Shadowflux Risen

[AmoDman]

Eleberry Lockwidge
( Init: 21 | AC: 18 | HP: 28/28 (Fine) | Position: At soft, chewy center. )

Lock glances about indecisively for a moment. It looks like the druid is up to his neck in skum, but the big red is quite literally tearing the ship apart. The captain's cry easily solidifies his decision, he'd see that land even if he had to finish shoving his spear through these skum's heads himself, starting with trying to slow down that murderous monster aft.

Quickly going over his options, the only think Lock knows has a good chance of hurting such a large beastie is perhaps some summoned Glitterdust. At least then the damn thing might be blinded...Lock'd see how well he could rage through his allies on the ship then.

Lock falls into conjuring up some dust, hoping for the best.

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OOC: Casting Glitterdustat T-07 with what looks like a DC 17 Will Save to avoide blinding (5 rounds).

[Velvet Elvis]

Round 7 - Resolutions for High Inits

(Shael, Red Skum)

Goaded by Marix' demonic arrogance, you assume a position to gain you the proper angle to target the slime-covered cretin, as the voice in your mind diminishes it. You turn and step down from the raised cargo hold door, across several feet of open deck and quickly hop into the bow section of the rowboat to gain some additional height, finding that you now stand nearly knee-deep in unbailed rainwater. But being wet is par for the day, so far, and you mostly ignore it, taking aim at the enormous red target on the deck above.

You release the energy with a stroke of your arm, sending it forward to strike the balled muscles of its right shoulder. It flares, spreading outward a bit before disappearing. The creature's head pivots a small amount indicating that it did, at least, feel the effects, but it certainly doesn't appear to have given it thoughts of abandoning the raid.

(Red Skum, Fryst)

The huge red skum before you pulls back the oddly-shaped, oddly-barbed greatclub--an object significantly larger than you are--and brings it almost straight down toward you, but your frenetic maneuvering and relatively tiny size have served you well, as the head of the club once again slams into the deck, sending another shock wave through the ship's skeleton. Although the dead black eyes remain implacable, the creature throws you a roaring snarl that briefly reveals the cavern that functions as its mouth.

(Lock, Red Skum)

Old words flow from your lips as your pinched fingers cause a small amount of pulverized mica to waft away on the wind. In the near distance of the poop deck, a puff of sparkling motes appears, dousing the red skum, transforming him from repulsive to almost festive in an instant. The thing emits a rumbling, gurgling sound that can only be taken as anger or frustration.

(All)

As you all feel the shockwave caused by the red skum's weapon shudder beneath your feet, you almost simultaneously feel the ship suddenly angle to port, and within seconds begin to speed along on a new course, The wind doesn't seem to be the acting force here, although the ship's motion does add to the already prevailing conditions, sending loose ends of your soaked clothing flapping, and untucked hair whipping about.

Merev, who has steadfastly remained at the helm throughout, yells into the air before him, "Blast! Sowes' grift currn't's got us! Git them things off s'we kin raise th'mains'l!" His voice is as gruff and hard-edged as ever, but it seems to carry the first hints of panic; something entirely uncharacteristic of the captain in your experience with him, so far. Any glances in his direction see him pulling hard against the wheel, though all he seems to be accomplishing is angling the ship a bit less to port than it otherwise would be. Glances the opposite way, off the bow, show that the ship, regardless of Merev's actions, appears to be headed toward the island at a broad angle. The mists obscure the coast, assuming there is any, and for all intents and purposes, if the ship continues that direction, it will almost certainly ground, or if not that, run headlong into either an as yet unseen soft-shore, or perhaps, straight into the foot of the rocky cliffside.

(Gigson)

Salt's closest shipmate snaps out of his dumbstruck horror and instantly sets his jaw toward the creature that ended his friend's life. Brandishing his rather pitiful, by comparison, short sword and dagger, he maneuvers forward next to Fryst and lets loose with a one-two flurry. Gigson's welling rage throws off his usually reliable combat skills, and both of his attacks merely bounce off the lustrous red scales protecting the giant red.

(Yorkin)

Already keeping his eye on the blue above him, Yorkin notices it turning attention starboard aft. Taking the opportunity granted by whatever's gaining its attention, he fairly leaps up the steep stairs and onto the upper deck, with the intent of slashing into the blue's side with his trusty cutlass, but instead only finds that he wasn't quite able to negotiate the sprawled corpse of the dead green that had fallen earlier to Sparky's rapier. His blade, at least, contacts the creature on an acute angle, the azure scales serving to deflect the blow entirely.

[PolkaBear]

Nivlan Kirk, Round 7
(Init: 3 | AC: 13 | HP: 39/39 (okay) | Position: prone)

As he picks himself up off the bothersome hatch--yet again--Nivlan sees Adur attempting to engage two skum at one time.

"You help up there," he shouts to Kahlynn, gesturing to the poop deck. "I'm headed up front to help Adur."

He moves toward the front of the ship, resolving to watch his feet more closely this time.

OOC, Round 7:

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Nivlan will make two move actions. He will stand from his prone position, and he will move half his movement speed directly toward the front of the ship. This move should put him in K-06. That will give Gauran enough room to maneuver and engage the skum, right? If not, Nivlan will divert his steps by one square (still not exceeding half his movement speed) to give the goliath a clear path.

[KuH]

Fryst
Rd: 7 | Init: 11 | AC: 22 | HP: 49/56 | Rage Rd 6 | Position: Q8

Fryst is still hopping mad on the back deck, swinging away halflingfully at the red beast, although the sweat is flowing down his brow, and you almost wonder if he must, at last, be getting tired. But he digs deep into his reserves of energy, bloodspecked as he is, and swings with every ounce of his energy at the kneecaps of the beast in front of him with a roar.

His attention is very much on the beast in front of him, although he does spare a brief thought for his comrades as he notices some sort of arcane fire flash over his head into the red thing. Good that power is on our side ...

And then, as if that thought opens up his mind to the fact that he is not alone on the boat he growls at Gigson 'Go! Back away slowly and help our yammering captain.'

[Tyrel_Aurelian]

Darkstrider
[Round 7 / Ini:2 / AC:7 / HP:71/71 / Rage Round 4 / Position: Incoming...]

Steadying himself for a moment when the boat is rocked by the impact of the red skums club, Gauran sways back with the ship's motion and, as it tilts back, surges forward with a couple of aggressive steps in direction of the two skum attacking Adur.

With a howl of bloodlust and unrestrained wrath he swings his Greathammer in a merciless arc down on the yellowy skum, crushing bones and flesh to a bloody pulp.

Even without really looking at his victim, screaming like a vengeful god of destruction, Gauran lifts his hammer again, to bash any remnants of the skum into oblivion.

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Okay, I hope I DID hit him with my rolls, otherwise I'd feel a bit sheepish .

Move Action: Use 20 feet of movement to change to squares H/I 7/8 - my intention is to move as near as possible to the skum, ignoring my reach, because then they might be inclined to feel a more immediate threat from my bulk, placed directly in front of them. This is to offer a measure of distraction from Adur.

If you consider the squares to be difficult terrain because of the multitude of obstacles present I can use my full 40 feet of movement, which should be enough then. I would argue that obstacles make it more difficult to walk, taking more squares, but eliminating the necessity of a balance check as I can steady myself at a lot of points that offer more grip than the deck (like a ballista, e. g. ). Tell me if you need something because you don't agree.

The attack roll would be: (1d20+13)[22] - hopefully sufficient
The damage roll would be: (3d6+15)[27] - hopefully sufficient as well

[Velvet Elvis]

(Adur)

The yellow-scale next to you lunges forward, now so close as to make it even more difficult to maneuver away from it, or to interpose your shield. Its extended neck brings its rasping jaws to your right upper chest and you feel the nasty crunch as its tooth ridges manage to crush through your mail. Blending into the same rush of pain, you feel, but can't see the creature's left claw as it pierces the flesh of your right thigh.

(Fryst)

Taking advantage of the obviously diminished state of the foe rising above you, you apply wood to scales and cartilage, leaving the thing's knee weakened as the satisfying sound and feel of contact rushes through your bloodlusting mind. An attempt to duplicate your success versus the blue, by spinning back in the opposite direction to crash your club into the same knee is met with nothing but air as the involuntary reaction of the skum causes it to list instantly as it attempts to shift its huge weight onto the other leg.

(Blue Skum, Sparky)

Having already turned its attention toward you, and not appearing to be at all concerned about Yorkin's ineffective attack, the barbed spear its been using to draw blood so far, adds another name to its log of victims. A slight dodge the other way, a shift of the foot this way rather than that would have spared you entirely, but the barbs on the spear's head catch the meat of your right thigh, sending a jolt of pain along your nerves.


Addenda for Adur and Sparky

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Adur

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You take a total of 16HP from bite+claw (second claw missed).

Sparky

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You take 7HP from the skum's barbed spear. Please also make a 1d20 roll in the dice-roller thread, no modifiers. I'll see it, so no need to let me know.

[The_Snark]

Adur Round 7
Init: 14 | AC: 16 (helpless) | HP: -3/41 | Position: Prow, prone

Startled by the vicious assult, Adur tries to elude his foes in vain; there's simply no room on the prow to maneuver, and before the thought of fleeing via air enters his mind, the skum's jaw ridges rake away at his shoulder, further opening the bleeding spear wound he'd sustained earlier. He tries to step back instinctively, but the claw piercing his leg brings him to the ground, and faint with blood loss, he lies on the wet prow, drifting on the edge of consciousness.

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Dying at -3. Ouch.

[Kahlynn]

Kahlynn round 7
(Init:18 l AC 16 l HP 44/44 l Position:thick of battle?Ick!)


Waiting for an opportune moment, Kahlynn reaches across the decking to grab the prone Jorme, and pull him back, out of harm's way. Pelor, give me the strength to help ... and don't let me be squashed!

She grabs for whatever limb is closest, with the intent of pulling Jorme back out of the area of fighting.

[Velvet Elvis]

Round 7 wrapup

(Sparky)

With the blue somewhat handled by Yorkin--assuming he might decide to actually hit it once or twice--you sidestep away from its reach in order to apply your flashing blades to the red skum's right leg. Such a big target, one rather a bit bigger than you strapped to yourself a few times...should be like stabbing the side of an alleyway wall. Should be. Perhaps it was the fact that your position places you precariously close to the low deck rail and the possibility of a nearly twenty-foot fall into the ocean--an ocean likely quite full of things you don't want to swim with. Whatever the cause, your blades fail miserably to inflict any sort of damage whatsoever upon the mostly unprotected leg of your immense target. In fact, the red skum seems to have no idea at all that you even exist so closely. It shakes its head violently from side to side, but obviously not as result of your doing.


(Nivlan)

You rise again like the proverbial phoenix, determined to make your way...somewhere, anywhere...without the deck coming up to meet you. Now that the rain has abated entirely, and the remaining water is beginning to drain and slowly evaporate, your footing is more secure. You make your way toward the bow, but still remain careful. Without incident, you reach a spot just before the starboard ballista and the descending stairs to the crew cabin, and see the unfolding scene before you, as well as the enormous bulk of Gauran striding almost in tandem with you, but from the portside and headed farther forward.


(Gauran, Skum-Green4, Skum-Green3)

As you take your long steps toward Adur and his attackers, you see him fall before you can arrive to prevent it. The two skum responsible would likely continue to rip him apart if not for your imposing figure heading their way. As typical, there is no emotion in their void-like black eyes, but the mere fact they choose to focus on you rather than the easy victim before them tells you what you need to know.

The first step brings you astride the stairwell leading down into the crew cabin. It also brings you near the presence of another skum, a green, that pulls itself up and over the rail to flop down on wet, webbed feet just beside the anchor winch. Your focus upon the yellow skum forces your second stride, bringing you to stand kneecap to fish-face with the other green, one with bloody maw and claw, and within reach of your target.

But yours is not the first attack to occur. The newly arrived green takes advantage of your passing left leg, extending its neck just enough to bring its jaws within snapping distance of your calf. The ridgelike teeth grab hold and pull back, painfully ripping away a chunk of your flesh. The pain is, of course, more than just merely noticeable, but your greathammer is already in motion. As you begin to bring it down upon the hapless yellow, the other green now standing closer to you strikes as well, having waited for the opportunity as you approached. Again, jaws draw open and clamp down on your leg; this time inflicting two deep gashes in your left thigh, just above the knee.

The nature of the rage allows you to use your pain to your advantage, channeling some of the reflexive energy into your own blows. With a roar of anger, your greathammer comes down upon the yellow-scaled skum as its black eyes watch, entirely unable to prevent its doom. The impact leaves behind a crushed pile of bloody scales, cartilage and soupy green ichor, and sends another shudder through the Dancing Karil.


(Kahlynn)

When Yorkin disappears up the stairs, you make your move to retrieve Jorme, grabbing both ankles and pulling him to you. Your caring nature is tested as you see his face slide through the remains of the yellow upon which Jorme had fallen, but the news with regard to his condition is far more satisfying: he appears none the worse for wear, though getting that fish smell out of his nose will be tricky.


Addenda for Gauran and Kahlynn

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Gauran

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You suffer 15HP from the first bite, and 16HP from the second bite. To know how bad your luck is, consider that the max, without criticals for their bites is 17HP. On the good side, you smashed the yellow pretty good.

Kahlynn

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Jorme is now in your square (O-06), you can try to awaken him next round as a standard action (will automatically work), at which point he will move out of your square, unless you opt to take a 5' step out of O-06 before you wake him.

[Velvet Elvis]

~~~

The Dancing Karil is flying along despite the clashing airflow about her. Though the term is unusual, Merev's mention of a grift current must explain the great speed at which the boat is approaching the island without having a single sail in place. With the island now perhaps only a mile off, you begin to see the vague outlines of the shoreline, as well as broad, dark patches just visible beneath the surface, a sure sign of reefs or rocks. Here and there in that area, rock or coral spires pierce the waves and jut into the sky, some a foot, some six times that.

At the current angle, it appears the ship will ground on the offshore hazard, and at the current speed, will most likely suffer enormous damage. Perhaps Merev has some tricks up his sleeves, but his constant battle with the wheel seems to render that unlikely, and his crew being otherwise preoccupied makes raising the mainsail just as unlikely. Even if it were possible, the results aren't guaranteed--it may be too little, too late.

~~~

End of Round 7



- click for full size grid -

~~~

Current initiative positions and general conditions:

Note the change in position of the split line. It now ignores NPCs as it should have and players are now divided evenly.

22 Shael - uninjured
21 Red Skum - moderately injured
21 Lock - uninjured
19 Captain Merev - uninjured
18 Gigson - severely injured
16 Jorme - asleep - uninjured
15 Yorkin - uninjured
14 Adur - prone/helpless/dying
11 Fryst - lightly injured

--------round divider--------

10 Blue Skum 1 - lightly injured
10 Green Skum 4 - uninjured
09 Sparky - uninjured
03 Nivlan - uninjured
02 Green Skum 3 - uninjured (init reduced due to readied action)
02 Gauran - large size (10' tall), badly injured
01 Kahlynn - uninjured

~~~

[Annarrkkii]

Shael Greyswan
(Round 7, Init: 22 | AC: 14 | HP: 26/26 (Healthy) | Position: Starboard Rail, Midships)

The green lights flare in Shael's eyes, burning in his thin face, his teeth gritting with strain. Inside, Marix snarls with rage. Nothing could stand up to my eldritch fire if I were at my full strength! This creature would be a cloud of char swirling in these cursed winds!

After this thing's back underwater... I'm... not letting you out for a looong time...

The two adjust their aim, lining up another crackling bolt, and loosing it at the massive red skum, oblivious to the rapidly approaching rocks.

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I figure the surest way to get these sails up is to free up the remaining sailors to do their job. That means knocking Big Red back into the sea. Firing off another sickening blast, this one hitting touch AC 14 for 14 damage.

[Kahlynn]

Kahlynn round 8
(Init:18 l AC 16 l HP 44/44 l Position:thick of battle?Ick!)


Kahlynn shakes Jorme, checking him over for injuries and keeping one eye on the horror just a few feet away from them. "Jorme! Wake up ... are you all right? Are you hurt?" As he begins to rouse, she helps him to his feet. "I think the Captain needs help ... "

[Velvet Elvis]

Round 8

1/8 resolutions, involving Shael and Sparky.

(Shael, Red Skum, Sparky)

Once again, your stroke of eldritch energy impacts the red scales of your chosen enemy, this time in the right arm and leaving behind a discolored ring. The skum reacts like a tiger being poked with a stick, flailing madly with its club. Though in sorry shape, the beast still has potential to pack a mighty swing, and attempts to do so. By sheer memory, it seems, it swings blindly toward Sparky, the club's spikes passing some distance over his head. The whip of his hair as the weapon passes by sends an involuntary chill through his body as his brain subsconsciously recognizes that had that blow connected, it would surely have knocked him through the air and overboard, in the likely addition to crushing his skull.

The beast's heavy swing seems to have unbalanced it some, forcing it to step back to balance as best it can. It now stands so close to the aft railing that any further movement in that direction will surely see it consumed by the sea.

~~

(Position Change: Red Skum is now at S/T-06/07)

[KuH]

Fryst
Rd: 8 | Init: 11 | AC: 21 | HP: 49/56 | Fatigued | Position: Q8 - P9

Crouching low beneath the big red's bruised knee, the blood-spattered Fryst looks absolutely exhausted. You can tell that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Whatever resources of strength were pushing him into that superhuman feline rage are now exhausted, although, in contrast, his awareness of his surroundings seems greater than before.

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I'm going to assume that a 5' step back to P9 puts Fryst two diagonal squares away from big red: i) without attracting an attack of opportunity and ii) putting him two diagonal squares away i.e., 15' vs. a 10' reach and hence he can cast a spell without being threatened.

Fryst slowly lowers his stave into a more defensive position as he takes a careful step backwards out of range of big red's club. My puny weapon cannot hurt a creature of this size without the aid of the spirits. Let me call on them! His eyes flash silver and he intones some purring sounds, as he seems to cast a spell.

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Casting Shillelagh on my club

[AmoDman]

Eleberry Lockwidge
( Init: 21 | AC: 18 | HP: 28/28 (Fine) | Position: At soft, chewy center. )

Lock allows himself a momentary satisfaction at effectively decreasing the threat at the aft of the ship, but quickly moves to the next dilemna. Boarders seem to be streaming in still from the bow and everyone that moves over there is being sliced and diced apart. Lock hopes his same tactic works to the same effect here and moves to where he can get a better look at the situation, wherein he casts another burst of Glitterdust at the Skum. These sea-slimes had best not make us crash! he thinks.

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OOC: I'm moving to K-9 and then casting another burst of Glitterdust 5 feet'ish up in the air at F-7. Balance is 17.

[Velvet Elvis]

Round 8 continued...


(Lock, Green Skum 4, {Adur}, Blue Skum 3)

You step off the forward cargo hold door down onto the deck and make your way forward taking a spot by the port ballista. Before you is the secondary boarding party consisting, so far, at least, of two green skum and a yellow--or what used to be a yellow--each near the crumpled form of Adur which you can just see wedged in between the bow crossbeam and the bow point. Both greens are currently fixated on the oversized form of Gauran, and have managed to inflict rather serious damage to his left leg. Taking aim, you perform the familiar actions required to bring into being a cloud of glittery dust which descends upon the skum nearest you before being dispersed by the wind. The creature reacts quickly with a head-shaking display which underscores your recognition that your intent has succeeded and the creature's black eyes are rendered useless for the time being. Another sensation is received telling you that your unintentional target, Adur, has resisted the effects.

You watch with satisfaction as the glittery substance drapes over the skum, outlining it and causing it obvious irritation. However, even as your hand is lowered, you see another skum, a blue, fairly vault over the railing closer to you, just on the other side of the ballista. You curse silently that the thing couldn't have made itself known before you'd cast your spell.

(Note: The target was chosen at random between the two greens, and I just shifted your stated target of "F7-G7" which isn't an intersection, to the nearest intersection from that point that would target the skum and avoid Gauran (you clearly weren't avoiding Adur, so he had to make a save, as well, even though he's unconscious.)


(Captain Merev)

The Captain continues to wrestle with the helm, the current beneath the ship easily preventing any significant change in course. Now racing along at a good thirty knots, the island is quickly drawing closer. The mists that girdle the coast become less obscuring as you approach, revealing for the first time the true extent of the situation. While the current is pulling the Dancing Karil toward the rocks, it is doing so obliquely, which without a course correction will send the starboard hull into the looming rocks. The towering cliffsides appear to run from end to end on the leeward side of the island, with one or two visible inlets whose mouths are mostly free of outcroppings, spires or high reefs.


(Gigson)

Following the backward motion of the red skum, Gigson leans in while it flails blindly at Sparky. A short sword stroke to its leg is too shallow and glances off the tough scales, but his following dagger attack thrusts directly into the knee, deflecting from one scale to slide straight up under another. The red releases a gurgling grunt that seems borne more of anger than actual pain, but either way, it seems in dire shape.


(Yorkin)

The sailor takes another swipe at the blue-scale before him as it steps toward Sparky. His cutlass contacts the beast but at the wrong angle, shearing down its back along the slick scales. Yorkin snarls in frustration at his decided lack of luck.


(Adur)

The druid continues to bleed profusely from his wounds, his mind, as yet, unaware of his debt to the stoic goliath and the nimble gnome that have temporarily stolen him away from death.


(Fryst)

Stepping back out of range of the madly flailing red skum's spiky club, you regard your own greatclub and summon forth upon it the power of nature to transform it into a more formidable weapon. A greenish glow forms around your right hand and quickly transfers to the body of your club, then dissipates entirely. Nothing seems to have changed--it feels...normal, to you.


(Sparky, Blue Skum 1)

Your luck is slightly better this time, as the blue skum that seems to have become fixated on skewering you takes a step closer but fails to capitalize on your attention being paid to its larger cousin. The spear's barbed head just nicks your rear end, following through to glance off the deck rail.


(Gauran, Green Skum 4)

Despite being blinded by Lock's spell, the green skum to your left continues its attempt to sever your leg. Its bite and first claw claim no flesh, missing entirely, but the creature's second claw manages to scrape hard along your calf, tracing another deep red slice.

~~

(Position Change: Lock -> K-09)
(Position Change: Blue Skum 3 -> I-09)
(Position Change: Fryst -> P-09)
(Position Change: Blue Skum 1 -> Q-06)

~~

(PC Damage: 6HP to Gauran [badly injured])

[PolkaBear]

Nivlan Kirk
(Round: 8 | Init: 3 | AC: 13 | HP: 39/39 (okay) | Position: prone)

As Nivlan passed between Gauran's enlarged bulk and the rail, he could see the blood streaming down the goliath's leg. It mixed with the damp on the deck and left ruddy footprints as the combatants feinted and struck.

Nivlan looked over at Adur, then back at the goliath who was fending off two of the aquatic scavengers. Pelor keep him! I must help Darkstrider first.

OOC, Round 8:

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Nivlan will move to H-05 (there's room on deck there, right?) and cast Cure Moderate Wounds on Gauran, healing 21 HP. If threatened, Nivlan will cast defensively.

[Tyrel_Aurelian]

Darkstrider
[Round 8 / Ini:2 / AC:7 / HP:55/71 Battered / Rage Round 5 / Position: Entrenched...]

The claws and teeth of the skum tear at Gauran's flesh, ripping chunks out of it and placing the Goliath in a pool of his own blood - only when Nivlan helps with his divine magic the stream is brought down to a trickle.

Unhindered by even those grievous wounds Gauran issues forth a bloodcurdling scream, bringing down the Greathammer hard on the obviously dead remains of the yellowish skum, seemingly oblivious to the multiple threats surrounding him. A feral gleam glints in his eyes, indicating a rage far beyond the normal limits of a barbarian, and any attentive observer would notice an eerie red glow around his Greathammer's head, only barely visible.

After striking the bloody mass on the deck Gauran shifts his position to get a better swing at his nearest enemy, his Greathammer passing well over Nivlan's head.

Round 8 OOC

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DM's only!

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Standard Action to follow through with the actions as specified in the weapon's curse.

Gauran is taking a 5 foot step to shift upwards to occupy I/J 5/5 and 6/6, which basically means that, because of my 10 foot reach, at the current positioning of enemies, any move the skum number 4 takes in the aft direction provokes an AoO from me. I don't think he provokes if he follows back into 5 foot melee range to myself, as that would be only a 5 foot step for him. So let's hope he is stupid enough to underestimate my reach... .

[KuH]

Bumped to round 9

[Velvet Elvis]

Round 8 wrapup


(Nivlan)

You push past Gauran, keeping a wary eye on him lest you get knocked to the deck by a stray movement of his tree-trunk leg. Passing around him, you do your best to avoid the threatening motions of a green skum at the rail, but fail as it lunges forward, stretching its neck and bringing its rasping tooth-ridges to bear across your belly, slicing neatly through the leather. The pain is significant, but you manage to maintain focus on your plan, invoking your healing power as you press a hand to Gauran's right leg when you pass within reach on your way farther toward the rail.

The green's flat, black eyes reveal none of the typical human emotions you're used to seeing, but its frenetic response to your presence speaks well enough. It appears to glance over the rail, then back to you before launching an attack it, no doubt, hopes to see you shredded by. Another bite, this time across the chest, draws another flow of blood to join the other, and as you reel back, one claw rakes across your right arm, the other, fortunately, missing entirely.


(Gauran)

Having felt the obsessive need to fully obliterate your opponent, you return to lucidity and shift your position starboard to rid yourself, if only temporarily, of two of the vicious skum boarders.


(Kahlynn)

Now having Jorme in a more protected spot beneath the poop deck overhang, you work to rouse him from his magically-induced slumber. A few shakes and a judicious slap across his already rosy cheek finds him cracking open his tiny brown eyes and blinking them clear.

"Wuh...what...where..." come his confused words. You help him to his feet relating your concern that the captain needs help at the helm.

That seems enough to snap him into something resembling full attention, and he immediately looks past you toward the Captain as he continues to struggle with the wheel. He remains confused, as his arched brows indicate.


(Sparky [NPC'd], Red Skum)

A moment of indecision, the blue or the red, both presenting threats. But the red was clearly more dangerous if it were to connect, and despite its several injuries, it was still flailing that huge club with intensity. Angling your rapier for a direct thrust to the thing's knee, you strike, but the tip hits too square and bend slightly before you pull the strike. Your short sword, however, fares better as you draw it across the softer scales of the calf, slicing deeply.

The red seems to scream in its peculiar, fish-like manner, the massive club falling from its grip to crash against the aft rail before bouncing off into the sea in a spinning drop. The beast itself, seems to relax its muscles and fall backwards over the edge to follow its weapon into the depths. As if tethered to the ship, the bobbing corpse trails behind for a moment or two, tugged along by the strong undercurrent, then it, too, is lost beneath the surface.

~~

(Position Change: Nivlan -> H-05)
(Position Change: Gauran -> I/J-05/06)

~~

(PC Damage: -28HP to Nivlan [badly injured])
(PC Healing: +21HP to Gauran [moderately injured])

[Velvet Elvis]

~~~

Your chartered ship continues to be whipped along by the unusual current beneath her keel, though it appears to be slowing somewhat. There is no doubt now, that at this rate and direction the Karil will certainly ground if not crash broadside into the shoals and likely be severely damaged, and it seems it will do so at a point where the water roils and foams as it breaks against the obstacles.

Now out only a half-mile, or so, the blanket of mists along the shoreline clearly reveal the situation: towering cliff faces stretching to the north beyond your ability to see, and south out of sight around the island's curving contours. In that direction, you're now able to see a smaller, though still fairly large, islet separated from the main island by a wide strait. It, too, is shrouded in mists, though thicker and rising higher, and to whatever distance you can see through them, it appears the island is solidly blanketed in greenery.

Plying the somewhat more calm waters only a few ship's lengths to port, is what appears to be a pod of enormous serpents, their long necks undulating as they rise high above the sea's surface to allow their relatively small heads to look your way. As if one unit, their long necks slice back beneath the waves followed closely by their broad, bulky bodies, which quickly disappear entirely with a few powerful strokes of their wide, diamond-shaped flippers.

~~~

End of Round 8



- click for full size grid -

~~~

Prevailing Conditions: none. No balance checks required for normal circumstances.

Current initiative positions and damage report:

22 Shael - uninjured
21 Lock - uninjured
19 Captain Merev - uninjured
18 Gigson - severely injured
16 Jorme - uninjured
15 Yorkin - uninjured
14 Adur - prone/helpless/dying
11 Fryst - lightly injured
11 Blue Skum 3 - uninjured

--------round divider--------

10 Blue Skum 1 - lightly injured
10 Green Skum 4 - uninjured
09 Sparky - uninjured
03 Nivlan - badly uninjured
02 Green Skum 3 - uninjured
02 Gauran - large size (10' tall), moderately injured
01 Kahlynn - uninjured

~~~

[KuH]

Fryst
Rd: 9 | Init: 11 | AC: 19 | HP: 49/56 | Fatigued | Position: P9-P7/Q7

Fryst growls at Gigson "I said GO!! HELP THE CAPTAIN WITH THE SAILS!!! This blue beast is mine."

The tired, blood-spattered halfling steps forward into the fray once again, this time toward the blue skum, hefting his club over his shoulder, and swinging with all the might left in his aching muscles, the leopard skin over his shoulders swaying in counterpoint to his heavy swing.

[Annarrkkii]

Shael Greyswan
(Round 7, Init: 22 | AC: 14 | HP: 26/26 (Healthy) | Position: Midships)

Shael turn as he watches the red beast tumble over the stern rail, and eyes the situation in the bow. He takes a step away from the railing, clearing his view of the scene unfolding.

The wind tears at his soaked black hair, making it stream out and flap behind him. His black hat is sagging from the torrential rain, plastering it to his head, but even its shadow and the driving rain don't entirely conceal his flickering eyes. The green energy has danced its way farther up his arm, encompassing his shoulder and some of his chest, and every muscle on his body seemed knotted with strain.

Serpents? Were I not constrained by your feeble, fleshy shell, I would take flight here and now...

Not an option, fiend. We're finishing this. Perhaps Merev will have time to correct our course, now. Shael's thoughts even sound uncertain, but he draws back his fist, and hurls another bolt of energy at the nearest skum.

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Five-foot step to L-08, and launching another sickening blast at the Skum standing opposite the ballista from Lock. Rolled a 14 to hit for 20 damage.

[AmoDman]

Eleberry Lockwidge
( Round 9 | Init: 21 | AC: 18 | HP: 28/28 (Fine) | Position: Centers'ish. )

Lock starts to get annoyed that the battle is taking so long. I guess no one cares if the ship gets smashed and we're all swallowed by serpents, he thinks. He yells to the captain, "Merev! We'll have these freeloaders off your ship momentarily! Tell us whatever we need to do to help your crew, cause I for one don't want to end up a smear on the rocks or rumble in a serpent's belly."

Lock then re-directs his attention back to the skum left. He nods to the giant Darkstrider, saying, "I fully expect you to finish at least one of these off, hopefully here comes some insurance," Lock then takes a 5 foot step back to protect his precious being and falls back into spellcasting trance yet again this battle and casts Sleep at the remaining skum, thinking if the giant doesn't finish one off his spell might knock it out.

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OOC: Okay, intersection. I'm going for H/I 6/7, that ought to cover the two left, unless that 20 damage didn't finish the blue off, in which case I'm glad I took a 5 foot step back.

[Kahlynn]

Kahlynn round 9
(Init:18 l AC 16 l HP 44/44 l Position:thick of battle?Ick!)


Seeing Jorme coming to, Kahlynn hikes her skirts and steps onto the cargo hatch, trusting it will bear her slight weight. Given a bit of breathing space behind, she turns to the fore of the boat to see who might need aid from her God. Her eyes widen, as she sees the carnage, and she calls upon the most powerful healing spells she knows. Her hands thrust the spell from her, speeding towards their fallen companion.

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Stepping within range, casting Cure Serious on Adur.

[Avernaith]

Sparky
( Round 9 Init: 9 | AC: 22 | HP: 30/30 (Good) | Position: Poop Deck )

Sparky looks back for a second to see the mighty red skum fall overboard. He furrows his brow in concentration as he whips his attention back to the smaller, but no less deadly blue skum trying its hardest to skewer him. "Come on, you ugly, blue monster. Go ahead and try to hit me. You're just as responsible for my friend dying as that thing was." Sparky flicks the slimy blood from his rapier with a quick motion of his wrist, then crouches down as he waits for the blue to give him an opening. As it raises up to attack, Sparky bounces along on the balls of his feet between the skum and Yorkin, springing deftly up the pile of coiled ropes, then stabs down at the unprotected flank of the skum with rapier and shortsword.

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Sparky is making a 10' move from R05 to P06 (hey do I get a Rope Use synergy to my Tumble check for tumbling on rope?), tumbling to get in two more sneakytacks on Blue Skum 1. It has a higher init than Sparky, which is why I posted a wait until after/as it was attacking. I'll have Kahlynn post Sparky's Tumble, Rapier Attack, Shortsword Attack, both damage and both sneak attack damage in anticipation of a stunning and total success

[blue chicken]

Post-completion edit: Howdy, boys and girls. Hope you enjoy your update...it took me long enough. I know there's a system of efficiency SOMEWHERE here...we'll find it, though, don't worry. I'm sorry for any inconsitencies in this post...it's very difficult to weave it all together. Also, there's one small flaw in the initiative order, but disregard it; the actions happened sequentially, and I just posted them like this for dramatic impact. Anyway...have fun reading, and try to overlook the flaws, if you would.

Round 9 - High initiative

(Shael, Blue Skum 3)

Not letting me out, you say? Come now...am I such a bore? And perhaps you should look to your own thoughts before chastising me for mine...were it not for me, these damned pieces of fishslime would have you flayed up for chum by now!

Working hard to supress the mental tirade of your internal companion, you clear your head for long enough to steady your hand, extending your fingers toward your foe. With your feat set solidly and one eye partially closed, your aim is true; within a fraction of a second, the green light suffusing your form rushes down your arm, building for the briefest instant between the outstretched digits of your hand before departing with a soundless snap. As it does, you can feel a bit of the demon you carry rush through the attack as well; pulsing wierdly, the bolt flies true and connects solidly with your target. The force of the blow staggers victim, and its dead eyes roll back for a moment as the power of your assault invades its form. A secondly later, it slumps forward again, retching, a charred and oozing wound spread across the majority of its chest.

Ha! Mortal creatures...such fragi-

The voice in your head cuts off abruptly as a staggering blow from beneath the ship sends reverberations throughout the hull. Throwing your arms out wide, you manage to avoid falling, bending your knees to maintain your balance. Your victim, however, still gurgling, falls to the ground. It lays there for a moment, still retching, but after a few seconds begins to show signs of recovering, albeit slowly.

(Lock, Green Skum 3, Green Skum 4)

Altering your balance slightly, you scrunch your feet for a moment against the drying timbers of the deck, gratified at the traction. Shuffling a few feet, you close your mind to the sounds of combat at your back and form the spell-shapes of your incantion yet again, your mind tasting the flavor of the soporific power you now call to the fore. Slowly, gently, the tendrils of your insinuation seep toward your targets, enveloping them both in the mental haze of contented fatigue...

The eyes of your targets begin to film over, a hazy white membrane sliding across the empty black orbs as your magic does it work. The Skum at the center of your intended effect, however, shakes its head violently after a few seconds, the membranes snapping back and its head jerking up to lock its gaze upon you. It hisses nastily, but breaks off as the body of its nearest comrade drops to the deck, deeply asleep.

Seconds later, a hollow thump rattles the timbers beneath your feet. Nimble as you are, you remain standing, your brows knitted in confusion about the source of the impact.

(Captain Merev)

Gritting his teeth, Merev continues in his valiant attempt to force the wheel over and alter the course of the ship. Tendons stand out on his neck from the force of his effort, and he groans through gritted teeth at his lack of progress. Still the Captain, he snarls orders to his shiphands, his voice distorted by anger and effort.

"See to yerselves, ye swabs! Too late fer sails, now...just GET THESE DEVIL-SPAWN OFF ME SHIP!"

(Gigson, Skum-Skirm (Blu) 1 )

Roaring a bloodcurdling lament for his lost shipmate, Gigson lunges toward the nearest skum, his weapons raised and whirling before him in a maddened fury. Heedless of both footwork and tactics, he plunges ahead, each wild chop punctuated by a frenzied shout. The Skum in question, surrounded, now, spares only the briefest of glances over its shoulder at the grief-wracked sailor, seeming to dodge his attacks nearly by sound alone and returning its attention to the more immediate threats surrounding it. His clothes soaked in blood and his face, pale, Gigson's shouts turn plaintive yells, and were it not for the moisture still hanging in the air and rolling off of every surface, his eyes would glisten with the force of his emotions.

(Jorme)

Rising with Kahlynn's aid, the pint-sized warrior dusts himself off for a moment, shaking his head a few times before blowing air out of his nose with as much force as his small lungs can muster. Blood and gore from the mess in which he had been laying slatter the deck at his feet, and he pauses a moment, inspecting himself for wounds. He turns to Kahlynn, an expression of curious awe on his face, seeming about to form words of thanks. The yell of his captain, however, snaps him back to present, and after a quick glance around he scuttles to the foot of the nearby staircase to retreive his weapons.

"Don't worry, Cap'n! We'll finish the fishy bastards for ye'! Just gives us a bit more time ta-"

His words come to a halt abruptly, a scream from aft drawing his attention and the sight he sees holding him spellbound.

(Adur)

Drifting at the edge of conciousness, Adur's mind registers the many wounds on his body, but without the pain that usually accompanies them. Only half-lucid, it relaxes, enjoying the pleasant feeling of warmth flowing over its bodies limbs, previously so chilled by the rainwater's cold.

(Nivlan, Gauran)Preoccupied with the creatures menacing you and the condition of your wounded comrade, it comes as an unwelcome surprise to you when the deck railing just behind Nivlan explodes outward and a serpentine column of neck muscle topped with a befanged reptilian head surges onto the deck, snapping nastily. Nivlan manages to skip out of the way, the air displaced by the creature's rush fluttering his robes and the impact shaking the whole forward section of the ship. Light on his toes as a result of his last-minute dodge, Nivlan rides out the shockwaves easily, but his larger comrade, Gauran, just barely manages to stay on his feet, swaying unsteadily before rocking back to the deck with a soft thudding sound.

Bare seconds later, a nearly identical head bursts through the ship's railings across the deck. Its powerful jaws snap around the head of the sleeping Skum, and remove it with a swift flick as the creature attempts to slide back beneath the waves. Snorting mightily in irritation, the creature blows a fine mist over the individuals left standing as it surges forward once again, mouthing the decapitated body of its victim and descending quickly, vanishing under the ship and toward the open water.

The water at the bow, stirred by the passing of the immense creatures, calms quickly, but just as quickly begins to foam wickedly, cross-currents and the forward momentum of the vessel evidently playing havoc in the waves.

(Kahlynn, Fryst, Sparky)

Bursting from the waters with all the speed and silence of the nightmare this day has become, a serpentine head flashes up and around the ship's railing, darting back down as its length extends to snap toward Gigson. A fearsome row of teeth punch gaping holes in both sides of the battered man's ribcage before the monstrous neck retracks, lifting him a few feet off the deck before swaying for a moment. Gigson's screams terribly for a moment, but cuts off abruptly as a spasm wracks his ruined body; stiffening, his face locks into a rictus of calm agony, only an odd twitching in his face and lips betraying the unendurable suffering he feels as the jaws continue to grind together. The creature holding him prisioner then lifts its neck its remaining length, and Gigson's placid eyes scan the gathering once more, locking for a moment with Sparky's as he scuffles nearby. His mouth works soundlessly for an instant as he holds the gaze, but in less than a second his remaining color drains away as a sickening snap reverberates across the rear of the vessel. His head lolls limply, lifelessly, and the monstrous creature responsible for the sudden and violent cessation of his existence responds by tossing the corpse once in the air and catching it to adjust its purchase before pushing off from the vessel and sliding back into the water, its bulbous body quickly sinking out of sight as it arrows under the water and back toward the open sea.

(Yorkin, Skum-Skirm (blu) 1)

Blinking several times in the lull caused by Gigson's death, Yorkin appears to regain his composure before the rest of the engaged parties in his immediate area. Snarling with a hatred that belies his normally jovial personality, he reverses his grip on his cutlass, adding his free hand to the one on the hand grip before leaping forward and around the blocking shield of his blue-tinged enemy. Using the creature's preoccupation with Sparky to his advantage, he manages to drive his blade into the creature's side, opening another jagged gash along its ribs before jerking his weapon back to the ready position. The creature snarls, sagging, but does not yield, its black eyes ferocious in their emptiness.

(Fryst, Skum-Skirm (blu) 1)

Befuddled by the apparent failure of your spell, your inner voice chides you through the fog of your fatigue - something about the balance of nature and ensuring that the proper conditions be met before one attempts to alter the balance. Dismissing the bothersome internal commentary as momentarily irrelevant, you grit your teeth, and summoning your internal reserves once again you surge forward- or, at least, you begin to, but Gigson's sudden departure from the world of the living momentarily delays your action. Your anger sees you through the shock, however, and you continue to advance after just a moment's hesitation, your clud held overhead. Using the momentum of your brief steps to engage, you swing the weapon up and around, angling the strike to bring your heavy bludgeon into solid contact with the back of your distracted enemy's neck. A cartiligionous pop resounds, and one side of the creature's body seems to go slack for a moment. It issues a watery grunt of pain, shaking off the effects of the strike, readying its weapon for another stab at your fellow halfing.

( Skum-Skirm (blu) 3 )

Rising from its place on the deck, it wipes bile away from its lipless mouth with one webbed hand as it steadies itself on the nearby ballista. Gazing coldly around for a moment, it assesses the scene on the deck, then casts a wary gaze into the water below. Looking ahead of the ship, its eyes snap back to the water and narrow. After a final, brief assessment of the array of foes against it, it seems to decide that the it would rather take its chances with sea monsters and currents than with the blades and bolts of its formidable shipbound opponents. Turning, it launches itself high over the railing, departing into the water without a splash.

[KuH]

Fryst

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Given my travels, I may not be able to post promptly on Monday ... so in anticipation, here is my post. Please post it for me if I do not:

Fryst shouts out "These snakes from the deep are the real threat. Leave the fish-men be! Let's make a defensive bulwark around the captain, in the lee of the poop-deck, and pull the rowboats in to help provide us with cover from their attacks. Then with Gauran's hammer and any ranged attacks we can maybe injure a beast, and then hope they turn on each other as the carnivorous fish of my rivers do!"

He will carefully withdraw from the blue (avoiding an AoO) and move to match actions to words.

[Tyrel_Aurelian]

Darkstrider
[Round 9 / Ini:2 / AC:9 / HP:57/73 Battered / Rage Round 6 / Position: Flailing...]

Fighting for a steady footing Gauran lurches around, finally regaining a stabile position. His features a mask of wrath, he prepares for his next attack against the Skum in front of him, speaking, his voice seething with rage:

"Anytime we eliminate one of these maggots there seems to be sprouting a new one somewhere else! But I will take down every single one of you, rest assured!!!"

With the last words he slams down his Greathammer, reducing the skum to a broken pile of flesh and bones.

Again his eyes darken and he makes to purge even the last semblance or possibility of life out of the doomed creature.

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Attack: 26 / Damage: 26

DMs: Please do not forget any possible AoO any passing Serpents might elicit because of my reach, if they hold their heads too high

[PolkaBear]

Nivlan Kirk

Nivlan looked fearfully at the monstrosity that had tried to bite him in half. He was frozen to inaction until Darkstrider crushed it with his greathammer. Then he roused himself as out of a trance and cast a spell to heal himself.

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Delay init until after Gauran's action. Then, cast CModW upon himself for 25 HP healed. I presume that the adjacent skum is now dead; but if not, he'll cast defensively.

And Kahlynn's Cure stabilized Adur, right?