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Post by keno on Sept 18, 2007 13:10:16 GMT -5
SAVAGE TIDE: Final Thread forums.rpgamer.com/discussion/11616/d-d-savage-tide/p1
Several hours pass while the party continues to cling to the debris in the water. The hours drag pass, with James eventually chanting a mantra, "The Sea Wyvern will come for us. Amelia won't leave us behind" more for his own benefit than anyone else's. A bright, large moon rises, and with the additional light the Sea Wyvern becomes visible to the south of the party. James hastily casts Faerie Fire on Gandt, the largest object available and Lia waves her lantern in the air. Moments later an answering flicker of lantern light comes from the Sea Wyvern, and the ship steadily approaches. The crew dispatches a rowboat, which quickly rescues the party. Once back on board the Sea Wyvern, the party is quickly provided blankets and hot tea and bombarded with numerous questions about what happened, which James answers patiently. The next morning, the ship turns south again, and the next few days are quiet and peaceful, allowing everyone to rest up. On the fifth day, large, dark clouds begin building in from the west, by noon a strong gale is blowing, followed by a torrential downpour. The crew quickly secure the ship, and settle in to wait for the squall to pass. The day ends with the winds and rains still battering the ship. The next morning the rain subsides somewhat, revealing jagged rocks to the southwest. Amelia tries to keep the ship on a southern course, but the wind and waves batter the ship repeatedly, threatening to roll the vessel at any moment. Around noon the ship suddenly lurches wildly as it runs aground on submerged rocks. The ship lists to port, but doesn't flip. The crew and party assemble on deck to decide what needs to be done to get the ship off the rocks. Amelia gives orders to the crew, and Kit, while only half-listening, spots something in the water, approaching the the ship. (+25XP). He gives a shout, and everyone turns in time to see a large, wormlike fish erupt up out of the water, towering fifteen feet above the lower side of the tilting deck. Numerous spines cover the back of the creature, and sharp dagger-like teeth line its circular maw. Two beady eyes look down on the ship from the crown of its head. Illyria and Lia both recognize it as a "masher" and know that the spines are poisonous. (+20XP) "We'll take care of this," James yells to Amelia. "You just get us off this damn reef." (The deck is tilted sharply, so movement uphill requires 2 squares of movement, movement downhill requires a reflex save) Init: Masher: 22 Illyria: 21 James: 19 Gandt: 17 Kit: 9 Lia: 8 (Everyone is arrayed in a line at midships, 15 feet from the railing closest to the masher) (Actions?) |
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Post by TG Barighm on Sept 18, 2007 14:40:33 GMT -5
"Fighting again?" Despite his seemingly obvious line of thought, Kit startles everyone with a laugh. "Ha! It looks like a giant sea-noodle!"
Kit will pull out his bow and fire it at the masher, then fallback for more arrows, 2 after he has fallen back and is standing firmly in place away from the giant worm.
If the worm gets stuck in melee with Gandt, and manages to remain within melee range on the deck, Kit will drop his bow and charge in with his rapier for some stabbity action. He will fall back to his bow if it rears.
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Post by firemyst on Sept 18, 2007 16:31:03 GMT -5
Lia will write down everything she knows about the previous encounter. Since no one had any knowledge of how to escape, she feels it's best to log it for future travelers.
Lia asks if anyone has any suggestion for which trick would help the party the most, for Tamaska.
Lia will ask Amelia the following, "Has anyone seen our sister ship? How far behind do you think we are... can we catch up?"
***
Lia readies her bow and will fire on it if she can. Otherwise, try and walk along the ship at the same height to find an opening.
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Post by TG Barighm on Sept 18, 2007 17:44:06 GMT -5
When Lia asks the party what trick she should teach Tamaska, Kit smiles. "Teach him how to hold a paint pallette."
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Post by Soulweaver on Sept 18, 2007 22:51:47 GMT -5
While amidships, Gandt seeks out Lia to see if she can identify the shark shield and the bone tube. See if there's anything inside the tube, while he's at it.
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"Yeah, just a big anchovie, is all it is!" He bangs his shields together, trying to get the fish's attention. He'll attack the masher if it comes within range, but he doesn't approach it and risk slipping until he has a better idea what it's capable of.
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Post by firemyst on Sept 18, 2007 22:56:31 GMT -5
(pre-battle days) Lia storms off at Kit's comment and doesn't speak with him again for the rest of the days between the battles.
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Post by keno on Sept 19, 2007 10:38:14 GMT -5
(I forgot to mention, that if there was anything you wanted to do in the intervening days, feel free to post it.)
Lia:
Amelia explains that no one has seen the Blue Nixie, and it's probably several days ahead, probably already arrived at Farshore.
James tries to comfort Lia, explaing that Kit just can't help himself, its just his nature to be a trickster, and that she should just ignore him (And no, this doesn't work with Haley either).
Lia tries to help Gandt with the shield, but without really knowing any spellcraft, she can't help out. James however is able to decipher that the shield is animated. (+1 Animated Large Tower Shield, to be exact with a command word of "defend"). (+20XP for James).
Gandt opens the tube and finds three scrolls within. James is able to identify them as hold monster, waves of fatigue, and permanency. (+50XP)
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Post by TG Barighm on Sept 19, 2007 14:16:17 GMT -5
(Permancy = Rock on!)
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Post by bebop007 on Sept 20, 2007 13:40:58 GMT -5
Illyira readies her bow and fires at the creature (I think Illyira only has one attack per round until her next level)
*******************************************
Illyria will jokingly suggest that Lia teach Tamaska to fetch arrows after battles.
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Post by keno on Sept 20, 2007 15:12:18 GMT -5
Round 1:
The masher pulls itself up on to the deck, causing the ship to tip even farther, and the hull to scrape ominously on the rocks of the reef. The sudden tilt knocks Lia from her feet, but she manages to grab a rope and not slide toward the masher.
Illyria fires an arrow, and misses horribly.
James does a nearly flawless impersonation of Illyria with his crossbow.
Gandt holds his ground, raising his tower shield to protect himself.
Kit fires an arrow and hits the masher. It flinches, even though the damage is light (-4HP)
Lia climbs back to her feet, an fires an arrow. The arrow must've been broken when she fail, as it simply splinters into a million pieces (critical failure).
Round 2:
The masher attacks. It's teeth grind against Gandt's shield, but but he manages to block the attack.
Illyria takes a step back, and fires again. She stings it a little (-5HP).
James reloads and fires as well. The bolt sails out over the waves.
The masher is still out of range, and Gandt seems to have its attention, so he focuses on protecting the rest of the party.
Kit fires a pair of arrows. Two perfect misses.
Lia fires an arrow which manages to penetrate as well (-5HP)
Status:
Masher -14HP
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Post by TG Barighm on Sept 20, 2007 15:41:25 GMT -5
No change, but I think Kit is losing arrows like mad this way.
How many arrows does he have left?
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Post by keno on Sept 20, 2007 16:03:11 GMT -5
(I show 27, after the three he just fired. Unfortunately, the community chest is loaded with bolts, and not arrows, but there's arrows packed away in the Sea Wyvern's hold.)
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Post by Soulweaver on Sept 20, 2007 18:35:48 GMT -5
(Niiice. But does an animated tower shield still impart the normal -2 attack penalty? And does total cover still restrict me from attacking?)
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Gandt Readies himself to strike when the masher comes at him again. How far downhill is it from him, anyway?
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Post by firemyst on Sept 21, 2007 10:36:07 GMT -5
Lia will use Magic Missile, then Rolling Sphere if the path is clear, otherwise more arrows.
(it's not like I have low dex or something, how come she's always falling? -.-)
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Post by TG Barighm on Sept 21, 2007 14:42:21 GMT -5
(Apparently all bonuses and penalties bestowed upon the wielder are still in effect when using an animated shield, you just have a hand free. Doesn't make an ounce of sense, I know)
(It's probably the same mystic reason behind why Zeit, a paladin with great all around scores, died a lot ;D)
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Post by bebop007 on Sept 21, 2007 14:49:14 GMT -5
Continue with ranged attacks. If the battle starts going downhill, then Invisibility/Sudden Strike.
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Post by keno on Sept 21, 2007 14:51:12 GMT -5
(according to the SRD, any penalties/restrictions still apply to the animated version of a shield. I could see it not applying cover penalties only if you were to "lob" something blindly over the shield.
The Masher is 15 feet from Gandt, at the farthest point of its reach.)
Round 3:
The masher makes another bite attempt at Gandt, but Gandt deflects it easily with his shield.
Illyria fires, and misses.
James fires a bolt, which passes straight through the Masher like a hot knife through butter (-6HP, -4HP (bleed), -1 Con).
Gandt readies himself to strike when the opportunity presents itself.
Kit fires a pair of arrows. Both strike home (-12HP total).
Lia casts a spell. Streaks of blue fire from her fingers, striking the masher (-6HP)
Round 4:
The masher brings its head around to strike Gandt again. Prepared for the attack, Gandt smoothly slams his shield into the creatures mouth. Teeth go flying as the creatures head and body snap back, it slumps against the railing, dead.
EXP: James: 240XP (level up!), Gandt: 230, rest: 210
"Amelia," James yells, "Get us off this reef before any more show up."
"What do ye think I'm trying to do?" Amelia yells back, before turning to the crew, "Puts your backs to it lads."
After several minutes, the ship suddenly skids across the reef, before breaking free. The wind and rain slack off, enough to spot some land in the distance, to the southwest.
"I'm going to head for that beach," Amelia yells. "The ship is going down, we'll have to run her aground, then make a swim for it. I'm sorry James, there's nothing I can do, we're taking on water. I've got the whole crew and passengers bailing, and we're still going down."
(Any actions before abandoning ship? Next update will end this chapter, during which I'll issue chapter rewards. Hopefully I can get to that this weekend.)
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Post by firemyst on Sept 22, 2007 0:20:30 GMT -5
(Actions that don't involve having my wolf eaten by a random hydra are done here.)
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Post by Soulweaver on Sept 22, 2007 10:03:57 GMT -5
Once it's been determined that the Wyvern can't be saved, Gandt works on throwing crates of cargo into the water until the very last minute, in the hopes that they will wash up on shore. He tries to find out from Captain Amella if she knows what that beach is, whether it's inhabited, and if the party will need anything specifically from the cargo hold during their (hopefully brief) stay. If it seems like they might be there awhile, and if he has time before the ship goes down, he tries to salvage some food, water, ale, and maps of the area.
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Post by bebop007 on Sept 22, 2007 11:02:52 GMT -5
Illyria attempts to swim ahead of the group so she can scout the beach area for the party.
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Post by keno on Sept 24, 2007 11:33:40 GMT -5
The ship limps slowly towards the beach. The combined skill of James and Amelia barely keeping it on course and a float while the crew busily bails water and Gandt empties as much of the hold as he can to lighten the load.
As night falls, the storm returns, with lashing rains, gusting winds and heaving waves threatening to roll the ship at any moment. Wild bolts of lightning tear through the sky, briefly illuminating the surrounding seas, revealing jagged teeth of rock momentarily. With a sudden flash and loud reverberating crack, a bolt of lightning strikes the mast, splintering the top of it and severing several of the lines holding the sails in place.
The lightning revealed a rock straight ahead of the Sea Wyvern, but a sudden large wave carries the ship up and over it without an impact. Unfortunately, the wave also turned the ship, directing on a more southernly course. A second wave nearly rolls the ship, as James and Amelia fight to turn the vessel. Two sailors are swept from the deck by a third wave, although Gandt manages to snag one as he goes flying past.
Another streak of lightning illuminates the seas, revealing the beach finally getting closer.
"We're almost there!" James shouts over the wind and the crashing of the waves.
Suddenly the ship lurches as a large wave hits from the side, dragging the ship up while at the same time rolling it sharply, this time several more crew members, and Illyria, Kit and Lia go overboard. The ship comes down hard, and actually hits bottom for a moment before being shoved along by the wave. This final shaking and shoving is enough to throw everyone else from the ship.
Gandt, with his superior swimming skills makes it ashore and quickly helps those that he can. Most of them simply crawl a few yards onto the beach before succumbing to exhaustion. Gandt finally does as well.....
End of Chapter 3.
Rewards:
1500XP ea.
Affliation Score Bonuses:
Church of the Whirling Fury: +1
Dawn Council: +1
Seekers: +1
Zelkarune's Horns: +1
Chapter 4: Here There Be Monsters:
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Dawn breaks over the beach, hot and humid. The rain has stopped, the skies are mostly clear, but everything is soaked. Here and there along the beach lie crates from the Sea Wyvern, and the ship itself lies on its side just 500 yards off shore.
Lia wakes to find Tamaska licking her face, and Thornd**e sitting just a few feet away, feasting on a piece of fish. The sound of the waves pounding heavily. To her right, she can see Illyria and Kit lying beside the remains of one of the two rowboats from the Sea Wyvern. Kit stirs uneasily as a small crab nips at his fingers.
To her left, she can see nothing but the large form of Gandt, snoring steadily. She realizes that it wasn't the waves she was hearing, but Gandt. Lia stands, somewhat unsteadily, and a few feet down the beach, beyond Gandt, she can see James, Amelia, Avner, Lirith, Tavey and Urol sitting around a fire. Skald stands a few feet away seemingly caught between remaining on the beach and exploring the jungle. Standing brings out a whole slew of pains that were waiting just beneath the surface, and Lia nearly doubles over from the suddenly onslaught.
The jungle looms just 60 feet away from Lia's current position.
"Oh, you're awake," James shouts. "Come sit by the fire, it'll feel better."
James sudden shout rouses Illyria as well who sits up with a moan, but Gandt continues to snore, and Kit continues to be nipped at by crabs.
(Actions?)
(TG: Thornd-y-k-e shouldn't be censored)
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Post by firemyst on Sept 24, 2007 22:57:13 GMT -5
Lia wakes up slowly, finding Tamaska unhurt and happy to see her. She pets his coat and begins to sit up slowly, looking around. She gets to her feet after a few moments, dusting and straightening her attire. She will check on her familiar. She scoops him up if he's safe to move.
She'll even give Kit a moment of pity and gently toss the crabs away from him. Then she heads over to the fire and sits down. smiling at the group. "We lived," is all she says.
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Post by Soulweaver on Sept 25, 2007 1:27:06 GMT -5
I think Gandt will happily stay out cold for awhile.  |
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Post by keno on Sept 25, 2007 10:07:08 GMT -5
Lia sweeps the crabs off of Kit, which causes them to angrily clap their claws together and to go look for food elsewhere.
Gandt begins to dream of little birds pecking at his hands and feet as the crabs begin trying to sever some fingers.
"Sometimes being alive is all you can ask for," Urol says to Lia as she joins the others around the fire.
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Post by firemyst on Sept 25, 2007 10:12:09 GMT -5
Lia nods to Urol, "very true." She looks to James. "What's the situation? Is everyone accounted for?"
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Post by keno on Sept 25, 2007 11:19:42 GMT -5
James looks into the fire. "The situation? It's very grim. We're all that's left." "That's right!" Avner suddenly yells as he jumps to his feet. "This bitch," he waves his hand vaguely at Amelia. "is responsible for Banaby and Quenge's deaths!" "That's right Avner," Amelia yells, jumping to her feet as well, "I'm actually a weather goddess." "You're certainly not a ship captain, that's for sure," Avner blurts. "That's enough Avner," James says sternly. "Sit down. We need to scavenge as much as we can off the beach and get moving." Instead of sitting, Avner storms off. "Pig," Lirith says to his back. All the shouting has woken Kit up. Urol then produces a sketch that he hands to James. "This is as much as I can remember from memory," he says. "Judging from the geography of the area, I believe we crashed here." He takes a moment to indicate the jungle at the northern end of the large peninsula on the right side. "I believe we should head south, through the jungle then follow the coast down to Far Shore at the southern end of the isle." |
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Post by TG Barighm on Sept 25, 2007 12:11:38 GMT -5
Kit groggily rubs his head. "Blah...how much rum did I drink?"
After taking a moment to look around, he slumps in the sand. "Ohhh...."
Swaying uncertainly, Kit makes his way to the gathering.
"So this is the Isle of Dread, is it? I don't like the sound of 'through the jungle'. Why can't we just follow the coast the whole way?"
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Post by firemyst on Sept 25, 2007 12:22:48 GMT -5
Lia sighs, leaning back and petting Tamaska. "Remind me again why we need him?" She watches Avner storm off, then looks back at the group. "How far do you think Far Shore is?"
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Post by keno on Sept 25, 2007 15:56:56 GMT -5
"We could follow the coast, but it will add 3, maybe four days to our journey at the least," Urol replies to Kit. "By going straight through the forest, we should be able to get there in 10 days or so."
"Because of his family's money," James replies to Lia. "Unfortunately."
"Urol says he thinks its a ten day trek."
"I think we should probably be waking Gandt up now."
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Post by TG Barighm on Sept 25, 2007 22:36:10 GMT -5
Kit rolls his eyes. "You never hear about adventurers getting lost while following the coast, but I suppose you know what you are doing. Just try to avoid the bigger animals, okay?"
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