Dark tides

place holder for Josh's chapter - please make sure you see the end of Mike's chapter

do me a favor and respond below when you are ready and have updated your character's level, gear, etc.

Assuming Crispy gets a level up also?

yes Mike; he certainly does

Tankard is updated and ready.

Sjon is ready to go. Unclaimed loot on Sjon's lvl12 post stashed at Torts and Lair.

Good to see the old Crisper up and about on deck. Finally some decent food is in our future!

Crispy is ready to go.

thanks guys... I believe we are just waiting on Alan and Matt.

No rush, but I'd like to start by the 4th/5th if possible

I am not sure that Matt is planning on playing Pirates anymore, see his last post

MAS wrote:
all good stuff!

As far as what I ultimately get involved with besides my game and the project, We'll see how everything lines up in the next few weeks.

yeah, Matt is out for now.

Just waiting on Alan then.

We only have 4 players for this now.... Alan, Mike, Joe and Chris.

This seems really weird since this party was so much bigger.... but I have already thought of that going forward

if we really need a rogue, I can always make a low-maintenance-personality 2nd character. the brooding silent type that is mostly just a skill monkey

I am fine with that depending on what the rest of the group thinks.

On the other hand, I don't have to be a complete dick and have encounters that will just kill you guys if you don't have a Rogue. lol

We're a pretty sneaky bunch (Tankard being the exception) and have piles of magic that should bridge the gaps if needed. I'm fine to proceed without a true rogue.

I don't care either way. Inviso and Silence spells can take of Tankard's stealth.

The only issue is Proficiency with Thieves Tools to disarm traps. I don't think anyone has the criminal background, which is the only other source of that Tool. If Josh puts traps in the adventure anywhere, we either have to bypass or trigger them. I guess a shape-shifted druid could be a good trap tester

now when has Josh taken advantage of party deficiencies?

If sneaking is what we need, Ive also got a load of Pass Without a Trace spells to drop.

Traps? Not so much.

I think you guys will be fine...

I can't ever remember playing in a game that Josh has DMed. Pretty excited to check out the style.

Joe, I think we would have to go back to the stone age.... Shadowrun in the 90s with Huber, Chris, Mike and someone else???

whit10 wrote:Joe, I think we would have to go back to the stone age.... Shadowrun in the 90s with Huber, Chris, Mike and someone else???

Man I loved Shadowrun. What a cool aesthetic. Did anybody watch the Will Smith movie "Bright"? I thought they nailed it.

just a quick update. Alan's in Door County for a bit; so we will get started when he gets back and it ready.

Hope everyone had a good 4th...

Whitey wrote:

Man I loved Shadowrun. What a cool aesthetic. Did anybody watch the Will Smith movie "Bright"? I thought they nailed it.

Yes! That was very cool. I hope that Netflix\Amazon\HBO makes a series using that setting.

I will never forget the look of joy on faces, especially Huber's, when picking up a pile of like 14d6 to roll an attack

Captain Hawkes

AC AC 18
Hp 86/86
HD 5d10
7d8
Spell save 15
Passive perception 15
Passive insight 17


Spells:
1:4
2:3
3:3
4:1
Mandolin spells 1/day
fly
invisibility
levitate
protection from evil and good
cure wounds (3rd level)
dispel magic
protection from energy (lightning only)

Inspiration 3
Maneuvers 4
Adv. Con save 1
Venom dagger 1

Stored spells in ring: Find traps and Revivify

Assuming Sam’s old thieves tools are somewhere aboard the ship, (he got new ones from a previous treasure cache), then Hawkes can use Jack of all trades to use them.

navyik wrote:

Stored spells in ring: Find traps and Revivify

Assuming Sam’s old thieves tools are somewhere aboard the ship, (he got new ones from a previous treasure cache), then Hawkes can use Jack of all trades to use them.

brilliant!

great idea Alan! I had forgotten that.

We will start tonight/tomorrow

Once your are at sea again, the day is bright and sunny and the wind is at your backs. Perfect sailing weather.

You can engage in any activities that you think are necessary or needed (or that you just feel like doing).


As you continue sailing into the evening... you notice that the skies are darkening and a squall appears in the distance off the bow. The seas start to get rougher. Upon further inspection, this squall looks like the biggest storm that any of you have ever seen.




any actions??

Sjon will have stashed all the potions from the lab into the Quartermasters Bag, created his daily allotment of Goodberries for the crew, and is currently at his typical post in the crows nest. As the storm draws closer, he uses druidcraft to determine what the weather will be like for the next 24 hours.

Tankard secures the ale kegs before the Captain can bark out any less-important orders

since we have a Druid and a Tempest Cleric....

you may make some Nature or Religion checks if you wish

whit10 wrote:since we have a Druid and a Tempest Cleric....

you may make some Nature or Religion checks if you wish

Religion

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

9 + 8 = 17



Thunor calls?

since a Nature roll will probably give different info...


this is not the work of Thunor. This is... something else

Is there a nature stat?

Rolling d20+proficiency: Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +3" :
11 + 3 = 14

it's a skill that falls under Intelligence. Sorry, I should have looked to see if you had it. My mistake

From what you can tell, this storm feels unnatural.

Sjon will ring the bell and spread the word of this unnatural storm approaching.

just giving time for Mike and Alan to respond then we will proceed

“I’m not aware of any special rigging for an unnatural storm Sjon,” Hawkes chides with a grin. “Make haste to rig her for the weather lads!”

Hawkes takes the helm and steers the ship into the swell.

If he suspects anything he’s got arcana and nature:
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +4" :

10 + 4 = 14

Crispy stands ready at the foredeck, ready to man the laser or take flight, should either be warranted.

Sam tries to help the crew with this storm.... you can see a look of absolute terror on his face.


As you try to navigate through it, the storm rages worse and worse. The swells and troughs are at least 20' high and deep. You are banged against part of the ship and are barely able to keep your feet.




as you journey further, you can tell that the ship is taking on considerable water and the hull is groaning under the strain of the pounding waves.

After another hour, you can barely make out a dark shape in the distance. (minus the pleasant looking beach)





Actions??

sorry, what do we see in the distance?
just a dark shape or the dark shape of an island but we just can't see the sunny beach?
I am just a little confused

my apologies.... the dark outline of an island, you can't make out anything else.

Despite the turmoil and danger, Father Tankard is quite happy in the midst of the storm. He calls out to the crew, though he doubts anyone can hear him over the squall, "Keg ho! Keg ho! I see something ahead, it might be an island, but its probably a keg."

Can I get a Wis. check from Hawkes please (since he is at the helm)?

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

19 + 1 = 20

Add 8 more if it is for piloting the ship.

ok, and Mike told me that the chest does the following (assuming it is on board) - doubles the speed of any vehicle, adds +2 to navigation or handling rolls.

So that's a 30... Well done Captain Hawkes.


Hawkes is able to keep the ship moving but the storm is buffeting you so badly that you're not certain if you can keep her afloat. With each passing minute, the winds become stronger and the seas rougher.

The island is still off the port-bow.

Does Hawkes think he can secure the ship along the shore?

Is there anything along the shore that looks safer?

Do the elements seem to push the ship towards the island?

answers in order:

Yes

Not that you can tell

No, it's merely the only thing you can see that isn't raging seas

“Ahoy Lads! P. R. O. V. I. D. E. N. C. E! Aaaaalllll haaaannndddsss! Call out the rocks! Unless there’s another idea! We’ll have to run her onto the sand!”

Hawkes will pause only for a second or two looking for counterpoints before ordering a short jib for just enough power to cut across the waves on an wide angle to the island.

Crispy steps to the foremast and lashes the jib per Hawkes’ order.

Ship handling roll:

Roll(1d20)+9:
6,+9
Total:15

Tankard centers himself behind the main mast and prays for Thunor's aid in this unnatural storm.

*I know it isn't much in the face of a huge storm, but I figure if he can direct a line of wind in the direction that Hawkes wants, it should at least help guide the ship against whatever wind is around us*


Action - cast Gust of Wind (2), bonus action each turn to adjust the direction of the wind as needed to help the crew steer the ship towards the island.


Tankard sings as loudly as his lungs will allow to invoke Thunor's favor:  


Thunder rolls, lightning strikes,

And the hammer flies across the sky.



God of the weather, chariot of the storm,

Master of rain and torrents,

Son of the strength of Mother Earth,

I ask you to grant me that strength for myself.

You who are so great that you cannot walk

Across the Rainbow Bridge without breaking it,

You whose tree is the mighty oak,

O Thunor, grant me that unending sturdiness.

Let me not break beneath the blows of misfortune.

Keep me from being crushed when the powerful

Stomp their large feet on the smaller ones below.

You who are the guardian of the common man,

You who care for the farmers and workers,

Look upon me here in this place where I am

Only one of many, and protect my steps.

Make me resilient and mighty as your own arm,

Make me unbreakable, you who are Friend of Man.

I ask for one small percentage of the vigor

Of the right arm of the Thunderer,

That I might brave the tempest

And stand firm in the gales.



Thunder rolls, lightning strikes,

And the hammer flies across the sky.









Gust of Wind

Duration: concentration up to 1 minute

A line of Strong Wind 60 feet long and 10 feet wide blasts from you in a direction you choose for the spell's Duration. Each creature that starts its turn in the line must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed 15 feet away from you in a direction following the line.

Any creature in the line must spend 2 feet of Movement for every 1 foot it moves when moving closer to you.

The gust disperses gas or vapor, and it extinguishes Candles, torches, and similar unprotected flames in the area. It causes protected flames, such as those of lanterns, to dance wildly and has a 50 percent chance to extinguish them.

As a Bonus Action on each of your turns before the spell ends, you can change the direction in which the line blasts from you.

Sjon will continue to use his high-ground to call out obstacles, should he see any. He is not distracted by Tankard's use of wind, as he himself has been known to manage, but cracks a knowing wry smile.

The storm rages and gains in intensity as you approach the shore. Thanks to Hawkes' careful eye and the efforts of the crew, you manage to beach the ship and only sustain minor damage to the hull.

It seems like only minutes after you are beached that you hear an audible moan that also seems to come from the storm.

It rages for the rest of the day; please post a Con save and Dex save for your character. Since this is a somewhat 'cumulative' effect, any Bonus action spell can be used to apply to these saves.