The sound of the water rippling along the raft is soothing. The early morning sunlight is spectacular as the Blackwater Cat glides along the river. The mist has mostly dissipated as the rising sun burns the last tendrils from the surface of the water. The call of the ringed kingfisher splits the silence. Deciduous trees of medium height line the river. The sounds of the river are comforting. The day is turning out to be absolutely glorious. You are all gathered at the front of the Cat, admiring the morning and letting your breakfasts settle in your stomachs. MacLynn had you up earlier than usual this morning. He seems anxious to get to the Lost Village.
Suddenly, you hear a splash in the water just in front of the raft. You quickly glance to where the sound originated from, and see a rope rising out of the water, each end disappearing into the treeline at the edge of the river. The rope seems to stretch from bank to bank of the river, and the rope is quickly pulled about twelve feet above the surface of the water as it sails above your heads. As the Blackwater Cat floats under the rope, shouts emanate from the trees that seem to secure the rope, and men with swords come racing down the zip line on pulleys from each bank.
Click here to Roll for Initiative.
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OC
Welcome to Return to Northmoor! I thought that we would shake things up right out of the gate. You are aboard the Blackwater Cat, with bandits trying to board, and it isn't even 7 am! The basic map is here. We are actually further from shore than this, about 60 feet from each side, but you get the idea.
__________________
Sig
The Wisdom of Hong
I am starting to think that I should apprentice to Hong. Then some day I could be a Disciple of Hong!
"3E philosophy: the rules are a framework for building the world. Where this conflicts with gaming needs, houserule or handwave.
4E philosophy: the rules are a framework for running the game. Where this conflicts with world building needs, houserule or handwave.
If you spend more time running a game than world building, this is a net gain." - Hong
3E simulates the model of reality that 3E players have built in their heads. 4E fails to do this. Therefore, 3E is more realistic than 4E.-Hong
Orthanach is standing at the raft's edge, the bluff young man's forhead is creased with concentration as he works a barge pole in the murky water. With steady sweeps of the pole he probes ahead for purchase and obstacles. Despite the chill, his hair is damp with sweat.
The splash brings his head up sharply and his mouth hangs open in surprise as he asesses the onrush of men and blades. They must not reach the raft.
Spoiler:
OOC: Minor action: Stow barge pole Move action: Move/Climb atop deck cabin (not sure how big the raft is), movement is 5 (Check result 15) Standard Action: (Minor) Draw dagger Action Point Standard Action: Basic Attack vs. Rope (Attack roll 13)
NOTE: PA - you should get that email address out of this thread or 'encode it' before a spambot grabs it.
Aiffe had been up near the front of the raft for a while now as if she, like the Raftmaster, was eager to get to the Lost Village. She kept her gaze pointed downriver, mostly ignoring the trees along the bank- as if she were trying to read some sort of message within the swirling current around the prow of the raft.
All that changed in a single sparkling instant, as the bandits sprung their surprise. Obviously, they had not chosen their prey very carefully. Aiffe stood up just a bit straighter, turning her head to watch the bandits coming from the nearer side of the river. Her voice rang out in piercing tones, though the words were oddly liquid and unfamiliar, and she raised her right hand in an almost languid pointing gesture. The ruddy gold of the rising sun reflected off the river- and in a flash, a nearly identical sphere of flame gathered above her hand and spun outward.
OOC: Initiative was 21 from the original roll. Casting Scorching Burst- while her intent is to burn the rope, and so she intends to center the burst 1 effect on the rope itself; she will catch the lead bandit closest to her side if possible, but her main intent is to destroy the rope, hopefully dropping all the 'in transit' bandits into the river. Attack is at +4 vs. REF, damage 1d6+4 fire.
As the attack registers in everyone's brain, a quick glance at the shore reveals to true extent of your predicament. Several small boats are beginning their pursuit. Each boat seems to have about half a dozen men in it, and there are four that have left the treeline already. There seem to be about five men coming down the zipline from each shore, but more seem to appear on the ends of the rope as soon as the last clears the edge of the trees. Arround you, your companions begin to stir, and there is no time to waste, each sensing the need to take up defensive positions around the raft.
Culhwych reacts to the noise promptly. He turns away from the morning sun rising and, seeing his comrades aware of the danger, he doesn't speak a single word, hurries to the edge of the raft, taking out two arrows, gripping his bow securely and quickly aiming at the nearest assaulter.
Unfortunately, poor sleeping does seem to have an effect on the archer, as he sees immediately that at least one arrow fail to reach its target as soon as they leave his hand.
action
As per mail sent, Initiative should be 15;
move to the edge of the raft nearest to the nearest foes; minor:quarry the nearest enemy; standard: twin strike vs the nearest enemy, 15 vs AC, 1 dmg+6 quarry; 9 vs AC, 5 dmg
Come join us in the Shifting Seas and Transitive Isles of Living 4th Edition, amazing adventures and great fun guaranteed!
Then to play community 4e in Eberron join us in LEB too! Give life to your characters and contribute to the living settings!
Please excuse my poor English. It is not my first language.
Llewellyn looks up from his book as the sounds of battle being joined greet his ears. Pulling out his sword with one hand, he walks briskly to the edge of the boat, book still open in his other hand. As he reaches the raft's edge, he snaps the tome shut with an air of finality and looks up, spectacles reflecting the morning light as he flicks his blade towards the oncoming bandits, a tendril of lightning reaching out and yanking the first bodily off the line and sending him skipping into the water, lightning crackling over his body.
OOC
Minor: Ready Sword
Move: Move to edge of raft.
Standard: Ready action to use Lightning Lure against the first opponent in range (3), hit Fort 22 for 10 points of lightning damage and slides the bandit adjacent to me (i.e. into the water next to the raft).
__________________ "Paranoia is a lot like life insurance. Annoying, expensive, and rarely needed. And like life insurance, if you need it and you don't have it, it's too late already."
"This makes no sense at all. Your DM needs to be shot. With a hammer."
-quote from the Wizards web board
Standing in his customary spot near the middle of the raft, Breccan sees his companions spring into swift action. He nods in recognition of their speed, but shouts out a few instructions. Those with range, see to the boats. The rest of you, focus on repelling the ones on the rope. Following his own advice, he fires a blast of eldritch energy at the nearest enemy, then sets himself to meet the approaching boarders.
ooc
standard action: eldritch blast at nearest enemy, +3 vs. Reflex, 1d10+3 damage.
Move action: ready shield
Minor action: ready battleaxe
As the bandits hurtle toward the raft, Aiffe's spell streaks out and catches the first one in line on the ambush zipline. He is instantly immolated, his surprized scream cut off as he hits the water. The zipline is burnt in two at the site of the flame sphere, and the rest of the bandits are dropped toward the water.
At the instant that the line is severed, Llewellyn's lightning spell crackles into another bandit coming from the other side of the river. As the zipline drops this bandit toward the water, he is hit in the chest with a bolt of lightning that rips him through the air toward the raft. The bandit hits the water a few short yards away from the raft, and doesn't move. The rest of the bandits on the former zipline all hit the water at this moment.
After the zipline is severed, Culhwych reaches the railing and shoots one of the bandits in the approaching boats. The man seems to appear surprised. One minute he is standing at the prow of the boat, leading an attack on what appears to be a rich merchant vessel, the next minute he notices that he has arrow fletchings blooming from his chest. He hesitantly resches up to touch it, then gurgles blood from his mouth as he tips out of the front of the boat.
Orthanach hustles atop the crates near the hut, and notices that cutting the line is unnecessary at this point. He realizes that he will have to either wait for the boarding party, or draw a ranged weapon. At least he is in position to easily get around the raft without being confined between the crates.
As Breccan shouts instructions to the rest of the crew, he launches a spell at the nearest attacker in an oncoming boat. Seeing one of his comrades killed with missile fire, the bandit is not stupid and drops to the bottom of his boat, the arcane attack narrowly missing over his head.
The Blackwater Cat drifts peacefully down stream, leaving several dead bandits floating in the murky water, and a half dozen more treading water after a failed surprise attack. The bandits in boats proceed to advance, their initial confidence shaken a little at having taken the first casualties, and the advantage of their ambush being violently taken from them.
As the reality of the situation hits you, you notice two more small boats appearing from the trees at the shore.
Aiffe's lips twitched into just a fleeting hint of a grin as her spell lashed out- the thrill of arcane energy more than surpassed any pity she had for the men dying in the river. She cocked her head for the briefest instant, as if to catch some faint sound, but then returned to the task at hand. She favored Orthanach with a brief smile as he moved up beside her, then raised her voice. "Raftmaster MacLynn, sir! There are some unpleasant men trying to bleed on your goods and on your deck!" Even as she spoke, her right hand dipped to the slender case at her belt, and she drew forth a slender stick of white birch tipped with a crystal- a crystal whose depths seemed to glitter with the same sun-fire light as she had thrown forth a moment ago... An instant later, that fire reached out towards one of the full boats, engulfing the small craft and most of its crew.
OOC:
Spoiler:
Draw wand, then unleash another Scorching Burst- this time targeting the center of the nearest (as yet untargeted) boat on her side of the raft. With a Area Burst 1 effect, that is three squares on a side- which should encompass the entire small boat, and the water on each side. For dice rolling, I'll figure four targets per boat; each 1 at +5 vs. REF; rolls 9, 17, 21, 14- looks like three hits; damage would be 1d6+5, but no roll needed vs. minions; dice roll link Roll Lookup
The flame burst explodes in one of the boats, scattering the men inside it. Some are now dead, others are just lucky and wet. Now they have no boat, and are forced to tread water with their dead companions.
Seeing the explosion, the men in a few of the boats quit rowing. A man in the prow of one of the boats bellows, "Keep rowing, you lazy bastards! You can't let a few parlor tricks frighten you!" He whacks the closest rower back into action with the flat of the blade of his shortsword. They began rowing again.
Breccan watches carefully as one of the bandits exhorts his companions to continue despite their growing fear. Aye, he says under his breath. Every strike force needs a leader. Let's see what we can do about that, eh? With that, he sets his axe down beside him and stretches his arm out once again, this time no blast of energy leaves his hand, just an invisible wave of psychic force. Unfortunately, the bandit's mind is more heavily guarded than Breccan expected, and his assault is ineffective.
ooc
Eyebite vs. the guy who spoke, hits Will 8 for 10 damage.. Wow, it sucks when your d6 roll is higher than your d20.
The uproar of shouts, splashes and explosions finally reaches Cians drowsy mind. He was having a pleasant, but hardly quiet, dream involving Moira O’Mordigan, the Hole in the Water common room and plenty of ale. As cian wakes up the noise of the battle around him mingles with the remnants of the dream, for a moment it seems to him that he is in another tavern brawl “Come on Miora lets split this place before Master Quinin throws us out…”Then the truth of his surrounding register, and he realizes that Quinin should be the least of his concerns right now.
Cian buckle his sword on, grabs shield and spear and head into the Blackwater Cat deck.
Don't let them close or they'll swarm us! shouts Culhwych, without turning around. Two more arrows are already between his fingers. Bow firm in hand, he looks for the nearest approaching bandits, aiming at a couple armed with crossbows.
He shoots fast, but only the first arrow finds its target.
actions
Culhwych will move if necessary, and shoot the closest approaching targets, with a preference for those armed with ranged weapons. Twin strike 18 vs AC, 10 vs AC, didn't roll dmg 'cause you said they're all minions.
Come join us in the Shifting Seas and Transitive Isles of Living 4th Edition, amazing adventures and great fun guaranteed!
Then to play community 4e in Eberron join us in LEB too! Give life to your characters and contribute to the living settings!
Please excuse my poor English. It is not my first language.
The rowers continue to advance, and the crossbowmen begin to fire. Several darts whiz past, narrowly missing. One bolt tears through Aiffe's clothing at her shoulder, drawing blood but narrowly missing becoming lodged in her shoulder. Another bolt snags in Culhwych's leather jerkin, bringing a sting of pain and a seapage of blood out of the wound, but at least the bolt didn't sink very deep. At seeing blood drawn on the crew of the Blackwater Cat, the bandits roars become louder. "Aim for the wench! Take out the witch!", shouts a man in the front of an advancing boat. Another man shouts "Row harder! Charge them before they have any more chance to react!"
OOC
4 damage to both Aiffe and Culhwych. The lead boats are now about 15' from the raft.
__________________
Sig
The Wisdom of Hong
I am starting to think that I should apprentice to Hong. Then some day I could be a Disciple of Hong!
"3E philosophy: the rules are a framework for building the world. Where this conflicts with gaming needs, houserule or handwave.
4E philosophy: the rules are a framework for running the game. Where this conflicts with world building needs, houserule or handwave.
If you spend more time running a game than world building, this is a net gain." - Hong
3E simulates the model of reality that 3E players have built in their heads. 4E fails to do this. Therefore, 3E is more realistic than 4E.-Hong
Those with shields, defend the archers and casters, Breccan shouts, preparing his own shield and axe to repel the boarders. Putting action to his own advice, he stands in front of Culhwych.
Llewellyn moves in front of Aiffe, raising his blade to trace out a warding pattern and mumbling briefly under his breath.
OOC
Total Defense
__________________ "Paranoia is a lot like life insurance. Annoying, expensive, and rarely needed. And like life insurance, if you need it and you don't have it, it's too late already."
"This makes no sense at all. Your DM needs to be shot. With a hammer."
-quote from the Wizards web board
Aiffe wheeled backwards as the bolt struck, stifling a yelp of pain. It hurt, but the worst of it passed in a moment, and the emotion of the situation was stronger. She stepped gratefully behind Llewellyn's shoulder, then focused her attention and her arcane energies on the bandit who had shouted.
OOC:
Spoiler:
Move action to shift behind Llewellyn, then casting Scorching Burst again, this time at the boat with the bandit who attempted to rally his compatriots against her specifically. As before, figure 4 bandits per boat (that is, in the Burst effect), attack +5 vs. REF 14 for 1d6+5 fire; Again 3 hits out of 4 (17, 12, 16, 21); rolls Roll Lookup
“Good job Aiffe! They are like sitting ducks in the boats!” yells Cian as he moves to the rafts edge “Everybody, HIT THEM NOW!’’ Suiting action to words Cian takes aim at the bandit leading the closest boat, with a mighty hurl his javelin pierce the bandit’s shield and chest. “This is what any one of you sewer rats will get if you mess with the Cat’s crew!”Cian yells. Unable to reach any other enemy he draws his sword and waves it menacingly.
Orthanach's lumbering is too slow for the quickling sorceress. He blinks blankly at the rope as it falls away, a bandit in flames, his scream lost in the sudden hiss and splash. He turns to move toward the beguiling sorceress, but his steps scuffle to a halt when she smiles at him. He blinks with a carefully flat expression, God have mercy... she revels... He grimaces briefly as Llewellyn steps up to shield her from the bandits. He winces at her scream, but turns his attention toward the approaching boats.
Breccan has Culhwych. From his perch atop the hut, Orthanach can reach any bit of the 'Cat at need. He decides to stay put and try to put more bandits in the water. One bandit in particular, the one exhorting his comrades to risk an unhallowed death.
OOC
Minor action: Stow dagger Move action: (Minor) Ready sling Standard action: Basic ranged attack against the leader (the orange speaker), attack 13, damage 4
The attack roll does not reflect combat advantage (which you mentioned for his position) or any Birthright, I needed (and neglected) to ask if it was okay if I took 'Distance Weapon +1' from Adventurer's Vault which adds 5' to short range and 10' to long range so a sling becomes a 15/30 weapon.
Adjusted for combat advantage and distance weapon, the attack roll is 16
Adjusted for combat advantage and simple magic weapon, the attack roll is 13 (-2 for long range)
Another boat and it's crew are incinerated by Aiffe's spells. Cian skewers the leader in the lead raft, Orthanach takes out another in the same raft with his sling from atop a pile of crates, and the swordsmen in your crew take up defensive positions in front of the archer and mage just as two boats bump into the side of the raft. The bandits surge forward in an attempt the board. At this moment, as if out of nowhere, MacLynn hurtles through space past the defensive line, his leap sending him crashing into the attackers. "Not my raft you don't!" he bellows as he impales one bandit with a gaff hook used as a spear, and sends three of the remaining bandits splashing into the river. The other two bandits land in a heap with MacLynn at the bottom of the boat. With no one tending the oars, MacLynn's momentum sends the small craft drifting away from the raft.
More crossbow bolts continue to fill the air. Breccan, Orthanach, Llewellyn each are hit with a bolt, while Cian is struck twice. It is obvious that these men are undertrained, as none of the bolts find a particularly vulnerable home in your flesh.
OOC
Maclynn charges the lead boat, crashes into it, and pushes it away from the raft. He is now about 8' from the raft and tangled with the two remaining bandits. The three other bandits from this boat seem to ignore this and continue to try to board the Cat. The four remaining men in the other boat attempt to board the Cat. The two trailing boats are now within 15 feet of the raft, and there seem to be more boats leaving the shore now.
Breccan, Orthanach, Llewellyn each are take 4 damage, while Cian takes 8.
This next round, anyone in melee will gain combat advantage against the attackers as they board the raft.
Also, when you post your OOC stuff, could you all include your current HP, whether you are bloodied, your defenses and AC, and you position on the raft and relative to the others? It would help me a lot to not have to look this stuff up for each of you each time. It will also give the others a good idea of where you are at as well.
Sparky, AV stuff is fine, for any of that stuff, just let me know what the stats are, and I reserve the right to have you retool if I think that it is too crazy. I have heard some interesting things about AV and MP stuff.
Sorry about the delay in posting. I had a respiratory final to study for. Including the honors exam, it took me 5 hours to complete it today. One more down, three yet to go.
__________________
Sig
The Wisdom of Hong
I am starting to think that I should apprentice to Hong. Then some day I could be a Disciple of Hong!
"3E philosophy: the rules are a framework for building the world. Where this conflicts with gaming needs, houserule or handwave.
4E philosophy: the rules are a framework for running the game. Where this conflicts with world building needs, houserule or handwave.
If you spend more time running a game than world building, this is a net gain." - Hong
3E simulates the model of reality that 3E players have built in their heads. 4E fails to do this. Therefore, 3E is more realistic than 4E.-Hong
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