Nis approaches the man gently, humming a soothing song almost absently as she smiles in a benevolent fashion. When she is near, she knees beside the bed and lays one hand gingerly on his upper arm where he is not injured. My name is Niserie Silverwreath, and Lady Mave is quite correct, we mean no harm to you. In fact, we seek to help you. Do you understand our language? she asks softly.
If he is cooperative and indicates he understands common, then she will ask if he knows how to read. She will then produce the pictograph, and if he knows how to read she will list the letters of the alphabet at the bottom as well. If not, she will continue with the questions; giving ample time for him to respond or deal with any rmotion they bring up. She will first ask his name, thinking that even if he is generally illiterate he may at least know how to write/ spell that.
She will of course invite the others to interject questions as they see fit, or to add things to the pictograph board.
Questions:
Name? (If able) Are you a sailor?
Where are you from? Near, far, N,S,E,W? Etc
Were you headed for Gull's Landing?
What was your purpose coming to Gull's Landing?
How did you end up adrift?
Is there still danger?
Who was responsible for what happened?
will add the following to the pictograph:
Speak, Work, Message, trade
The Maiden's Bounty
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
“When the lambs is lost in the mountain, he said. They is cry. Sometime come the mother. Sometime the wolf.” ~ Cormac McCarthy, Blood Meridian
As Thena casts her blessings upon the man, it is as if a sudden wave of relief settles over him. He tries to speak but only crude sounds come from between his lips. He then bows his head to Thena, his long straggly hair falling forth over his face hiding his eyes for a moment. Then when Nis approaches he shivers slightly at her touch but remains calm. When she asks if he can read, he shakes his head yes. Looking at the pictagraph she presents to him when she asks his name, he moves the right stub of his arm to the letters...R - E - N - Y. He nods his head yes when she asks if he is a sailor. Where is he from, he points to the letters B - E - L - A - Y. When asked if he was headed to Gull's Landing, he shakes his head no. When asked how he ended up adrift he points to the board...Pirate. When asked if there is still danger, he shakes his head yes vigorously. He then uses his stub to point at the letters N - O -T - J - U - S - T - M - Y - E - Y - E. And he raises his stub to his right eye.
As he does this there is a heavy knock on the cabin's door. When the captain tells them to enter, it is Aeryn who quickly says, "Captain, there's two ships on the horizon. No colors and approaching fast from both the north and the south."
As Thena casts her blessings upon the man, it is as if a sudden wave of relief settles over him. He tries to speak but only crude sounds come from between his lips. He then bows his head to Thena, his long straggly hair falling forth over his face hiding his eyes for a moment. Then when Nis approaches he shivers slightly at her touch but remains calm. When she asks if he can read, he shakes his head yes. Looking at the pictagraph she presents to him when she asks his name, he moves the right stub of his arm to the letters...R - E - N - Y. He nods his head yes when she asks if he is a sailor. Where is he from, he points to the letters B - E - L - A - Y. When asked if he was headed to Gull's Landing, he shakes his head no. When asked how he ended up adrift he points to the board...Pirate. When asked if there is still danger, he shakes his head yes vigorously. He then uses his stub to point at the letters N - O -T - J - U - S - T - M - Y - E - Y - E. And he raises his stub to his right eye.
As he does this there is a heavy knock on the cabin's door. When the captain tells them to enter, it is Aeryn who quickly says, "Captain, there's two ships on the horizon. No colors and approaching fast from both the north and the south."
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Bryne
"Great."
She heads to prepare for battle.
"Great."
She heads to prepare for battle.
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Nis examines the indicated eye to try to discover what he might mean...
With the knock and the message about two ships flying no colors she grimaces. Pirates. She turns to the man again. Is this how it began for your crew? Ships flying no colors?
She will take up her bow. They will not find us easy prey. Her voice drips with menace.
With the knock and the message about two ships flying no colors she grimaces. Pirates. She turns to the man again. Is this how it began for your crew? Ships flying no colors?
She will take up her bow. They will not find us easy prey. Her voice drips with menace.
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spanningtree
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3674
- Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:35 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Thena
Heads up to the top deck to take a look, pondering if she and Jacinthe should take their armor off...
Heads up to the top deck to take a look, pondering if she and Jacinthe should take their armor off...
Anall nathrack uthos bethos doss yell yenva. -Merlin
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Mave
Mave with surprising speed draws her rapier. "Captain, I pledge my blade and bow to your ship. These brigands will rue the day, they targeted your vessel!"
Mave with surprising speed draws her rapier. "Captain, I pledge my blade and bow to your ship. These brigands will rue the day, they targeted your vessel!"
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Dorian’s eyes narrow as he turns toward the threat. His hand rests on the hilt of his sword, his stance steady. He doesn’t rush, but his mind sharpens in preparation.
After a brief moment of silence, he steps forward, raising his voice, “Prepare yourselves. If they board, we meet them with courage and steel. We fight not out of anger, but out of duty. And we will drive them back to the sea where they belong.”
After a brief moment of silence, he steps forward, raising his voice, “Prepare yourselves. If they board, we meet them with courage and steel. We fight not out of anger, but out of duty. And we will drive them back to the sea where they belong.”
“Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split.” - Conan
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GreyWolfVT
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Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Torvik hair on the back of his neck stands up and he gets a strange sensation "Somethin bad is gonna happen me thinks."
“All men did have darkness. Some wore it in the form of horns. Some bore it invisibly as rot in their souls.”
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
DM - GreyWolf's Mystara Adventures - AD&D 2e
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
“One could mention many lovable traits in Smee. For instance, after killing, it was his spectacles he wiped instead of his weapon.” ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Lando frowns and says, "To the decks!" And he darts out the cabin door and up towards the deck like a sail newly raised...
On deck the ship pitched, though not in the storm, they are still in its outer reaches. Those who move to the deck see two ships, one close to the south, another further away to the north, outlined by lightning and a raging storm beyond. Lando calls out, "Man the ballistas! I want them fired at the first ship to get into range." As if in answer to his call, some of his crew move to what you at first assumed to be lifeboats covered in canvas. As the canvas is pulled away it is revealed as a large ballista on each side of the ship. The men load heavy steel-headed bolts into each weapon. Seeing LeCrux at the rails, Lando says, "Mistress LeCrux, be ready with your magicks should they try to board." Lando calls out again, "MEN READY YOUR BOWS!" One of the crew, whom you recall as named Lavoisier moves to the captain's side and you hear him say, "The ship to the south is the Corsair, commanded by the Mayfly. I recognize it from when I sailed on The Melita out of Emereal and we were attacked by her."
Athan glances at Dorian and readies his bow as he moves the railing. Vari does the same as she says, "I knew trouble was coming. I blame Bramsey." Bramsey ignores the remark and moves to Torvik's side, "P...p...pirates," he stutters. "What are we gonna do Commander?"
Abaessa and Mediphera had been on deck with De'Ath when the ships were sighted. Mediphera a worried look on her face says, "We need to get her below."
Jacinthe asks Thena, "What do you wish me to do Sister Thena?"
All the while the ship pitches to and fro tossed by the waves on the edge of the storm.
Nis examines the man's eye, though at first there appears nothing abnormal about it, but then she notices a bit of color etched onto the underside of the lower lid and then she finds a matching color on the upper. When he closes his eye she can see the tiny rune tattooed on the edge of each lid. She asks if this is how it began for his crew, the man vigorously nods his head yes.tristenc wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 2:48 pm Nis examines the indicated eye to try to discover what he might mean...
With the knock and the message about two ships flying no colors she grimaces. Pirates. She turns to the man again. Is this how it began for your crew? Ships flying no colors?
She will take up her bow. They will not find us easy prey. Her voice drips with menace.
Lando frowns and says, "To the decks!" And he darts out the cabin door and up towards the deck like a sail newly raised...
On deck the ship pitched, though not in the storm, they are still in its outer reaches. Those who move to the deck see two ships, one close to the south, another further away to the north, outlined by lightning and a raging storm beyond. Lando calls out, "Man the ballistas! I want them fired at the first ship to get into range." As if in answer to his call, some of his crew move to what you at first assumed to be lifeboats covered in canvas. As the canvas is pulled away it is revealed as a large ballista on each side of the ship. The men load heavy steel-headed bolts into each weapon. Seeing LeCrux at the rails, Lando says, "Mistress LeCrux, be ready with your magicks should they try to board." Lando calls out again, "MEN READY YOUR BOWS!" One of the crew, whom you recall as named Lavoisier moves to the captain's side and you hear him say, "The ship to the south is the Corsair, commanded by the Mayfly. I recognize it from when I sailed on The Melita out of Emereal and we were attacked by her."
Athan glances at Dorian and readies his bow as he moves the railing. Vari does the same as she says, "I knew trouble was coming. I blame Bramsey." Bramsey ignores the remark and moves to Torvik's side, "P...p...pirates," he stutters. "What are we gonna do Commander?"
Abaessa and Mediphera had been on deck with De'Ath when the ships were sighted. Mediphera a worried look on her face says, "We need to get her below."
Jacinthe asks Thena, "What do you wish me to do Sister Thena?"
All the while the ship pitches to and fro tossed by the waves on the edge of the storm.
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spanningtree
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3674
- Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:35 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Thena
In response to Jacinthe: Let's get below and get this armor off. Shields and swords only for the time being (and cloak), prepare to repel boarders, stay near me and the middle of the ship.
The two go below and take off armor, extra weapons. On second thought, lets stay just below deck until we have boarders. The first engagement will be ballistic, before melee, we wait our turn.
Thena and Jacinthe will wait just below deck for the moment, checking above often.
OCC: I think ACs for the two goes to 8. Thena has shield and +1 cloak, Jacinthe has shield and +1 dex bonus.
In response to Jacinthe: Let's get below and get this armor off. Shields and swords only for the time being (and cloak), prepare to repel boarders, stay near me and the middle of the ship.
The two go below and take off armor, extra weapons. On second thought, lets stay just below deck until we have boarders. The first engagement will be ballistic, before melee, we wait our turn.
Thena and Jacinthe will wait just below deck for the moment, checking above often.
OCC: I think ACs for the two goes to 8. Thena has shield and +1 cloak, Jacinthe has shield and +1 dex bonus.
Anall nathrack uthos bethos doss yell yenva. -Merlin
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Bryne
Bryne readies her bow and moves to the center of the ship. Planning on moving to wherever she is needed once the shooting begins.
Bryne readies her bow and moves to the center of the ship. Planning on moving to wherever she is needed once the shooting begins.
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Mave
Mave switches from her rapier to her bow as she takes position at the ship's railing.
Mave switches from her rapier to her bow as she takes position at the ship's railing.
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GreyWolfVT
- Wants a special title like Scott
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Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Torvik gets out his crossbow and takes up a position "Me I'm gonna aid tha crew an kill as many pirates as I can. Bramsey yer gonna help if yah got any spells yah can use ta help defend us er hurt them use em wiseley. Otherwise see what aid ya can bring tha crew er me and Vari."
“All men did have darkness. Some wore it in the form of horns. Some bore it invisibly as rot in their souls.”
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
DM - GreyWolf's Mystara Adventures - AD&D 2e
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
“It's better to swim in the sea below
Than to swing in the air and feed the crow,
Says jolly Ned Teach of Bristol.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Captain Lando strides across the deck to either side making sure the ballista's are ready to fire if either ship gets close. For now the Corsair to the south is the closer ship and it maintains it's distance sailing along at equal speed with your vessel. Out of bow range but within firing distances of the great crossbows mounted on the ship. You watch a moment as the vessel raises it's flag...
And then the ship begins to sail closer. As it does you see activity on the ship as a deep voice issues command. Captain Lando does the same, "FIRE!" And the great ballista sends its missile at the ship as the Captain immediately issues a second order, "RELOAD!" The great bolt flies through the air as the ships are pitched by the choppy waters tossing water over the deck. Those near the railing are soaked and the deck is very slippery but for now your footing is steady. Those on deck watch the bolt fly but to their horror see three bolts headed for the Maiden. Two land harmlessly in the sea short of their target but the first shot crashes into the side of the ship rocking it as its plunges into the lower deck of the ship. (Anyone on deck needs to make a dexterity check.)
You hear the crack of timbers in the distance as the Maiden's bolt connects with the Corsair. Loud cries and shouts echo across the sea between the two ships. Anyone looking over at the waters sees the two missed bolts form the Corsair snaking through the waters as the heavy chains they are attached to are pulled back towards the Corsair. The Maiden rocks again as the bolt in its side is yanked taunt from the chains on its end still attached to the Corsair. The sound of metal grinding upon metal echoes from across the span between the two ships.
Than to swing in the air and feed the crow,
Says jolly Ned Teach of Bristol.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Captain Lando strides across the deck to either side making sure the ballista's are ready to fire if either ship gets close. For now the Corsair to the south is the closer ship and it maintains it's distance sailing along at equal speed with your vessel. Out of bow range but within firing distances of the great crossbows mounted on the ship. You watch a moment as the vessel raises it's flag...
- Mayfly's Flag.jpg (54.06 KiB) Viewed 185 times
You hear the crack of timbers in the distance as the Maiden's bolt connects with the Corsair. Loud cries and shouts echo across the sea between the two ships. Anyone looking over at the waters sees the two missed bolts form the Corsair snaking through the waters as the heavy chains they are attached to are pulled back towards the Corsair. The Maiden rocks again as the bolt in its side is yanked taunt from the chains on its end still attached to the Corsair. The sound of metal grinding upon metal echoes from across the span between the two ships.
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spanningtree
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3674
- Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:35 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Thena
Hold now... she whispers to Jacinthe.
Hold now... she whispers to Jacinthe.
Anall nathrack uthos bethos doss yell yenva. -Merlin
-
GreyWolfVT
- Wants a special title like Scott
- Posts: 34102
- Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:02 pm
- Location: Central Vermont
- Contact:
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
“All men did have darkness. Some wore it in the form of horns. Some bore it invisibly as rot in their souls.”
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
DM - GreyWolf's Mystara Adventures - AD&D 2e
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred
"If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Seeing the runes on the man's eyelid she grimaces. Do you know you have runes under your eyelids? Is thaf how they found us? After his answer she moves to action...
Before the fight Nis ushers Mediphera Abaessa and De'Ath below. Gripping her sisters' arms she meets each pair of eyes. You are her last line of defense. You must not fail. Kissing each on the forehead she whispers a little prayer in Sylvan. The black and white cat scampers below with them and an understanding nod passes between Ducky and his Witch. One quick group-hug later and she barrels back to the deck of the ship, Seabhag loaded in her hands.
The boat gives a shudder as the ballista hits, and then suddenly lurches beneath her feet! Barely managing to keep her feet she cries out in surprise, They're towing us! Can anyone destroy that chain? She asks, mainly of the other magic users. Doubting there is much to be done about it at this point, she takes aim with her bow; eyes focused for a magic user, the leader or a gunner on the enemy ship.
======
Nis Dex (19) on Deck [1d20]=16, pass
if she has a chance to shoot (Sheaf arrow range 50/100/170 yards)
target priority: Magic user/cleric >> Captain >> Gunner
Thac0 16
Nis vs Mayfly [1d20]=11, [1d8]=5, [1d20]=18, [1d8]=5
under normal conditions:
Shot 1 hits AC 5 for 5 dmg
Shot 2 hits AC -2 for 5 dmg
(Mid range -2 to hit, long ramge -5 to hit)
Before the fight Nis ushers Mediphera Abaessa and De'Ath below. Gripping her sisters' arms she meets each pair of eyes. You are her last line of defense. You must not fail. Kissing each on the forehead she whispers a little prayer in Sylvan. The black and white cat scampers below with them and an understanding nod passes between Ducky and his Witch. One quick group-hug later and she barrels back to the deck of the ship, Seabhag loaded in her hands.
The boat gives a shudder as the ballista hits, and then suddenly lurches beneath her feet! Barely managing to keep her feet she cries out in surprise, They're towing us! Can anyone destroy that chain? She asks, mainly of the other magic users. Doubting there is much to be done about it at this point, she takes aim with her bow; eyes focused for a magic user, the leader or a gunner on the enemy ship.
======
Nis Dex (19) on Deck [1d20]=16, pass
if she has a chance to shoot (Sheaf arrow range 50/100/170 yards)
target priority: Magic user/cleric >> Captain >> Gunner
Thac0 16
Nis vs Mayfly [1d20]=11, [1d8]=5, [1d20]=18, [1d8]=5
under normal conditions:
Shot 1 hits AC 5 for 5 dmg
Shot 2 hits AC -2 for 5 dmg
(Mid range -2 to hit, long ramge -5 to hit)
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
Mave
Mave tries to balance herself against the railing as the ship is hit.
Dexterity (16) Check: [1d20]=5
Mave tries to balance herself against the railing as the ship is hit.
Dexterity (16) Check: [1d20]=5
Re: The Maiden's Bounty
“They sing to her, over the waves. The wind carries the long-forgotten song that all lost ships sing. A requiem for the lost lives and a warning to those who will follow in their path.
“Even the mighty will fall
Hear now the wind-wandered breath
The death rattle of ancient wood
And the deep’s long-lost souls.” ~ Abigail C. Edwards, The Time Walker
The lost soul nods his head at Nis' question. He shakes his head wildly in a yes motion as he furiously tries to speak but cannot, merely echoes coarse whispers deep in his throat that cannot be forced for form words.
Thena and Jacinthe are in their cabin about to doff their armor when there is a crash and splintered wood flies about them as the steel head of the ballista's bolt breaks through the wall. They watch the steel head for a moment before there is a loud clicking sound and the missile's head seems to split into two wide shafts that grip the walls as it is pulled back.
The enemy ship floats ever closer the heavy chain pulled tight with each movement. The rolling of the Maiden sends all on deck furiously trying to maintain their balance. Bryne slips in the waters pooled on the deck and Athan and Dorian standing side by side both drop with a loud crash. Vari lets out a yell as she does the same. Bramsey looks panicked but stays upright beside Torvik, "But I only have one spell ready."
Its then that those who are not flat on the deck sight three small figures in bare feet making their way across the heavy chain that stuck. Three colorfully dressed gnomes, two male and one female are moving quickly across, one with a dagger betwixt his teeth.
Nis takes aim at the first in line on the chain and out of the corner of her eye sees Octavius flying high above headed over the enemy ship. She takes aim at the first two gnomes, and hits both targets. The first male gnome and the female both cry out and fall from the chain while the third hurries his pace to cross.
Those on the deck hear a whistling sound and see to burning arrows flying up towards the high masts of the ship. Both strike true and fire catches on the sales of the first mast. You now have a clear sight of the archer, a lean man with brightly colored paint on his face and body.
Several more pirates appear at the railing of the Corsair. Two each are reloading their ballistas. You count six others in view, three are swinging grappling hooks. And then three additional figures emerge, the first appears to be barking orders while the other two start to walk in opposite directions of the fore and aft of the ship.
Captain Lando shouts, "GET THAT BALLISTA RELOADED!"
“Even the mighty will fall
Hear now the wind-wandered breath
The death rattle of ancient wood
And the deep’s long-lost souls.” ~ Abigail C. Edwards, The Time Walker
The lost soul nods his head at Nis' question. He shakes his head wildly in a yes motion as he furiously tries to speak but cannot, merely echoes coarse whispers deep in his throat that cannot be forced for form words.
Thena and Jacinthe are in their cabin about to doff their armor when there is a crash and splintered wood flies about them as the steel head of the ballista's bolt breaks through the wall. They watch the steel head for a moment before there is a loud clicking sound and the missile's head seems to split into two wide shafts that grip the walls as it is pulled back.
The enemy ship floats ever closer the heavy chain pulled tight with each movement. The rolling of the Maiden sends all on deck furiously trying to maintain their balance. Bryne slips in the waters pooled on the deck and Athan and Dorian standing side by side both drop with a loud crash. Vari lets out a yell as she does the same. Bramsey looks panicked but stays upright beside Torvik, "But I only have one spell ready."
Its then that those who are not flat on the deck sight three small figures in bare feet making their way across the heavy chain that stuck. Three colorfully dressed gnomes, two male and one female are moving quickly across, one with a dagger betwixt his teeth.
Nis takes aim at the first in line on the chain and out of the corner of her eye sees Octavius flying high above headed over the enemy ship. She takes aim at the first two gnomes, and hits both targets. The first male gnome and the female both cry out and fall from the chain while the third hurries his pace to cross.
Those on the deck hear a whistling sound and see to burning arrows flying up towards the high masts of the ship. Both strike true and fire catches on the sales of the first mast. You now have a clear sight of the archer, a lean man with brightly colored paint on his face and body.
- Pirate Archer.jpg (166.19 KiB) Viewed 121 times
- Pirate Ship Figure 1.jpg (150.05 KiB) Viewed 121 times
- Pirate ship figure 2.jpg (130.85 KiB) Viewed 121 times
- pirate ship figure 3.jpg (126.76 KiB) Viewed 121 times