Action Thread 3: Westward upon the Bay of Ghosts

[Argennian]

Argennian, are there any spears handy on deck? I didn't really indicate one way or the other if Bog had his with him... I'll go with whatever you say on that.

OOC: Alethan, there are 4 weapons lockers on the main deck: 2 on each side of the door going into the forecastle and 2 on each side of the door going into the stern castle.

Each locker contains: 2 short spears, 4 javelins, 2 battle axes, 4 hand axes and 2 20-cap. quivers of crossbow bolts. There are also some other little trinkets in there as well.

*Note: as an aside point of order, there are also 2 weapon lockers similarly equipped on the foredeck at the bow on each side of the forward ballista) and 3 at the stern deck (1 by the wheel and 2 at each back corner port & starboard).

In regards to what Bog had with him currently, I assumed that he had his normal weapons already with him/on his person, i.e. his Karagonian masterwork spear, longsword & dagger (as well as was the leather armor he aquired from the armory).

Dave: if you would, good sir, please indicate if Caelvanna is firing at the mermen with the crossbows or the ones with the javelins!

[Alethan]

Not wanting to throw his good Karagonian spear...

Seeing that Thalion is being cared for, Bog runs to the weapons locker nearest him and retrieves one of the spears. This he throws at one of the mermen holding on to a grappled line.

To Hit, Spear (missile) [1d20+1] = 10+1 = 11

*sigh*

(Let me know if that won't work. If he doesn't have enough time to do that, then he'll instead draw his sword and attempt to remove grappling hook lines by cutting them.)

[dmw71]

Dave: if you would, good sir, please indicate if Caelvanna is firing at the mermen with the crossbows or the ones with the javelins!

She will continue to focus her attention on those with crossbows first.

[SocraticLawyer]

... SocraticLawyer: we'll consider that Ulrich got to Thalion with enough time to cast that Cure Light Wounds spell at the end of Round 1, if that's still his intention. Go ahead and roll a d8 for that and then make your Declared Action for Round 2 ...

CLW: Cure light wounds [1d8] = 2

[tkrexx]

Emm silently curses herself for wasting a spell before she was more aware of the enemy. Transferring her now-magicked and potentially dangerous spear into her shield hand, she draws her scimitar and hacks at the closest grappling hook. (Or rather, the rope holding the hook...) After she will quickly duck behind the rail, so as not to be a primo target.

[Argennian]

... (Let me know if that won't work. If he doesn't have enough time to do that, then he'll instead draw his sword and attempt to remove grappling hook lines by cutting them.)

OOC: Bog would easily have enough time to accomplish this within the round!

[Alethan]

... (Let me know if that won't work. If he doesn't have enough time to do that, then he'll instead draw his sword and attempt to remove grappling hook lines by cutting them.)

OOC: Bog would easily have enough time to accomplish this within the round!

Ah, well. then the action stands.

[Nuke66]

Moving quickly the rigging as she had been trained, Lauranna helps hoist the main sail between dodging bolts and arrows.

[Argennian]

Encounter at the Shipwreck: End of Round 2

Party: 5
Enemy: 2

~ Desperately intent to turn the tide, the crew of the Seahawk again responds more quickly than their mermen ambushers...

Up on the forecastle, Caelvanna stays low and continues her ranged attacks versus the mermen with the crossbows off the starboard side, drilling both her respective targets. The merman recipients clutch at the protruding arrow shafts in obvious dread as they sink below the surface. Griffo seeks to replicate his previous success and fires 2 more flight arrows off the port side of the bow, again targeting the seafaring crossbowmen...

Griffo: To Hit short bow [1d20+7] = 2+7 = 9, Damage [1d6+2] = 3+2 = 5

Griffo: To Hit short bow [1d20+7] = 16+7 = 23, Damage [1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7

… missing with his first arrow but scoring a definite kill-shot with his second!
Gramps strikes up flame from a tinderbox he's recovered from the forward weapons locker and lights up a small torch lying next to the ballista. Hammal retrieves what appears to be a dark, circular metal flask with a protruding piece of cloth from the locker and holds it to up to the torch. As soon as the cloth ignites, he tosses the smoking container over the starboard side of the bow at the closest mermen that are readying more javelins. Just as it lands on the surface, it explodes and sends shrapnel flying into three of the ambushers and the floating debris around them. They drop their weapons and sink unmoving below the surface.

On the main deck, Bog quickly scrambles over to the forward port weapons locker and retrieves one of the short spears inside. He steps over to the rail and sends it in the direction of one of the lead mermen holding onto one of the two ropes. The spear misses its mark to the right and pierces the surface of the water with a kerplunk. Emm recovers from her stunning wound and switching her magicated spear to her off hand, draws her scimitar and moves over to hack at the rope attached to the grapple on the starboard side...

Emm: To Hit scimitar [1d20] = 16, Damage [1d8] = 4

... scoring a hit that almost severs the thick, damp rope. She then drops below the rail before the next wave of incoming.
Hearing his captain's call and following the druidess' leader, Sorel drops his crossbow, draws his hand axe from his belt and hacks at the other rope. Although the easterner half-elf puts all of his strength into the swing, the blade just misses to the side and hacks out a chunk of the dark wooden rail. The half-orc Mila remains ducked down behind the starboard rail and frantically reloads her heavy crossbow for another shot.
Back over on the port side of the main deck, Ulrich finishes casting Cure Light Wounds on the unconscious Thalion. The clerical spell flows instantly throughout the Wood elf's still frame and although he remains unconscious, his wounds are magically healed enough to bring him back from the brink of the abyss. Ulrich then takes a quick peak over the starboard rail to assess the disposition of the enemy before relaying what he sees to Lord Jovak. The dwarven general moves over to the rail to orient himself, stands up and points his wand out blindly in the general direction their aggressors. He utters a quick command word and a purple beam shaped like a cone at the far end shoots forth, hitting a few of the crossbow-wielding mermen. Their watery eyes go wide and they quickly disappear below the surface in favor of a return volley.

Up on the stern castle deck, Billings drops his crossbow and moves over to assess and stabilize Farlon's critical chest wound. He calls out again to the others on deck. "Sever those ropes and stay down!"
Arak and Troc finish untying the upper containment lines for the main sail and it begins to unfurl. They then both jump down onto the main deck and move forward to access the main control and tacking lines. Bradley stays low to avoid incoming and struggles against his wounds to reload the heavy crossbow for another shot. Wounded and bleeding from multiple wounds, Zimba moves over to the last remaining rope and swings his battle axe desperately. The southerner man-at-arms strike is perfectly placed and severs the thick, damp rope. Yousef ducks down behind the stern rail and reloads his crossbow for another shot.
From the starboard rail of the stern castle by the stairs leading down to the main deck, an invisible voice calls out a quick magical command word and suddenly the figure of Uncle Ziller appears with a wand in his outstretched hand. A bolt of greenish-yellow energy erupts from the skinny instrument at that exact moment and streaks out at a javelin-wielding mermen. It slams into him and continues to branch out to strike at least two other javelin-throwers and as many crossbowmen behind them with a sizzling crackle. Those directly hit by the deadly lightning bolt are instantly burnt to a crisp and even those nearby seem to receive and suffer what must be conductive damage through the dark waters.

Up above the others, Lauranna springs to action and moves out of the safety of the crow's nest to descend and assist Troc and Arak in managing the main. Blic ducks down inside the upper observation post and struggles to reload his heavy crossbow, cursing in halfling at his previously wide shot.


~ It is again the mermen ambushers' turn to respond to the crew's latest retort. Those off the starboard side that were nearby their comrades that just got vaporized, appear to decide fairly quickly that they do not want to suffer the same fate and retreat below the surface. The few remaining mermen with crossbows and javelins fire their weapons back at the Seahawk, most of them targeting the just-appeared halfling and his deadly little toy. Up on the stern deck, Ziller is struck by 2 javelins and 2 heavy bolts (18dam) and Zimba is hit in the back by a grazing javelin (3dam). On the main deck, Sorel is hit with a javelin (3dam) and Jovak is hit in the back with a bolt (6dam) meant for the easterner half-elf. Up on the foredeck, Griffo is hit square in the back with a javelin (6dam) meant for Caelvanna. The mermen that were slept in the previous round are replaced and they continue pulling on the ropes attached to the grapples on the starboard side. Incredibly, the ones pulling on the rope that Emm struck actually succeed in snapping it in their fervor, leaving only the one that Sorel narrowly missed!

The mermen off the stern attempt to make up for having both of their ropes cut and grapples defeated and let fly with crossbows and javelins. Zimba is really the only visible target at the stern and of almost all of the bolts and javelins flying his direction, three missiles hit the southerner (15dam). Unfortunately, some of those missiles that missed him find other targets. Yousef is hit with an errant javelin (2dam), Billings with another in the back (3dam) and one even finds Ziller somehow, striking him in the right arm (3dam). One of the crossbowman sees Lauranna move out of the crow's nest and begin descending past the yardarm. He targets her and fires, and strikes the High elf with a near perfect shot! (3dam).

The remaining mermen off the port side fire their second volley in a desperate attempt to turn the tide. Up on the forecastle, Griffo is hit with another crossbow bolt (4dam) and drops to the deck. Caelvanna is hit in the back with a javelin meant for Griffo for a telling blow (6dam) and Hammal is also hit with an errant missile again for a deep wound (5dam). On the main deck, Bogdan is thankfully only grazed with two crossbow bolts (5dam), but Troc is hit by a well-thrown javelin as he moves forward (6dam) and dropped in his tracks. Jovak is struck by two bolts and two javelins (20dam) for moderate to heavy wounds. Up on the stern castle, thankfully only Zimba is hit. Two javelins strike him in the right flank (9dam) and he goes down to one knee from his wounds and quickly-accumulating damage.

A few bolts get fired up at the lookout above the main and the brave High elf climbing down the rope ladder. Two bolts stick into the crow's nest, unable to find the cursing halfling lookout but three others streak towards Lauranna. Two of them fly wide but one of them just catches the High elf for what would normally have been another slight wound (2dam). Unfortunately, she is already wounded and the missile strike causes her to lose consciousness and fall limply from ladder. She was thankfully more than halfway down and so did not have as far to fall. The High elf lands on the main deck with a solid thud (5dam) and does not move.

The mermen holding the ropes attached to the grapples on the port side continue to pull vigorously. Between both of them and the one remaining on the starboard side, the Seahawk comes to a complete stop.

********************************

Party members/crew down:
- Lauranna (unconscious and bleeding out!!)
- Griffo (unconscious and bleeding out!!)
- Thalion (unconscious but stabilized)
- Farlon (unconscious but stabilized)
- Troc (wounded/KIAed??)

Mermen Ambush Force: Those shooting crossbows are @ 50 feet out. Those throwing javelins are @ 30 feet out. Those that threw the grappling hooks are @ 20 feet out.
- Crossbowmen: 14 KIAed, 3 wounded, 3 fled from Fear spell
- Javelin wielders: 7 KIAed, 2 wounded
- Grapplers: 1 KIAed, 1 wounded, 3 slept from Sleep spell

Port side: 10 (of 15) crossbowmen, 12 with javelins and 2 that threw grappling hooks on the rail.

Starboard side: 5 (of 15) crossbowmen and 6 (of 12) with javelins; 1 rope cut/pulled apart

Off the stern: 10 (of 12) crossbowmen and 12 with javelins; both ropes cut.


************************************

*** Need Declared Actions for the party for Round 3 ***

*** Also need someone to roll a d6 for party initiative for Round 3 ***

Wounds/damage resulting in negative hit points: any character brought below 0hp will continue losing 1 hit point per round until stabilized, regardless of the kind of wound. Any PC or NPC can be stabilized by any other PC or NPC (does not have to be a cleric). Death occurs at -10hp

Cover: Those aboard the ship are all now considered as having 50% cover minimum if making attacks (except those that were trying to cut the ropes on the stern deck), so get the bonus of -4 to their AC. Anyone's PC (regardless of what deck they're on) can easily remain behind and below the rail to avoid incoming with 90% cover (-10 to their AC).

OOC: the remaining mermen crossbowmen need to reload and will not be able to fire again until Round 4. The ones with javelins can either continue to fire or close on the ship. Please notate current Hit Points and Weapon in Hand below.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need further clarifications!


HPs/Status: Bog 3/16 ; Caelvanna 4/15 ; Emm 4/7 ; Griffo** -2/17 ; Ulrich 13/13 ; Lauranna -6*/6 ; Thalion* -2/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – none (threw spear) ; Caelvanna – short bow (fired 5 arrows) ; Emm – scimitar/spear (SC) ; Griffo – short bow (fired 5 arrows) ; Ulrich – mace/SC; Lauranna – none (weapons sheathed) ; Thalion – none (dropped) (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location On deck: Bog , Thalion* , Emm , Ulrich (and Jovak) ; Up in the crow's nest: Lauranna (and Blic the halfling) ; Up on the foredeck: Caelvanna , Griffo

[tkrexx]

Sorry, didn't realized I needed to roll for hitting the rope.

[1d6] = 6

Thaaaaat's what I'm talkin' about!

Seeing her friends drop at an alarming rate, yet fearing the complete stop of the ship, Emm will try to sever the closest available hook-line.

[1d20] = 8

Emm: scimitar damage vs rope [1d8] = 5

[dmw71]

Caelvanna winces as a javelin tip pierces her back, and notices Griffo has fallen. While her concern for her ranged companion is evident, Caelvanna is clearly gripped by the abundance of oncoming attackers, not to mention angered at being struck from her undefended side.

Keep reducing their numbers she thinks to herself as she spins to face any enemy holding a javelin on what was previously her rear. She launches a series of arrows at these pointed stick wielding adversaries.

Short Bow (S: 0-50') [1d20+4] = 3+4 = 7 [1d6+2] = 3+2 = 5
Short Bow (S: 0-50') [1d20+4] = 17+4 = 21 [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3
Short Bow (S: 0-50') [1d20+4] = 12+4 = 16 [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3

[Alethan]

Bog attempts to cut one of the ropes of the grappling hooks.

To Hit, Longsword [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10

This guy is useless...

[Argennian]

Sorry, didn't realized I needed to roll for hitting the rope. ...

OOC: Ordinarily in a non-combat situation, you wouldn't need to. When segments & seconds count and melee is engaged, however, I require a roll just to ensure that the desired action isn't a fumble (i.e. - natural one). Modifiers might also be in play but as long as a character doesn't absolutely pooch their attack roll, it's going to be a successful strike!

~ No worries and all good, TKR! I usually roll real dice for the baddies and other such potentialities, but will always use the US roller when needing to make a roll for a PC. Just wish there was someway I could apply or tie those rolls to the respective PC...

Bog attempts to cut one of the ropes of the grappling hooks.

To Hit, Longsword [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10

This guy is useless...

OOC: Al, taking the above into account, that's an easy hit for Master Bogdan, even without his strength, specialization and masterwork weapon. In fact, with strength and specialization bonuses, he will easily severe the rope even if he rolls a 1 for damage!

[Alethan]

Bog attempts to cut one of the ropes of the grappling hooks.

To Hit, Longsword [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10

This guy is useless...

OOC: Al, taking the above into account, that's an easy hit for Master Bogdan, even without his strength, specialization and masterwork weapon. In fact, with strength and specialization bonuses, he will easily severe the rope even if he rolls a 1 for damage!

Ah, sorry. Thought we needed a certain To Hit that would be higher than AC 10 at the minimum. I'll roll damage here, then...

(Oh, this is a Large target, right? Just kidding...)

Damage, Longsword (S/M) [1d8+5] = 5+5 = 10

[Nuke66]

Lauranna lays on the deck where she has fallen.

[SocraticLawyer]

If Ulrich can get to Lauranna in time for a CLW without endangering Jovak, he will do so. If not he will try to get to Griffo for a CLW (again if he can do so without endangering Jovak). If he can't do either, he'll drop a CLW on Jovak.

Cure light wounds [1d8] = 3

[Argennian]

Encounter at the Shipwreck: End of Round 3

Party: 6
Enemy: 4

~ The crew of the Seahawk do not let up, again responding with more rapidity than their mermen adversaries...

Up on the forecastle, Caelvanna feels a merman javelin strike her hard in her back and sees that the young halfling archer is down. The Wild elf warrior grits her teeth, stays low and continues to fire more flight arrows off the starboard bow. Her first shot sails wide but the two follow up shots hit their mark, wounding both of her aquatic crossbowmen targets in turn. Griffo lies there unconscious and continues to bleed out from his wounds.
Gramps continues to stay low by the forward ballista and holds out the small torch. Hammal grabs up another one of the dark metal flasks and holds it to the flame. As soon as the cloth fuse lights, he hurls it, this time over the port side of the bow. His timing and aim is again perfect and the unusual but deadly naval grenade goes off right some mermen preparing to throw more javelins. It explodes and sends pieces of metal shrapnel flying, this time claiming three more mermen and a small crate from the debris field. Already having another one of the naval grenades in his hands, Gramps holds it up to the torch after Hammal's, and as soon as it lights, he chucks it with surprising speed and vigor over the starboard side of the bow. The old salt's aim is as good as the old easterner's and the naval grenade explodes right next to two mermen preparing to throw javelins again. Dark metal shrapnel rips into them and the surrounding water and both of the mermen aggressors quickly sink below the surface of the dark waters.

On the main deck, Bogdan draws his longsword and aims for one of the ropes attached to a grapple on the port rail. The burly half-orc easily cleaves the tough, old waterlogged rope and the severed end twangs down into the water. Emm looks to continue her campaign against the last grappling rope on the starboard side. She springs up from behind the rail and swings her scimitar again. The well-forged Karagonian blade hits the mark and the rope pulls apart from the blow. Seeing Lauranna fall from the rope and hit the main deck hard, Ulrich scrambles over to her and casts a Cure Light Wounds spell on her. The clerical magic flows through the High elf's heavily wounded physique, instantly stabilizing her injuries and bringing her back from death's door.
At the starboard rail, Sorel recovers from his previous fumble and wrenches his hand axe free with a mighty tug. When he sees that the druidess has severed the last remaining rope, he grabs a hold of her and pulls her down below the rail line. At the nearly the same instant, Mila pops up and aims her heavy crossbow. She sights in on one of the closer mermen and fires, sending a heavy bolt through his forehead. The already dead aquatic warrior drops its javelin and sinks below the surface. Just forward of the trio at the starboard rail, Arak reaches the control line for the main and begins to unwind it from its cleat. the first officer looks over in horror to see if Troc or Lauranna are alive as his hands work as quickly as they can to give the sail slack.
Back over at the port rail, Lord Jovak remains standing and flexes his huge arms in a crude manner as he bellows a challenge. "Is that all ye got?! Not enough!" he exalts as he points the wand blindly down towards a small group of mermen preparing to throw more javelins his way. He utters the magical word and again the sinister purple beam shoots out, striking three of them. Their watery eyes go wide, just as the others did, and they flee below the surface in favor of return fire.
Nearby, Troc lies unmoving and continues to bleed out whilst Thalion rests comfortably next to a few javelins that are sticking up out of the deck, a weird smile pasted on his unconscious visage.

Up on the stern castle deck, Billings looks up from doing what he can for Farlon and sees that his head sailor Troc is down and not moving. "No! Troc!!" he cries out as he scrambles quickly over to the ladder that leads down to the main deck. The sea captain jumps down and lands in a somewhat graceful roll, coming to the side of his wounded man and begins to start his ministrations. Bradley finishes reloading and gritting his teeth in pain, gets to his feet enough to pop over the stern rail with his crossbow. He targets one of the mermen readying a javelin and lets fly. The heavy bolt strikes the aquatic warrior square in the chest, killing him instantly. Wounded and bleeding from many wounds, the southerner Zimba quickly crawls over and gathers up the heavy crossbow that Billings dropped in the previous round. He grimaces in obvious pain as makes to reload it and return fire. Following the third officer's example, Yousef pops up from behind the stern rail and aims for one of the waterborne crossbowmen. The veteran easterner sailor fires off a perfectly placed shot that sees the heavy bolt hit its target square in the face. Merman blood sprays from the impaling kill-shot before the dead warrior sinks below the surface.
Although also injured and bleeding from many wounds, Uncle Ziller moves unnaturally quick from the starboard rail by the stairs and back over to the stern rail. He levels the deadly wand at a merman with a javelin and utters the magic trigger word. Another powerful bolt of greenish-yellow energy erupts from the skinny device and slams into the merman. The magical lightning continues to branch out just like before to strike one other javelin-thrower and four of the crossbowmen behind them! Those hit directly are vaporized and the other mermen nearby again seem to suffer the effects of what must be conductive damage through the water, just as those on the port side did the round previous.

Up above in from the crow's nest, Blic pops up out of hiding with his reloaded weapon and aims it at one of the crossbowmen on the port side. He fires the heavy weapon and somehow just misses his target again.

Flying up both ramps from below deck appears Cutler, Tamber and the elder gnomish couple. They quickly take in the scene and move into action, the cook moving to the port control line opposite Arak, the big sailor moving over to the captain's side and the gnomes moving to help the wounded as they can.

~ It is again the opportunity for the mermen to respond and those aboard the Seahawk brace for the inevitable shower of incoming water-logged missiles. Amazingly, it never comes and the remaining aquatic warriors, obviously dissuaded by the unexpectedly powerful and deadly retorts of the crew, decide that this floating prize is just a little too costly for their liking. They quickly disappear below the dark surface to retreat from further casualty and within moments, naught is left afloat but the various crates and items of the debris field and wide-eyed old eastern man in the longboat peering over the side of the small vessel.

Without the resistance of the mermen grappling the ship, the wind catches the main and once again the Seahawk begins to move forward...


********************************

Party members/crew down:
- Lauranna (unconscious but stabilized)
- Griffo (unconscious and bleeding out!!)
- Thalion (unconscious but stabilized)
- Farlon (unconscious but stabilized)
- Troc (wounded/KIAed??)

Mermen Ambush Force: Retreated in Round 3!
- Crossbowmen: 20 KIAed, 5 wounded, 6 fled from Fear spell
- Javelin wielders: 13 KIAed, 4 wounded
- Grapplers: 1 KIAed, 1 wounded, 3 slept from Sleep spell


************************************

*** Need Declared Actions from the party for the next minute or so! ***

OOC: Wow! Now THAT was some random encounter! Every sailor's worst nightmare I'd imagine, after a giant sea monster attacking and trying to sink them that is...

The mermen force (all 20d10 of them) thankfully took a couple rounds of good walloping and amazingly enough, no one aboard the ship was killed (although Lauranna, Farlon and Troc came very close). For the time being, go ahead and declare actions for what would have been considered Round 4 and we'll move things forward over the next couple of rounds as the ship begins to pick up speed.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need further clarifications!


HPs/Status: Bog 3/16 ; Caelvanna 4/15 ; Emm 4/7 ; Griffo** -3/17 ; Ulrich 13/13 ; Lauranna -3*/6 ; Thalion* -2/9 (*-stabilized, **-not stabilized)
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – none (threw spear) ; Caelvanna – short bow (fired 8 arrows) ; Emm – scimitar/spear (SC) ; Griffo – short bow (fired 5 arrows) ; Ulrich – mace/SC; Lauranna – none (weapons sheathed) ; Thalion – none (dropped) (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location On deck: Bog , Thalion* , Emm , Ulrich , Lauranna* (and Jovak) ; Up on the foredeck: Caelvanna , Griffo** (*-wounded & unconscious)

[Alethan]

Bog runs to Griffo and tries to stabilize him until someone with better healing skills comes along.

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich uses another CLW on Griffo.



Cure light wounds [1d8] = 4

[tkrexx]

Emm pulls herself from beneath Sorel and scrambles to the fallen form of Lauranna. The retreat of the Mermen, Sorel's act of protection, the eastern Seaman in the longboat, even the child below deck...Nothing is as important at this moment than doing what she can for the Elflass who saved her life. For the first time, she will cast Cure Light Wounds.

[1d8] = 7

That worked out well. Spells/mistletoe adjusted.