Revenge is a dish best served with cold cuts

Revenge is a dish best served with cold cuts

Each of you, by whatever means you choose, found your way into the crew of the dwarven pirate Gundren Goldseeker.  



Gundren was a fair captain and a good dwarf.  He was first in line to cross the gangplanks and the last one hauling off the loot.  Gundren always bought a round of drinks after a successful sortie.  Gundren gave every man on the Hammer Hand 1 vote when deciding the course if lost at sea.  He valued keen minds as much as strong arms.  Each man was given a fair share of the loot based on their rank.  Over the years, each of you became a trusted officer.  You may have held the rank of Ship’s Mage, Gunnery Sgt, Sailing Master or even First Mate.  The Hammer Hand  was better for having each of you.  Together you found adventure, danger, exotic ports, even more exotic women and plenty of booty.  

Gundren had many rivals, but none was as fierce as the Ork Captain One-Eyed Rogan.  



Late one night, Rogan and his men snuck on board the Hammer Hand with murder in their eyes.  



The Hammer Hand was lost and Gundren with her.  Only you 7 managed to escape in a Launch during the chaos.



Watching the Hammer Hand burn with Gundren’s corpse on it left a hole in your hearts.  Hearing the laughter and cheers of One-Eyed Rogan’s men as they sailed away in victory lit a fire of vengeance in your souls.

For months, you have tracked One-Eyed Rogan across the seas… several times narrowly missing him.  You have picked up work on other ships, under lesser captains, just to stay on his trail.  

Finally, your hard work has paid off.  You found Rogan’s Cog anchored in Wyvern Bay.  



Besides the local wildlife, Wyvern Bay is home to Port Claw, which is little more than warehouses and taverns.  

From the cover of the forest, you watched half of Rogan’s crew disembark for Port Claw and night of R&R.  Your Launch is moored nearby.  This is your chance for revenge and the time to begin making your own names as PIRATES!

love it! and you helped me with background stuff. Thanks!

"Now Pyrriannix, we want to Take the ship, NOT burn the ship..."

Half of 'em gone, huh? They deserve worse then unemployment. At any rate, it would be best to know how many stayed behind.

Josef909 wrote:Half of 'em gone, huh? They deserve worse then unemployment.  At any rate, it would be best to know how many stayed behind.

"Unemployment? Noooo... We take the ship and then ambush the rest as they come back from port.

"ooooorrrr.... We ambush the rest first and then pretend to BE them to get on the ship..."

navyik wrote:"ooooorrrr.... We ambush the rest first and then pretend to BE them to get on the ship..."

just let the old GM know when you decide on a plan

go ahead

Matt will be ready with #s by the time he needs them

"So what say ye as we put it to a vote? Start with the ship or with the port crew? I say the ship SO's they dunnee spook and weigh anchor once they get word of their dead crewmen. What say ye? Any other ideas?"

divide and conquer... Sam wants to go after the ship. If we can overpower it before the other half of the crew gets back, we could just sail away... unless the ship gets burned first (looks worryingly at Pyrriannix)

“Hmmmm. Can’t burn the ship...nope...can’t...we need it....ok... yep got it...you guys take the ship, but be loud about it, yeah? When those pigfuckers from the shore party come running, I’ll be waiting to give them what they deserve.”

current plan:

Beckham and Hawkes in the launch to Rogan's Cog

Crispy waits on shore for the pig roast (I guess he can fly out too if needed)

Barker?

Renda?



FYI, as you would know this.... a Cog is a smaller ship, like a merchant vessel. It only needs a crew of 4 (which is why it's a good starter ship for you) but it can carry up to 20 passengers. Rogan earns his keep as a pirate through boarding parties, not canon battles. You know he keeps between 15-20 total men (mostly orcs and such, few men\elves) on ship, so figure 8-10 on board and 8-10 on shore. There is always a mix of fresh recruits and veteran sailors.

"I don't know that we need to split up... Crispy, you've got a sword. Just save the fireworks for the launch boat."

Huh....mmm...yeah...well...I thought maybe I’d just hang out on the pier till they came running, but I can gut em too, I guess. Not nearly as much fun though...

Whitey wrote:Huh....mmm...yeah...well...I thought maybe I’d just hang out on the pier till they came running, but I can gut em too, I guess. Not nearly as much fun though...

With more sincerity than usual, "You have to learn, my friend. I may nag, but I do trust you."

I'm in to clear the cog and take it as our own. If Crispys fire doesnt do the trick, I can sweep them from the docks with more water than they can take.

"Eat ship men first. Closer."

---

I am all rolled up, minus gear. We get typical 8th lvl starting gold?

500gp and 2 items of +1 quality, from the OoG thread

We will do some old fashioned pirate loot rolls if you manage to take the ship without burning or sinking it

How are you getting to the cog?
Any prep actions?

The cog is anchored about 300 ft out in the bay. Wyvern Bay is calm tonight. The moon is partially obscured by clouds. The party can see the capt's quarters at the rear has dim light inside, probably candles. There appears to be some activity on deck, but you aren't sure what at this distance.

“Hey...uh...how about you guys take their shore party boat out to the Cog. You’’d be on them before they realize it’s not their guys.Me and Renda can swim round the other side and come up behind them while they’re dealing with you coming aboard...yeah?

I think that would work but only if it's all of us in the boat. They'd probably realizes something was up if it was just 2 or 3 people

We've been together long enough that all you salty dogs should know that Sjon has it going on. I can make us all breathe underwater. We slip up from underneath, maybe?

"Swim, and eat. Renda's favorite plan!!!"

Renda smiles a toothy grin as if everything has been decided and this level of detail is sufficient.

Ok...well...yeah...alright..Sjon do your thing...but after we take the ship I call dibs on the shore party. They had a hand in Gundrin’s death too...and they’re gonna burn for it.

sounds like a plan

at least to Renda!

go ahead Sjon

Sjon digs though his component pouch and draws forth a small piece of reed. As he puts it up to his salt-dried lips he takes a long, slow draw before exhaling, muttering the incantation which grants the entire party the ability to breathe underwater for the next 24 hours.

Water Breathing
This spell grants up to ten willing creatures you can see within range the ability to breathe Underwater until the spell ends. Affected creatures also retain their normal mode of respiration.

Have at it, mates!

*On my phone, so I will post stat block with a L3 spell ticked off once combat proper starts.

Works for me

Josef909 wrote:Sjon digs though his component pouch and draws forth a small piece of reed.  As he puts it up to his salt-dried lips he takes a long, slow draw before exhaling, muttering the incantation which grants the entire party the ability to breathe underwater for the next 24 hours.

that's such a nice upgrade for that spell in 5e



The party slips into Wyvern Bay.   The cold water is dark unless you stay within a couple feet of the surface.  Anyone without Darkvision is blind below the surface.




  Everyone has an initial moment of panic as they consciously take in water for the first time.  You know that Sjon's magic is powerful, but it is hard to fight the natural instinct of breathing water.  The first breath is thick in your throat.  There is a painful tearing sensation on the sides of your neck as multiple tiny gill slits open, separating the tender skin.



Your lungs have to work harder, water is heavier to breathe than air.  It's like breathing after a wind sprint with no warm up.  It's takes your bodies a couple breathes to catch your breath.




How do you proceed to Rogan's cog?

Any chance for a map?

Whitey wrote:Any chance for a map?

of the underwater swim?

I have a map of the cog itself for when you get there


maybe I can just explain something if you have a question about the swim.  the cog is anchored about 300ft out in the bay, so that's 60 hexes\squares of movement, which would be a big map just for swimming
*edit* just for scale, the combat map is about 25ft (5 hexes) of water around the boat. otherwise the boat is too small I think


my concern is whether the party approaches near the surface, if they don't have darkvision, which would be easier for someone on the cog to spot or if they swim deeper underwater which would be harder to spot

Sam can take point... he has darkvision.

Keep a length of rope attached to all of us as a guide?

Sjon doesnt have darkvision but wants to remain unseen, so he will hang back at the back of the party and grab onto the tail end of the 50' hempen rope he has produced from his explorers pack.

I suppose it's worth pointing out that firearms get wet underwater, yes? What's the dry time on powder?

drying time on black powder is generally several hours.

Sam also has 50' of silk rope, if that is needed

“Ummm...yeah...ok....I’ll swim behind Sam and use the rope to guide me...I think we should come up on the seaward side...I can make a distraction above the ship’s masts while we go over the rail...”

Josef909 wrote:Sjon doesnt have darkvision but wants to remain unseen, so he will hang back at the back of the party and grab onto the tail end of the 50' hempen rope he has produced from his explorers pack.  

I suppose it's worth pointing out that firearms get wet underwater, yes? What's the dry time on powder?

good point on getting the powder wet, I hadn't even thought of that !


Ok, using a rope and Sam as a guide sounds like a good plan!


Sam - since you are lead swimmer, give me a stealth check for the swim and then everyone can make a perception check when they come out of the water or just use Passive if you want, up to you

based on what you notice, I can get stuff placed on the combat map (or not)

Crispy’s perception:

Roll(1d20)+3:
11,+3
Total:14

"Aye matey's, it's a sound plan.  But what sorta distraction, Crispy?  It needs to seem natural so as to dull their alertness.  Sjon, can't you just turn into a bird or summin? No need for ropes or a bobbin the surface then."

Hawkes takes his pistol unloaded unless Sjon will fly it over.  "Watch for sharks and crocs in these waters.  I expect we aint clan to them," Hawkes kids.

Perception
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +4" :

17 + 4 = 21

Stealth Check:

Roll(1d20)+10:
15,+10
Total:25

Perception:

Roll(1d20)+8:
17,+8
Total:25

well that's a good start!

Do you need an athletics check for swimming or anything like that?

“Yep...natural...got it Hawkes..”

Perception check:
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +8" :

10 + 8 = 18

"Distract? Food always get angry when I eat its friends. I could eat some food. You sneak, I eat."

'ere we go!


Sam leads the party undetected to the starboard side of the ship.  The party peeks up out of the water like a swamp gnome from another life




Perception results
DC 10+
Crispy and all hear the sound of several pirates engaged a rowdy game of cards or dice up on the deck.  It sounds like at least 4+ and both men and women mixed.  All can hear the sound of a mandolin being played.

DC15+
Sjon, Sam and Hawkes can tell the mandolin is coming from the bow of the ship



There is a man walking patrol on the poop deck at the stern



and there are both gamblers (in red) and a pair of tiefling whores (yellow), presumably from port






DC20+
Hawkes and Sam spot a featherless parakeet up in the rigging near the crow's nest.  It is plucking at its own feathers and muttering to itself, "Bad bird, Unfeather, Unfeather, bad bird"




DC25+
only Sam's keen senses pick up the snoring sounds also coming from the stern.  he can hear 2 distinct snoring patterns

red pirates on their side


@JOE - your get the Aquaman token until you find a new pic






party = blue
enemy pirates = red
NPCs = yellow

Go ahead and roll initiative just for sequence but you are still out of combat until you do something that attracts their attention

Renda' init:

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +3" :

20 + 3 = 23

Woohoo lets ROLLLLLL!!!!

Hey GM - how much movement, and what rolls required, to get up the side of the cog?

Crispy initiative:
Roll(1d20)+3:
10,+3
Total:13

Ready to kick things off with some sorcery-type distraction...

Initiative for Sam

Roll(1d20)+4:
10,+4
Total:14

MAS wrote:
Hey GM - how much movement, and what rolls required, to get up the side of the cog?

Athletics to climb, let's call it 20ft from the water to get over the deck rails. 15ft to climb up far enough to get LoS\LoE on red pirates

Athletics. Your Strength (Athletics) check covers
difficult situations you encounter while climbing,
jumping, or swimming. Examples include the
following activities:
• You attempt to climb a sheer or slippery cliff, avoid
hazards while scaling a wall, or cling to a surface
while something is trying to knock you off.

Climbing is 1/2 move speed, like difficult terrain, unless you have a climb speed

DC 15 athletics since there are no good hand holds, the side of the boat is wet, you are wet.... unless you find something to climb up


I will assume that initiative won't really start until Crispy's distraction.  Let me know if anyone wants to do anything else before the fireworks

initiative

** Crispy distraction **

Renda 23
Sam 14
Crispy 13

Crispy will use his Elemental Attunement to create a flaming dragon shape with a 1’ wingspan hovering 15’ over the Cog at T-10. (If he needs to reposition himself to achieve LOS please advise)
Elemental Attunement
You can use your action to briefly control elemental forces nearby, causing one of the following effects of your choice:
Create a harmless, instantaneous sensory effect related to air, earth, fire, or water, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, a spray of light mist, or a gentle rumbling of stone.
Instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire.
Chill or warm up to 1 pound of nonliving material for up to 1 hour.
Cause earth, fire, water, or mist that can fit within a 1-foot cube to shape itself into a crude form you designate for 1 minute.

Sjon initiative:
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +2" :

17 + 2 = 19

Renda will "RAGE" prior to the start of combat.

Hawkes initiative

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +4" :

12 + 4 = 16