Chapter 8: Wistful and Weathered

[Dave W.]

With the elfmaid is back on board Adamant heeds Kal's call. As he moves back aft, he unhooks from Spindrift's rope. "Thank you and do not worry for your captian; Streko is very talented."

Adamant moves to Kal and unties from Condign. He draws his longsword, "I am here Kal." Gripping the weapon with both hands, the warforged takes a defensive cross-body position with it.

He starts down the stairs.

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adamant left his shield in their cabin which made sense during the rescue but I'm feeling weirdly vulnerable without it now. Adamant probably doesnt though; he's a soldier and trained for many fighting styles...  

[Ken]

Belarin moves ahead of the group carrying Morsha, with Kal and Histra by his side, and Streko and Shorak presumably a step or two behind. "We'll check the path ahead, including the captain's cabin," he says to the crewmen. "Stay close behind us." The shadows again begin to gather around the warlock as he walks. He says quietly to Histra, "Any other sensations?"

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Jeff: Belarin uses shadow walk. Belarin will still have sudden retaliation at the ready in case something jumps out to attack him, but in this case, he'll use eyebite instead of eldritch blast.

[Darren]

"Good plan, Belarin," Kal says as he stalks into the bowels of the ship. "We start at one end of the ship and make sure each section is secure before moving on. We start at the Captain's quarters, then work our way back. Once we're sure her room is clear, guards get posted at the door," he says this with a glance back to some of the other soldiers, certain they will understand their duty. Kal lets his mage-light drift ahead of the group, shedding additional light along the pathway. "You can never be too careful," he says.

[Brian]

Seeing that Spindrift and the others have the elves protected, Condign makes his way to the stairs and heads down after his friends.

[Jeff]

Leaving Spindrift and the crew above, and Syrdan to revive Lerrhana, you return to the lower deck. Belarin, Kal, and Histra form the vanguard, while Streko guides the crewmen carrying Morsha, Shorak helping. Adamant and Condign come last.

The lower deck has become eerily quiet. All you hear are the muffles crashes of water against the hull, the calls of the crewmen above, and the dripping of water from your own bodies and armor, and down along the slippery wooden stairs. But there were certainly a number of crewmen still down here, though, like the Lerrhana-wounded sailor and all the women. Where are they? Why so silent?

Heading toward the captain's cabin at the bow-side of the lower deck, you begin to emerge from the hallway into the main cargo hold—

And then you stop in your tracks, staring at the scene before you.

The hold is mostly just as you last saw it. No crates or barrels have been disturbed. The wounded crewman isn't here now. Instead, you see Rosh, the older dwarf crewman who accompanied you aboard the Red Atoll, and who Kal saw only a few minutes ago standing at the bottom of the stairs.

He's lying on the floor, spread eagle. His eyes, lifeless, stare up at the ceiling from a head no longer attached to the body. It lies several feet away, a fairly clean beheading, blood pooling all around him and soaking into the floorboards. There is a stab wound in his chest. In his left hand is grasped, in a death grip, his axe. His right arm has been hacked off—and is, in fact, missing altogether.

Histra studies the scene from afar in learned silence, then looks toward the opening of the other hallway. The crewmen carrying Morsha, upon seeing their slaughtered comrade, swear vile curses. "The sea will run with their blood," one of them oaths.

"Tend to the captain first," Histra says to the rest of you. "This one cannot be helped anyway."

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Darren, Kal can't really use his light spell to be a constantly drifting thing. It other occupies a space or glows from an object. "Moving" it essentially is just dispelling and recasting upon consecutive 5-ft. squares. Which is slow to do. It's best to just cast it on an object.

[Ken]

Belarin looks upon the sight with fury. He felt he had just been standing on the deck of the Merrow, praising the dwarf's bravery to the crew. Now this.

"Move forward and let Adamant up here," he says curtly to the crewmen carrying Morsha. "Don't get bunched up in the hallway. We get the captain to safety, then we torch these bastards." He moves forward to the bow.

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That's Morsha's cabin in the bow, right? That's where Belarin is heading -- 6 squares in that direction; shadow walk remains in effect. Previously stated attack conditions remain.

[Joe]

Streko hisses. "Belarin. Wait! Can your friend detect the undead? There are many crates in here....and missing crewmen and this feels conspicuously like a trap. Before we can get the Captain to safety, we must ensure we are alive to do so."

He turns to Histra. "Can you? Are you able to sense their positions relative to ours? Our escape routes are limited if we are overwhelmed. We need to know if the vampire has allies or if he is, in fact, alone here trying to MAKE allies."

[Darren]

Kal growls, not unlike Tangat. "You're both right. This," he says, pointing at Rosh, "is either a message or a trap. Or both. Move forward, but slowly. Straight for the captain's quarters and no one touches the dwarf. Histra, whatever you can do, do it now." Kal draws Skyfang in one hand his longsword in the other as he moves cautiously forward.

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Kal will keep pace with Belarin. I know it's a secret roll, and I'm guessing maybe you've already done it, but I'll ask anyway....Perception check?

[Brian]

Condign steps quietly down the hallway. His sword is out, his shield ready.

"We need to prevent anyone rushing us from the stern." He points to the two crewmen, their red shirts stained with sweaty fear. "We will see to the captain. Each of you take a position at the end of these hallways. If you see anything, call out."

Inside the hold, he sees the dead dwarf and closes his eyes for a moment of respect. When he opens them, there is bloody revenge lurking behind those gold orbs.

[Dave B.]

Shorak looks all around as he helps carry Morsha. Checking above them as well. Looking at the body of Rosh, he mumbles through clenched teeth to no one in particular. "Another reason to end the existence of whoever is responsible!"

When Condign asks the crewmen to leave the captain with them, he offers to carry Morsha himself.

[Jeff]

Without delay the two crewmen hurry forward, giving Adamant room to advance if he wishes it, and carrying Morsha quickly toward her cabin door. Streko and Shorak stay close.

Belarin follows closely, moving just fast enough to gather the shadows...

Streko:

"Belarin. Wait! Can your friend detect the undead? There are many crates in here....and missing crewmen and this feels conspicuously like a trap. Before we can get the Captain to safety, we must ensure we are alive to do so."

He turns to Histra. "Can you? Are you able to sense their positions relative to ours? Our escape routes are limited if we are overwhelmed. We need to know if the vampire has allies or if he is, in fact, alone here trying to MAKE allies."

For the first time, Histra regards Streko with something more than disdain. She nods at him. "Yes, that is why he is here...to make allies. But vengeance fuels him foremost." She looks around. "I cannot sense the precise location of any undead without preparatioin...but I can scent this one, and this"—she indicates the dismembered dwarf—"is the work of someone very strong. A vampire was here, and he may be alone. None of Krez's spawn are powerful enough to steal aboard the ship unnoticed."

"And...he may still be here. Take caution." Histra moves carefully toward the other hallway, toward her cabin.

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Darren, always good to request a Perception check. I'll make it for you. When you don't, only passive checks count (10 + your Perception modifier).

Before I update the map, do I have this right? Crewmen w/Morsha + Streko + Shorak moving toward Morsha's cabin (yes, that door toward the bow is hers). Belarin moving 6 squares (or more, this isn't in turn-based mode right now) in the same direction with concealment, Kal keeping pace with Belarin. Condign is going which direction? The crewmen will not be leaving Morsha, not on Condign's request.

[Brian]

After hearing Histra's words, Condign says, "If Krez seeks allies, he needs living bodies. That means the crews' holds. The women are down this hallway." He gestures back the way he came. "If we can surprise him, we may gain the advantage."

[Dave B.]

I implied a perception check in character. So yes, please make a roll for Shorak, please.
Also, Shorak will stay with Morsha and the crew as you described.

[Darren]

"One thing at a time, Condign. We must see to the Captain's safety."

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Here's what I'd like to see....

Kal and Belarin move forward to the captain's door first. Shorak and the crewmen with Morsha stay a few steps behind them with Streko right behind. Adamant and Condign move in last. Ideally, when Kal and Belarin are at the door, Adamant and Condign would be roughly where Kal and Belarin are now, with the crewmen just past Dead Rosh.

I do NOT want the crewmen opening the door to Morsha's cabin before one of us.....

Once we make sure Morsha's cabin is clear, we put her in it with the crewmen to guard her (preferably inside, since I'd guess a closed door might not stop a vampire). Then the rest of us can head to the women's cabin.

Sound good?

[Joe]

For the first time, Histra regards Streko with something more than disdain. She nods at him. "Yes, that is why he is here...to make allies. But vengeance fuels him foremost." She looks around. "I cannot sense the precise location of any undead without preparatioin...but I can scent this one, and this"—she indicates the dismembered dwarf—"is the work of someone very strong. A vampire was here, and he may be alone. None of Krez's spawn are powerful enough to steal aboard the ship unnoticed."

Streko nods. "Wait. Please. You are heading back toward your quarters, yes? You must pass the healing room, oh, what do you ocean-fairing people call it, a sick bay? If I were a vampire...and I wanted easy to get allies...I would go there first, yes? Be careful should you leave the safety of our group, although I would prefer it if you DID stay...at least until we have ascertained the vampire's whereabouts."

"One thing at a time, Condign. We must see to the Captain's safety."

"Agreed. Let us do what we must....as quickly and as carefully as possible."

[Ken]

Belarin steps forward with Kal. As Histra starts to move toward her cabin, he says, "Be careful. At this point, he may view you as a greater threat." He doesn't really expect her to heed Streko's advice, sound though it is. He says to the crewman that Condign assigned to view the portside hallway, "Keep her in your sight."

As he reaches the door, he whispers to Kalarian, "This is bad, Kal. Now to see if there are other surprises..." Belarin inspects the door for any traps or triggers that may have been added in the last few minutes.

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Belarin makes a Perception check on the door (if necessary), followed by a Thievery check if there's something to disarm.

[Dave W.]

Adamant continues following the group towards the fallen captain's quarters. He moves out of the hallway and sees what has been spoken of: the fallen figure of Rosh. The warforged moves forward to the dwarf's body. The tall warforged drops to one knee and lays his right hand on the corpse. "Rest," he whispers.

A moment later, Adamant stands. "Kal," he says, but his attention is not on the dragon-marked human, the warforged faces aft, "would the Professor still be in his cabin? Do you suppose he is unaware of Krez? If this is Larest's expedition, wouldn't the prudent thing be to attack him?"

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Okay, Adamant would like to be standing 1 sq N of Rosh's body. I also would like a Perception check but more towards the brig and the other hallway that extends aft.

Okay, it's not the most stunningly amazing post ever, but hopefully it helps move things along.

[Jeff]

Histra doesn't stray far. She nods at Belarin, slowing her exploration and waiting to see what the rest of you do.

The crewmen don't seem inclined too wait long. So Kal and Belarin reach the door first, scrutinizing everything around them, trying to see if anything seems amiss. The moment the crewmen bring Morsha near the door, you hear a click at the door's lock. "Aye, that's normal," one of them says gravely. He reaches out and turns the knob, paying no mind to Belarin's precautions. The door swings open, revealing the captain's spacious cabin. Nothing attacks.

Adamant advances into the room and kneels besides Rosh's body. He looks around, toward the Brig where Histra is lingering, and the hallway. Condign cautiously follows the warforged, standing ready, trying to keep his eyes on every entrance to the hold. He does hear some rustling and footsteps over by the women's cabin. The door opens and one of the female crewmembers stumbles out. She's coughing, and she looks weak, almost drugged, clutching at her shoulder—where Condign can see her white shirt stained with blood.

And at that moment, Kal and Shorak (and only they) finally notice one additional thing amiss. One thing that's new: A single crate, pushed up near the rest. It wasn't there before, though it blends in well. Large, boxy, five feet by five—a lot of things could fit inside.

The crewmen carrying Morsha begin to push beyond the captain's door. They don't seem wary about her cabin in the least.

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Perceptions checks were made.

[Dave B.]

Shorak looks up from the crate that he is sure was not there before and sees that Kal is looking at the same crate. He catches Kal's eyes and nods in agreement. "That is definitely new. Belarin, there", Shorka says pointing towards the crate.

"Let me make sure the Captain's cabin is secure and then I will join you in destroying this creature." With that he enters Morsha's cabin, checking for any threats. Once he is sure she's safe, he will return to the hold, boomerang and short sword in hand.

Perception check if applicable please.

[Brian]

Condign watches Shorak point to a spot on the port side of the ship and then say something to Beralin. He is about to cross the deck to investigate when he hears movement down the hallway they have just left.

Out of a door steps a woman in a blood-stained shirt.

"Okay," he calls out. "We have a woman down this hallway, shirt covered with blood. She just came out of the crew's cabin."

[Darren]

Kal watches Shorak move into Morsha's cabin. "Make sure it's secure," he says, "then lock the door." His eyes move to the new crate. He points very clearly at the new box. "Someone get a torch and burn that. Immediately."

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Kal has no readily available way to create fire except by magical means, and we've already established that that can't really be used to set something on fire. Does anyone have anything? Jeff, is there an available source of fire on the ship that Kal would know about?

[Joe]

Jul 22, 2011 15:16:24 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal has no readily available way to create fire except by magical means, and we've already established that that can't really be used to set something on fire. Does anyone have anything? Jeff, is there an available source of fire aside from woodon the ship that Kal would know about?

Fixed that for you.

[Darren]

sure, Joe. Wood will burn, but we need something to light it with. That was my point.

[Joe]

Nevermind....the point was that once a fire is burning....the entire ship is made of wood...and we are below-decks...surrounded by who knows what. Of course, this is where we usually find ourselves!

[Darren]

Right, of course, Joe. I was figuring it might be possible to keep the fire small and controlled in this circumstance. Either way, the point Kal is trying to make is that he perceives that box to be a danger and thinks it should be destroyed.

[Ken]

Belarin hears Shorak's comment about the mysterious crate, then he hears Condign mention that a woman has been attacked. The voices in his head begin to titter gleefully, as though they're privvy to a private joke.

"Nonsensical," he says out loud. "Why teleport one or two vampires over here, where their doom is assured... unless leaving that crate behind was the main goal, with everything else being bloody window dressing...?" His eyes widen, full of anxiety. "We need to ditch this box into the sea as quickly as possible! Don't open it, don't destroy it! That's what Krez is expecting us to do."

He points to the square platform on the floor, recalling how it was raised to "introduce" him and the others to the crew of the Merrow at the start of their unintended voyage. "Adamant, Kal, I think we need to move the crate onto the platform right now." He looks to the crewmen nearby. "How do we raise the platform to the main deck? Every second may count!" Turning to Streko and Condign, he continues, "Please help the victims, but beware -- nothing is as it seems, I fear. Histra, stay back or aid Condign and Streko, please. If I'm wrong, I don't want you near this crate in case it... goes off."

[Darren]

Kal studies Belarin appraisingly. "Burned or off the boat, either one works for me," he says with a shrug. "Okay, Streko, see to the woman. Condign, keep him safe. Adamant, help Belarin and I get this thing up and over the edge. You there," he says, pointing to the two crewmen, "where is the mechanism to raise this up?"

Kal moves with Belarin and Adamant to push the box to the elevator. "Belarin," Kal says, his voice low, "if you get the slightest tingle that this box is going to...do something....you yell right away, got it?" Kal takes a deep breath, then places his hands on the box and begins to push.

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Can Kal also have an Arcana check on the box?

[Ken]

"Alas, Kal," says Belarin with a grunt as he begins to push the box carefully, "the only sense I have is one borne of paranoia from years of dealing with deceit and trickery. If I were a bastard as well as being clever, this is the sort of thing I would do."

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FYI, Darren: Belarin didn't make any Arcana checks. No time for that (it takes 1 minute of concentration). Belarin is assuming explosive trickery from a brute, who expects us to use brutish remedies to deal with the box.

[Dave W.]

Adamant looks from Belarin to Kal to Condign to Histra to the crate. "Umm, very well," he says glancing at Condign. "We risk finding our forces split in the teeth of the enemy, but so far he has not shown himself. So, yes, the crate then." As he moves towards the crate he looks to Histra, "Please do not wander off, stay close to hand if you don't mind."

The warforged moves over to the crate and sets his shoulder to it, pushing and pulling it towards the center of the deck.

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This would be a really unfortunate time for Jeff to have stumbled across the MM entry for Mimic...

[Brian]

Condign nods to Belarin and gestures to Streko.

"It looks like we get to have all the fun. Let's go hunt some vampires."

Then he leads the halfling down the hallway and toward the injured crew member.