IC Area - Chapter Four and a Half - "High Seas Peril!"

[apn]

Dec 29, 2022 8:18:19 GMT -5 houndle said:

Will Darness


 "If only we'd saved some of that evil stone for the arrow heads," murmurs Will to himself. "We could have gone right up to the grating and shot him in the eye." Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

OOC The death stone is still intact. It may have shrunk a millimetre or two overall but luck was with you (collectively, not with Will, because will is a byword for really bad luck).

I was thinking about the fights and scrapes you've been in and overall the dice have favoured the Delvers heavily. Some times I wondered if I'd offered you too much to bite off but the dice really bombed for the bad guys on too many occasions to count. Wills bad luck (and he's had 'then some') sort of counters the bad guys but overall I'd say on the luck o meter the Delvers have punched well above their weight and survived Dhesiri, Shape Changers, Urucks, Undead, Ghouls, Black Jack, Giant Spiders and more and are still there whilst their enemies are plant food...

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“We best get up their quick and end him soon, no prisoners, no surrender!” He growled lowly, then pause as he heard Will chanting through the grill. He waited apprehensively, perhaps the Ogre-Ghoul was stupid enough to actually accept?

Actions:

Actions of Dwarf... Guard door to corridor and watch for danger.

[apn]

OOC Let's see if the Ogre takes any notice of Will. This is about as far as long shots get but we've already seen one L6SR from DAROs so...

apn rolls 2d6+19 = 1 +5 + 19=25 L2SR not enough...

"Am gonna eat you first big 'air. Shut you up when you got no 'ead." guffaws the Bosun, leaning down to have a peer through the holes in the hatch door.

"I see... ooo Meggins. You was always a whiner. Gonna pull yer arms off an' let th' others listen while you scream. That should bring 'em inta line. When th' Cap'n figgers out what 'appened an' what changed us, we'll change you too, an' go get them snooty Sonan Ie posh nobs that fink they is so much better'n rest o us."

"Well, am waitin." said the Bosun, standing up straight, towering around nine to ten feet in height, probably as wide too.

"Don't keep me waitin" he growls.

Klarrrrchur leads the way down the corridor back towards the stairs. Sailors look nervously at one another and one holds the lantern up with shaking hands.

There's quiet mutterings and one of the sailors asks, in hushed tones. "You done great by us an' all, but... can you beat THAT monster?" he asks.

[houndle]

Will Darness
 "Ah, get knotted!" shouts Will through the grating. "Don't say we didn't warn you! I hope you don't blub when we've got you on your knees! I hate a blubber. All kinds of whale meat, in fact."

OOC on the basis that was a "failed" SR I rolled another one (Will is still vaguely human), but unsurprisingly did worse.

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

"We will hack its head off and burn its body on the nearest shore!" Curses the Dwarf in reply to the question.

The Dwarf was concerned for the state of the ship, it was drifting without any pilot and he needed to know how far they where from shore.

The Dwarf leads the motley crew to the top deck. His need to find the armoury, great.

Actions:

Will plan to attack Ogre-Ghoul-Boson with poisoned mace and ordinary hatchet.

[apn]

Bort Meggins led the way, muttering to himself and glancing about nervously in every shadow as he hurried to the steps, looked about some more then started creeping up, Klarrrrchur beside him.

"This way it be." he muttered. "Feels like we're chickens headin' out fer dinner though. An' chicken's on th' menu."

The group followed. Will, Udhaav, Akki and the Sailors armed with what they could find and some carrying the paralysed crew.

Onto the next deck, a quick look about then onto the landing, turn and up the steps to the top deck.

Even the smell of the sea air seemed... off. Right now the Sea Fox was a cursed ship, and the only cure was to rid it of the evil on board!

It was dark now, and the only light came from the swinging lantern in the hands of a nervous sailor.

Meggins whispered. "Maybe they gone, lost th' urge ta fight after th' kicking they was..."

The light came onto the deck and was held up...

Klarrrchur, Will, Udhaav and Akki stood on the deck with weapons ready and a few sailors spilling out behind them, up for the fight.

Arrayed along and around the rails were Ghouls. A quick glance showed half a dozen on each side.

Further down the deck near the Hold hatch stood the towering foulness that was the Bosun. The smaller, sneering Black Jack McMarne stood nearby. His fingers were tiny tendrils, worms, compared to the snaking octopi they'd been not so long ago. Still, they were growing back.

"Got all th' lads together." shouted Black Jack. "Ee'en 'membered ta steer th' ship." he added, flicking a nod towards a Ghoul at the wheel, spinning furiously to turn the ship.

A glance out across the waves lit by the twin moons showed rocks and shore perilously close, almost swimming distance were it not for the denizens in the water.

Will took a look about. Six Ghouls on either side, the first mate and the Bosun. And the pilot. Tough odds. The sailors would be hard pressed to...

Then he glanced up and nudged Klarrrrchur. Akki and Udhaav all followed the gaze and saw another half dozen ghouls in the rigging, grinning and gore splattered and waiting to feed again.

Heavily outnumbered. All of a sudden this had turned from a quest to free the ship to a fight for survival!

Only the creaking of wood and stretch of ropes competed with the flap of sails and hiss of water along the sides as the Sea Fox steered steadily away from the danger that had been all too real that would have seen it grounded...

OOC Perception (IQ + any applicable talents) Checks...

Klarrrr 16 + apn rolls 2d6 = 2 +4=6 (22) FAILED
Will 14 + apn rolls 2d6 = 6 +3=9 (23) FAILED
Udhaav 20 + apn rolls 2d6 = 6 +3=9 (29) FAILED
Akki 13 + apn rolls 2d6 = 6 +6=12 DARO plus apn rolls 2d6 = 1 +4=5 (30) PASSED (on the dot...)

The inky blackness of the sky mixed with thick, heavy clouds. A storm was coming but it might not be in time to save the Delvers.

"I'll say what yer thinkin' " said Black Jack. "You're outnumbered, armed wi' rollin' pins an' that an' maybe there's some honourable way ta sort this, one on one? We're Pirates. We ain't got no honour." he cackles and the massed Ghouls around the deck and rigging laugh along. The Bosun sneers.

"What's gonna 'appen is you'll fight, an' maybe get in some good 'its 'cause ya can swing a blade... an' you'll be whittled down ta... three, four o ya. Bloodied, determined ta go down in a blaze o glory, ya'll be spared at th' last. Ta be turned. Cap'n thinks ees figured sommat out. He'll be up soon. We'd best get crackin..."

The Ghouls grin.

Akki notices something.

OOC SEE PERSONAL MESSAGE gringnr

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

"TACTICAL RETREAT doun the stairs men," roars the Dwarf, "let them come at us one by one!"

The Dwarf grabs the lantern and hurls it at the space between him and his enemies, "fear fire ya swine?!"

"GET DOUN, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, the fire will not burn forever!"

Action of Dwarf:

Slow stepping back his guard high, threatening to kill (destroy) the first to come near him.

[mosker]

Udhaav

I nod at the dwarf trying to display acceptance when everything else about my countenance shows fear, frustration, and reflections of deep mental scars. Then glance in Tintagel's direction, muttering sardonically, "Remember any prayers?"



Actions:
Retreats fast, keeping an inquisitive eye on Akki, who seems to have noticed something.

OOC: Re apn's discussion of party fortune...regardless of how it's changed, as the most frail member of the party, I've been terrified since the first post.

[gringnr]

Akki

As he retreats slowly, terbutje and shield raised, Akki whispers to his companions. "There - in the riggings and the sky around. Those can't be what they look like... not this far out. But either my eyes decieve me or there are bats massed around the ship!" A chill passes through him, and the tall elf shudders. "Do you see them?" he hisses.

ACTIONS
1. Guarded retreat

[houndle]

Will Darness
 "This might be good news!" exclaims Will boisterously. "As long as it really is bats and not giant birds carrying a mob of plug uglies. Are you sure of what you saw, Akki?"

 "If that's who I think it is, our best move may be to get back on deck, attract their attention then lay into the ghouls as recklessly as possible!"

[apn]

Klarrrrchur smashes the lantern in the direction of the once Pirates and raises his weapons, bellowing the order for a tactical retreat.

"Retreat? Whatsi mean? We ain't fightin' no more?" spluttered one sailor with a chair leg in hand.

"Dunno. Only fing is, we need ta get them lot behind us turned round..." said another. "Go back!" he called.

Klarrrrchur, Will, Udhaav and Akki stood uncomfortably around the door for the steps down to the next deck as word was passed around.

The glow of the flames as spilt oil caught fire lit up the gory grins of the Ghouls and the leering looks of the Bosun and First mate, Black Jack.

"Sort that out." he said to a Ghoul who hopped from the rail and moved to grab a wooden bucket stashed with rope from a pile.

Black Jack called out. "You got your lot, we got ours. I ain't much of a bettin man Dwarf cause I tends ta lose more'n I win but... this looks like a banker ta me. Sooner or later we're gettin' ya."

He turns and nods to the Bosun who grips the hold hatch with that massive hand, huge fingers barely fitting in the inch wide gaps. With barely any effort he pulls...

CRACK!

The wood shatters and comes away with a chunk of hatch. Easily enough for the Ghouls to get in!

"Back! Back!" the calls go as the sailors turns and shuffle back into the darkness of the deck below, confusion galore.

Tintagel, complete with a broken chair leg to use as a stake/stabby thing turns to Udhaav. "We appear to be in somewhat of a pickle I'd say." as he waited for the sailors to back off down the stairs.

He and Udhaav looked about. The Ghouls were crouched. They looked ready to pounce, waiting for the word. The burning oil on deck lit up their grins and though each looked like they'd fed recently there was always room for more...

Akki pointed to the sky - where only inky blackness could be seen - and mentioned bats.

Will seems enthused at that. One of the Ghouls is less impressed. "Bats? We seen 'em. They come close we'll bite their 'eads off." it cackled.

There was a flurry of movement and flutter of wings as Klarrrrchur sees little actual getting down the stairs going on as the sailors pass the word down and back to move backwards...



The bat formed into mist then formed into a humanoid figure...

"HISSSSSSS!!!!" went the Ghouls on the rails, somehow sensing that an enemy was in their midst, regardless of what he looked like!

The Vampire stood, pistol in hand and looking about, a dark expression on his face. Looking at the Delvers, then the Ghouls and finally the Ogre and the First Mate, it hissed "You'll be trespassin' here. There's a toll ta pay."

"We'll go where we will!" shouted Black Jack.

"Is that so?" said the Vampire raising its pistol to point up and level with its chin.

"Ya think that'll 'urt us?" laughed the Bosun. "That lil thing?"

The Vampire grinned. "Mayhap not brute. We'll sort something else out for you..."

"We?" laughed Black Jack. "Whoever you are, you're all alo..."

The noise and commotion of hundreds of bats suddenly came alive where they'd been silent before!

Swirling around the ship, flying, tumbling and turning expertly in the dark and lit by the light of the moons, it seemed the air had come alive!

The Ghouls suddenly didn't know which way to turn, glancing at the bats which swooped in then away, distracting them.

"What's your part in all this?" the Vampire asked, turning to the Delvers.

[houndle]

Will Darness
Will steps forward.

 "Are you familiar with the d'Avignon vampire clan?" he asks insouciantly, trying hard to get the pronunciation right while not committing himself either way at present.

 ACTIONS
Will 's next move depends on what the vampire says.

In case it makes a difference he tries his Charisma
WillDarness rolls 2d6+19 = 5 +2 + 19 = 26 L2 Pass

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

"Darn, belay that ya swabs, invade the cabins and board yerself in them, throw as much junk against the doors, wedge them shut, nail them together with what yer got. The Ghouls are coming though the hold ta flank ya!"

"Blistering barnacles, mere Vampyres, this coast is not fit for any decent sailor," he muttered the last statement as he attempts to force this way through the sailors to assist against the flanking Ghouls.

Action of Dwarf:

A bit uncertain which way to turn, he watches the crew, if they not do as he commands he will batter his way through them to get a the the first Ghoul coming from thee hold and hope the new Hatchetmen will assist him OR he stays on top deck if crew motivate themselves and barricade the cabins with them inside. Then Dwarf will hold the stairs against any Ghouls coming up to top deck...

[apn]

The Vampire raises an eyebrow. "Indeed I am."

OOC L2SR pass will do just nicely.

"You might be the ones I heard spoken of earlier. Something about a Sonan Ie vessel and a promise to trade. New dresses or some such. So long as you stay your blade against my people you need have no fear of being attacked by me and mine." said the Vampire, intrigued but with his mind concentrating on other things.

"As for you." he turns to the Ogre and Black Jack, first mate of the Sea Fox. "This vessel, all items on it and your lives are forfeit, foul creatures. As is our way, you may risk the mercy of the sea and jump overboard, swim to the land yonder..."

The Vampire gave a wry smile at the idea these creatures would be safe in that land...

"Or take your chances and fight. I prefer you try the latter. You have no idea how devilishly hard it was to stop my brethren from swooping down and destroying you all without so much of a word. They can be thirsty not just for blood, but for wholesale slaughter at times."

"Besides that..." he hisses, voice low and threatening, and taking a step or two towards the First Mate and Bosun.

"We HATE Ghouls..." snarls the Vampire.

The sailors, some petrified, others mystified and more plain confused, called out after hearing Klarrrrchurs bark...

"What?"

"Eh?"

"What didya say?"

"Sommat about boarding up a door."

"I 'eard said we was gonna be taken in th' rear."

"I don't like th' sound o that."

"Me neither. I knew a sailor once who was so desperate after a long time at sea that..."

"Gentlemen!" shouted Tintagel. "Find a room and board it up! Stay in there and kill anything unliving that tries to enter! We don't have much time!" he finished.

Meanwhile the Bosun sneered. "I'm gonna pull yer 'ead off lil man. Then I'm gonna shi..."

He gave pause as a swirl of bats swooped behind the once Pirate Vampire and formed up into half a dozen Vampires, all fangs, red eyes and bad intentions.

"They..." said the once Pirate now Vampire pointing at Klarrrrchur, Will, Udhaav, Akki and the Sailors... "Are not to be harmed. On pain of staking. Make sure everyone knows."

One of the Vampires hissed, then transformed into a Bat and flew up into the night!

"Six of ya?" sneered the Bosun. "I can take on more than..."

The Pirate Vampire nodded with a reference over the Bosuns shoulder.

Another six. The Ghoul at the helm was gone and its thrashing legs moved with diminishing strength whilst being pounded on by three vampires who gleefully punched, kicked and clawed at it. A Vampire who looked like a once sailor albeit dressed in gore encrusted rags and needing a wash whistled a ditty through fanged teeth as it steered the ship to track the coast.

"Right, you might fink we're..." started Black Jack.

The bats swirled near the rails and a pair appeared at each Ghoul, grasping an arm and rising into the air, up into the night sky!

Some Ghouls fought and struggled, falling to the deck, but Vampires vary in strength. Some are young, vicious and don't talk much. Others wily, old, and know of dark secrets long forgotten by the oldest of races.

All are strong, fast, deadly.

"ENOUGH!"

The cold voice sent a chill through all that heard it!

Forming in the air next to the Bosun and First mate, a figure that seemed frail and weak but positively charged with magical power!



"This is the SEA FOX, and I am her Captain..." rasped the Captain.

"It took me a while, but I think I have mastered this new... Chaos magic enough to dispose of you all..." he cackled, in crisp cultured tones.

The Vampire Pirate levelled his pistol at the Captain. "I am honour bound to inform you that your ship is forfeit and give you the choice of..."

"Yes, yes. Jump overboard or die. Here is your choice... DIE!" cackled the Captain...

OOC The Ghouls are occupied by Vampires.

The Bosun, First Mate and Captain will engage you and the Pirate Vampire...

Other Vampires might join in to help you!

Magic is afoot, and it is somewhat... Chaotic in nature.

This might sting. A lot.

Or it might go bang in the Captains hand and blow half the ship up...

Happy New Year chaps

[mosker]

Udhaav


ANQOOC:(All not quite out of character)

• Nothing says survival like hope dependent on a death stone and a lord of the undead.
  
• Awaits to see actions of crew.
• Asks GM how unerring blade is now stacking with other magic.
• Goes off to OOC to try to desperately buy Kremm...