PotM December

**Admin Choc** · #1 Dec 2nd, 2024, 08:10 AM

While we are headed toward our most melancholic month of a year, December we know that this is the time to gather stories to share with each other. The true essence of the 'Post of the Year' contest/thread.

But this time of year is not for everyone experienced this way, there are families, friends, and players over here struggling to get through the day, and for all of you, I want to give our annual RPG Drive and Fundraiser a shoutout, a way to support mental illness research.

Gathering stories and sharing is a tradition we should cherish, and therefore, I want to call upon you to nominate a post you wrote or read in December that stood out. If there are many posts, please decide on which one you want to nominate and make it happen.
Not only are you contributing to this PotM thread, but you are also inspiring the other writers on the Crossing by sharing your thoughts and motivation for why the post you nominated was of high quality.

Let's gather together and let me explain

Make a post in this thread :-)
Please check if the writer of the post has not won a PotM before in 2024, you can check that over here
Please refrain from nominating a post that has already been nominated this month (including a post stating '+1'to this nomination')
add the link to the post, if the Game thread is secret ask your DM if they are willing to change the settings temporarily to let us all read the post. Alternative: copy and paste the post in a quote/ secret text open to all (that's a bit of a contradiction there;-)
Last but not least, try and motivate your decision to nominate this post, why did it move you, what lured you into nominating, and what do you like/love about it? (compliments may be shared generously)

You can do this!

BlackDragon0 · #2 Jan 6th, 2025, 02:01 PM

Player: blackdragon 0
Ch: Hidddenleaf
GM: DrewW
Game: Hidddenleaf's adventures.
Post:
https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...63#post9944263

I nominated this post 1. Cause there's no Dec nomination. 2. Because the ch steps out of his loner role to lead a group. And 3 because I just liked posting it as well as the post before and after.

savoylen · #3 Jan 6th, 2025, 11:33 PM

Nominee: Jon
Game: Traveller: The Third Imperium
System: Traveller
GM: Savoylen
Post: Allyne – Jiinasha – A full complement

Reason for Nomination: Its hard being the surviving member and now, default captain of a sheep in deep space. On of the hard things is bring in new crew balancing the need to know and keeping your secrets close. Allyne (the captain) is working out this balance in a wonderful post by their player.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon

Allyne – Jiinasha – A full complement

Allyne sat quietly in the engine room as the Hope lifted away from the dock. They’d set course for the closer of the asteroid clusters and it would take a few hours to get there. The new crew were settling in and she wanted to give them some space – her concern turned to the engines. The refit in Jiinasha was more comprehensive than she’d expected and she’d only trust the work once she’d run her own sliderule over it.

She untuned the noise cancellation in her earbuds and listened to the M-Drive spinning up for the first time since its repair. She didn’t like the noise it was making. She frowned, walking around the machines, hands feeling for the vibration and placing an ear to the outlet.

Eventually she sighed. It was OK. It was just the lubricants working their way round as the drive was used in anger for the first time. She smiled and knocked the engine a couple of times before making her way to the bridge.

Everyone was busy – sitting in stations, chatting away, getting to know each other. Even Kelvin’s crew and Warka were in the galley. Miri was there too.

”Everyone’s here, that’s great – I can report the engines are on line to my satisfaction… Solaris, AO, Vex, I promised you and introduction – where we’re going and what to expect. Well I guess we should get started.”

She paused by the coffee jug. ”Hey! Rule one,” she said in mock-sternness. ”Whoever takes the last drop fills the jug.” she waved the empty coffee jug at the room.

”Now,” she said, setting work to fill the machine. ”Short answer to your question Solaris, is we are heading towards that first asteroid belt – we’re looking for a depot where we think our target ship, the Decisive will pass by. They’re kidnappers, who have taken Kelvin’s sister. Our first job is to find them and get her off the ship.”

”Quite why we’ve got into this is a longer story … I may as well go back to the beginning. It was at a bar of coure, it doesn’t matter where, that's where Kelvin first signed up the Spirit of Hope to act as a taxi service to take a friend of his to a planet you won’t find on any map.” She looked impatiently at the coffee slowly dripping through. ”A bad place. But that is where my first crewmate saved my life. Ladies and gentleman, I give you Miri. She did not look like this at all when we first met, but she was the one that busted us off the planet with a swarm of gun-toting ships behind us. And she’s pulled my behind out of trouble twice more since. That’s three lives I owe her, so treat her well.” She blew a kiss to Miri.

”We met Kelvin’s sister on another planet - oxygen miners with a penchant for illegal cyber improvements. That’s where Enok got himself into something he’s regretted ever since. Suffice it to say an investigation into an ex who was threatening her got us into a whole hill of trouble. That’s where I got this.” She tapped the metal port that had been sunk into her skull. ”It got hot there for a while – and thank goodness for Carlin … sitting there gunning his car as we broke out and Joe, who joined us there.”

She nodded to the pair. ”I’m sorry boys. Sorry for dragging you into the next chapter.” She poured a half-cup of super strong coffee, knocking it back and wincing. ”It seems that a combination of Miri and out mission attracted the wrong kind of attention. Those two-bit pirates the Kind Brothers. They fell on us just as we left Tribon. Nearly spaced us all and gutted the Hope on her maiden journey. If it wasn’t for Miri and Kelvin’s crew here we’d all be dead for sure.”

She stood, patting the troopers on their shoulders and nodding thanks. ”Well, anyway. We made it out of there – and now we are one step ahead of them … I hope.” She seemed to be addressing Kelvin’s crew next. ”And this time we want to be subtle – this is not a guns blazing unless we can avoid it. This time we want to find the Decisive before it arrives and find a way into it before it ships out. If we can break out Kelvin’s sister, and get out of here without a shot … well the bonus should be enough to keep Miri in Rhodium and buy me a new hip – and have more besides for us to share.” she turned to Kelvin. ”That right Kelvin?”

She poured herself another coffee. ”Any questions?”

OOC

Info dump!

savoylen · #4 Jan 6th, 2025, 11:42 PM

And just for fun... since a second nomination isn't allowed - but STILL AN AWESOME post for December.Nominee: psuedenim
Game: Iron DM 2024
System: A unnamed system
GM: Savoylen, bananabadger, Strangemund
Post: A Quarrel and Fable

Reason for Nomination: This is not a typical players post... its the winning entry for the 2024 Iron DM, being an encounter for 3 or more players. There is SO MUCH to enjoy with this post but I think one of the mentors put it best so I'll just quote them here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudonymous

As always, your theming is fantastic. I love your minor gods and the powers you've come up with for them. You've got a great way of taking a concept that seems so quaint and simple, like a god of grocers, and giving it a good mix of charm and gravity so it seems just important enough to make players want to follow them into a submarine to fight other gods. Plus, echoing everyone else, The Croaken is a delightful name. ... Fantastic work!

Quote:

Originally Posted by psuedenim

Operation Market Garden

AdventureA Quarrel and Fable encounter for 3 or more players.

Intro
The Nemesis from the prior incident has caused an uproar with the minor gods and upset the balance of minor powers. Three other gods have been dispatched to restore the original three and as its not in their 'domain' they have decided to employ some mortals to assist.

Its a tavern, a market square or perhaps even a jail where this adventure begins.

for the Players
You are approached by three strangers, strange strangers by all accounts. You would judge them to be a Grocer, a Confectioner and an Oil Lantern maker given the profession relevant trinkets and badges they wear as well as an item each one carries. An aura of quite and calm surrounds you, a sense of small powers being exercised. A whiff of cabbage, sweet cabbage and a glimmer of a warming glow. A fatty burning stench adding a delicate ambience to the cabbage. Time seems to slow and you can't help but pay attention as the Grocer speaks "I am THE grocer and what have you done! The lower Pantheons are in a heightened state of agitation. The Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker have been replaced by some odious dolt that wears the mantle of all three. Well!"

"Chaoz" mutters the Confectioner with an obvious accent that feels familiar but you cant quite place it, "Ze odour of war is in ze air! But you mortalz, ze icing on ze cake of chez Dolts deztruktion. HA!" and they twirl an end of a spiffy moustache.

The one with the lit Lantern, even in the daytime, nods as the Grocer continues "Its time to right this wrong and set the divine order back. The other minor gods have appointed us to right this madness and you have just the right experience to be our Champions. You will help us restore the Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker!"

Beginnings
Refuse to help

The Players can refuse and the Minor Gods have no plan in place if that occurs. Carry on with something else or have these gods badger and interfere with them for a little while. Ultimately they are gods and might be up for a bit of extortion, bribery or kidnapping. Vague promises of rewards, favours and maybe a good word to those a bit higher up the echelon could persuade the players.

Agreed, coerced or forced

Well done (however accomplished).

for the PlayersThe one with the Lantern opens its hood even further, the intensity all encompassing and blinding, accompanied by a low wailing from the other two gods. After a brief moment the light drops and you find yourself on top of a curved grey metallic object bobbing in a sparkly sea that spreads to every horizon. You are very definitely committed now and the three Gods enter a circular opening and descend inside what you learn to be an astral submersible the 'Guilded Prancer'. The minor gods have set up home here for the extent of the journey judging by the three stalls that are arranged as though in a small market row.

Minor Gods
The Minor Gods need to have their home set up in a fixed location to be of any use. In the Astral sea this is either on the Guilded Prancer or some other area of solidity. The adventure notes where this happens but if you happen to end up elsewhere note this limitation on their utility. If a Player approaches them near their home they will act like a shopkeep and try and interest them in their wares, even bartering but any payments will reappear back on the Players soon after. The stall items are infinitely replenished.

The Bonus home items are there for those Players that want additional interactions and skill challenges. Have the minor god talk obliquely about it to the other gods, look a little suspicious on occasion or show signs of secret use via odours, stains etc.

Note: The more epicurean characters will quickly realise the opportunity for a delicious rustic dining experience

Grocer

Red cheeked, friendly, chatty. Wears a long white coat stained with fruit juice with a carrot in the chest pocket.
Home: A small stand or cart offering a variety of fresh seasonal produce, mostly vegetables.

Confectioner

Well kept, twirly moustache, intense gaze. Foreign accent, wears a chefs hat. Conjures a rustic baton at will to enhance any point being made.
Home: A glass display cabinet with fancy filigree that matches the elegance of the sweet pastries within along with some more usual breads.

Oil Lantern maker

Down to earth, quiet, greasy hair, dirty smudges. Wears a leather apron, raised glasses and always holds a vial or a lantern that changes with every interaction.
Home: A large table with attached apothecary shelving offering a selection of lanterns and a range of oils. Some of these oils are actually edible.

Bonus:

Confectioner Oil Lantern Maker Grocer
Chantilly Cream Vinaigrette Stinking Bishop - stinky pink rind, mild and herby interior.
Liver Pate Olive Oil Stichleton Blue - creamy and tangy
Creme Anglais Moonshine Ticklemore Dome - refreshing light tang
Grass fed butter Pressed fruit juice Tunworth Cream - oozy with hints of mushroom and cabbage
Berry Jam Nut Oil Yarg Block - creamy, crumbly, wrapped in wild garlic

Nemesis (Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker)

Aloof, egotistical, overly confident. Appears as a variation of a butcher, baker and/or candlestick maker.
Home: none, this minor god is too smug to have anything but their astral Bastion.
Powers: not relevant

Guilded Prancer
A submersible in the shape of a whale made by the minor Guild gods ergo the name the Guilded Prancer. Basically a cargo vessel, its interior is one large hold with some dressing for mortal shapes such as seats, table, refreshments and a privy. Made from a material similar to granite but formed as though metal it can be considered near indestructible. It is unarmed and can only have its hatches locked from the inside.

Near the front is a clear globe that shows the ship in its center and its surroundings up to any reasonable distance. It responds to voice commands with regards to navigation and prefers it if one person is nominated as Captain. The ship will explain this if it ever receives multiple commands from different people. The Captain can be changed by whatever means seem most appropriate or disruptive at the time.

Note: Feel free to determine size and movement parameters but they are unnecessary for this adventure.

Enlightened defence

The aim is to have some ship fun with the ship and the Enlightened Ones. This section can end when you see fit and if there are any combatants still on board when you start The Bastion of the Nemesis have them carry on fighting in the Bastion and maybe add some reinforcements.

for the PlayersAfter a short while the Minor Gods go quiet and then huddle together before the Lantern maker steps forth. "We near the Nemesis' bastion and it will be barricaded and defended" he says in his deep flat voice. He raises his lantern, opens the hood and illuminates the rear of the ships hold. The light reveals a host of ethereal bodies, floating legless. "We bring 4000 of our host". The Grocer moves over to them and seems to be doing some counting and picking and soon after brings 9 of them forward. "Ze hosts for the new Butcher, Baker and Candlestick" maker the Confectioner adds "Ze rest will azist you in taking the Baztion"

Just then the Guilded Prancer sounds an alarm "Action stations" the gods call out in unison and the enlightened minds flow out onto the hull (except the chosen 9).

"You can direct our powers from here" the Gods say as they move to their respective stalls. Glowing symbols appearing on the ships globe, an ominous shade of red.

Ship Powers
The ship can perform a minimum of 1 Command per turn with an extra Command for every 2 Players in the group.

The Minor Gods provide some ships capability but it costs Enlightened Ones to use once the Command Points are fully expended.

Power	Description	Effect	Cost (AP / EO)
Evasive Maneuvers	Wild flying	Ignore effect of one Enemy. SKILL test to not fall	1 / 100
Sprout Machinegun	Spray of hard Sprouts	2+1D3 damage	1 / 200
Flour Bomb	A sack of fine flour	Delays 1D3 Enemy Groups for 1D3 turns	1 / 200
Tartpedo	A baguette tipped with a tart flies out	Destroys one Enemy Group	2 / 300
Oil Shell	Artillery shell, explodes on contact. If used with Flour Bomb double damage or duration	1D3 damage for 2 turns	1 / 200

Enemies
Skinned Deer Marauders

Marauder ships come in groups of 2+1D3 this is the equivalent of STAMINA. 1 point of damage removes one enemy from the group once it reaches zero the group is destroyed.

Aiming directly for the Players to board and fight on their way they can lay mines or fire rockets. Each ship will disgorge enough pirates to challenge the Players.

Run multiple waves

Marauder Stats
SKILL: 6+1D3
STAMINA: 5+1D6

Attacks: 1

Weapon: Antler Spear

Dice Roll	1	2	3	4	5	6
Damage	1	1	1	2	2	2

Armour: Tough Muscle and Sinew

Dice Roll	1	2	3	4	5	6
Damage	1	1	1	1	1	2

Crepe Mines
A cloud of floppy sticky crepes made with an explosive rising agent, visible for several turns.
Destroys 1D3x100 Enlightened Ones.
Shockwave damage to ALL Players of 1D2 (Armour applies)
Candlestick Rockets
Once launched they hit on the next turn.
Destroys 1D4x100 Enlightened Ones.
Shockwave damage to 1D3 Players of 1D2 (Armour ignored)

Enlightened Ones
They are the minds or souls of the Minor Gods faithful that have died and been chosen to hang out with their patron. As they are used they pass on to another after life sighing a content "OM".
At the start the Players have 3991 Enlightened ones out of 4000 as the Minor Gods have reserved 9 for restoring 3 other minor gods.

The Enlightened Ones are a resource that Players can use to buff their ROLLS at any point until the end of the adventure or fully expended.

When	Bonus	Cost
Before ROLL	+1	50
Before ROLL	+2	75
After ROLL	+1	100
After ROLL	+2	250

The Bastion of the Nemesis

for the PlayersAhead you see the Nemesis' Bastion getting closer, details resolving into what appears to be a walled garden and courtyard housing a small market. Closer still its just stalls of Butchery, Baker and Candlesticks with Astral forms or the professions raw materials. To one side is what appears to be a large banner or flag. The entire place surrounded by a globe of shimmery-ness.

"Ze defensive aura iz up" declares the Confectioner. "I have made the Key" states the Lantern maker and from the rear of the ship the 9 remaining enlightened ones carry forth a huge Iron ring, bearing the signet of the Nemesis "Their past is their weakness."

Surprisingly the front of the ship opens like a whale mouth and the ring is hurriedly carried out and crashed into the shimmery barrier - both fade away. The way clear the Minor Gods rush up and forwards the Nemesis doing the same and they begin a deadly dance of such speed its hard to follow. You hear the Nemesis call out "Release the CROAKEN!" and what you thought was a weirdly patterned banner drops to the floor and transforms into a huge warty toad - the Croaken.

Aim of the Players

The Players aim is to save the Croaken.

If they lose a Minor God will rush to help them escape and return them to the Guilded Prancer. The Nemesis will restore the barrier and the quest to restore the Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker has failed this time (see Aftermath - Failure).

Allow the players some creativity and improvisation here with anything that might be related to butchery, baking and candlesticks e.g.
Knives, lots of knives and meat cleavers - Lego for monster feet.
Astral game - to confuse or attack.
Flour bombs - burning and vision, maybe the Croaken has an allergy.
Bread starters - sticky, stinky and prone to rapid expansion.
Wax and wick - slippery, long burning, super strong and long.
Bee hives - stinging swarms, sticky irresistible honey.
Provisions of an appropriate nature can be found to restore 1D3 STAMINA.

This is the Astral plane so feel free to smash up stalls etc with gay abandon. These are all ideas of the Nemesis and can reform as fast as you like

Fight Phases

Phase Details Ends
1 If swallowed spot Parasite (SKILL check) Croaken below 25% STAMINA
2 Parasite revealed. Croaken STAMINA reset Croaken below 25% STAMINA
3 Parasite enraged, starts pulsing. On alternate turns the Croaken gets 2 additional attacks Croaken killed
4 Parasite detaches, dissolves into a putrid mess. Croaken rises again, gives a mighty shake and leaps into the sky see Aftermath - Success

Note: This is meant to play as an environmental hazard and puzzle as well as combat. The Players need to discover the parasite and destroy or get it away from the Toad.

Croaken

Stats

SKILL: 7
STAMINA: 30

Attacks: # of Players - 1, minimum 1

Weapon: Foot swipe

Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6
Damage 1 1 1 2 2 2
On a hit you are knocked back out of melee range.

Weapon: Sticky Tongue

Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6
Damage 1 1 1 1 1 2
On a hit roll on the next table.

D6 Effect
1, 2 No effect
3, 4, 5 Stuck to the Tongue, dragged in and swallowed.
6 Stuck, Swallowed, Poisoned (1D3-1 dmg for 2 turns)
If swallowed the players could lose an item, suffer 1D3 acid or crushing damage or disadvantage for 1D3 turns due to nausea.

Weapon: Leap and Slam

Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6
Damage 1 2 2 3 3 3
On a hit you are winded (disadvantage for 2 turns) and dazed (miss a turn)

Armour: Tough Skin

Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6
Damage 1 1 2 2 2 3

Parasite

The Croaken is just an amiable giant toad but it has been taken over by a parasite planted by the Nemesis on purpose to create a guardian.

Destroying or removing the parasite will free the Giant Toad which then attacks the Nemesis, tipping the balance of that fight.

Non-combat options
Something a player or players carry causes visible distress when swallowed.
Something or things in combination harm the parasite and you can see it shrink e.g. Wax, Honey and Yeast directly applied work as an anti-parasitic cream.
Tying a noose around the base of the parasite and trying to strangle it off or cauterise it.

Note: If things start to drag on have an Enlightened one whisper a clue in a Players ear.

Aftermath
Failure

Restoration of the original three Minor Gods has failed, all other Minor Gods are now disappointed in the Players and the Grocer, Confectioner and Lantern Maker. The Nemesis is now more aware of the Players again. Do with this as you wish.
The Croaken has been awakened and if it was not rescued now has the Players scent.

The Players will returned to a destination of their choosing on their plane of origin via the Guilded Prancer.

Success

If the Players prevail they are presented with a powerful artifact the God Maker. They can use this to bleed the Nemesis and whoever absorbs/consumes the blood takes on the power of the god. Unfortunately due to the Nemesis's fusion of three other gods the Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker will never be fully restored, their domains forever mingled in however many other god forms take the blood.

Its possible for the Players to take the blood too but there will be no immortality (unless they have done some kind of Ascension process). Just domain powers relating specifically to butchery, baking and candlestick manufacturing. Control will be difficult and like wishes subject to failures due to poor wording, misinterpretation etc. Blood loss will also diminish the powers and it can be clearly seen evaporating (back to the Astral) by the player.

Further access to the Guilded Prancer is now available allowing fast travel across the Astral plane and other planes.

God Maker
Treat as an ordinary blunt weapon for anything but a God. Minor Gods can be treated as humans when it comes to exsanguination.

Unbound

A long bladed dagger, plain in appearance and oddly unbalanced, its edge dull. Whoever first grabs it by the hilt will find their palm cut and through their blood it they bound to the blade.

for the PlayersOne of the Minor Gods pulls out a long dull blade. "Who will act as the butcher, but not be the butcher?" It waits patiently till a player takes the blade by the hilt.

Bound

Those bound will be referred to as the God Maker by any creature native to the Astral plane. The person bound to the blade is the only one to see its Astral Aura, tightly swirling bands of astral energy as well as a fractal blade, the suggestion of near infinite sharpness. Sharp enough to cut a god and make it bleed its godly power.

for the PlayersOnce a player takes the blade by its hilt the God explains more "This blade can make a God bleed. Now bleed the Nemesis so that new Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker can claim its godly power." The three forms in waiting step up expectantly.

The Ingredients

A god among us - pick one of the 4
Something that is not a fish - the Guilded Prancer
3,991 enlightened ones - power source
A warty amphibian - the Croaken
A long-bladed dagger - the God Maker blade
An iron signet (bonus) - key to the Nemesis's astral domain
A false type of cloth (bonus) - polymorphed Croaken

BlackDragon0 · #5 Jan 7th, 2025, 12:08 AM

7. Members may only make one nomination per month. Additional nominations beyond the first by the same site member will be discarded. Members who change their minds about which post they wish to nominate may do so by deleting their original nomination and replacing it with a new one.

savoylen · #6 Jan 7th, 2025, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackDragon0

7. Members may only make one nomination per month. Additional nominations beyond the first by the same site member will be discarded. Members who change their minds about which post they wish to nominate may do so by deleting their original nomination and replacing it with a new one.

True... that was just a mention for an awesome post. Since the player already has an award, I'm leaving Jon as my nomination. Thank you for clarification I didn't mean to confuse, so I've marked it to make it clearer.

BlackDragon0 · #7 Jan 7th, 2025, 03:04 PM

Ok I thought you might have missed it is all. I've almost nominated 3 post before. Lol luckily trying to start the first nomination I read through the rules several times and ain't sure I got it right still.

**Admin Bhelogan** · #8 Jan 8th, 2025, 04:47 PM

Name: jbear
Game: Tomb of Annihilation
Reason: Ok, this is an HoF game, so expectations are high. If you have ever been in a jbear combat scenario, you know things are hectic, with many little intrigues and mechanics to consider. Here, our players have decided to stray a bit from the path, and try and take out a Pirate base, mostly out of spite for all the harassment they have given the team over the course of the game. jbear had set up a wonderful scenario for us to ambush the base, and eventually, clean up what we couldn't do with sabotage the old fashioned way.

Post: Lookey here

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbear

ShatteredLeatherface's spell shattered the crossbeam of the upturned ship that had been refurbished into a makeshift tavern of sorts. The crossbeam, or what had once been the keel of the now gutted ship, splintered. The watchtower collapsed downward onto the unsuspecting crew below. Falling wood pierced torsos and crushed skulls. Those who survived the collapse were finished by a shatter bolt which sent a new wave of deadly shrapnel into those pinned inside. Within the blink of an eye the entire Bilge crew had been annihilated.

Yet, even as Taurri blinked away from the collapsing guard tower and charged along the pier with a mental command to bolster his undead servants' efforts within the docked Stirge and Svaly slid down the rope attached to the ballista bolt that had punched into the Stirge's hull pinning it from any hope of escape, the front and back doors of Bosco's bilge were thrown open. From the northside, Bosco Daggerhand emerged in a cloud of dust. A massive specimen of a lizard stalked beside him. From the south side another massive specimen emerged from the backdoor that led to a now devastated kitchen. This last one held a giant cleaver in each hand, his eyes settling immediately on Leatherface, his mind made up as to who was responsible for ruining the day's broth.

While Andressa rowed Sskath back towards the pier, her fiery bolts had set one of the masts on fire. The flames began to gobble the tied sails. Soon they would creep down the mast towards the deck. Perhaps the flames sensed the tasty black powder stowed below in the hull. Andressa took Sskath's dagger and nodded, tucking it into her belt to leave her hands free to row as she watched with a satisfied glint in her eye as destruction rained down on the pirate encampment and she began to fully comprehend the fortunate nature of her accidental rescue. "I know little of the camp. I have spent my time in that stinking cell. You probably won't believe me, but I was captured by Frost Giants... of all creatures to encounter in the steaming jungles of Chult. I can hardly still believe it myself. They traded me to the pirates for information. It was lucky these scallywags saw value in such a trade."

While that brief conversation unfolded, Kyro sent exploding bolt after exploding bolt into the stairwell of Stirge where Taurri's zombies had created a bottleneck, trapping the Stirge crew nearby. 6 pirates had succumbed to the undead attack before they managed to fell the lifeless attackers. Kyro's magical bolts would leave none alive. Two strides away, the door of Captain Laskilar's cabin opened. A Rakish pirate emerged, eyes narrow, fury marring the near-constant smile the pirate usually wore. An intelligence brewed behind the fury as he took in the scene, making full sense of what had befallen the Anchorage in that brief moment of pause. His gaze locked onto the small gnome charging across the pier towards his ship.

Across the parapetted bridge that spanned the shark-infested waters, Ilen's blade was stuck between muscle, sinew and bone. Stuck quite literally. Jerking the blade free at last, blood gushed from the vicious wounded. It should have been a mortal wound, enough to kill any man. Alas, Heel was no normal man. He was, in fact, a mountain of an orc, a battle-hardened gladiator turned pirate who had received many such wounds that should have killed him long ago. But alas, Heel had not died to any of those wounds, and alas, he was not dead now either. He stood from his chair where he had been perusing a book, pretending to read (but really just enjoying the pictures), and took hold of the trident resting against the nearby rock wall. He frowned at Ilen, coughing blood onto his muscular chest. "Now, why'ya go'n do that now, boy?" he asked, rather politely if anything. Ilen had a feeling if he didn't kill Heel within the next few breaths, he was going to be in trouble, serious trouble.

Group Check II: Interpretation MethodIntention: 2 players working together should be able to significantly reduce the number of enemies or the target's HPs if focusing on the same target. If they both roll well enough there should be a chance to eliminate the target completely.

Dice Result Mechanic: Target DC16 achieved = target loses 33% of HPs or crew members.
For each +4 the DC is achieved > target loses another 10%
Example: DC 20 achieved = +10% lost
DC24 = +10% lost
DC28 = +10% lost

Crit = +10% lost

Effective Use of consumable = +10% lost

Actions may affect the battlefield instead, creating hazards or setbacks for the enemy. Such actions do not directly reduce numbers.

With that established before reading the results, let's see how you've done.

LeatherfaceMoves to Bosco's Bilge undetected: Stealth 21
Locate's best place to cast Shatter: Investigation 29
DM Interpretation: The Bilge is a flipped boat. The deck lies on the ground, providing a flat base for the upside-down structure. Ceilings have become floors and floors have become ceilings. Shatter would deal x2 damage to the structure of the walls and beams it touched. The boat can't fall as it's not raised on struts, but the upper floor could collapse down onto the lower causing significant harm, which is how I am adjudicating has happened.
Target: I don't feel 'everyone in the building is an appropriate target, especially one hoping to drop treasure somehow conveniently. So, the crew within is the target in this case.
Result: 29 vs Bilge Crew > -33%-10%-10%-10 %(-10% Shatter spell)
Crew Number = 12 -73% = 9 Bilge Pirate Crew members die
3 crew members survive

SvalyImmobilise the Stirge: Ballista Advantage cancels situational Disadvatage: 18 = success
Slide to safety down attached rope: Acrobatics 18
Result: Stirge may not attempt to flee until ballista bolt is detached

KyroCrossbow w/ Shatter Bolts vs Buried Bilge Crew: 19 = success
Result: -33%(-10% consumable)
Crew Number: 3/12 - 43% of maximum number = 3 Bilge Pirate Crew members die
Action Surge: May use another action to also attack the Stirge: Shatter bolts advantage cancels Disadvantage: 20 = success
DM Interpretation: One action is allowed to affect the Bilge, it can't be divided between targets. However, I will allow Action Surge to take a second offensive action within the group check scenario. I am taking your second dice roll to interpret the result of the effect of this second action. Matching your intent, 3 more shatter bolts could be shot into the Stirge mechanically. Individual dice rolls for each attack are not required.
Result: -33%-10%(-10%x3 Shatter Bolts)
Stirge Crew Number = 18 - 73% > 13 Stirge Pirate Crew Members die
5 Stirge crew members survive

MorrilIntimidate Daggerhand before attack: Intimidate 27
DM Interpretation: the intent is to scare the foe to provide a clean opening to then attack, rather than to have Daggerhand surrender. So the skill check will define how effectively the following attacks land
Result: Daggerhand HPs -33%-10%-10%
Daggerhand's HP total is reduced by 53%

IlenStealth to assassinate Heel: 29
Result: Heel HPs -33%-10%-10%-10%
Heel's HP total is reduced by 63%

SskathBurn Stirge's Riggings (Further immobilise the Pirate Ship; Scorching Ray cancels situational Disadvantage)
DM Interpretation: the boon of Scorching Ray is multiple attacks which I feel is fine here to ensure a successful hit. I feel, like Svaly's action, this does not directly affect the current action but is designed instead to remove any chance of the ship's escape.
Bonus Action: convince Andressa to stay and help: 18 sucess > Andressa takes charge of rowing the boat back towards the pier.

TaurriEscapes the Watchtower with Misty Step: no check required
Rally Zombies against Stirge Crew: Arcana 15+2=17 (+2 bonus from Bell; Summon Undead advantage negates Disadvantage)
Result: -33% Stirge Crew
6/18 Stirge crew members died before they were able to defend themselves and kill off the zombies
0 Stirge Crew members remain

Overall ResultI think the overall result is hugely positive for the group. I am tempted to declare the situation won and have the pirate's surrender directly. However, I do feel that Ilen is in great danger with a still very much alive Heel isolated on the far side of the camp and this situation is made more difficult by the Captain, the Cook, and Daggerhand and his pet who are not chumps who can easily be ignored. Not to mention, I need a Wisdom Save DC12 from Kyro vs Lycanthropy Curse. Also, if you intend to get the Stirge back to Port Nyanzaru for the bounty, someone may want to limit the spread of the fire in the rigging. So we'll play it out.

Good luck! Finish them!

Group Check II: Interpretation Method

Roll Initiative. You have Advantage from the Silent Horn.

Enemy Initiative:

Dice * Pirate Avg Initiative:

1d20+3

(2)+3

Total = 5

(5)

Enemy StatsCaptain Laskilar AC17
Heel AC 16
Bosco Daggerhand AC16
Knuckles (Large Deinonychus) AC14
Cook AC17

Terrain NotesArea 6 (Bosco's Bilge and Guard Tower): collapsed, currently inaccessible > blocking terrain.

Raised Bridge: 30ft above ground can be reached or descended by climbing following the normal climbing rules (Req. two free hands). The 5ft parapet that lines the edge provides 3/4 cover against ranged attacks.

Mast Fire: Will spread each round by a random degree determined by a dice roll (d8). Once the degree reaches 10 it has spread to the deck of the Stirge. Once the degree of the fire on the deck also reaches 10 the fire will have breached the hull. Once in the hull if the degree reaches 10 it has ignited the gun powder and an explosion occurs.
Countermeasure: putting out the fire (Action) requires a DC10+1/2 intensity of the fire DEX check. An appropriate tool can provide advantage. No appropriate tool suffers disadvantage.

Shark-Infested Waters: Sskath can confirm that there are plenty of shark-shaped shadows swimming in the water. The water is 10ft below ground level. The shoreline is difficult terrain and requires a DC12 DEX (Acrobatics) check not to slip and fall into the water if used.

Rocks: the large rocks pictured on the map should be considered impassable blocking terrain (no line of sight)

Full Health	All not below
(99%-75% Hp)	Taurri
(74%-50% Hp)
(49%-25% Hp)	Bosco Daggerhand, Heel
(24%-0% Hp)
Unconscious/dying (0 Hp)
Dead:

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