Bhaakon's Giantslayer II: On a Boat!

[stack]

Eric shrugs, "But of payback against some orcs and giants. They attacked us, we drove them off, now we are going to discourage them from trying again."

[ProudGrognard]

Asdoukar

Walking besides Eric, his hammer in his shoulder, Asdoukar laughs his evil laugh at the big man's description.

"Discourage them, in a thorough and terminal fashion, lady"

The idea seems to cheer him up considerably.

[bcool999]

Jeis

Nodding in agreement with his fellows, Jeis adds, "Hopefully we can buy Trunau at least a few years of peace, but some other tribe or clan of orcs will likely be harassing us as soon as the floods are over. Anyway, we should be near the boat now, then we can get you mounted and on the way to warn your fellow knights."

[Bhaakon]

"Sounds like a worthy cause, then. I'm a bit envious, you know. The Knights hardly ever venture beyond the border anymore. Stretched too thin just holding the line." Calrianne answers just as you come the next bend in the river. Bloodtusk's barge is anchored in the middle of the channel, but he's sent the ship's boat ashore with Halrex and a few rowers to meet you.

The captain is reticent to give up one of his prized pulling horses, but he's open to reason. Especially when he hears about the potential attack on Castle Firrine. "I'm nothing if not a businessman, and too much conflict is bad for my business. I'll give her the horse if you replace it the next time we port. Should be late tomorrow. We'll need the extra muscle to make good time traveling against the current on the Esk."


The agreement struck, the massive Trunauan mount is wrangled ashore and Calrianne rides off bare-back.

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Dinner is more roasted girallon, the greasy, vaguely unpleasant flavor of the carnivore asserting itself through a liberal application of herbs and garlic. It really makes you appreciate the aggressive blandness of the turnip mash.

Speculation on the ship's saboteur has been displaced, at least by the moment, by speculation on the attack on the shore. This time, though, there's no money on the line. Everyone saw the dead orc floating in the river. They all knew what that meant, even if the details were still vague.

Discussion hushes as you get your slop and take your seats around the galley, the pause growing pregnant until the bookmaker from this morning--apparently the de facto mouthpiece for the crew--gets tired of waiting. "Well...spit it out. What happened? Details?" She finally says, exasperated.

Spoiler: SM 20

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Reading the room, it seems like the crew is even more interested in this than the sabotage. They were willing to joke and wager on that, at least. This...they seem deadly serious. Considering that the boat is about to embark on a run into Belkzen, you can understand why.

[stack]

Eric, glad for a distraction from the proffered meat, answers with a shrug. "Probing raid. Some orc boss figured out that defenses are slack during flood time, so sent a raid. Fort was too lightly defended to hold them off, proving them right."

[Desril]

Sylvia

Not enjoying the tense mood, the dhampir tries to give the crew at least a little bit of good news. "They might've been right, but their leaders won't know that. Hard to keep informed when your scouts got eaten by wolves, and the outpost will be getting reinforcements. Things might be a bit more tense in the near future, but I doubt anyone's going to test their luck in a full-scale attack any time soon."

[bcool999]

Jeis

Jeis nods in agreement and adds, "Fortunately, no one in the outpost was killed save for the raiders. Who really brought it upon themselves... one of them literally."

[Bhaakon]

The mood lightens noticeably when Sylvia says that the raid probably won't presage a full scale attack.

"Always some upstart war-chief looking to overreach." The bookmaker comments, drawing nods of agreement from many of the crew. "Guess you saw that in Trunau, huh?"

[stack]

"Often enough, aye. Makes it hard to mind your own business when your neighbors keep trying to kill and enslave you."

[Bhaakon]

"Hmm. Or locked in a gaol for having the wrong parents and daring to stroll out of the ghetto in Vellumis." The half-orc replies.

Diner concludes without any more conversations or events of interest. No wagers, no wild animals running amok, no one falling overboard. All told, it's rather boring, and you're no closer to finding the saboteur. You keep a subtle watch through the night, taking shifts strolling the deck and perching up on the top of the watch tower. It's a profoundly boring experience. You're deep enough in Lastwall now that river is clear of dangerous predators, so the only real threat is another orc raid. None are in the offing.

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The next day is a easy one. Bloodtusk tells you as much, and he prove correct. Asdoukar keeps a steady watch, but there's nothing to watch out for on this well-patrolled stretch of river except for accidental collisions with other boats. You meet the first such vessel around mid-morning, and by noon the water is thick with fishermen and small-time traders looking to fee and supply the warriors manning the defensive line just a few leagues northwest of the river.

Shortly before sundown, you reach the meeting point of the Kestrel and Esk, and also a sizable town were Bloodtusk plans to berth for the night. You barge drops anchor at the end of a pier that happens to reach out just far enough for the lumbering hulk to approach without scraping its keel.

"Supper's in the galley at the normal time, if you want it." Bloodtusk advises. "Most go ashore for their meals when they can, though. I have enough business here to keep us until noon--figuring out what to do with the cargo meant for that guard post and finding a new draft horse. Just don't think I'll wait for you past that. This Bakkara business has me deep enough in the red already without adding delays on top of it."

[stack]

Eric gives a nod. "Ashore sounds pleasant enough." He makes sure to keep his arms about him, just in case. "Let's see if these wall-watchers know how to have fun."

[Desril]

Sylvia

The dhampir can't help but smirk at Eric, "Fun? They probably don't know the meaning of the word. I bet everyone here is always edge and paranoid, sucking the joy out of everything. So we'll just have to find a way to liven things up."

[Bhaakon]

As it turns out Sylvia is a bit off the mark. True Knights of Ozem might be as straitlaced as they come, but the footmen, mercenaries, auxiliaries, and allied units who make up the majority of Lastwall's manpower aren't nearly so austere. The town of Bootjack--as you find the little port to be named--is a motley collection of camp followers and black marketeers made permanent. Whereas Fort Firrine serves as the official supply depot and arsenal for the defenders of Lastwall, Bootjack is its underworld and red light district. Any soldier on the line with more than a few days leave usually spend them and entire savings here. The Knights might not be particularly happy about it, but they're not foolish enough to court a mutiny by tearing it down.

Spoiler

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Things you can do include: shopping, getting better food, listen for rumors, try to track down information about either of your destination...or anything I haven't thought of.

To find the information or listen for rumors, you'll need to spend a few hours and make a Diplomacy check to gather information (unless you can make a good argument for a different roll)

[stack]

"Soldiers always find a way to find trouble, I'm sure you won't be bored. Try to keep your clothes on in public though."

"Doubt anyone around here knows anything that can help us, so shopping and debauchery are about what this stop will be good for. I may see if they have any arrows to help deal with giants."

Spoiler

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giantbane arrows for sale?

[Bhaakon]

Eric makes his way into town. It takes some effort to dig up what he's looking for, but eventually a disreputable back-arsenal stocked with arrows enchanted to bite particularly deep into giant-meat. It seems rather likely that they 'fell off a cart' headed for Castle Firrine, given the way they're packed in straw-lined crate marked with the brand of the Knight of Ozem, but the tight-lipped seller's only response when questioned on their provenance is a harsh "You buyin' or not?"

Spoiler

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Anyone else want to buy anything? You can assume that anything you can afford is available. Otherwise, I'll advance tomorrow.

[stack]

Eric looks them over. "A man could get in trouble if the wrong person saw him with these arrows in his quiver. Seems like a risky proposition around here."

Spoiler

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diplomacy to haggle (1d20+9)[19]

ready to move on anyhow. probably only buying a few arrows, mostly to fill a scene transition

[Desril]

Sylvia

While Eric goes shopping, Sylvia decides to search for clues and roams the port looking for information, specifically in what they might be likely to encounter and, perhaps more importantly, what sort of creatures the orcs fear and where they might be found. Nothing like terrifying your enemies with an undead version of their worst fears.

Luckily for her, the port isn't nearly as boring as she'd thought it be and trawling the taverns for information and making friends prove to be a little more entertaining than she'd hoped it would be.

Spoiler

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Sorry for lack of posts, I don't do well when I don't have a specific goal or event to respond to and no one was doing things!

Diplo to gather info/make friends (1d20+11)[20]

[Bhaakon]

The shady black-marketeer gathers up his mucus with a loud snort and spits copious at Eric's feet. "As risky as not having 'em? A man doesn't good looking for something so specialized without a powerful need."

Spoiler

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Nice try, but no haggling :P. Maybe if it was for a fluff item, like a tattoo or a fancy hat, but not for magic weapons.

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"Well they damn sure ain't 'fraid of ush!" Blathers one of the many drunken soldiers Sylvia comes across will crawling through Bootjack's seedy waterfront. "Lokkin' big an' shtrong an' flashin' steel juss seems to make em wanna fight more." He leans in close, the rotgut fumes on his breath enough to make your eyes water. "I tells yuh what, tho...shoopershtitious as all hells. Ghoshts an' phantoms what they canno cut with a blade make 'em brown their short clothes."

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Everyone is back on board by noon the next day--though there seems to be a rash of nausea, red eyes, and pudding headaches among the crew. Must have been some illness going around in port. Progress is slow as a result, despite the Coxswain's enthusiastic encouragement. It's mid-afternoon before the barge has made it to the mouth of the Esk and unloaded its draft animals to begin the long haul up river. Raag pushes on nearly to sundown to make up time, and you quickly leave settled land behind as you push into the eastern fringes of Ghostlight marsh.

The captain is just getting ready to call a halt when Asdoukar notices a problem ahead. The previously placid water is bucking and foaming ahead, pierced through by jagged boulders in a nearly perfectly line across the river. There's a rapids, one that's remarkably regular. At first Raag doesn't believe it, not until he climbs the forward tower and sees for himself. "That wasn't there last season, nor any season before." He mutters in disbelief. "This doesn't smell right. Not at all."

Spoiler: Perception DC 18, must roll

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You spot movement in the water on the starboard side of the barge. Three large forms, vaguely humanoid, but covered in greenish skin--no, scales--swimming about five feet below the surface. They'll reach the hull of the barge within seconds.

Spoiler: DC 13 K(local)

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They're freshwater merrows, aquatic cousins of ogres. They're not as powerfully built as their land-dwelling cousins, and favor hit and run tactics--grabbing a couple captives for a meal rather than plundering a large boat or village wholesale.

[stack]

At the captain's unease, Eric automatically readies his bow.

Spoiler

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blew the check

[bcool999]

Jeis

Seeing the boulders up ahead, Jeis asks, "Is there anyway we can stop the boat somewhat near to the boulders? I should be able to clear the river with a little time and effort... but how did those boulders even get in the way like that? And in such a neat line too..."

[Bhaakon]

"Boarders!" Asdoukar bellows from his place in the crow's nest. "Three of them, big and fish-scaled, swimming hard for the starboard!" The dwarf points out the dark forms swimming just inches below the surface.

Feet beat on the deck as the crew springs into action, manning the ballista--though it's rather pointless, as the weapon can't be lowered enough to aim into the water near the side of the boat. Others retrieve cutlasses and gaffs to fend off or chop off anything that reaches up to grasp the railing. Unfortunately, most of the ship's defenders are down below, rowing hard against the current. The vital first moments of the defense while have to fall to you.

Spoiler

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The three swimmers are shallow enough to hit with ranged weapons w/o taking a penalty. I'm not going to bother with initiative for this fight, since Asdoukar spotted them so far off. I'll just let you take potshots and then alternate from there. Asdoukar is up on top of the mast, and can't climb down fast enough to help.

[Vhaidara]

Biggums, the Little Giant

Biggums, seeing the approaching creatures, begins to move towards the middle of the ship to meet them, drawing out his hammer.

Spoiler: OoC

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AG17, I think, is where I can get to. Once there, Swift to change from Iron Pikeman to Distorted Clock.

[stack]

Eric spots the quickly once pointed out, bending him bow and sending forth a steady stream of arrows.

Spoiler

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swift to start tempest gale style,5' towards middle of ship (AP16)
rapid shot round 1
(1d20+7)[17]
damage (1d8+4)[7]
(1d20+7)[24]
damage (1d8+4)[8]

rolling round 2 and three, just to get it out of the way unless they close really quick
round 2
5' towards middle of ship (AO16)
rapid shot round 1
(1d20+7)[16]
damage (1d8+4)[9]
(1d20+7)[20]
damage (1d8+4)[11]

round 3 (may need PBS)
5' towards middle of ship (AN16)
rapid shot round 1
(1d20+7)[19]
damage (1d8+4)[7]
(1d20+7)[14]
damage (1d8+4)[10]

[Desril]

Sylvia

Rushing toward the railing to get a better look at the would-be boarders, Sylvia smirks. Swimming targets bring an easy curse to mind, "So long as the sun sails overhead, you'll swim like a stone through the air!"

Spoiler

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Ghost Strike: Curse on the far right target to make it sink like a rock and just drop (and drown? Not sure what these things are) or otherwise horribly hamper its ability to travel through water.

RTA (1d20+4)[12]
Will save DC 17 negates

[bcool999]

Jeis
HP 48/48 + 4 Force Ward
0 Burn
AC 16 (haven't drawn shield yet)

When Jeis hears the call to arms he looks to the left first, but seeing everyone look to the right he quickly turns that way and notices the three forms under the water. He steps closer to the edge of the ship, and draws on his power to fling a pointy piece of rubbish at the one closest to him.

Spoiler

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Will also roll the next three rounds of action here just to help speed things along.
Round 1: 5ft step to AQ18, Move Action Gather Power to reduce burn cost by 1, Standard action telekinetic blast with extended range against right-most monster (0 burn), Attack: (1d20+6)[14] Damage: (2d6+7)[17] Piercing

Round 2: (Assuming within 60ft.): Another 5ft. to AQ17, Gather Power, Kinetic Blast same creature, Attack: (1d20+6)[19] Damage: (2d6+7)[14] Bludgeoning

Round 3: (Assuming within 30ft.): Move 30ft. towards midship drawing buckler for 17 ac total, Telekinetic blast creature within 30ft. Attack: (1d20+7)[11] Damage: (2d6+8)[11] Slashing

Spoiler: In case of Crits

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Attack: (1d20+6)[24] Damage: (2d6+7)[14] Piercing
Attack: (1d20+6)[24] Damage: (2d6+7)[14] Bludgeoning
Attack: (1d20+7)[11] Damage: (2d6+8)[17] Slashing

[Bhaakon]

Bodies scramble across the deck as the merrows close with the barge at a surprising pace. Their surprise lost, the ogreish-creatures abandon stealth and surge forward fast enough to raise foaming wakes and raise three percussive booms as they slam into the hull. Sylvia's magic slides off her target's back as easily as the water, and Jeis's hurled debris raising naught but splashes. Only Eric's shot hits home, drawing a grunt and little else from his target.

Spoiler: Map

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You'll get AoOs as they try to haul themselves on deck, so please roll them ahead of time if you're in position to take any (which pretty much just means Biggums).

[bcool999]

Jeis
HP 48/48 + 4 Force Ward
Burn 1 (4 NL)
AC 16

Seeing how quickly the foes surge to the side of the ship, Jeis too rushes forward to repel the borders. Now glowing with a faint nimbus that shows he has fully let loose his powers, Jeis rips a horseshoe from the nearby stable and sends it hurtling towards the far right foe with all the force he could muster.

Spoiler

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Alright, Move action to get to AL17.
Standard Action (1 burn) to add Pushing Infusion to Telekinetic Blast. Attack: (1d20+8)[17] Damage: (2d6+10)[19]

Bull Rush: (1d20+8)[18] Maximum of 5ft. of push.

[Vhaidara]

Biggums, the Little Giant

Gripping his hammer in both hands, Biggums brings it down in an overhead swing onto the Merrow. Then he begins to grow, and swings again.

Spoiler: OoC

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AoO
Attack: (1d20+9)[28]
Crit: (1d20+9)[12]
Damage: (3d6+7)[16]
Crit: (6d6+14)[35]

Swift: Mystic Might

Standard: Strike of the Infinite Protector (if I hit, the guy next to me gets +2 to AC)
Attack: (1d20+10)[26]
Crit: (1d20+10)[22]
Damage: (4d6+10)[25]
Crit: (8d6+20)[50]

If the Merrow drops, move 20ft towards the next one.

[Desril]

Sylvia

With Biggums handling one of the creatures, the dhampir makes it her job to disable one of the others before it can cause too much damage. A curse doesn't seem fitting here, but sapping its strength and stamina so that it can't do much damage on the other hand...

Spoiler

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Exhausting Strike Ghost Strike (Will DC 17 vs Exhausted for 4 rounds) (1d20+4)[14]

[stack]

Eric closes, snding na arrow streaking toward the next Merrow's brow in an attempt to leave a gash and blind it with its own blood.

Spoiler

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move to AJ 17

ranged dirty trick to blind the near one (the one not smashed by Biggums)
(1d20+10)[16] (4 dex, 4 bab, 2 stance)