 18
1d4+2	(4)+2			Total = 6

 

Aribel HP:78/78 AC:23+6, Touch:11+6, Flat:22+6 (effective AC is 29 this round) Fort:12, Ref:14, Will:11 Str:16 - Dex:12 - Con:13 - Int:12 - Wis:16 - Cha:22 Active Enhancements: - Shield of Faith, +3 deflection to AC, 5 mins remaining - Entropic shield, 20% miss chance for incoming missiles, 5 mins remaining - Bless, +1 morale to hit and saves vs. fear, 5 mins remaining - Protection Devotion, +3 sacred to AC, 9 rounds remaining - Knowledge Devotion, +3 insight to hit/damage vs. hobgoblins, until end of encounter Active Penalties: None. Used Abilities/Items: - LOH, 21/36 remaining - Protection Devotion used x1 - Spells Remaining: 0:4/4 1:2/4 2:2/4 3:2/3

Princess HP:83/117 AC:23+6, Touch:11+6, Flat:21+6 (effective AC is 29 this round) Fort:9, Ref:8, Will:8 Str:19 - Dex:15 - Con:16 - Int:6 - Wis:13 - Cha:8 Active Enhancements: - Shield of Faith, +3 deflection to AC, 5 mins remaining - Entropic shield, 20% miss chance for incoming missiles, 5 mins remaining - Bless, +1 morale to hit and saves vs. fear, 5 mins remaining - Protection Devotion, +3 sacred to AC, 9 rounds remaining Active Penalties: - Deafened Flight Speed: 80(good), with [298]lbs currently carried. (Max Light Load: 350lbs)

[Grenadier]

With the enemy crew cowering beneath his ghostly presence, Ward roared with laughter. "This ship henceforth sails under the stead of Captain Thornton Ward," he growled like a wildfire, "Any of those who wish to continue enjoying the liberty of a firm deck beneath their feet ought to do a little less groveling and prove their worth. Surrender to arms, or fly the white flag or surrender! Quickly, before those fools you wretches sail with get the lot of you killed."

"Do you hear that, fiery one?" Ward called out to the fire elemental in Igan as he drifted along the ship's deck, "You've been liberated from these swine! As the call of your new captain."

 

30/43 PP
Nimbus 2/6
Double Move

I don't see any reason for Ward to shoot down the hobgobs if they are just cowering. Better off trying to have a bigger impact by getting them to visible surrender or whatever. I'll make a Persuasion check on the fire elemental, as Ward introduces himself and move to take control of the ship.

Dice Persuasion:

1d20+1

(2)+1

Total = 3

[Fil kearney]

Rhoma's spells took hold of both targets, dropping to the deck almost as fast as swords were put through their hearts as the men got into the rhythm of Rhoma's dance, holding defense until her tide of sleep drifted across one brute to the next like Aundair's Spell Plague.... the look of Aribel and Princess eviscerating the separated hobs was even more feral in the spells' enchantment-- her face twisted in battle rage, screaming silently to her god as the bird plucked the heart and three ribs through the shredded ancestral ringmail.

The starboard scorpion, its grasp broken by the dismantling blows, sank further below The Breeze like a wounded animal limping quietly away from a bad kill. Topdeck, Daergel stood before the remaining combatants and ship's commander. The lesser troops nudged further away from the small monk defensively, almost afraid to deal with him. Behind at the base of the iron tail, the commander's thick arms folded heavily on his chest as he barked commands in Ignan, causing the ship to begin freefall towards the dissipating storm below-- the wind shrieked through strained joints and unyielding metalic rigging as it gained more momentum towards oblivion; the breeze quickly receding overhead.

Meera laughed triumphantly as the defeated ship fell away, and the deck became more akin to blood soup than a raging battle.
Marius flitted past the falling ship and cleared the railing of The Breeze in time to see the tide of battle turn-- He'd have his work cut out for him as broken bodies littered the deck; both hob and human alike clutched lethal wounds and burbled bloodied, rattling coughs as the crewmen pushed through them upon the faltering morale of the remaining raiders.

Below deck inside the Shaman's scorpion, the engineers pointed gingerly to the fallen witch doctor, muttering in broken common, " 'Das de boss der, mon. None is telling Shelarr what ta do now."

Thornton's demands fall upon the remaining Marguul on deck... seeing the tide quickly turning against his allies aboard The Breeze, and how the raider's sister ship was listing sidelong, losing altitude, the brute took the initiative to throw his sword down and take a knee, looking up with steady contempt in defeat.
Aboard the tradesman, the half-dozen aggressors left standing assessed the situation and followed Ward's demands nearly at once, also taking knees after a generous step back; lowering but not dropping their weapons against the pressing sailors.

Captain Ward could feel the elemental resist his coaxing-- Fire spirits were far more primal and combative than Sasha would ever be...

[spikehed]

Feeling the ship enter a free fall, the whisper gnome knew that he must establish control of the ship. Dipping down, his foot position took the movements of the mongoose once again. Daergel pulled strands of his own shadow from the deck and flung it toward the commander's throat.

With the lesser warriors hesitant, he dove between them. Twisting and turning, he slipped under their legs before coming to a stable fighting position threatening the Marguul commander.

Actions   Swift Action: Shift stance to Giant Killer. Standard Action: Shadow Garrote - Target: Ship Commander (Fort dc 17 vs Flat-footed). Dice Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20+15 (6)+15 Total = 21 Dice Damage: 5d6+12 (5, 6, 4, 6, 5)+12 Total = 38 Move Action: Move adjacent to Commander. Dice Tumble square 1: 1d20+11 (14)+11 Total = 25 Dice Tumble square 2: 1d20+11 (18)+11 Total = 29   Daegrel HP:98/98 AC:29, Touch:23, Flat:27 Fort:7, Ref:8, Will:11 Str:10 - Dex:14 - Con:14 - Int:14 - Wis:19 - Cha:10 Active Enhancements: - Giant Killer (Stance), +2 attack and +4 damage vs. larger opponents. - Bless, +1 morale to hit and saves vs. fear, 4 mins remaining. Active Penalties: - None. Used Abilities/Items: - Mountain Hammer Strike. - Shadow Jaunt. - Shadow Garrote.

[Admin Dirk]

Rhoma didn't care if the foe were surrendering, or simply making a ruse in hopes of taking more marines by surprise. She simply focused on the next one, and hexed it to deep slumber, and continued her cautious steps behind the line of marines. "Sleeping is safer for us both," she half explained to the hobs. Don't know if they understand, don't care, she thought, and felt the will of the marguul resist her for a moment, before she focused and turned her attention to it.

 

mopping up. if we remain in combat time, she'll hex, cackle, five foot step her way through all the hobs, until they are asleep or saved against her hex. She has two shots at each. If we jump out of combat time, she does the same, just not round by round by round.

[Battlechaser]

"Good." Claws flashed. "Don't move." A soft breeze came out of nowhere as air rushed in to fill the Brunner-shaped vacuum. The monk appeared on his own vessel close to Rhoma and lashed out to any Marguul that has not surrended.

 

Dice Attack:

1d20+10

(17)+10

Total = 27

Dice Physical damage:

1d8-1

(1)-1

Total = 0

Dice Magical damage:

4d6

3, 3, 3, 2

Total = 11

[Sir Alex]

Princess flexed her talons and a gobbet of flesh fell from one claw, striking the deck soundlessly. The griffon gathered herself, then stood regally erect to fix the remaining hobgoblins with an eagle’s stare. Her huge eyes were lambent in the fading shadows; her irises contracted like rings of hungry gold.

Aribel surveyed the scene from atop her mount. She sat the saddle easily, and a ray of sun broke through the clouds and stuck her from behind. She glowed like a living statue, a hero, although the effect was diminished (just a little) by the profile of her cowgirl hat.

The Breeze was…bleeding. Thick streams of crimson pooled here and there across the deck, then flowed to the sides as the ship pitched in the wind. The blood ran into the scuppers, pouring over the sides and down into the abyss below. The droplets would fall forever, clotting off, drying to rust, and then rotting in freefall for all eternity. Such was battle above the Mourn.

The paladin and Princess out of the silence bubbleadvanced to the port rail. Aribel looked over the edge with a grunt, but the breath caught in her throat a moment later. In the waxing light she could just make out Daegrel’s form atop the falling scorpion. Gods blast that runty Saint for a fool. Hopping ships when he can’t even fly. Aribel sighed. Come to think on it, damn me for a bigger fool. I’m the one carried him over there and then left him to rot while I saved the damsel.

“Meera!” she called. “Take a gander athwartships. Our friend Daegrel’s in trouble, so let’s get the Breeze’s aft aloft and her bow to bottoms. Dive, I’m sayin’. Let’s nab our gnome before the Mourn swallows him whole!”

[Grenadier]

The heat of the battle was passing, and Ward still found himself pressed. He did not want to surrender the ship to the elemental's whims any more than he wanted to look upon The Breeze and her miserable condition at that moment.

“You would deny me?” Ward roared in disbelief. It stirred his anger, which stoked the nimbus of flames that danced about his incorporeal form. “Have you been pressed into service—pulling ships along like a broken mull—for so long that you have forgotten the crackle of fire when it calls to you?!”

Ward elevated himself high over the ship, looking down upon it and beyond the crew as if he was attempting to meet its gaze. Tongues of fire burned through the hollow sockets of his eyes. “Hear me now, for it is a brethren of the embers that calls to you,” the captain demanded which a crack of his burning lash, “I am Thornton Ward, a soul born of the flames of another world and shackled to corporeal vessel just as yourself.”

“Fly with me, and you shall know the roar of fire once more!” As he spoke, flames licked forth from his open mouth like a tongue.

 

30/43 PP
Move + Skill Checks

Dice Sense Motive:

1d20+1

(19)+1

Total = 20

Dice Intimidate:

1d20+1

(6)+1

Total = 7

Probably, should have made this last round, but Ward might be knowledgeable about Fire Elementals, if it helps.

Dice Knowledge (Planes):

1d20+8

(2)+8

Total = 10

[Fil kearney]

anchored in the Ether, Thornton could see that the fire spirit was more than just bound to the ship... The embers of the elemental flared with the pyromancer's coaxing, but the heart of the ship was trapped somewhere within the belly of the iron beast. He'd have to crawl into the innards of the Marguul ship to find what was preventing the ship from responding.

Rhoma's spells continued to drift across the deck as the foiled hob soldiers accepted the sanded mists in their consciousness, dropping to the deck one by one as the tide washed across them, her men disarming each as they safely proceeded across the deck.
Marius took to tending to the men first, and the more severely wounded of the Marguul second.
He'd seen such wounds far too often in his days to be bothered with the emotions bleeding out of with the wounds of the fallen-- most would survive, if allowed.

Aribel's voice cut through the winds like the sun through the clouds as she barked to Meera to drop the Tradesman's tail-- Sasha was more than game to freefall with the Scorpion beneath, pressing down around the hull of the ship to keep the crew from just lifting free as The Breeze suddenly dove back-ended.
Barking at the remaining gunnery crew, the Greatest Daughter of Ward began threading loose rigging rope into readied ballista bolts, wrestling with the wood and copper machinery to ready some impromptu tethers for the straggling gnome to make use of.

On the descending scorpion, Daergel closes the distance between himself and the ship's commander as he flicked a ribbon of shadowstuff towards the large hobgoblin-- The steely-gazed brute dropped into a low stance fast enough to prevent from being caught off-guard, but not fast enough to keep the cold, tar-like meta-fabric from enveloping and wrapping up his arm, around his throat where he clawed and clutched at the tightening material.
Falling back along the curve of the tail above deck, the Marguul warchief tried to recenter himself, tearing the shadow free with a growl as he squared off against the gnome monk.
"Very well, assassin-- you've won. Tell yar employer that the Marguul will leave his route unmolested as long as he remains below horizon-- but if that flag evarr darkens our skies again-- you tell tha] bastard we'll rain down on his house wit' the blood an' pride of every warrior, woman an' child until he drowns!"
The remaining troops nervously flanked the monk, perhaps waiting to see if the diminutive warrior would kill the commander where he stood, or if the conditional surrender was accepted without further bloodshed....

[Eviltedzies]

The wounded crewmen lying around the battlefield was a painful jab at Marius' emotions. Thoughts whirled through his mind about how he could have stayed on the ship and possibly saved more lives than just the poor slave who had almost been sacrificed. All Marius could do was grit his teeth and move to the nearest dying crewman. "Work... focus on saving those I can." Marius began running about the ship in a hasty fervor. His cries called out to the men who were still able to move and in no immediate danger of dying to find those who were truly coming close to their ends. Marius himself kneeled down before an unconscious man with a long gash across his abdomen and began to pray as he channeled healing energy.

 

Marius Marius will be moving about the ship healing crewmen. He will start by stabilizing anyone who is dying with Heal checks. (Taking 10 to get a 16.) If they seem like they are close to death's door, Marius will use a Cure spell on them. He will continue to do this until all the remaining crew are stabilized.

[Sir Alex]

Aribel rode the griffon back and forth across the deck, supervising the disarming of prisoners. Their weapons were stowed in the locker. A cell would be found to hold them, at least temporarily, until other arrangements could be made. A part of her felt like deserting the hobgoblins on a floating chunk of rock between the continents. That's just my hot blood talking. Nevermind that. Wouldn't do, leaving folks to die slow.

The Breeze fell downward, and Aribel looked again to see if the scorpion was getting any closer. Daergel was a snotty little saint, sometimes, but he was family. Best to rescue him and get him back to eating gruel or wearing itchy rags.

 

Are we out of combat or still going round by round?

[spikehed]

"I wish no further conflict between us. Your terms are acceptable. We have an accord. Please signal to the Breeze so they hold fire." The tiny halfling seemed calm and reserved despite his earlier whirlwind of violence. He extended a hand toward the captain without malice. Despite their attack, they have honor.

Daergel did not feel any uneasiness in thinking that the Marguul would go back on their word. The captain of our ship is not quite so reasonable at times. The thought simply meant that Daergel would have to be more vigilant with voicing his concerns to Ward to keep him in control of his emotions.

[Battlechaser]

Brunner strode foward until he was next to the witch and surveyed her handiwork. "I see you've been playing sandman again, Rhoma. " A slow smile crept across his face. "And apparantly the youngster did as he was told." The monk leveled his iceblue stare at the sailor. "You've done well. Kill them before they kill you."