Cockburn Harbour

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Spearmint
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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#161 Post by Spearmint »

Barabbas, agrees with Holden and kicks the wriggling carpet. "Yes, we have the bully of a punter inside." He picks up the 'head' end and urges Holden to hurry through the back door into the courtyard. The escorts stare at the pair and the fidgeting rug. One comments to the other that Barabbas is a bit of an 'odd job man' and the pair would have just ignored the brusque intrusion into the common room except for the commotion at the top of the narrow stairs. The dwarf pokes her head up to see what is going on. It is a decision she would not live to regret...

Szmodics fires off another bolt at the animated armour. He misses and the suit continues to thrash about, shattering bannister and the small cabinet. The armour lunges forward with the halberd and strikes Szmodics on the stairs,

animated armour suit halberd [1d20-4] = 19-4 = 15 damage [1d12] = 2 Szmodics -2hp

The armour though, blinded can only stumble about trying to pin the fleeing 'carpetbaggers'. A step too far and the armour misses a literal step, falling, tumbling and turning headlong down the staircase and crashing at the bottom.

Animated armour dex [4d6] = 19 trip damage down stairs[2d6] = 10


Szmodics, knocked unbalanced by the falling heavy suit and halberd, struggles to hold his footing but just manages to refrain from being swept along in the avalanche of metal pieces. Hard dex save [4d6] = 15 (vs 15 dex)

The suit of armour animates no more and lies still, broken into separate plates and fittings. The halberd bounces down the stairs, hilt end slamming hard into the top riser then falling topsy-turvy, blade end hitting several steps down before spinning over once more until it rests, hatchet first, penetrating the riven skull of the nosey dwarf. A silent scream forms but does not come out of the mouth of the other seated escort. Passing out in shock at what she has witnessed.

Outside in the courtyard, Rico drags the old mule from the stable and places the body of Zoggrot on top of a creaking cargo cart. A few grain sacks and splintered apple crates, tossed aside fixes a reins and pulls at the morose mule.

"Open the gate Blondie!" he calls to Holden, pointing to the mesh fence and the wrought back gate. The two creatures, 'yip' excitedly and begin to growl, fanning bat like wings in plays of aggression as their territory is threatened.

actions please gentlemen. Zoggrot, unconscious but stable,

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#162 Post by Stirling »

Szmodics

Wounded will dash to the bottom of the stairs, jumping the bannister rail and body of the split in to dwarf. If the common room is free of other folk except the other prostitute, Szmodics will close any intervening doors, perhaps putting a chair or barricade up to hamper guards from following us through the building. How many pieces did the suit of armour break into? Shouldering his crossbow, Szmodics would like to gather the suit up as a whole and place it on the cart, along with the body of Zoggrot and the carpet rolled doppelganger. I will take the halberd too.

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#163 Post by thesniperknight1 »

Holden exclaims happily, "RICO!! AAH, it's good to see you, you won't believe who is in there", he points at the carpet as he opens the gate, "Here is a hint, you could guess anyone and you'd still be right". Although he is joking around, he is moving as fast as he possibly could, loading the rug and hoping on.
Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#164 Post by Spearmint »

"What am I, a F*@king rag and bone man?", says Rico, looking over his shoulder at the impending furore brewing in theSuccubus.. "I don't know what you've brewed up but lets get the Hell out of here." he says pointing to the still unopened gates. "Well he don't look like the captain we came for so I presume it must be him inside?", the 1/2orc says pointing to both Barabbas and the wriggling carpet. He 'gees' up the mule and advances it towards the rear gates.

Szmodics comes along, carrying pieces of plate mail thrown across his shoulder and kicking a shiny helm across the courtyard cobbles. He hurries after the departing cart, desperately trying to throw the pieces on top of the rolled rug and the prone body of Zoggrot. He waves the halberd threateningly at folk mustering behind in the common room. On the third floor a window opens, some indignations and curses are heard at the fleeing party. A figure leans out and catches the attention of Szmodics. Words of certain death are uttered to the bleeding rogue as he turns, momentarily caught like a rabbit in floodlights.

Having seen a similar display of somatic incantation when the sloop mage Siggard triggered a verbal volley of mystical missile energy, Szmodics fears the worst as his minds eye sees a lead shot form and whizz through the air from the window above. It looks to penetrate him right between the eyes, which he closes, for the last time he thinks hoping the blast my seperate 'brain from pain' and he floats of into a Carib dream world for the sleeping dead.

magic missile, r h b,s [1d4] = 4 damage [2d4+2] = 6+2 = 8 Rico, Holden, Barabbas, Szmodics...

... ... ...

Szmodics blinks (you may blink too Stirling!), the impending doom flashes before his eyes and seems to get sucked into the very core of the ring worn. It glows slightly with effervescent light and then is stilled once more.
a simple silver ring with a large square green jade stone set in a miniature paw,
taken from the body of De Courcey. The rings acts as a 'Brooch of Shielding' and thus the maximum damage powered by the magic missile spell is dissipated into the ring. By chance the roll targeted the ring bearer.


Barabbas and Holden, run through the fenced cordon, which separates the courtyard client area away from the rear gates. The gates are easily opened, sliding bolts and an iron latch allow the wrought gates to creak and groan open, pleading for the mercy of oiled hinges. The creatures guarding that area furiously react to their territory being so intruded and after barking and growling launch vicious attacks on them both. The rusty coloured creatures are about the size of a small mastiff with leathery stubby bat wings. Very uncommon, are a kind of guard drake. The have almost reptilian heads, similar to a small dragon. A long jawbone and several vicious teeth and clawed front paws. Though small instature they have a surprising weight and one bears down roughly on the unfortunate Barabbas, tearing at his calf muscles and hamstringing him entirely. Drake attacks B H [1d20] = 16 [1d20] = 7 Damages [1d6] = 6 [1d6] = 1 He falls prone to the floor as Rico urges the cart onwards and Szmodics, breathing a sigh of relief and many unuttered prayers of thanks catches up and offloads his burden.

With a crowd of ruffians beginning to form a posse and stream from the common room, though with little organisation, it seems prudent to take the opportunity to escape. The drakes, pin their victim to the floor and tear other mouthfuls of flesh and torn clothes from Holdens' charmed friend. As the cart disappears down a couple of dark and dingy backstreets of Cockburn Harbour, the 'hue and cry' dies down behind you.

Last actions gentlemen please.

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#165 Post by Stirling »

well I did think the ring was a bit 'girly' to wear but glad I did now

Szmodics will run beside the cart as fast as he can, trying not to leave a bloody trail in his wake. If we can shake off any posse and also avoid any mob still seeking us from the incident at the Matador and Bull, we could head back to the sloop? Zoggrott is badly injured, I am almost as critical. We have the doppelganger captive. Not sure at this midnight hour what other 'information' we can gather and how safe it would be for us in town anymore.

Just how do we convince the Captain about her and how to convince her to lead us to whatever treasure is tattooed on the map?

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#166 Post by thesniperknight1 »

Holden laughs at Rico's guess, "CORRECT!.....in a way", his laugh stops as the winged creatures tear into Barabbas, he whispers "Sorry friend as he loads the rug onto the cart and hops in himself. Seeing Zoggort's bloody body he smiles, Welcome back?"

He helps Szmodics to the cart as he runs besides it giving the Succubus a small bow, "You have been a great host". As he sits down he looks around him at the bloody and tired bodies and then to the rug, rethinking how it all went down and how quickly things turned south, "Hmmm, the lengths which people go through to get what they want, he mutters to himself.
Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#167 Post by Spearmint »

Rico canters the mule through the back streets to the dark alleys of the promenade. The McGregors' Revenge, bobs at anchor on a far dockside berth. The night is dark with a blustery, cloudy sky, a light rain beginning to blow in off the Atlantic seas. Few folk promenade up and down the once busy sea front of taverns and shops. Occasional loitering groups of drunken men sway as much with the wind as with the consumed ale, tottering leeward unsteady on their feet. A turbaned stevedore carting a threadbare rug and fellow drunks hardly worth noticing in the fading night. Abandoned on the waterfront the mule wanders along, seeking shelter. Looking about, the trio are glad to see that so far no 'gathering storm' is following them from the Succubus. An urchin boy does follow, from a distance, spied by Szmodics as they zigzagged through the narrow back streets. Zoggrots former 'eyes'. The few coins slipped into his pocket and words in his ears cause him to gallivant away.

Stories need to be told and questions asked, but for now Zoggrots' unconscious body is taken downstairs into the galley medical care of 'Butcher' Vayne . Rico, still rueing the loss of his prized falchion takes the halberd in hand. The lacy knickers still wound around the blade head, he pulls them free, blood stained with dwarf brains he hands them to the Haldane, "Hey, Small Dicks, these are for you!" he grins.

Szmodics and Holden, summoned to Mr Perryman's office to give account. Protesting innocence and kidnap, 'Catriona' asks to be released and set ashore. After much indignation and threat, Rico threatens to put the story to the test. With neither 'fight nor flight' a possibility, the doppelganger submits to reveal its' true nature as a shape changer though doesn't manifest any physical change. Catriona appeals for clemency and bargains that as well as a map, she could be useful in other ways, (Though not THAT way!) she forcefully says looking at the 1/2 orc. Wanting to think it over and leave any repercussions for the Captain to grasp, the doppelganger is secluded away under guard in the brig, occupied by the dwarf which Old Plighty took great delight in 'stumping and stomping' on.

Szmodics and Holden, eventually retire to their bunks in the lower cabins, awaiting ships orders and the return of the other two expeditions.


Thank you gentlemen that was fun to do, a bit longer than I anticipated and perhaps with less 'static' encounters than the others, the open options could have led to many a discovery or avenue of exploration. Still lots of stuff was found or gathered, though the significance of it may not be fully tested or valued until later. I will read through the expedition notes and shortly calculate the award of XP. Any treasures or monies gathered can be kept among yourselves. Any questions please ask. PM will be sent soon.


Oh, yes on a final note...

please everybody welcome Urson to our party of pirates. Urson has kindly offered to pick up on several 'cameo' roles that may develop within the game, just so the DM is not at the table holding all the aces and kept on my toes as well. Urson will be taking over the character of Catriona the doppelganger! Let mystery and mayhem ensue.

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#168 Post by Spearmint »

XP award being calculated, here is an update to a post in the treasure chest forum, Please fight, squabble, barter or gamble your treasure here. Who would like the silver braid, rings, armour, etc.

Cockburn Harbour expedition: sharing of loot.

Though the greatest 'loot' taken from Cockburn Harbour may yet wait to be found, the party found and divided the following stuff:

Szmodics won 22gp at the gambling table and an afternoon tryst with Tilly. He also gained the silver locket. (revealed to be a navigational aid, it shows a compass and bearing of the stars directly above your head)

From the fight with the Cray Gang mob, you took 71sp and 68gp each. Holden subsequently divided this equally and each person paid -5gp as an entrance fee into the Succubus brothel, Each person thus had 12gp and 18sp.

Zoggrot also took the rather fine throwing daggers from the body of the person he clove in two.

From the body of De Courcey you managed to gather: 70 pieces of Breton gold sovereigns. They are worth double that, as the normal gold piece is a half sovereign. (add 35gp to each purse).

Szmodics took and wore the ring with the jade square jewel, later revealed as a type of 'brooch of shielding'. (It has an unknown value of MM damage points left that it may sustain).

A Silver braided necklace, taken from the neck of De Courcey.

A heavy gold earring with a knotted rope design.

A pouch of 'poppy' like seeds, (perhaps the narcotics that De Courcey was addicted too?)

A suit of normal plate mail armour, with visored helmet. One halberd (taken by Rico).

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#169 Post by Zhym »

Here's the loot list, with who currently has it in parentheses:

Silver navigation locket (Szmodics)
Throwing daggers (Zoggrot)
Brooch of shielding (Szmodics)
Silver braided necklace
Heavy gold earring
Pouch of 'poppy' seeds
Plate mail armor
Halberd (Rico)
71sp 68gp - distributed
70 gold sovereigns (140 gp): 35gp each

I'm not including Szmodics's gambling winnings.

Looks like Holden's coming out a bit short at the moment. Sniperknight, does any of the above look particularly appealing?

I don't suppose any of us have a way to detect magic?

35 gp added to Zoggrot's sheet

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#170 Post by Stirling »

Szmodics

Mr Perryman might be able to detect magic, the medic also is known to heal up clients faster if we pay him to cast spells. Perhaps we could do that for Zoggrot, though if the other team aren't due back in for a few in game days, maybe sick bay rest will heal him up, (providing no on board shenanigans from doppel-Cat Urson!).

Face value of the armour is 400gp, if it is not magical I don't want to be clanking around in it on board a ship.

can I get a value on the locket and the jade ring?

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#171 Post by Spearmint »

okay the 'scores on the doors' are in and the following is the XP award for the trio so far. It includes the combined 1000xp award for the Christmas bonus and all the XP earned on the ship for the whale and leech encounters and role playing before the groups split.

So altogether the Cockburn Harbour team amassed a total of 1800xp, equally divided that is 600xp each. Plus the above award means everyone gets 1600xp.

Zoggrot with 10% bonus for fighter and thief now has 880xp/880xp unfortunately not quite enough to level up a dual classed character.

Holden also has 1760xp, not quite enough for the golden haired Rhymer to level up to become a second level Lyrist (2,000xp needed)

Szmodics also gained 1760xp and that is enough to level him up to a second level rogue. Congratulations. Please roll new HP in the forum.

sorry would love to have raised all you guys up a level but I couldn't justifiably squeeze any more experience points out of the encounters you had.

I will close this forum after the actions/divisons are completed and move the whole game back to the rescue mission.

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#172 Post by thesniperknight1 »

Holden would probably take a liking to the silver braided necklace if no one is taking that.
Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#173 Post by Zhym »

Spearmint wrote:Holden and Szmodics, divide up their trove and write a report detailing the events of the night. Honest Juan, the Halfling whose card you took from the bar can offer the boys a 'deal of the century' for the plate mail suit. "The visor is damaged and bloody after all and look at all these dents?", he has a charm and salesman pitch but is probably one of the few people in Cockburn not bothering to ask where the suit came from. A take or leave it offer is made of 280gp.
Assuming we take the offer, that's another 70gp each. Added to Zoggrot's sheet.

Either the brooch or the locket should probably go to Holden instead of Szmodics keeping both. That way everyone gets at least one magic-type item. Stirling, Sniperknight—what are your preferences?

Zoggrot would take the earring if no one wants it.

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#174 Post by Stirling »

Well one is worth more than the other but thinking that he has been 'saved' by the ring once already he will pass it on so that someone else may benefit from its' favours. Szmodics will choose to keep the silver locket, it is more pocket watch size and is a navigational. If we can squeeze 320gp out from the Halfling I would be happy with that, we can't spend the gold on board ship anyway but it all adds. We can always knock the dents out ourselves.

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#175 Post by thesniperknight1 »

Holden doesn't care about the armor or the gold it may provide, he only cares about the silver braided necklace. Zoggort, the armor is all yours :)
Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#176 Post by Zhym »

Zoggrot has no use for a lobster suit. :) Sounds like selling it and splitting the gold makes as much sense as anything.

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#177 Post by Stirling »

a by-the-book Brooch of Shielding could be worth as much as 10,000gp so that is a lot of money for Szmodics just to pass on. The chances of actually being targeted by another magic missile might be rare indeed but nevertheless it is still a prized trophy from the Succubus. Any way of knowing its true value and the amount of hp left that is may sustain?

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#178 Post by Zhym »

I think we should start with the premise that all loot is group loot except for things like gambling winnings. With four characters (three PCs and an NPC) and three magic items, it doesn't seem fair for Szmodics to keep two of them.

The locket definitely seems like the coolest item. The brooch is potentially more life saving, but if it's BTB its protection is limited to magic missile spells. And who knows how many more hit points it will be able to absorb before it's destroyed?

Anyway, Zoggrot is happy with the daggers, but either Holden or Rico should get the brooch if Szmodics would rather have the locket.

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Re: Cockburn Harbour

#179 Post by Spearmint »

Silver navigation locket (Szmodics)
Silver Locket (Szmodics)

Throwing daggers (Zoggrot)

Brooch of shielding. (To be sold at a later date, value uncertain, presently worn by Holden.)

Silver braided necklace (Holden)

Heavy gold earring (Zoggrot)

Pouch of 'poppy' seeds

Plate mail armour sold to 'Honest Juan' for 280gp, divided by 4. Each person to add 70gp.

Halberd (Rico)

71sp 68gp - distributed, 70 gold sovereigns (140 gp): 35gp each

The locket with the navigational aid was won at the gambling table, it shows the stars directly above your head and adds +1 to the wearers 'navigational skills'. As an implement it is worth a few hundred gold. The brooch could be worth lots of money also but who can you sell it too? A detect magic might reveal its inherent properties and 'charge' level. Magic missiles may not just come in the form of the spell, they might also be discharged through devices too though how likely you run into one, who knows... just your luck to flog it and then wham!...5d4+5 damage. I think the idea is to let someone wear it for now until it may be sold and then the value shared between the three of you (no need to tell Rico about it is there?). Okay so I will scrip Holden to wear it for now and it can rotate between the three of you until sold. How does that sound?

The poppy seeds are indeed the unrefined source of a narcotic drug. They could be worth lots but aboard ship, most Captains don't encourage their use. Their use might lead to an addiction or something else, trances and visions are said to come on various occasions. Maybe storing them for use in trade or get the medics to look at them would be worth thinking on.

adjust character sheets and roll hp Stirling and adjust for new thief skills.

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