IC Area - Chapter Five - "Stormy waters ahead!"

[apn]

Helmsman Fergal nods. "Aye Cap'n it's as you say sir. We're headin' at best speed but wi' th' main sail down it's not great progress, just progress."

"Mister Tintagel is a dab 'and wi' needle n thread but his patient is a bit bigger than normal. Many 'ands make light work but tis not a job to rush. A snag, too tight, too slack an' ye've problems anew as yer sail won't fill right an ye're driven' 'alf mad wi' constant flappin."

He shook his head. "Day n night, till someone climbed th' mast an' slashed th' offendin' repair. We was relieved but th' Cap'n in 'is quarters weren't 'appy an' 'ung th' poor fella done us a service."

Meggins rubbed his chin. "Mayhap there be fightin' involved Cap'n once th' sail is back up we might be best ta line up most o'er th' crew an' pick weapons from th' locker. I'm thinkin' in there might be some sea leather smocks ta throw over. Not gonna stop a blade full but better than usin' skin. I'll let th' lads know bother might be comin'."

Udhaav had been reading the book for an hour or two and concentrated on the Teacher spell. All being well it might take a total of six hours to let it sink in. Less if rushing but to reduce the chance of failure or mis-spell six hours seemed reasonable. He'd have time to do that and perhaps start on another spell.

Once he'd done that he could teach Akki quite efficiently. The Elf might make good use of something like the Fiend! spell for example.

Will sat propped against the desk, fighting yawns. Hopefully his next attempt to get some sleep would be more rewarding than the last. Even thinking about all the tossing and turning and huffing and sighing made him feel green and his eyes were getting gritty by now.

OOC Right then,

Will make a Con check again. This time the target is L2Sr and the adds reduction is 1 per point you fall short of the target.
Udhaav make an IQ check to learn the Teacher spell. I plucked a time of 6 hours up, seems reasonable. Less time than that increases difficulty, more time reduces difficulty, each by +1/-1 to the next level. So spending 11 hours on it reduces it to a 1st level Sr. Spending no hours on it boosts it to a target number of 31 (25 for L2, +1 for every hour cut short) AND will need checking for 1D6 times before it really settles in your head if you take less time. Sound reasonable?
Akki once Udhaav learns Teacher he can pop a spell or two in your head. The Teacher effect gives 1D6 uses before it vanishes.
Klarrrrchur you might want to inspect the offensive capabilities. Weapons, armour, the cannons and so on, and organise a gun crew who know what they are doing (or it could get messy).

Once we've seen the results of the rolls time will speeeeeeeeeed up in the next post as you close in one the remains of the burning wreck...

[houndle]

Will Darness
Will nods sagely pretending he understands this bluff nautical talk. Suitably impressed by Klarrrrchur's mastery of the situation.

 "Aye aye, cap'n," he says at appropriate points.

 ACTIONS
Tries to get some sleep.

WillDarness rolls 2d6+16 = 4 +5 + 16 = 25 Level 2 PASS

[mosker]

Udhaav

Concentrates on the number six...spends six hours

OOC1: (If I really wanted to game it, I guess I should go for less as anything less than a five fails anyway...but I'm unsure how we are for time. Depending on what the team says, I'll start on next spell.

Rolls 2d6: 1+5=6! Total 29

Teacher learned?!?!


"Come to me pupils! Learn quick! Retain just long enough!"

OOC2: Flashbacks to deluge of speed reading courses and ads for them on TV (of course) in the 1970's. That hit Britain too? Or was it just for us semi-literate ex-colonists...

"Suggestions for the next spell? Everyone?"

OOC3 (but at least in game): Mental discipline apply here? FWIW: it's not the reason I took it (that's for when I decide to risk the staff)

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“That's a good plan Quartermaster Meggin. First Mate Will Darness is a fine fencer, let him instruct or fellow crewmen in some of the finer arts, after he gets some more sleep!” The Dwarf combs his long black beard with his fingers, “cutlass and a dagger for each man and see if there be any muskets Mister Meggins?!”

Klarrrrchur patrols the gun decks, examining the powder and fuses making sure it not wet. He assigns a few reliable men to loading the canons on both sides and he states, the gunners on the first volley only need to light the fuse. How difficult can it get.!”

“No gun practice, I not want to alert any possible enemy and allow them to know we are coming if plausible!”

OOC: The wizard can teach Citizen also (if we using such effect, though they cast with half power?).

[apn]

Will Darness staggers downstairs in a daze.

Fatigue, bone tiredness from so many fights in only a few days, muscles like steel under clothes where before there had been soft lumps ached with overuse. Lack of sleep was really affecting him.

Without figuring out if he'd left the meeting of staff before it ended Will wobbled down steps, looked in a door, found an empty bunk, unhooked the sword belts and slumped onto the bunk. He was snoring before his face hit the pillow...

OOC When Will wakes he'll be at no subtraction to adds!

Udhaav successfully learns the Teacher spell and rubs his eyes, blinking away the strain.

OOC Mental discipline ... hmmm it should have some effect. Ok how about this:

Next time you want to learn a new spell first make a Mental Discipline check. You gain a +1 to the Spell learn check for every Level of Mental Discipline Saving Throw you pass. Pass a L3SR? Learn the spell at +3.

You are right about only having needed a roll of 5 to learn the 2nd Level Spell. However a roll of 3 (Fumble) might mean that no matter what, that spell ain't goin' in. Of course, a roll of 3 doesn't come up often. In fact you could say it was rare as hens... Oh, hang on. Uhhhh. 3s come up more than you might expect...

Udhaav has used the time he had to learn the spell and leans back, satisfied. He looks outside. The day has worn on and sun blazes down now, creating a kind of haze, a sea mist.

OOC What did Akki do in the time? Sleep?

Klarrrrchur used the time to have the keys brought up from the Captains Cabin to unlock the long (over six foot) lockers on deck and reveal cutlasses, spears and slip over thin leather smocks to use as armour.

Turning to Meggins he waved a hand and suggested the sailors take a turn to pick weapons that suit and size up for a leather smock.

The Dwarf then went down a deck and used the time to inspect the powder stocks, cannonballs and the guns themselves. Not huge but there were ten on each side and probably too many for the current crew complement to use to full capacity. Loading each would allow a single shot off before the under strength gun crew a single shot then manning just two or three guns. That could be a problem.

Closing the distance to a target seemed a better bet. Klarrrrchur was a fierce fighter and had formed a solid partnership with Will who'd come on in leaps and bounds over the last few days. His transformation was remarkable from the fop who didn't know which end of the sword to point. Still prone to making mistakes, but his experience would soon overcome his reliance on Luck, which seemed to run out at opportune moments.

Akki and Udhaav had so far been solid. The Sailors... hard to say whether they'd be solid in a scrap. Some would. Others... weren't fighters, that was for sure.

Meggins poked his head in the gun deck and called out. "Cap'n!" he said, then came over, fishing a pair of flintlock pistols from his belt sash. "From th' old First Mates cabin." He handed over a bag of shot and powder and loading implements.

"I 'ope ya can use them sir. Seen 'em put 'ole through armour but they are a pig to use wi' any confidence. Some don't seem ta point straight. Black Jack always relied on 'is Cutlass, curse 'is black cold 'opefully dead 'art."

=========

The day wore on.

The Sun rose high in the sky and beat down mercilessly on those repairing the sail. It was hard toil in the sun and Tintagel threatened to wilt in the heat. Someone fished a hat up for the Surgeon who nodded gratefully, gasping.

A heat haze started to rise and turn to mist that provided some relief after an hour or two.

The wind started to drop and Fergal, risen after a few hours shut eye and manning the wheel, muttered "Sea mist an' low wind, I 'ope we ain't 'eading fer th' doldrums."

Klarrrrchur glanced up at the crows nest and the sailor up there turned, giving a wave. "We're still on course Cap'n!"

A while later Tintagel stood, rolling his neck and sighing. With a wave he called the other sailors back and had them lift the heavy canvas sail. Klarrrrchur joined him and the pair inspected the sail. Patched, sewn, repaired. All being well it was stand up to a wind. One way to find out.

Ten minutes later the ropes were heaved on and the Crimson Avenger was once more underway at her top speed, albeit with some nervous glances at the patched areas.

Tintagel turned to the Captain, swaying. "Permission to go below sir. Need to... catch a nap...". Meggins and another sailor slipped an arm under the frail scholars armpits and helped him downstairs.

The Crimson Avengers sails were repaired, the wood work was patched up, the guns were loaded and primed. The crew were armed and armoured when required and fed well. Most were rested.

They were ready.

=========

A couple of hours later the mist was lifted a little with a steady trailing wind and the Crimson Avenger closed in on the wreck.

A look through the telescope showed the ship was on its side, mostly blackened from fire. In the water was floating jetsam and barrels, bits of wood and worse. Bodies. Face down, floating amongst the debris.

They were still a few hundred yards away and the Crimson Avenger checked her speed with trimming the sails. Fergal called out. "Cap'n? How close we 'eadin' in?"

Will Darness stumbled on deck, rubbing his eyes. He yawned, stretched and looked about. Bit misty, sailors on deck with weapons, Klarrrrchur with a telescope at his eyes.

Udhaav and Akki climbed on deck. The sound dropped as the sailors respected the departed. A battle had been fought here, and this ship lost...

[houndle]

"I wonder if there's anyone alive over there?" says Will. "Perhaps we should go and check."

He wonders also whether the floating corpses would make a suitable addition to Lucia's larder.

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“Naw, I not a gunne man myself though I know their workings to some degree, you point it at the target and hope it not take yer hand off, if it explodes!”

“Permission granted Mister Tintagel!” States Klarrrrchur in response to the surgeon.

Later as they approached to sloop.

"That maybe so Will, if the not corrupted and become Ghouls?!"

“Heave to Mister Fergal once we within 100 feet of the wreak!” Klarrrrchur strained to see when he got his hands on the telescope again (he can climb rigging to get it and scan sloop from there).

Once back to deck, he shouts once they close enough.

“Ahoy, any survivors?!” He shouts then turns to some of the nearby crew and says, “we many need to launch one of the longboat, be prepared!”

Actions:

Actions of Dwarf: Scan for enemy, any surviving Ghouls etc., not want them climbing up the sides from below.

[mosker]

Udhaav:

Two actions, both relatively quick:

Let's do this right...

Actions:
1. Looks for where rusted nails, any fist--or slightly smaller--sized similar items to use and destroy as temporary foci as in Hocus Focus. Will enlist any sailor not looking otherwise occupied.

2. "Friend Akki," he calls out to gringnr, "I imagine you're more comfortable on land, but we may need your keen instincts. What does experience tell you: best I teach you to search for magic or cloaked items or that we keep our powder dry and plentiful?

[OOC: Dear future T&T owners: we really need a life or even life-or-undead detection spell.]

[apn]

Fergal the steersman called out "Aye Cap'n! NEST! How're we lookin'?"

"Steady as she goes, trim rest o'er sails save one!" came the reply. Fergal gave a wave and sailors started heaving on ropes to pull the sails up and reduce the ships speed.

Sailors hung over the rail to fish barrels, boxes, flotsam and jetsom from the water. Anything that could be used as supplies were useful, and Meggins pointed out potential snags. "Cap'n! Might grab some stuff from th' water if'n we use the lifeboat!"

Klarrrrchur clicked the telescope out and took a look. The partially submerged sloop showed the quality of construction that kept it afloat. The hull was airtight and prevented the ship from going down - for now - but sure enough when the waves picked up she'd sink to the azure depths. The Dwarf also looked at the bodies floating in the water. Dressed in folded paper armour which was bloated and strangely helping the body float though useless now as armour.

There were... he counted up. Half a dozen armoured bodies in the water.

Debris floated about and the partially blackened hull might hide other bodies... then the Dwarf saw something else. On the hull 'crest', fingers! Someone gripping the hull of the boat! Why had they not answered?

Klarrrrchur glanced up. The sea mist obscured the sun a little but someone injured, clinging to the boat hull and unable to drink might not have much of a voice left...

Will strained to look at the wreck and moved along the rail to get a better view. Then he turned, as a dark shape moved into view.

"Will!" hissed Lucia. She covered up as best she could with a sea cape and hood and glanced at the sun threatening to burn through the mist. "I woke... there is something Dead... something evil... nearby!"

She glanced up again and snarled "Ack!" as a whiff of smoke came from her exposed hands. Without another word she spun and headed below decks. Even though the late afternoon sun had lost its heat for the most part it was still bright and hot enough to turn the Vampire flesh into charred meat!

OOC Everyone (Delvers) on deck make:

IQ check
Lk check

This is to determine what possible dangers may lurk here, so I can't think anyone has any talents that will help.

[mosker]

Udhaav

(All OOC edition:)

LK 1+5 +LK:18 = 24
IQ 3+4 +IQ:23 = 30


So first and third made respectively.

Jan 16, 2023 13:42:38 GMT -5 apn said:

This is to determine what possible dangers may lurk here....

[OOC cont.]
What possible dangers may lurk here? Given the server had angry bear problems yesterday, I don't think the bridge could take the stress of listing them all. Hell, just the dangers present since I joined the game...

[gringnr]

Akki

"Ah, Udhaav! It is nice to see you! I think first, the ability to see hidden objects. Magic is all around us at the moment, it seems. There's hardly ant need to look for it." Akki grinned.

LK 4+6+LK:13=23
IQ 4+6+IQ:13=23

[houndle]

Will Darness
 "Be careful!" Will cautions his comrades. " Lucia senses something is amiss. " He grips his lucky feather.

Saving on IQ
WillDarness rolls 2d6+15 = 6 +3 + 15 = 24 LEVEL 1 PASS

Saving on Luck
WillDarness rolls 2d6+27 = 5 +2 + 27 = 34 LEVEL 3 PASS

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

"Master Wizard if you can do a Detect Magic on the barrels and crates we salvaged. I not want another 'Deathstone,' getting onboard?!”

“Prepare the longboat, I see at least one wounded man on the derelict!”

Actions:

Actions of Dwarf:

IQ Nialldubh rolls 2d6+16 = 4 +1 + 16 = 21.

LK Nialldubh rolls 2d6+21 = 3 +6 + 21 = 30.

[apn]

OOC Results of Saving Rolls:

IQ
L1 - You can't see anything obvious through the thin mist. Visibility is several hundred yards in all directions.
L2 - That suggests any danger might therefore come from above, or below. Any attack from above would struggle with vision because of the fog bank below them. That leaves...
L3 - An attack from below is the most likely and that leaves the ship vulnerable! Casting aside the constant threat of sharks and other undersea denizens, the likelihood of magical weirdness from the Deathstone means that the Pirates who sunk this boat are - somehow - sailing under the surface of the ocean!

Lk
L1/L2 - You look around over the rail and in the ocean which seems pretty flat, sloshing against the wrecked vessel. Something strange is happening to the ocean a few hundred yards away. You double take to get another look and the water seems to suck downwards...
L3 - you see (same as L1/2) that and more - the water goes down in a trough... then is forced upwards! As a result you are not surprised when...



The water is drawn down then plunges upwards followed by one of the Pirate vessels that left Jepistra as escorts! It is changed, perverted, altered, mutated into something... dangerous! Udhaav gapes! He's convinced that the Deathstone has had a wholly different effect, mutating the crew and the ship!

The Crimson Avenger is hundreds of yards away and has time to prepare thanks to the vigilant Delvers but the crew are flabbergasted!

"How... I ain't never..." spluttered one, leaning on the rail and pointing, his jaw slack.

"This... this can't be 'appenin'!" shouted another.

"SHIP!... ship... ahoy..." said the Crows Nest sailor, voice trailing away...

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

Ever expecting danger Klarrrrchur shouts, “bring us about Mister Fergal. We will give them a broadside. Will, Akki prepare to light fuses. Shoot at will. I mean not at Will, JUST SHOOT THAT DA-MN SHIP WHEN IT IN RANGE!”

“Reduce sail we we have enough to manoeuvre, and attempt to circle the foes!”

“Crownest man get doun here,” Shouts the Dwarf again, “EVERY MAN AND LAD TO BATTLE STATIONS!”

Actions:

Actions of Dwarf... No time for major plate armour. So, sword and mace (23d6+79).

OOC: Presume pistols are primed and ready to shoot, jammed in a brightly coloured red and gold sash rapped around his very broad waist.