Aegir

[Doctor-Dash]

Laucien has a lot to think about. Interesting features? That's good, right? He's pretty sure that's good. And the man must be swimming for another boat, right? If he makes a mental line between where he heard the swimming man first and where he's headed, maybe he'll hit a boat. Sure would be funny to see him climb onto a flaming vessel!

Laucien looses a flaming arrow using his best guess.

Rolls: Nat1 to hit, 6 damage

[Dr_Nimm]

Tessania creates a sound illusion, and can't tell yet if it provoked a reaction, if any.

Laucien looses an arrow, and didn't hear it hit anything.

"Ugh. You guys are terrible." Says Mia.

The swimmer got away and alerted them to your plans and general direction.

All around you, signal flares begin to land: Air filled leather sacs floating above the water surface with bright green flares. Meanwhile, the fog partly clears. Visibility is now 30 feet.

Your locations thus marked to the enemy, a hail of arrows begin to land all over you. The fog and side mounted shields give you advantage to dex saves as you take cover.

Everyone avoids the worst of the arrows (saves) but all of you get grazed by at least one arrow and take 4 damage.

From the side, two enemy boats appear, loaded with 5 warriors each! Seems like you're all screwed.

But then, a boat from a different tribe appears out of the fog. At the helm of this third ship is Siegfried Dagsson, none other than the friendly "slouching man" from your fight with the enemy fishermen a few days prior.

Siegfried's men attacks one of the two enemy boats, killing 3 of them and ramming them off course. Siegfried salutes you and smiles at Tessania in particular.

The second enemy boat with 5 men are attempting to ram and board Laucien, Tessania, and Mías boat. If they manage to do that, it can be deadly.

Initiative:

Thorak /Zorg/Dog, who are 15 feet away from the ramming boat.
Laucien
Mia
Tessania
Ramming boat and the 5 warriors (15 feet away from any of you).
Siegfried and his clan (friendly)
First enemy boat with 2 men (off course)

[DM7581]

Tessania creates a sound illusion, and can't tell yet if it provoked a reaction, if any.

Laucien looses an arrow, and didn't hear it hit anything.

"Ugh. You guys are terrible." Says Mia.

The swimmer got away and alerted them to your plans and general direction.

All around you, signal flares begin to land: Air filled leather sacs floating above the water surface with bright green flares. Meanwhile, the fog partly clears. Visibility is now 30 feet.

Your locations thus marked to the enemy, a hail of arrows begin to land all over you. The fog and side mounted shields give you advantage to dex saves as you take cover.

Everyone avoids the worst of the arrows (saves) but all of you get grazed by at least one arrow and take 4 damage.

From the side, two enemy boats appear, loaded with 5 warriors each! Seems like you're all screwed.

But then, a boat from a different tribe appears out of the fog. At the helm of this third ship is Siegfried Dagsson, none other than the friendly "slouching man" from your fight with the enemy fishermen a few days prior.

Siegfried's men attacks one of the two enemy boats, killing 3 of them and ramming them off course. Siegfried salutes you and smiles at Tessania in particular.

The second enemy boat with 5 men are attempting to ram and board Laucien, Tessania, and Mías boat. If they manage to do that, it can be deadly.

Initiative:

Thorak /Zorg/Dog, who are 15 feet away from the ramming boat.
Laucien
Mia
Tessania
Ramming boat and the 5 warriors (15 feet away from any of you).
Siegfried and his clan (friendly)
First enemy boat with 2 men (off course)

We must stay together. Separated, we will fail!

I use my movement to maneuver toward the boat approaching Laucien's boat.

I hope I can make up 15 feet to close into melee. If so, I command the dog to join me in battle. I jump aboard, coming downward with my warhammer!

Come beast! Taste the flesh of our enemies!

Nat 1! Oh well.

If I am not close enough, another sacred flame...

8 Radiant damage, DC 12 to negate.

[Ketiara]

We must stay together. Separated, we will fail!

I use my movement to maneuver toward the boat approaching Laucien's boat.

I hope I can make up 15 feet to close into melee. If so, I command the dog to join me in battle. I jump aboard, coming downward with my warhammer!

Come beast! Taste the flesh of our enemies!

Nat 1! Oh well.

If I am not close enough, another sacred flame...

8 Radiant damage, DC 12 to negate.

Tessanna realise the impending impact, and moves to one of the oars and help pull it as hard as possible (she hope that turning the boat enough to make a deadly impact a glansing blow instead.
"Mia! Help pull this oar!"
Strength(mettle): 10/15 = 15

[Dr_Nimm]

Thorak rams the enemy boat. Zorg flips the boarding plank, locking the 3 boats together. The dog leaps forward, knocking a man prone and biting for 2 damage. Zorg attacks the prone warrior, doing 16 damage, the sharp steel of his new axe severs the man's head with a neat snicking sound. The head rolls into the lake. The dog laps up the blood gushing from the neck with pleasure.

Tessania expertly maneuvers the boat in such a way that it pivots 15 feet behind the enemy boat, giving advantage to Laucien's and Mías next attacks.

[Ketiara]

Thorak rams the enemy boat. Zorg flips the boarding plank, locking the 3 boats together. The dog leaps forward, knocking a man prone and biting for 2 damage. Zorg attacks the prone warrior, doing 16 damage, the sharp steel of his new axe severs the man's head with a neat snicking sound. The head rolls into the lake. The dog laps up the blood gushing from the neck with pleasure.

Tessania expertly maneuvers the boat in such a way that it pivots 15 feet behind the enemy boat, giving advantage to Laucien's and Mías next attacks.

Awesome! Tessanna is very satisfied! And fully expecting that Siegfried notices :)

[Dr_Nimm]

Siegfried nods approvingly at Tessania.

Laucien up. Has advantage.

[Doctor-Dash]

"Good thinking Tessana!"

Laucien loads up a splinterfang arrow, ready to do some damage!

Spoiler: Rolls

Show

With advantage and favor: 8+5+1=14 to hit
8+1+3=12 damage with splinterfang arrow
1 sneak damage

[Dr_Nimm]

Nice. A female warrior in face paint is killed. 3 enemies left in this boat and two in the off course boat.

Siegfried places one foot on the front end of the boat and directs his oarsman to ram and board. With him are none other than the greatsword fighter and the archer, whom you all defeated in the fight at the inlet. Siegfried himself is armed with a rare red coral rapier bejeweled in shells and a wicked curved dagger, as well as several musical instruments hung from straps.

Siegfried:
From a shameful deed
Thieves return
To aid those in need.

Siegfried slashes high with the dagger then drives a fatal blow with the rapier. His mate slays the other with his new, duller greatsword, Thorak having looted his original. No one remains on this boat.

In the further boat, Siegfried's archer kills a fighter with an arrow to the neck. One man is left.

Mia pops up out of the water behind him and sits his throat, then slithers back into the icy lake, leaving just her eyes above water like a crocodile. She stares creepily at Laucien like this for a moment, winks, and sinks into the depths.

[Dr_Nimm]

The enemy ships pull back to the mouth of the inlet in a defensive formation and the fog dissipates. They see you clearly.

You all hear the horn signal to regroup coming from the village. Seeing few other options, you return.

The priest heals you to full hp and applies war paint.

Gain war paint bonus (bless or full favor).

Chief Hagar calls a war council. He looks very ill. "Thorak, Tessania, Laucien and Zorg are the finest cubs clan Celd has seen in generations. They will grow to be warriors of legend. I will rejoice when their souls join mine in the afterlife, where endless feasts and fighting alongside the gods await those deserving.

I see you have brought allies. I recognize Siegfried Dagsson of clan Solveig, the renowned Skald and swordsman, and two others of his clan, whom I understand disrespected our waters recently. How come you to be here after hostile actions? Do you not also fear the plague? "

Siegfried salutes Chief Hagar as a superior. "Precisely why we are here. Chief Brunhild, though never a friend to you or your clan, was ashamed that our clansmen were poaching your fish in your weakened state, which makes us look cowardly. I agree.

Therefore, chief Brunhild is personally leading a war party here this moment by boat. They are to attack the rear of the enemy ships when I give the signal. She sent these two louts ahead to escort me here, as penance for their dishonor, and requests you to place them on the front lines. "

"Good news." Mutters Hagar, stroking his wild red beard. "And who is this Elf maid in your company? I do not recognize her, and she bears no clan tattoos or insignias."

You all swallow nervously as Mia rises. Hagar asked her directly, so you must remain quiet and can't assist her. Mia rises slowly, and looks back and forth at you all for help or introductions. She awkwardly opens her mouth to speak and stops herself. Instead, she flawlessly imitates the salute that Siegfried just made, and you immediately feel the tension ease in the room.

"I am Mia, a hunter from a nomadic tribe of elves far to the south. Hearing of the rich game here, we journeyed into your waters last autumn. The Murk took my team, and the river dried out, stranding me here in lake Celdmere. I have been surviving by myself on the wild Islands all winter, making forays into shore taking in fat deer and elk. I have seen your clansmen from time to time, but as you Celd appear so ferocious, I didn't want to risk a fight... Or have to share any fat deer. " She pats her stomach. Everyone looks both amused and impressed. Hagar nods approvingly. Mia is in.

" Let us plan for war." Says Hagar.
" Brunhild and 20 men wait to attack the rear. " Says Siegfried.
" Hmmm... We are still outnumbered. We need a strategy, but the plague now slows my mind as well as body. Cubs! What say you?"

[DM7581]

Before addressing the clan, I want to huddle with the group.

I nod to the chief, then gesture for everoyone to circle up.

It seems that the burden... and honor, of leading this fray has fallen to us. I am not one to have much a tactical mind, but I do know this: their ships are wooden and the icy waters would prove a difficult situation. If we can attack at range with flaming arrows, it will allow the other ships to overrun these scum. If their ships are ablaze, they can either burn, or swim. We come out victorious in either case.

I’m assuming, tactically, that if they are reduced to individual, swimming troops that either the waters would take them (heavy armor sinks) and/or any attacks from a ship will have advantage, basically making them little more than sitting ducks.

If they do make it ashore, even with our reduced numbers, they will be scattered and more easily defeated.

I look to everyone else for an opinion or a better idea.

[Dr_Nimm]

Chief Hagar: "Ships do not easily catch fire with a few flaming arrows, unless you're lucky. We have on hand a quantity of tar pitch, which is hard to extinguish once lit. It will sink a few boats surely. And they may likely have the same tactic in mind against our boats... Or our houses.

This is a good plan, but we need more."

" Yes," says Siegfried. "We can't burn the whole fleet down. Let us explore additional tactics. Remember Brunhild and my other clansfolk await my signal to attack."

Dm note : As Celd, you're quite comfortable in near freezing water for a while. Swimming for a few minutes won't harm you. I don't mean this as a hint but just an observation as to how you guys seem to assume the water is harmful. On Aegir, water is your friend. The land is harmful.

[Ketiara]

Chief Hagar: "Ships do not easily catch fire with a few flaming arrows, unless you're lucky. We have on hand a quantity of tar pitch, which is hard to extinguish once lit. It will sink a few boats surely. And they may likely have the same tactic in mind against our boats... Or our houses.

This is a good plan, but we need more."

" Yes," says Siegfried. "We can't burn the whole fleet down. Let us explore additional tactics. Remember Brunhild and my other clansfolk await my signal to attack."

Dm note : As Celd, you're quite comfortable in near freezing water for a while. Swimming for a few minutes won't harm you. I don't mean this as a hint but just an observation as to how you guys seem to assume the water is harmful. On Aegir, water is your friend. The land is harmful.

As a boat building clan, I reckon we have drills? how long will it take to drill holes in the hulls of the boats? And with the correct distraction, could we succeed with that, and my earlier plan with jamming the rudders (or whatever they are called) could that succeed? Tessanna is just spewing ideas

[Dr_Nimm]

As a boat building clan, I reckon we have drills? how long will it take to drill holes in the hulls of the boats? And with the correct distraction, could we succeed with that, and my earlier plan with jamming the rudders (or whatever they are called) could that succeed? Tessanna is just spewing ideas

You have a few hand cranked drills. The boats have no rudders, but the Longships do. There are about 2 Longships that you can see. They hold 30 fighters and a few elites within.

[Doctor-Dash]

Are other clans as resistant to the cold waters as we are? No sense sinking their ships if all we're doing is destroying their only method of retreat, forcing us to fight all of them.

Laucien begins collecting tar pitch and lamp oil with intent to distribute supplies to any able-bodied archers. He finds one bottle of lamp oil in the storeroom is on a shelf just out of reach. He reaches up into the air and mutters under his breath, and uses an invisible hand to knock the bottle off the shelf into his waiting hands. After a moment of satisfaction at a job well done, he realizes what he did. Oh gods...
Did I just use magic? New magic? He glances around to make sure no one saw him, hoping everyone is too concerned about the impending war to have noticed...

[DM7581]

Chief Hagar: "Ships do not easily catch fire with a few flaming arrows, unless you're lucky. We have on hand a quantity of tar pitch, which is hard to extinguish once lit. It will sink a few boats surely. And they may likely have the same tactic in mind against our boats... Or our houses.

This is a good plan, but we need more."

" Yes," says Siegfried. "We can't burn the whole fleet down. Let us explore additional tactics. Remember Brunhild and my other clansfolk await my signal to attack."

Dm note : As Celd, you're quite comfortable in near freezing water for a while. Swimming for a few minutes won't harm you. I don't mean this as a hint but just an observation as to how you guys seem to assume the water is harmful. On Aegir, water is your friend. The land is harmful.

I just mean that if we can disable their ships, then the allied ships may have an advantage.

Again, I am assuming that if I was swimming toward a ship, engaging in melee, then their warriors would have advantage on attacks against me.

Otherwise, we can take the fight to them...

Then we gather small groups and strike at them by water! When we are close, give the signal for the strike. If the priest can cover our approach with fog... (I might be able to) that would be even more effective. How does this sound?

[Ketiara]

I just mean that if we can disable their ships, then the allied ships may have an advantage.

Again, I am assuming that if I was swimming toward a ship, engaging in melee, then their warriors would have advantage on attacks against me.

Otherwise, we can take the fight to them...

Then we gather small groups and strike at them by water! When we are close, give the signal for the strike. If the priest can cover our approach with fog... (I might be able to) that would be even more effective. How does this sound?

Perhaps we could even use snorkles, I assume a water"native" people like us, must have found ways to extend our breath underwater

[Dr_Nimm]

Attacking a surface swimmer from a boat would have advantage in most cases.

Most clansfolk can hold their breath for a decent amount of time due to naturally high constitution, but there is no device or method developed to extend that specifically.

[Ketiara]

Loot
Silver shortsword,
2 bows, 20 arrows,
2 bottles of fine wine
Full healing kit
5 healing potions
1 bottle of lamp oil (4 charges)
1 fairy charm. Reroll 1 failed roll, then the charm disappears.

You hear a commotion from far off across the lake...

Btw, tessanna graps the healing kit and fairy charm and one healing potion. (no one els took them)


We could try and overtake one of the larger boats, and ram it into another?

[Dr_Nimm]

Chief Hagar: "Very good. We will adopt these plans. Each of you will be assigned to lead fighters based on your ideas."

A horn announces a messenger. You all look outside. An enemy boat is parked a ways off your docks. 3 men sit in it, in the dress of clan Crowkin, without weapons drawn.

Chief Hagar: "Who makes war against us?"

Crowkin stranger: "All the northern clans! But they are led by clans Crowkin and Volkung"

Siegfried steps up next to Chief Hagar: "Not all. Clan Solveig stands with the Celd."

Crowkin stranger : "Siegfried!? You are an aging story teller, no more. And your sword has become like your rhymes: dull. You are past your prime, like your chief, Brunhild."

Siegfried : "Mostly true, I'm afraid. But dull words and blades can be sharpened, unlike dull minds."

Chief Hagar raises his hand, silencing Siegfried, before continuing : "Crowkin stranger, I recall no unsettled grievance between our clans, nor any recent raids unreciprocated."

Crowkin Stranger : "Correct. This is not a war for honor or loot, but for life. We mean to exterminate the plague at its source."

Chief Hagar : "What? The clans of the north band together to eradicate one of their own for being ill? What malevolence has befallen our cousins?"

Crowkin Stranger : "Benevolence, in fact. We merely amputate the rotting limb to save the body." The stranger smirks, pleased at his own wit.

Chief Hagar :"Amputate a rotting limb? It seems you have forgotten about clan Celd. Our ancestors were first in the north. Children of gods and frost giants. Our bones,
carved from glaciers, our blood is ice, our flesh is rime, our hearts- blizzard and hail. It is your limb that will rot tonight. "

Chief Hagar lifts an axe horizontally and throws it backhand across the water. It spins off in a neat arc and lops off the man's arm. He looks down at his bleeding stump expressionlessly, confused, and blankly takes a seat on the boat as his men scramble to row away. It was a while before you hear him begin to scream.

[Dr_Nimm]

Chief Hagar faces you. "I call the entire clan to make war. Prepare my armaments. Lower the Longships and fit them for battle."

The entire clan, young and old, lurching from the plague, equips for war.

Laucien and Mia leads 6 archers and pitch throwers on the docks as defense.

Thorak leads a small (25 foot) Longship, the Waveraven with Zorg and 12 warriors on it. 10 men can row, one at the rudder and one foreman carrying out your orders.

Tessania leads a small team of 2 with Siegfried to sabotage enemy ships or cause confusion. You have several Cutters kits with tools to sabotage, and some oil to light fires, and some smoke grass (primitive smoke bomb).

Chief Hagar leads the second, larger longship the Timberox alongside Thoraks Longship with about 20 fighters in it.

Celd: 50 (40 fighters, 10 elderly/ young children hiding in the village)

Enemies: 90 (7 small boats with 5 fighters each, 3 Longships with 14 veteran fighters and a chief in each).

[Dr_Nimm]

Before proceeding, I'll leave it open for you to speak to NPC's clarify, protest, change plans etc.

You can ask questions to the Crowkin messenger as well, assumption being that it took place before his unfortunate amputation.

[Ketiara]

Before proceeding, I'll leave it open for you to speak to NPC's clarify, protest, change plans etc.

You can ask questions to the Crowkin messenger as well, assumption being that it took place before his unfortunate amputation.

is it possible for one of the big ships to make the same kind of ram maneuver as the smaller boat tried to make on us earlier?


EDIT:

Tessanna ask our leader
"After we manage to get past the smaller boats, couldnt we try and ram one of the bigger boats? How long of a distraction would you need to get position and opportunity to ram a ships flank?"

[Dr_Nimm]

is it possible for one of the big ships to make the same kind of ram maneuver as the smaller boat tried to make on us earlier?


EDIT:

Tessanna ask our leader
"After we manage to get past the smaller boats, couldnt we try and ram one of the bigger boats? How long of a distraction would you need to get position and opportunity to ram a ships flank?"

Chief Hagar : "If my fighters would have been able to row at full strength, my Longship, the Timberox, could have plowed straight through the whole lot. We still can, but it will take some maneuvering. A few seconds distraction is all we need."

Spoiler: Siegfried to Tessania

Show

I had been hoping to accept your offer of hospitality under better circumstances.

[Ketiara]

Chief Hagar : "If my fighters would have been able to row at full strength, my Longship, the Timberox, could have plowed straight through the whole lot. We still can, but it will take some maneuvering. A few seconds distraction is all we need."

Spoiler: Siegfried to Tessania

Show

I had been hoping to accept your offer of hospitality under better circumstances.

We we can attack from the frontleft causing the boats to sail there, then the Timberox could get a chance to move in from the right. Siegfried and I could attack and distract one of the big boats, perhaps enough to ram it. Or if you could succeed in ramming it on your own, Siegfried and I will help on the left side.

[DM7581]

We we can attack from the frontleft causing the boats to sail there, then the Timberox could get a chance to move in from the right. Siegfried and I could attack and distract one of the big boats, perhaps enough to ram it. Or if you could succeed in ramming it on your own, Siegfried and I will help on the left side.

Not understand the whole plan, but nodding along due to Tessannia’s confidence in explaining it...

And what of me and my mine? Do I join with the distraction or meet them at the front?

[Ketiara]

Not understand the whole plan, but nodding along due to Tessannia’s confidence in explaining it...

And what of me and my mine? Do I join with the distraction or meet them at the front?

Tessanna tries to explain her idea.

"We need some sort of distraction, drawing the smaller boats toward the left, exposing the bigger boats. We cant fight their full army, and if we can destroy a ship, the scale will tip towards us I believe.
Hagar can get a blow with Timberox if we give him a window, I say lets give him one. Now, how do we do that the best way, given our individual abilities"

[Dr_Nimm]

Tessanna tries to explain her idea.

"We need some sort of distraction, drawing the smaller boats toward the left, exposing the bigger boats. We cant fight their full army, and if we can destroy a ship, the scale will tip towards us I believe.
Hagar can get a blow with Timberox if we give him a window, I say lets give him one. Now, how do we do that the best way, given our individual abilities"

Chief Hagar nods approvingly, and looks over to Siegfried to see if he is impressed.

Siegfried : "Even your younglings are formidable. "

Chief Hagar : "The greatest chief is the one who is seldom needed."

[Doctor-Dash]

To the messenger, pre-dismemberment: "Killing a sick clan to stop a plague isn't the worst idea, I may have thought to do the same in your position. However, the source of the plague is not our clan. Something is causing a sickness in the bears, and a sick bear died in our waters, tainting them. We have proof, there's a corpse of an infected bear in a cave not far from here, to the east. I would be happy to take some men there myself if it could avoid war. This will affect more than our clan if left unchecked."

[Dr_Nimm]

To the messenger, pre-dismemberment: "Killing a sick clan to stop a plague isn't the worst idea, I may have thought to do the same in your position. However, the source of the plague is not our clan. Something is causing a sickness in the bears, and a sick bear died in our waters, tainting them. We have proof, there's a corpse of an infected bear in a cave not far from here, to the east. I would be happy to take some men there myself if it could avoid war. This will affect more than our clan if left unchecked."

Crowkin stranger: " I've heard of you, Laucien, and your way with words. Do not distract us with lies and fake news!

" Your clan was first, and the most gifted, tis true. But that has made you arrogant, starting with Chief Hagar Halfgiant. The clans have long resented your hegemony, your condescension, your superior attitude. Die!"

Siegfried stands next to Laucien and whispers, "I have traveled far, and learned of many cultures far different than our own. Yet one thing is constant among all peoples."

Siegfried's voice soars in oratory, booming across the lake. "Envy and politics drive you mad with hatred. The plague is your pretext! I see only an army of jealousy before us. Your ancestors roll in shame in the land of endless feasting and fighting, but you'll never meet them there. Laucien gains more honor in one day than your clan in a year."

#fakenews #hatersgonnahate