Bloody Pirates! IC

[TwoBitWriter]

(A little Backhistory)

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It has only been a year since the end of the Great Naval War that pitted the two greatest human nations, Brittania and Hispaniola against one another. Neither could maintain any advantage for long, and the other countries refused to get involved in the conflict.
An armistice was eventually signed, allowing Britannia to resume their arms trade with Ollandia and Azach, while opening up new routes to Francais. Hispaniola was given colonial rights to a newly discovered island that lay between the two nation's territories. Both sides were happy with the arrangement, though both still wished that they had gained more from the conflict. Much tension still remains between the two countries, and they eye one another warily.
During the conflict, corsair crews of Kobolds, Orcs, and Goblins were allowed to strengthen and grow, facing little resistance from the civilized world. Little has yet been done even after the warabout the terror that they have unleashed on the world. Most of that work has been left to privateer crews originally left out of work following the Britannian/Hispaniolan war.

The elves remained isolated in their undersea kingdom, dealing little with the upside world. The Aventi were still scattered and trying to rebuild their civilization, destroyed by hostile Sahuagin and Kuo-Toa tribes. The Dwarves and Gnomes continued to strive to perfect their gunpowder weapons, making incredible profits by selling their arms and ordinance to any willing to pay their exorbitant fees.

(Current Situation)
All you hear are the seabirds chirping and the waves washing against the sandy beach.
All you feel is sand within every inch of your clothes, a head that aches, a stomach that turns violently, and a mouth filled with the bitter taste of saltwater.
The sun is high, and hot, the air is very humid. You lift yourself to a sitting position and see six people lying near you. You recognize nearly all of them as having been aboard the General Taylor carrying a shipment of arms to the Human Nation of Ollandia. You were attacked by three ships crewed by those foul beasts of the Kurtulmak Coast. You don't know why they sank the ship rather than plundering it and putting the crew to the sword, maybe you were all putting up too good of a fight, maybe it had been an accident. No, that couldn't be it, the Kobolds are too professional in their piratical raids for that to happen.

The last thing you remember was a massive explosion. Both Gil and Simone were knocked unconscious by the blast so that their normal affinity with water mattered little, though it probably did save their lives. The rest of you, Jasper, Maximillian, Theodore, and Trueno surely only survived by dumb luck.

You stand and meet together on the beach, each of you only carrying what you managed to grab before being swallowed up by the briny drink. None of you recognize the island, and you do not know whose territory you have been forced into. You were only five days from Ollandia proper, so this may be their territory. It may also be claimed by the monstrous races. Either way, you need to find a way off soon.

The beach runs North and South until eventually curving to the West. A dense jungle forms a line along the beach about fifty feet from the shoreline. There are no paths that you can see, indeed, there are no signs that this island is inhabited at all...

[Serje]

Simone La'Quella

The half-elf lies face down on the sandy beach only a few feet from the sea, close enough so that every wave covers him in salty water. To the seabirds hovering above he looks to be dead, it is only under closer inspection that his chest appears to be moving slightly. After lying there for a long time he manages to wake up and with much groaning and muffled swearing he pushes himself into a sitting position. Most of his equipment seemed to be lost to the sea, he had one bag of shots and one corked tube full of powder, but from the looks of it no gun to fire with. Sighing deeply at his misfortune he pulls off his knee high buckled leather boots and drains them of the water they contained. A big grin spreads across his face when, as well as the water, his final pistol fell out of his left boot, the place he always kept it in.

His happiness at this discovery helped him to put up with all of his pain; his blinding headache, violently churning stomach and a stinging burn coming from a cut on his arm. Thinking to himself that it'd do no good to just sit and mope about his problems, Simone drags himself onto his bare feet, carrying his boots and pistol in hand, and stumbles further up the beach. It was only now that he noticed the other people who had apparently survived the shipwreck. "What a fine day this is turning out to be. Makes you happy to be alive, eh?" His voice is quite soft and clipped when compared to his fairly muscular build and strange. alien features, it would not be expected to be coming from his mouth. "So.. any ideas of how we're gonna sort out this mess?"

[mainiac]

Jasper rose to his knees and gave a course and ragged cough with the aftertaste of seawater in it. "Happy now sister?" He asked the ocean rhetorically before bowing his head to the harsh rays of the sun.
"Are you men alright?" he called to the others figures strewn about the beach. He got to his feet and went man to man, checking to see if they were still breathing. He moved slowly but felt his strength slowly returning to him as he made the rounds. He's strong enough to offer a hand up to the others as they find their own ways back to their feet at least. And his spirits are high enough that he can force a rueful smile back at Simone "It's always a good day to be alive, good sir."
With everyone standing, Jasper looks about at the dazed bunch he has before him. "Greatings and good fortune, everyone." he announced without a trace of irony. "I am Jasper, one of the passengers on board. I don't imagine any of you know this island?" Jasper did not look too surprised by the negative responses. "Well, if we can all walk, I suggest we move inland into the wood. We need to look to finding some food in the jungle and building a fire to attract attention tonight."

[TKDfirefly]

Trueno

Hearing the birds and the waves, Trueno slowly opens his eyes. Pirates. Why did it have to be pirates? Why couldn't it have been a storm? Even the worst hurricane would have been better. For me at least. The pounding in Trueno head slowly dies away as he sits up. Looking down to see that he still has his holy symbol around his neck, he smiles and holds it close to his chest. He looks around and notices that his backpack close by. He picks it up and looks around. Seeing others on the beach, he quickly gets up to see if they need help. As he is checking everyone, he begins to talk, to no one in particular.

"Thank Procan that we have survived. It is only with his help that we were able to make it to this...land. I am Trueno, a missionary for the Storm God, Procan."

[Job]

Maximilian Marcos

Well I’m thinking. Max muses to himself as the sound and heat of the mid-day beach return him to consciousness. Let’s see if I can make something of it. Max stands with a groan and begins to inspect his person. He is immediately relieved to find his spell book intact, if damp and covered with sand, everything else is secondary. Lastly his hand falls on an empty scabbard with a heavy sigh, it would seem the sea has claimed all of you father.

As Jasper approached, Max thanked him for the concern and told him he was alright. During the conversation max also sent out a small metal impulse, if that tiny bat of his had survived the night he should come soon.

Now with the survivors all together Max introduces himself: “Maximilian Marcos, at your service, good to see some of us made it.” With that Max speaks an incantation and sand and salt begins to peels off him as if repulsed, he then directs the spell to do the same to the others. He does not ask permission, but simply moves on if someone protests.

OOC:

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Cast Prestidigitation.

[Boggs]

Gil kneels on the beach rifling through what little he could gather before the blast and what he scavenged from the water. Lying everything along the ground he puts his chin on his hand, What do we have here? A rapier, not mine, that one is probably still stuck in the Kobold I stabbed... oh well, good to have a familiar weapon. A kukri, nice for cutting the foilage. Apart from that, random trinkets, did get some food... he reaches down for the soggy loaves of bread. Brushing off the sand, he reluctantly takes a bite. His face cringes but he makes the effort to swallow. He licks his lips, spitting out the remainder of the food patting his clothes... Wait, wait, wait, what was that? He feels something hard in his pocket, he lifts out a metal flask, he uncorks the top, smelling the opening. Please don't tell me you too were spoiled by the sea... he takes a small drink and a smile spreads across his face.

Quickly, he shoves the kukri in his boot and grabs the rest of his possessions. He walks over to the group of the other survivors, passing by Maximillian he gives him a pat on the back, "Well, fellas, I don't know how to remedy this situation." He drops his gear on the ground sifting through for the bread and flask; when he finds them, he extends his hands to the group. "However, I have some dreadfully soggy bread to fill our bellies. And a bit of delicious rum to wash down the salty flavor." He looks around, waiting for someone to take them.

[TKDfirefly]

Trueno

"Let me see that bread." After Trueno takes the soggy bread, he prays, "O great and powerful Procan. I thank you for allowing us to come through the terrible attack alive. I know that you are at work right now, showing us a new path for our lives. Please let this path begin with a decent meal so that we can have the strength to continue. May the storm of our lives be in Your control. Amen."

During the prayer, the crested wave around Trueno's neck begins to glow. Then that power shifts from the amulet to the soggy bread. Slowly, the surrounding people are aware of the bread becoming fresh like it just come out of the oven. Once Trueno finishes, he passes around the bread only taking what he feels is necessary for him.

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Trueno uses Purify Food and Drink on the bread.

[Alebeard_Thunderax]

Theodore

The large man lay sprawled face-down in the sand. It was some time before the warm rays of the sun rouse him from his stupor. As he sits upright, sand pours from his garment and from his now matted black hair. A moment later he removes an oilskin pouch from beneath himself, the contents of which reveal to be another functional pistol. Seeing others rousing themselves, he stands and shakes a bit more sand from his hair and beard.

Theodore Tuttor at you service, such as it is. I was hired to safeguard the cargo, apparently my skills were not sufficient.

He shrugs and accepts the services of the mage in removing the substantial buildup of sand he had accumulated. When the bread comes around, he takes a piece and washes it down gratefully with a swig of rum.


Well, we're alive. Going to need some water, that rum will just dry us out.

[mainiac]

"Don't be overly concerned. We'll find water soon enough I'm sure." As if to prove his confidence, Jasper took the flask and took a short sip from it, then handed it back with a smile.
"But I agree that we should start looking. I'll see what I can find, anyone want to join me?"
Jasper looks to see who takes him up on his offer.

[Boggs]

Gil's eyes are still locked on Trueno as he bites into the warm bread. It's a welcome flavor compared to the small taste he had earlier. He kneels back down to his gear and looks back up to Trueno, "Here's another loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese. I can't do much with 'em, maybe you'll have a lot better luck."

He stands back up, wiping the dust from his knees, "Sorry, lads, I must be the rude one. The name's Gil, Gil Lokhart. Nice to meet ya." He glances around the island, then looks back down to his pile, "I managed to swipe some stuff from the water. It's not much but we should be able to get use out of some of it. It's probably best to look for water and shelter why will still have daylight," he pauses, takes the flask from Jasper and takes another sip of rum.

He looks back to the beach where they washed up from the sea, "For now, I'm gonna make a quick scan across shallows. Hopefully there's something of use I can find down there."

With this, Gil shoves the rapier into the sand. He crouches down, takes the kukri from his boot and puts it in his mouth. After taking off his boots, he removes his leather jerkin and starts walking towards the water.

[Serje]

Simone La'Quella

Simone smiles broadly as Maximilian's magic dries the saltwater from his clothes and brushes off the sand. "Thank you kindly, I appreciate it". Simone loved being under the waves, but he always swam in just his underclothes that he could switch out when he got back on land, he hated being soaking wet and on shore at the same time. As he slips his boots back on he introduces himself properly, "I'm called Simone, Simone La'Quella. It's good to see others made it."

He gladly takes a bite out of the bread as it comes around and savors the mouthful of rum, it could be their last in a while. He waves his pistol in the air while saying "I'm sorry to say this is all I washed up with, everything else I own... owned.. is probably still in my bunk. I could always take a swim down there at some point, there should be a lot of useful things left on it." He then sits and thinks to himself about how good that plan is, he has little idea where the boat is, how far down it sunk or what kinds of aquatic monstrosities were now residing it it. But, with the risks came the chance of huge gains, anything could have survived relatively intact.

[TKDfirefly]

Trueno

Trueno gladly accepts the bread and cheese. He places them in his backpack saying, "I will save these for later. It would be no point to eat everything we have right now."

"I know that we should investigate around us. I am very interested in what can be found. However, I do not like the idea of someone going off alone. We should pair up, just like thunder and lightning. So I say we should decide together on where we go to investigate this strange land."

[Boggs]

Gil overhears the last statement from Trueno before he hits the waves. He considers it for a moment, since he can remember he has wandered alone; however, those were in more civilized areas. And these weren't exactly familiar waters, besides, it'd give him someone to talk with and make the situation seem less dire. Retracing Trueno's words, he jogs back to the group, taking the kukri from his teeth along the way.

"Thunder and lightning, eh? I like the sound of that. Give me a chance to actually talk with the crew I've been working with for so long." He gives a quick look to the Elf, "Simone, is it? I'm thinking we can check the shallows off the island; try to find anything salvageable that could have washed up from the ship. With it already being midday, maybe a little later, I'm not sure we will have time to search the deeper waters for the wreckage."

Gil kneels down again, sifting through what he has already found (a bucket, twenty-five feet of rope, a hammer, four pitons, two square-yards of canvas, and a cloth sack filled with ten candles) he takes the cloth sack and dumps the candles. As he stands he ties the sack firmly to his belt and motions to the pile, "This is all I've gathered so far. There's not much but maybe we can find some use for it." He pulls the rapier from the scabbard in the sand and inspects the blade.

[Serje]

Simone La'Quella

"Simone it is, aye. Your idea sounds good to me anyway, and I think you're right about the wreckage, we can always go another day. It's not like we're going to be rushing of any time soon." A grim smile spreads across his face at the last comment, at the prospect of being stranded here finally sinks in. Once again he slips off his boots, filling one with his gun and ammunition before removing his leather breastplate and white shirt leaving him bare chested. He then takes off his trousers to reveal a tight pair of leggings made from the distinctive, shimmering grey material that could only be sharkskin. "They dry off quicker ya see, I don't mind swimming in these" he says with a smile on his face. "Well Gil, I'm ready when you are. Shall we get going?"

[Alebeard_Thunderax]

Theodore

I'm not too keen on getting back in the water just yet, but it's a good idea to get all the gear we can. I am up for some dryer exploration though.

[Boggs]

Gil eyes the leggings Simone is wearing, "Now aren't those somethin'? They dry quicker, you say? Might need to invest in some of those." He tears a strand of cloth from his tattered shirt, then removes it tossing it next to his boots and rapier. With the cloth, he ties his long, sandy hair back. "As for these regular pants, they chafe something terrible once you're out of the water."

He gives Simone a smile and a nod then motions towards the waterfront. Before leaving, he looks back to the rest of the crew, "We'll probably be gone for awhile; maybe even close to sunset. Try to find a place close to the beach to set camp. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not too keen on the idea of camping too far inland. At least, not until I know more about this island."

He turns back to Simone and starts jogging for the water. Although being stranded is grim, a smile still spreads across his face. He's been around water all his life... there are worst places he could be stranded.

[Serje]

Simone La'Quella

"Like he says, who knows how long we could be away for. I wish you all the best of luck with what you do, be safe, we'll try to be." With a final nod to his new companions he turns and jogs after Gil, running for quite a few steps to catch up with him.

Spoiler

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search - (1d20+1)[7]

[Job]

Max

“Well that should do the trick” Max says as he motions the spell to move inland, “while those two are out searching I’ll try and clear a campsite near the shore, best I stay close by, I’m expecting someone to drop in, and I’d hate for him to miss us.” Max opens and fiddles with his book for a bit, but ultimately returns it to his side disappointed. He walks off to the tree line and begins using his spell to slowly clear debris from the ground as he steps into the forest.

OOC:

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survival check:(1d20)[12] to identify a good nearby campsite

[Serje]

Simone La'Quella

As he jogs along the beach with Gil he notices more and more the kukri in Gil's hand, and the lack of any weaponry in his own. This thought started to worry him, he didn't want to have survived the shipwreck to be taken down by some animal or worse on the beach. "Gil, you know that sword you managed to find? Would ya mind me borrowing it for a little while, till I can grab a big stick or something from inland? I'd grab my pistol, but it would do us no good underwater."

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If Gil says yes then Simone will sprint back to their items and grab the rapier and then sprint back, moving as fast as he is able to. If not he'll then put all his efforts into finding something he can use as an improvised weapon.

[Boggs]

Gil stops running when he hears Simone, he looks back and chuckles, "Now where the Hell are my manners? Sure thing, I'll wait here for you then we can get back on track. Typically, I use a rapier myself but it's a bit awkward to swim with it strapped to your hip. But, sure, no telling what's lurking in these waters."

When Simone turns to jog back down the beach, Gil kneels down and draws various designs in the sand with the kukri. As Simone returns, he stands and jogs back towards the water. While on his face he shows signs of being carefree, in his mind he thinks about the dangers that may lie ahead...

Spoiler

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Search - (1d20+2)[4]

[Serje]

Simone La'Quella

Simone comes jogging back just as quickly as he'd said he would. He has the rapier strapped to his hip and in his hand he carries his gun, the shots and powder for which hang loosely across his chest in their bandoleer. "Thanks a lot Gil!" he says, smiling happily. "I have no idea how to use it, I'll probably hurt myself more than anything else, but I'm glad to have it anyway. Figured I might as well bring my gun too, I can't see it working underwater but at least I could club someone with it if need be." He laughs a little to himself at this before going back to their search again.

[Boggs]

He chuckles with Simone about the pistol, "Yeah, might be a bit hard to swing against the current. As for the rapier, don't mention it. Better safe than sorry, right?" Gil looks back to the beach and then to Simone, "Ready to get things started?"

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Once Simone is ready, Gil will venture into the shallows. Since we decided on take 10, I will do so giving me a total of a 12 Search. Still won't find much, but maybe a little bit of something.

[TwoBitWriter]

Gil and Simone

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You swim through the shallows, noticing that a large coral reef surrounds much of the island, but apparently the island is far enough from where the wreck of the ship sunk because you are completely unable to locate anything to scavenge. You witness a few sea creatures sailing by. Even a large shark passes, but it ignores the two of you completely. On the opposite end of the island you do see a small sailing vessel approaching the island proper. It's only a small pinnace, but upon further careful exploration you notice that it is crewed entirely by kobolds. You are not able to get an exact count of how many there are, but each is armed to the teeth with pistols, swords, and kobold carbines... Their leader is dressed simply and carries only a small spear.

Theodore, Max, Trueno, and Jasper

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After watching Simone and Gil leave the beach and enter the waves, the four of you move inland, heading West, and searching for a suitable campsite where to base the party's operations. Max clears away a workable path through the dense vegitation and undergrowth of the jungle, which can be easily followed by Gil and Simone when they return from the sea. It is filled with large, fruit bearing trees and you can you see countless small animals scurrying around. At least you won't have to worry about food for the time being. After approximately two hours of working your way through the four of you eventually come across a small clearing filled with what appears to be the remains of a large stone structure of some kind. Only the base remains relatively intact. The stones that stand form a large ring around the clearing itself and has done a fair job of keeping the trees and larger animals of the jungle out. As to who the structure once belonged to, its impossible to tell at first glance. The stone ring stands about five feet tall at its highest and there are three points to the East, West, and Northern edge that have completely eroded, allowing easy access.
(A knowledge: History, Knowledge: Architecture check, or a Bardic Knowledge check might glean some information about the ruins. Each person rolling can only do one of the three mentioned.)

[Boggs]

Gil has his kukri clenched between his teeth, wringing out his pants on the beach, and staring warily at the approaching Kobold vessel. Taking the kukri from his teeth, he walks to Simone, "On a typical day, I'd feel comfortable scouting ahead to the ship, take a headcount, then gather up the other fellas..." He pauses for a moment, thinking of the kukri held firmly in his hand. Then he looks over to Simone, glancing at the rapier and pistol and continues, "...but today I somehow feel ill-equipped. We should go back around to the rest of the crew. It may be close to sundown when we arrive, but at least we know the general location of the ship. Could always attack at nightfall or at dawn?"

Gil looks to the water then to the pants he just wringed out, "Mind if we take the beach going back? I'd like to give my pants some time to dry."

[Job]

Max

Max steps tentatively into the clearing and begins to examine the ruins from a distance. After several moments of silent deliberation he turns to his companions with a combination of concern and excitement. “These are Azikistani ruins…predecessors of the Azach, which is peculiar, considering our supposed proximity to Ollandia.” Max momentarily breaks eye contact, and makes some odd gestures with his hands, as if trying to mold his thoughts. “Either we aren’t where we think we are, or this island is very out of place and unexplored” he turns his back and slowly wanders further into the clearing “that, or they all got killed by the undead.”

OOC:

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ready to cast sheild, or grease should Max spot anything threatening

[Alebeard_Thunderax]

Theodore

Theodore simply comes to a stop and waits for his companions to make sense of the ruins. I have no knowledge of such things, buildings are either standing or useless. Might be able to make a shelter here though. He is about to voice this thought, when Max comes to his conclusion regarding the structure.

What's that about undead? From the looks of it, this has been abandoned for a good long while. Should be careful regardless.

With this he pulls out his pistol and loads a shot, cocking the hammer halfway. Hope it didn't get wet.

[TKDfirefly]

Trueno

Trueno has been following along with the rest of the group. He was happy to see the fruit in the trees. Good. I do not need to waste any of my spells with useless food ones. I hope we find fresh water soon too. That will make my job a lot easier. I wonder if I should ask Procan for... Trueno is interrupted with his thoughts by the mention of Azikistani and undead. His smile quickly fades. He starts to looking around the area as he grips his trident tighter. The silver crested wave around his necks starts to give a faint glow.

Spoiler

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Spot check (1d20+3)[23] - for the forest around the ruins
Knowledge (religion) check (1d20+5)[7] - for Azikistani beliefs
ready to cast Entropic Shield if notices danger coming

[Serje]

Simone La'Quella

As Gil was wringing out his pants Simone was busy cleaning his pistol using the small scrap of cloth he kept in the bullet pouch. When the barrel was sufficiently dry he took out the lead ball, rubbed it dry and then switched it for another anyway. He pulled back the hammer just as Gil walked back over to him and listened to what he had to say.

"I know what you mean, I can't say I fancy attacking an entire ship with just one pistol and a couple of blades. We should get back anyway, think up a plan, that ship looked far too equipped for my liking. Anyway, lets get back. The beach you say? Then lets go!" He then smiles to Gil and motioning back towards the direction they started from began jogging back to where they left the others.

[TwoBitWriter]

(if no one has any objections, I will push things forward a little.)

Gil and Simone return to the beach where the six of you had awoken. They follow the cleared path created by Maximillian and quickly find the stone ruins where you have established your campsite. By now it is is approaching sundown. The two swimmers relate their discovery of the Kobold Pinnace ship that has anchored, and the crew that has gone ashore on the opposite end of the island.

You know that Pinnaces are small ships, the smallest class capable of travelling across the open ocean. It only requires a trained crew of four men to operate, with a full capacity of fifteen crew members. You are pretty sure that the ship was filled to capacity with kobolds, so that would mean that you are facing roughly double the max human capacity in kobolds on the island. Individually they are quite frail and easy to dispatch, but with nearly thirty roaming around and bristling with guns and swords you are facing a real challenge to what is, perhaps, the only way off the island.

[TKDfirefly]

Trueno

(I wanted to move on but I was waiting for the results from my checks. See Spoiler, TwoBit)

Trueno quietly listens to the tale of the pirates from the swimmers. If I have proven my valor to Procan earlier, I would have slightly better spells. However, this does not mean I am useless. Even the smallest gust of wind can change an entire storm. Clearing his throat to get everyone's attention, he states,

"I suggest that we rest for the night but with someone keeping watch. I know that some of the spellcasters like myself should only take the first or last watch."