The ooze grabbed Alaric and pulled him overboard, when Harmony chased after them.
During the shipboard combat, one of the passengers used invisibility to take up a position where she could attack Cyq during the battle, using the chaos to escape back into hiding after a single strike.
Once slain the flotsam ooze floated, the driftwood and debris that once coated it slowly drifting away. Questioning the passengers after the combat revealed that all of them had actually witnessed the woman who attacked Cyq waiting patiently in the hold with them.
Eventually, the Tropic Thunder realized they have someone on board who's trying to do them in. After an argument with Lavinia, the passengers and crew of the Sea Wyvern were moved temporarily to the Blue Nixie, while Zan, from the Jade Ravens joined the heroes on the Sea Wyvern. There's only a certain number of places a stowaawy can hide on board, so once the tropic Thunder started searching with Zan's help, they found one soon enough.
It is none other than Rowyn Kellani, once the guildmistress of the largest thieves' guild in Sasserine - at least, until the Tropic Thunder defeated her Lotus Dragons and forced her to abandon her wealth and flee for her life.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
Father Feres' Illness (month 4, days 6-13)
When the Tropic Thunder visited Fort Blackwell, Father Feres spent his nights at the shrine of Heironeous.
The last day the expedition spent at the Fort, Father Feres fell desperately ill. His skin flushed, he couldn't keep down food or water, and he grew delirious, moaning and complaining that the world's grown too bright and soft around the edges. A trip to the local shrine of Pelor and its priest located a strange pulsing growth within Father Feres' belly. Harmony attempted to remove and destroy it, but Father Feres did not survive the procedure.
The expedition set out again the following day, and that night the Sea Wyvern was attacked by a gang of foul creatures that appeared more or less humanoid, but had mottled, decaying flesh drawn tight across clearly visible bones. They were mostly hairless and had a carnivore's sharp teeth. Their eyes burned like hot coals in their sunken sockets. The Tropic Thunder, along with the ship's crew, had no trouble disposing of these creatures.
The next few days of travel were quiet, with the passengers of the ships viewing large sharks following them for some time, and other friendly vessels skimming the coast. During this time Harmony tried to learn more of their fellow passengers, hoping to determine who is trying to sabotage the expedition. Her conversations with Amella revealed a woman who makes few attachments and has a poor opinion of gnomes. Harmony's attempts at speaking to Skald left her with the impression that the elf had alternative motives in joining the expedition. While they were conversing, Graim went through his things, but the only thing he found out was that Skald had been in the Styes recently, a foul waterfront far to the northeast.
As the Tropic Thunder neared the mouth of the Havekihu River, the expedition had its first real encounter with poor weather. The ships anchored near the river and took half a day to refill water stores on board from the river's waters (as they will do upon reaching the next three rivers along their route). Near the evening, less than a half hour after the expedition got under way again, a thick fog sprang up. Graim and Urol confirmed that fog banks like this often occur along the coast in this region, but the thickness was nevertheless oppressive. Passengers headed below deck, and the crew grew silent as all ears strained to the starboard side, marking the distant sound of breakers on the shore as the only trustworthy method of ensuring the expedition wouldn't draw draw too close to the shallows while still staying parallel to the coast. The fog grew thicker, and soon even the Blue Nixie, only a few hundred feet ahead, was lost to vision.
At this point, the voice of one of Lavinia's crew called out from the fog to the Sea Wyvern to announce that she ordered the ships to anchor for the night until the fog burns off in the morning. The voice was curiously muted by the fog, but nonetheless easily understood. The Tropic Thunder anchored the Sea Wyvern as well, and prepared themselves for a long night.
Of course, the fog is far from uninhabited. At some point in the night, the entire ship lurched as if striking a reef. In fact, the ship has been attacked by a dangerous aquatic predator called a flotsam ooze. This ooze is an enormous glob of transparent protoplasm that exudes a powerful adhesive that causes driftwood, animal carcasses, ship fragments, rocks, and other objects to cling to its surface.
The ooze itself is fifteen feet in diameter, and the lurching sensation was caused not by the Sea Wyvern hitting bottom, but by the ooze attaching itself to the hull as it prepared to slither up to search for prey.
The flotsam ooze's weight caused the ship to list slightly to the port. Attached to the hull just left of the stairs leading up to the bow, anyone who leans over the rail on the port side can see what appears to be a huge pile of flotsam clinging to the hull. The ooze attacks any target that comes within ten feet of the bottom of the stairs along the port side of the ship.
The last day the expedition spent at the Fort, Father Feres fell desperately ill. His skin flushed, he couldn't keep down food or water, and he grew delirious, moaning and complaining that the world's grown too bright and soft around the edges. A trip to the local shrine of Pelor and its priest located a strange pulsing growth within Father Feres' belly. Harmony attempted to remove and destroy it, but Father Feres did not survive the procedure.
The expedition set out again the following day, and that night the Sea Wyvern was attacked by a gang of foul creatures that appeared more or less humanoid, but had mottled, decaying flesh drawn tight across clearly visible bones. They were mostly hairless and had a carnivore's sharp teeth. Their eyes burned like hot coals in their sunken sockets. The Tropic Thunder, along with the ship's crew, had no trouble disposing of these creatures.
The next few days of travel were quiet, with the passengers of the ships viewing large sharks following them for some time, and other friendly vessels skimming the coast. During this time Harmony tried to learn more of their fellow passengers, hoping to determine who is trying to sabotage the expedition. Her conversations with Amella revealed a woman who makes few attachments and has a poor opinion of gnomes. Harmony's attempts at speaking to Skald left her with the impression that the elf had alternative motives in joining the expedition. While they were conversing, Graim went through his things, but the only thing he found out was that Skald had been in the Styes recently, a foul waterfront far to the northeast.
As the Tropic Thunder neared the mouth of the Havekihu River, the expedition had its first real encounter with poor weather. The ships anchored near the river and took half a day to refill water stores on board from the river's waters (as they will do upon reaching the next three rivers along their route). Near the evening, less than a half hour after the expedition got under way again, a thick fog sprang up. Graim and Urol confirmed that fog banks like this often occur along the coast in this region, but the thickness was nevertheless oppressive. Passengers headed below deck, and the crew grew silent as all ears strained to the starboard side, marking the distant sound of breakers on the shore as the only trustworthy method of ensuring the expedition wouldn't draw draw too close to the shallows while still staying parallel to the coast. The fog grew thicker, and soon even the Blue Nixie, only a few hundred feet ahead, was lost to vision.
At this point, the voice of one of Lavinia's crew called out from the fog to the Sea Wyvern to announce that she ordered the ships to anchor for the night until the fog burns off in the morning. The voice was curiously muted by the fog, but nonetheless easily understood. The Tropic Thunder anchored the Sea Wyvern as well, and prepared themselves for a long night.
Of course, the fog is far from uninhabited. At some point in the night, the entire ship lurched as if striking a reef. In fact, the ship has been attacked by a dangerous aquatic predator called a flotsam ooze. This ooze is an enormous glob of transparent protoplasm that exudes a powerful adhesive that causes driftwood, animal carcasses, ship fragments, rocks, and other objects to cling to its surface.
The ooze itself is fifteen feet in diameter, and the lurching sensation was caused not by the Sea Wyvern hitting bottom, but by the ooze attaching itself to the hull as it prepared to slither up to search for prey.
The flotsam ooze's weight caused the ship to list slightly to the port. Attached to the hull just left of the stairs leading up to the bow, anyone who leans over the rail on the port side can see what appears to be a huge pile of flotsam clinging to the hull. The ooze attacks any target that comes within ten feet of the bottom of the stairs along the port side of the ship.
Redcap's Tooth
When a redcap dies, it leaves behind a single tooth. Anyone wearing this tooth gains a +2 circumstance bonus on Charisma-based checks when dealing with fey, and a +4 circumstance bonus when dealing with other redcaps.
Faint transmutation; CL 6th; cannot be made; Price 1,000 gp.
Faint transmutation; CL 6th; cannot be made; Price 1,000 gp.
Flotsam Ooze
A flotsam ooze is a transparent mass of sticky protoplasm that quickly becomes encrusted with bits of floating debris and possible treasure. Over the course of several days, it slowly digests any organic matter stuck to it. A flotsam ooze floats unseen at the center of its mass of debris and strikes with sudden ease.
A flotsam ooze exudes a sticky slime that holds fast any creature or item touching it. It automatically grapples any creature it hits with its slam attack. Opponents so grappled cannot get free while the ooze is alive. The ooze makes one additional slam attack each round against each creature stuck to it. A weapon that strikes a flotsam ooze sticks fast. Strength is needed to pry it off. The adhesive can be weakened by soap or lye, but even in such a case the ooze can still perform grapple checks. The substance breaks down half a minute after the ooze dies.
A flotsam ooze is transparent in water, and it gains the benefits of concealment when it is in water. It is amphibious.
A flotsam ooze exudes a sticky slime that holds fast any creature or item touching it. It automatically grapples any creature it hits with its slam attack. Opponents so grappled cannot get free while the ooze is alive. The ooze makes one additional slam attack each round against each creature stuck to it. A weapon that strikes a flotsam ooze sticks fast. Strength is needed to pry it off. The adhesive can be weakened by soap or lye, but even in such a case the ooze can still perform grapple checks. The substance breaks down half a minute after the ooze dies.
A flotsam ooze is transparent in water, and it gains the benefits of concealment when it is in water. It is amphibious.
Aquatic Ooze
Although the various aquatic oozes normally live in the waters of the ocean, they can also lurk in deep, dark underground areas with stagnant pools of water. They are mindless, generally content to float with the current and eat whatever happens to pass within striking distance.
Aquatic oozes attack any creatures they encounter with little regard to their own safety.
Aquatic oozes attack any creatures they encounter with little regard to their own safety.
Ooze
An ooze is an amorphous or mutable creature, usually mindless, that lives only to eat. They have no intelligence, and are immune to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). They inhabit underground areas throughout the world, scouring caverns, ruins, and dungeons in search of organic matter - living or dead.
Oozes are blind (but have the blindsight special quality), and are immune to gaze attacks, visual effects, illusions, and other attack forms that rely on sight. An ooze's entire body is a primitive sensory organ that can ascertain prey by scent and vibration.
Oozes are immune to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning. Some oozes have the ability to deal acid damage to objects. They attack any creatures they encounter. They lash out with pseudopods or simply engulf opponents with their bodies, which secrete acids that help them catch or digest their prey. They are not subject to critical hits or flanking. Oozes eat and breathe, but do not sleep.
Oozes are blind (but have the blindsight special quality), and are immune to gaze attacks, visual effects, illusions, and other attack forms that rely on sight. An ooze's entire body is a primitive sensory organ that can ascertain prey by scent and vibration.
Oozes are immune to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning. Some oozes have the ability to deal acid damage to objects. They attack any creatures they encounter. They lash out with pseudopods or simply engulf opponents with their bodies, which secrete acids that help them catch or digest their prey. They are not subject to critical hits or flanking. Oozes eat and breathe, but do not sleep.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Fort Blackwell (month 4, days 1-5)
The nest day Cyq was healthy enough to travel and the Tropic Thunder went looking for the abandoned sea cave that was rumored to house the redcaps. They found it and defeated them.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVES (month 3, day 20-month 4, day 1)
Before the Tropic Thunder set out on their voyage, Alaric and Cyq joined the Dawn Council's and the Witchwarden's interrogation of Drevoraz. Drevoraz was very forthcoming with information about the Crimson Fleet and the Admiral, but he refused to answer any questions about his captain, Harliss Javell. Drevoraz had met the Admiral once. He described him as a barrel-chested man with ruddy skin and demonic features. He is vain, handsome, cruel, and confident.
What is known about Captain Javell is that she made her first appearance as a pirate 7 years ago, earning her the nickname "The Kid Pirate". She was then seen piloting the Slippery Eel (a vessel known to belong to the Crimson Fleet for decades, and also the name of the vessel that Captain Javell said she was on while at Kraken's Cove). The Slippery Eeel entered the waters surrounding Fort Fendawor without flying a pirate flag. When it got close enough to one of ships operated by Sasserine militia, it was recognized for what it was and chased. After the Slippery Eel had lured the Sasserine vessel far enough from the Fort so that other vessels could not assist it, the pirate crew boarded the Sasserine ship and sank it. Nothing was heard or seen from the Kid Pirate for the next 3 years, although the Dawn Council and the militia attribute a number of lost ships to her or other members of the Crimson Fleet. 4 years ago though, the Kid Pirate returned with a vengeance. The frequency of her strikes, along with her methods have made her the single most wanted Crimson Fleet pirate in both Sasserine and the Scarlet Brotherhood. The Kid Pirate no longer sinks ships, but instead lets non-combatants (an even combatants sometimes) go with their ships to spread her name and the fear it instills.
Drevoraz does not know the current whereabouts of his captain, or who she was planning to sell that black pearl to. He joined the crew of the Slippery Eel 6 years ago, and he claims that at that point they were independent of the Crimson Fleet. In fact, they looted and sank enough Crimson Fleet vessels that the Admiral himself came after them 4 years ago. Drevoraz does not give details of the battle, but it was brutally short and did not end in their favor. The only reason they are still alive is for Harliss' skill as a captain, and the fact that she had a weakness the Admiral could exploit: she had her younger sister, Alukain, on board.The Admiral took Alukain as a hostage, and since then Harliss has been buying her time with the money they make for the Crimson Fleet. Harliss and Alukain were inseparable, and Harliss will do anything to keep her sister safe.
Once the Tropic Thunder met the crew and passengers, were comfortable with the Sea Wyvern's cargo and armament, and said any goodbyes to friends they may be leaving behind in Sasserine, the journey began. The two ships set out from the harbor at dawn, and within the hour left the familiar skyline of Sasserine behind.
The map of the voyage shows the route Lavinia charted for the two ships.
The voyage ahead will last, at the minimum, three months - the Tropic Thunder will have plenty of down time to relax,
At times during this voyage, the Tropic Thunder's ship may be attacked by enemies. Stormwrack has extensive rules for naval combat, but for those not familiar with this book, the following quick rules should suffice.
A ship effectively has three areas an enemy can target: the rigging, the hull, and the ship itself. A ship has a number of "sections" in its rigging and hull, each with its own hit points. A hit against a ship damages a randomly determined section of the ship. It's possible to target a specific section of the ship, but specific sections have higher AC than the ship as a whole. Destroying a section of the ship's rigging reduces its speed by 10 feet. Destroying a section of the ship's hull reduces its speed by 10 feet and holes the ship. Each time a ship is holed, its captain must make a Profession (sailor) check to avoid sinking (DC 15+4 for each hole after the first). On a successful check, the ship does not sink but the captain must make a new sinking check each hour until the holed section is repaired up to at least 1 hit point or the ship sinks.
A ship takes a couple of hours to sink once this check is failed, unless the ship has lost 25% or more of its hull sections, in which case it only takes a few minutes to sink.
To repair a damaged section requires a Craft (carpentry) check and 1 minute of work. For every point by which this check exceeds DC 19, 1 hit point is restored. A section that has been destroyed completely can be repaired with a DC 20 Craft check and one day of work. Each day of repair work (successful or not) consumes one ton of repair supplies.
The Sea Wyvern is a caravel-class sailing ship. Full statistics for caravels appear on page 99 of Stormwrack, but the following information should be enough for those not familiar with that book.
Seaworthiness: Any Profession (sailor) checks made to avoid foundering, sinking, and other hazards that large, well-built vessels avoid more easily than smaller ones receives a +4 bonus.
Shiphandling: Any Profession (sailor) checks made to avoid collisions, sailing, or other situations that small, swift vessels avoid more easily than large and clumsy ones receive a +2 bonus.
Speed: The Sea Wyvern has a speed of 30 feet in normal wind, allowing it to travel at a rate of 3 miles per hour. In moderate wind, her speed increases to 60 feet, while in strong winds it increases to 90 feet. The Sea Wyvern can change its speed up to 10 feet per round and turn up to 45 degrees after moving at least 60 feet in one direction.
Combat: The Sea Wyvern overall AC is -3. It has 24 hull sections (AC 3, hardness 5, hp 80) and 3 rigging sections (AC 1, hardness 0, hp 80). If six hull sections are destroyed, the ship sinks automatically. If the ship rams a target, it inflicts 4d6 points of damage per 10 feet of speed.
Although there are two ships on the expedition, they stay in sight of one another.
The Blue Nixie's crew and passengers include Lavinia Vanderboren, the Jade Ravens (a second group of adventurers that serve the Vanderborens - the Tropic Thunder interacted with those adventurers in the Vanderboren Manor), and several other colonists.
Lavinia has chosen the best time of year to travel - the weather, for much of the journey, is quite pleasant.
When the expedition set out, Graim and the navigator of the Blue Nixie plotted a course. This determined if they will arrive on target.
Of greater import are the daily piloting checks to stay on the intended course.
So far, and while the Amedio coastline is in sight, Urol Forol on the Sea Wyvern and the Blue Nixie's navigator had to assist Graim once to pilot the expedition.
The Sea Wyvern's crew must consist of at least seven people. One crew member must have ranks in Profession (sailor), and one must have ranks in Knowledge (geography). The selection of who's on the crew was up to the Tropic Thunder; Graim, Amella Venkalie, Skald, Urol Forol, and Lirith Veldirose were excellent choices. Tavey Nesk is the ship's cabin boy, but he's not technically part of the chip's crew. Crewmembers sleep in the bunks at the ship's stern (each of the bunks is two bunks high). The seventh crew member is the captain, Cyq, who sleeps in the captain's cabin on the main deck at the stern, and is likely the only person on board who gets a room to himself. Tavey often chooses to sleep on deck, even in the crow's nest at times.
Anyone not a member of the crew is a passenger. The forward barracks on the ship's lower deck contain five relatively cramped bunks, three beds high. After the crew of 7, most of the remaining 17 passengers all sleep here. Some of them have to sleep elsewhere (on deck above on nice nights, or even slumped in a chair in the galley). Passengers other than the Tropic Thunder are non-combatants, and whenever the ship is under attack, they quickly flee below decks for safety. Passengers are unarmed, except Avner Meravanchi and Father Feres.
One person consumes a unit of provisions each day. With 24 people and a horse on board, that means that each day that passes, 25 units of food are consumed. The 10 tons of food Lavinia loaded onto the Sea Wyvern at the start of the voyage consists of 2,000 units - enough for an 80-day voyage. This is just barely enough to reach the Isle of Dread; Lavinia intends on restocking food at friendly ports during the voyage.
If food runs low, the Tropic Thunder can put their crew and passengers on rations, in which case a person consumes only half a unit per day (reducing consumption to 12 units per day).
Avner Meravanchi wasted no time establishing himself as a troublemaker. He arrived a half hour late but didn't apologize. With him were his two servants and his magnificent steed Thunderstrike. The horse is, if anything, as spoiled as Avner, and getting it secured in the jury-rigged pen that was set up for it in the Sea Wyvern took another half an hour. During this time, Avner discovered that he was expected to sleep with the other "commoners" in the forward barracks, and demanded his own accommodations.
Amella had little patience for him, and she made it clear that Avner could sleep with the rest of the passengers or he could stay in Sasserine. Father Feres did his best to try to soothe Avner and play the part of a priest, but a few choice words from Avner about Feres' ear hair and baldness sent the priest into a private sulk for a few days. Skald avoided the confrontation by busying himself at the far end of the ship, while Urol took up an almost obnoxious interest at the horse' pedigree. Lirith offered to share her bunk with him. This event was the first of many during which Urol evoked Amella's anger, despite his best efforts to win her friendship.
In the end, it was up to the Tropic Thunder how to handle the situation. Although Avner did not deny Lirith's invitation, and Cyq offered to throw another bunk in the captain's quarters for him, Avner was left bitter and cantankerous.
The expedition encounter baleen whales a couple of times during their voyage, and they even tried their hand at whaling, although without success.
Once the voyage was underway, Lavinia sent a message via a rowboat piloted by her crew - she wanted to invite the Tropic Thunder, their crew, and Avner Meravanchi over to the Blue Nixie for dinner to celebrate the start of the expedition that evening.
As dusk fell, the two ships closed and a line was thrown between the two, a pulley was attached, and a net seat was hoisted, allowing for safe crossing between the two ships. Lavinia looked very fine that evening, dressed in a silk shirt, jewelry, and dress. She lead her guests into the ship's galley; the Blue Nixie is a bit bigger than the Sea Wyvern, and even after only a couple days, the Tropic Thunder felt relieved to get a bit more elbow room. A fine spread was laid out on the table, including grouse, peacock, and elven wine imported from Celene.
Cyq took advantage of the pleasant surroundings of the cabin to make an impression on Lavinia. This moment also began a romance between Graim and Lirith. At the end of the evening a final drink was taken on deck after the evening sun had sank but the air was still pleasantly warm outside. As the sun set, it was finally time to return to the Sea Wyvern.
During the dinner, someone cut nearly all the way through the rope supporting the net chair and pulley between the ships. Graim was the first character to cross back to the Sea Wyvern via the net chair. As he was halfway across, the rope suddenly snapped and dropped him into the water below. The fall dealt no damage to Graim and he immediately began to swim.
Right after this occured, what looked like a cranky miniature fish-person appeared in the evening air. It was covered in scales and viewed the world through black, bulbous eyes.
The fish person was particularly angry, and immediately attacked the closest Tropic Thunder and passengers with its breath weapon. When it got injured it dove into the sea. The fish person regenerated its wounds in the water, and it emerged again to continue harassing the Tropic Thunder. It followed up with a magical arrow of acid before it was killed by the heroes. During combat, Avner disappeared, while Lirith was showing off. After the battle, Harmony found a sizeable glass jar of briny liquid with its lid open on the deck, hidden inside a coil of rope near the mast.
Forts are common sights along the Amedio coast. The majority of these forts are held by the Scarlet Brotherhood (a sprawling organization of sinister monks and assassins), and are used as staging points for expeditions into the jungle interior. The expedition passed one such fort during their journey, which Lavinia avoided and took the ships further out to sea as she passed them by to avoid any possible conflict. Two forts are not held by the Scarlet Brotherhood - Fort Blackwell and Fort Greenrock.
Fort Blackwell is a small settlement of approximately 2,000 located near the northernmost tip of the peninsula known to sailors as "The Hook". One of the few coastal Amedio forts not controlled by the Scarlet Brotherhood (its distance form the Amedio interior makes it not worth the effort for the Brotherhood to control), Fort Blackwell remains an independently governed small town perched on the edge of civilization.
Fort Blackwell is a cozy town with a tiny harbor protected by an immense gate hung between two squat towers. Before any ship is allowed within the harbor, a troop of Blackwell guards must be allowed to search the ship and interview its captain. Fortunately, years of relative peace and being ignored by both the Scarlet Brotherhood and the Crimson Fleet (who maintain larger ports of call in various forts elsewhere along the coast - forts wisely avoided by the expedition) have made them rather lackadaisical in their searches, and since the Tropic Thunder didn't do anything outwardly suspicious, the guards allow their expedition entrance into the harbor after a mere 15-minute inspection.
Although Lavinia intended to stay only one night in Fort Blackwell, she deferred to the Tropic Thunder if they wished to stay longer. She pointed out to the heroes that it will probably be seven weeks before they reach Fort Greenrock, the next friendly location where they'll be able to resupply, so she encouraged them to get all their shopping done here if they can.
Fort Blackwell features numerous small and cozy inns and taverns, all of which serve a delicious local malt blend of whiskey called the Green Man (10 gp per bottle). Food and supplies were readily purchased from one of four large provisioners who keep who keep warehouses on the waterfront. Several small shrines, including ones dedicated to Heironeous, Kord, Pelor, St. Cuthbert, and the gods of the sea (Procan, Osprem, and Xerbo), were found here as well.
Yet there are hidden dangers in Fort Blackwell. Rumors say that the Scarlet Brotherhood has several spies in town to keep an eye on things. Rumors also hold that a hidden sea cave just north of town once used by smugglers has become the lair of a family of sinister fey known as redcaps led by a foul-mouthed father named Kaboutermannekin who sometimes sneak into the fort to cause problems.
The Tropic Thunder asked Lavinia to stay in town longer in order to explore the rumors surrounding the sea cave.
What is known about Captain Javell is that she made her first appearance as a pirate 7 years ago, earning her the nickname "The Kid Pirate". She was then seen piloting the Slippery Eel (a vessel known to belong to the Crimson Fleet for decades, and also the name of the vessel that Captain Javell said she was on while at Kraken's Cove). The Slippery Eeel entered the waters surrounding Fort Fendawor without flying a pirate flag. When it got close enough to one of ships operated by Sasserine militia, it was recognized for what it was and chased. After the Slippery Eel had lured the Sasserine vessel far enough from the Fort so that other vessels could not assist it, the pirate crew boarded the Sasserine ship and sank it. Nothing was heard or seen from the Kid Pirate for the next 3 years, although the Dawn Council and the militia attribute a number of lost ships to her or other members of the Crimson Fleet. 4 years ago though, the Kid Pirate returned with a vengeance. The frequency of her strikes, along with her methods have made her the single most wanted Crimson Fleet pirate in both Sasserine and the Scarlet Brotherhood. The Kid Pirate no longer sinks ships, but instead lets non-combatants (an even combatants sometimes) go with their ships to spread her name and the fear it instills.
Drevoraz does not know the current whereabouts of his captain, or who she was planning to sell that black pearl to. He joined the crew of the Slippery Eel 6 years ago, and he claims that at that point they were independent of the Crimson Fleet. In fact, they looted and sank enough Crimson Fleet vessels that the Admiral himself came after them 4 years ago. Drevoraz does not give details of the battle, but it was brutally short and did not end in their favor. The only reason they are still alive is for Harliss' skill as a captain, and the fact that she had a weakness the Admiral could exploit: she had her younger sister, Alukain, on board.The Admiral took Alukain as a hostage, and since then Harliss has been buying her time with the money they make for the Crimson Fleet. Harliss and Alukain were inseparable, and Harliss will do anything to keep her sister safe.
Once the Tropic Thunder met the crew and passengers, were comfortable with the Sea Wyvern's cargo and armament, and said any goodbyes to friends they may be leaving behind in Sasserine, the journey began. The two ships set out from the harbor at dawn, and within the hour left the familiar skyline of Sasserine behind.
The map of the voyage shows the route Lavinia charted for the two ships.
The voyage ahead will last, at the minimum, three months - the Tropic Thunder will have plenty of down time to relax,
At times during this voyage, the Tropic Thunder's ship may be attacked by enemies. Stormwrack has extensive rules for naval combat, but for those not familiar with this book, the following quick rules should suffice.
A ship effectively has three areas an enemy can target: the rigging, the hull, and the ship itself. A ship has a number of "sections" in its rigging and hull, each with its own hit points. A hit against a ship damages a randomly determined section of the ship. It's possible to target a specific section of the ship, but specific sections have higher AC than the ship as a whole. Destroying a section of the ship's rigging reduces its speed by 10 feet. Destroying a section of the ship's hull reduces its speed by 10 feet and holes the ship. Each time a ship is holed, its captain must make a Profession (sailor) check to avoid sinking (DC 15+4 for each hole after the first). On a successful check, the ship does not sink but the captain must make a new sinking check each hour until the holed section is repaired up to at least 1 hit point or the ship sinks.
A ship takes a couple of hours to sink once this check is failed, unless the ship has lost 25% or more of its hull sections, in which case it only takes a few minutes to sink.
To repair a damaged section requires a Craft (carpentry) check and 1 minute of work. For every point by which this check exceeds DC 19, 1 hit point is restored. A section that has been destroyed completely can be repaired with a DC 20 Craft check and one day of work. Each day of repair work (successful or not) consumes one ton of repair supplies.
The Sea Wyvern is a caravel-class sailing ship. Full statistics for caravels appear on page 99 of Stormwrack, but the following information should be enough for those not familiar with that book.
Seaworthiness: Any Profession (sailor) checks made to avoid foundering, sinking, and other hazards that large, well-built vessels avoid more easily than smaller ones receives a +4 bonus.
Shiphandling: Any Profession (sailor) checks made to avoid collisions, sailing, or other situations that small, swift vessels avoid more easily than large and clumsy ones receive a +2 bonus.
Speed: The Sea Wyvern has a speed of 30 feet in normal wind, allowing it to travel at a rate of 3 miles per hour. In moderate wind, her speed increases to 60 feet, while in strong winds it increases to 90 feet. The Sea Wyvern can change its speed up to 10 feet per round and turn up to 45 degrees after moving at least 60 feet in one direction.
Combat: The Sea Wyvern overall AC is -3. It has 24 hull sections (AC 3, hardness 5, hp 80) and 3 rigging sections (AC 1, hardness 0, hp 80). If six hull sections are destroyed, the ship sinks automatically. If the ship rams a target, it inflicts 4d6 points of damage per 10 feet of speed.
Although there are two ships on the expedition, they stay in sight of one another.
The Blue Nixie's crew and passengers include Lavinia Vanderboren, the Jade Ravens (a second group of adventurers that serve the Vanderborens - the Tropic Thunder interacted with those adventurers in the Vanderboren Manor), and several other colonists.
Lavinia has chosen the best time of year to travel - the weather, for much of the journey, is quite pleasant.
When the expedition set out, Graim and the navigator of the Blue Nixie plotted a course. This determined if they will arrive on target.
Of greater import are the daily piloting checks to stay on the intended course.
So far, and while the Amedio coastline is in sight, Urol Forol on the Sea Wyvern and the Blue Nixie's navigator had to assist Graim once to pilot the expedition.
The Sea Wyvern's crew must consist of at least seven people. One crew member must have ranks in Profession (sailor), and one must have ranks in Knowledge (geography). The selection of who's on the crew was up to the Tropic Thunder; Graim, Amella Venkalie, Skald, Urol Forol, and Lirith Veldirose were excellent choices. Tavey Nesk is the ship's cabin boy, but he's not technically part of the chip's crew. Crewmembers sleep in the bunks at the ship's stern (each of the bunks is two bunks high). The seventh crew member is the captain, Cyq, who sleeps in the captain's cabin on the main deck at the stern, and is likely the only person on board who gets a room to himself. Tavey often chooses to sleep on deck, even in the crow's nest at times.
Anyone not a member of the crew is a passenger. The forward barracks on the ship's lower deck contain five relatively cramped bunks, three beds high. After the crew of 7, most of the remaining 17 passengers all sleep here. Some of them have to sleep elsewhere (on deck above on nice nights, or even slumped in a chair in the galley). Passengers other than the Tropic Thunder are non-combatants, and whenever the ship is under attack, they quickly flee below decks for safety. Passengers are unarmed, except Avner Meravanchi and Father Feres.
One person consumes a unit of provisions each day. With 24 people and a horse on board, that means that each day that passes, 25 units of food are consumed. The 10 tons of food Lavinia loaded onto the Sea Wyvern at the start of the voyage consists of 2,000 units - enough for an 80-day voyage. This is just barely enough to reach the Isle of Dread; Lavinia intends on restocking food at friendly ports during the voyage.
If food runs low, the Tropic Thunder can put their crew and passengers on rations, in which case a person consumes only half a unit per day (reducing consumption to 12 units per day).
Avner Meravanchi wasted no time establishing himself as a troublemaker. He arrived a half hour late but didn't apologize. With him were his two servants and his magnificent steed Thunderstrike. The horse is, if anything, as spoiled as Avner, and getting it secured in the jury-rigged pen that was set up for it in the Sea Wyvern took another half an hour. During this time, Avner discovered that he was expected to sleep with the other "commoners" in the forward barracks, and demanded his own accommodations.
Amella had little patience for him, and she made it clear that Avner could sleep with the rest of the passengers or he could stay in Sasserine. Father Feres did his best to try to soothe Avner and play the part of a priest, but a few choice words from Avner about Feres' ear hair and baldness sent the priest into a private sulk for a few days. Skald avoided the confrontation by busying himself at the far end of the ship, while Urol took up an almost obnoxious interest at the horse' pedigree. Lirith offered to share her bunk with him. This event was the first of many during which Urol evoked Amella's anger, despite his best efforts to win her friendship.
In the end, it was up to the Tropic Thunder how to handle the situation. Although Avner did not deny Lirith's invitation, and Cyq offered to throw another bunk in the captain's quarters for him, Avner was left bitter and cantankerous.
The expedition encounter baleen whales a couple of times during their voyage, and they even tried their hand at whaling, although without success.
Once the voyage was underway, Lavinia sent a message via a rowboat piloted by her crew - she wanted to invite the Tropic Thunder, their crew, and Avner Meravanchi over to the Blue Nixie for dinner to celebrate the start of the expedition that evening.
As dusk fell, the two ships closed and a line was thrown between the two, a pulley was attached, and a net seat was hoisted, allowing for safe crossing between the two ships. Lavinia looked very fine that evening, dressed in a silk shirt, jewelry, and dress. She lead her guests into the ship's galley; the Blue Nixie is a bit bigger than the Sea Wyvern, and even after only a couple days, the Tropic Thunder felt relieved to get a bit more elbow room. A fine spread was laid out on the table, including grouse, peacock, and elven wine imported from Celene.
Cyq took advantage of the pleasant surroundings of the cabin to make an impression on Lavinia. This moment also began a romance between Graim and Lirith. At the end of the evening a final drink was taken on deck after the evening sun had sank but the air was still pleasantly warm outside. As the sun set, it was finally time to return to the Sea Wyvern.
During the dinner, someone cut nearly all the way through the rope supporting the net chair and pulley between the ships. Graim was the first character to cross back to the Sea Wyvern via the net chair. As he was halfway across, the rope suddenly snapped and dropped him into the water below. The fall dealt no damage to Graim and he immediately began to swim.
Right after this occured, what looked like a cranky miniature fish-person appeared in the evening air. It was covered in scales and viewed the world through black, bulbous eyes.
The fish person was particularly angry, and immediately attacked the closest Tropic Thunder and passengers with its breath weapon. When it got injured it dove into the sea. The fish person regenerated its wounds in the water, and it emerged again to continue harassing the Tropic Thunder. It followed up with a magical arrow of acid before it was killed by the heroes. During combat, Avner disappeared, while Lirith was showing off. After the battle, Harmony found a sizeable glass jar of briny liquid with its lid open on the deck, hidden inside a coil of rope near the mast.
Forts are common sights along the Amedio coast. The majority of these forts are held by the Scarlet Brotherhood (a sprawling organization of sinister monks and assassins), and are used as staging points for expeditions into the jungle interior. The expedition passed one such fort during their journey, which Lavinia avoided and took the ships further out to sea as she passed them by to avoid any possible conflict. Two forts are not held by the Scarlet Brotherhood - Fort Blackwell and Fort Greenrock.
Fort Blackwell is a small settlement of approximately 2,000 located near the northernmost tip of the peninsula known to sailors as "The Hook". One of the few coastal Amedio forts not controlled by the Scarlet Brotherhood (its distance form the Amedio interior makes it not worth the effort for the Brotherhood to control), Fort Blackwell remains an independently governed small town perched on the edge of civilization.
Fort Blackwell is a cozy town with a tiny harbor protected by an immense gate hung between two squat towers. Before any ship is allowed within the harbor, a troop of Blackwell guards must be allowed to search the ship and interview its captain. Fortunately, years of relative peace and being ignored by both the Scarlet Brotherhood and the Crimson Fleet (who maintain larger ports of call in various forts elsewhere along the coast - forts wisely avoided by the expedition) have made them rather lackadaisical in their searches, and since the Tropic Thunder didn't do anything outwardly suspicious, the guards allow their expedition entrance into the harbor after a mere 15-minute inspection.
Although Lavinia intended to stay only one night in Fort Blackwell, she deferred to the Tropic Thunder if they wished to stay longer. She pointed out to the heroes that it will probably be seven weeks before they reach Fort Greenrock, the next friendly location where they'll be able to resupply, so she encouraged them to get all their shopping done here if they can.
Fort Blackwell features numerous small and cozy inns and taverns, all of which serve a delicious local malt blend of whiskey called the Green Man (10 gp per bottle). Food and supplies were readily purchased from one of four large provisioners who keep who keep warehouses on the waterfront. Several small shrines, including ones dedicated to Heironeous, Kord, Pelor, St. Cuthbert, and the gods of the sea (Procan, Osprem, and Xerbo), were found here as well.
Yet there are hidden dangers in Fort Blackwell. Rumors say that the Scarlet Brotherhood has several spies in town to keep an eye on things. Rumors also hold that a hidden sea cave just north of town once used by smugglers has become the lair of a family of sinister fey known as redcaps led by a foul-mouthed father named Kaboutermannekin who sometimes sneak into the fort to cause problems.
The Tropic Thunder asked Lavinia to stay in town longer in order to explore the rumors surrounding the sea cave.
Redcap
Fey
A fey is a creature with supernatural abilities and connections to nature or to some other force or plane. Fey are usually human-shaped.
Baleen Whale
These are plankton-feeding whale between 30 and 60 feet long, such as gray, humpback, and right whales.
These massive creatures are surprisingly gentle. If harassed or provoked, they are as likely to flee as they are to retaliate.
These massive creatures are surprisingly gentle. If harassed or provoked, they are as likely to flee as they are to retaliate.
Whales
Some varieties of these seagoing mammals are among the largest animals known. Relatively small whales (such as the orca) can be vicious predators, attacking virtually anything they detect.
Whales can "see" by emitting high frequency sounds, inaudible to most other creatures, that allows them to locate objects and creatures. A silence spell negates this and forces the whale to rely on its vision, which is approximately as good as a human's.
A whale can hold its breath twice as long as a human before it risks drowning.
Whales can "see" by emitting high frequency sounds, inaudible to most other creatures, that allows them to locate objects and creatures. A silence spell negates this and forces the whale to rely on its vision, which is approximately as good as a human's.
A whale can hold its breath twice as long as a human before it risks drowning.
Celene
Celene is the principal nation of the elves in the Flanaess. Ruled by an elven monarch of Faerie lineage, the Grand Court is imbibed of the Faerie Mysteries, from the frolics to the passions, and all rites are observed with deliberate care. Queen Yolande is foremost in these devotions, and this has given her the reputation, in human lands, of being oblivious to events beyond Celene's borders. This is only partly accurate, since the queen sometimes receives ambassadors from foreign lands and displays a clear understanding of events in the larger Flanaess. However, she has also clearly stated that she wishes no elves to die in humanity's wars.
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