Wreck Ashore

k0nfused · Sep 16, 2007

Seawell is a small but prosperous trading town on the coast. To the south is a long peninsula that features mostly swamplike terrain and is home to some lizardfolk. A large reef extends the entire length of the peninsula on the side away from Seawell. This great wall of coral is a favorite site for fishermen, but it has always presented a serious hazard to ships approaching from that direction. About 45 years ago, the people of Seawell built a lighthouse on a small promontory near the reef, about 200 yards from the shoreline to ensure that ships could easily steer clear of the reef.

Your party has been in Seawell for a few days and learnt that two problems plague the town at present: the increased hostility from the local lizardfolk and the continued absence of all merchant ships expected from the south. The local militia has been able to repulse the attacks from the lizardfolk but it has kept them fairly busy. Having heard that you are adventurers the mayor has approached you and offered you 50 gp each, plus all the treasure you find, to find out what happened to the ships and resolve the problem. He has suggested you start by speaking to the lighthouse keeper.

The lighthouse is 42 miles to the east of Seawell.

Traveling on foot you can cover 18 miles a day through the swamps (without getting lost) if you stick to the game trails.

Some of the local fishermen are willing to transport you there in their sail boats at a cost of 17 gp for the whole party. The sail boats can cover 24 miles a day.

Horses can be purchased for 75 gp each and can cover 32 miles a day. The townsfolk however do not recommend taking horses into the swamp as they usually fall prey to hungry panthers at night.

You can hire a guide to take you through the swamp for 1 sp per day. There is also a lone adventurer that has offered his services as a guide for an equal share of any treasure.

Your actions please.

OOC: You have 79 gp among you taking average starting gold less the cost of your equipment.

mariusm · Sep 17, 2007

Good morning!

"Good morning fellow adventurers! It is me Ulfar of the clan Rurin making sure no one oversleeps on this wonderful day. Today we are going to get to the slimy bottom of this lizardfolk problem... Now let's get a beer!", announces Ulfar in a loud booming voice as tries to rouse the rest of the party into action.

Ulfar puts on his scale armor and then kneels over his heavy wooden shield. While holding his holy symbol over the shield he murmurs a blessing to Moradin. "This will keep me safe.", he says to himself either to convince himself or the party... as he stands up and readies his shield.

gr3mlin · Sep 17, 2007

Its too early to wake up

"The sun is not even out yet and you are harrassing us already,"

says Astarra as she wakes from a deep sleep. "Well the early bird catches the worm, so maybe its better to get going."

Astarra gets out of bed and pulls the blankets off Heine and Carl to wake them and then gets her gear together.

"I think we should go down to the harbour and see if we can catch a boat to the Lighthouse"

k0nfused · Sep 17, 2007

Here kitty, kitty...

By the time Heine and Carl finally get out of bed and get their gear together Ulfar was already on his third beer. After much protesting from Ulfar, Astarra eventually managed to drag the slightly drunken dwarf out the bar and the party made their way to the harbour. As it was still early they managed to find passage aboard a small fishing boat without much effort.

The voyage was rather uneventful, that is if you discard Ulfar's constant throwing up. Apparently the beer did not help him find his sea legs and with Heine constantly gesturing and making gagging sounds Ulfar was just too happy when the captain anchored the boat in a small sheltered cove for the evening. Although Carl insisted they keep sailing the captain refused to take the ship near the reef at night.

As the sun was setting on the horizon the party finished setting up camp on the shore (Ulfar had refused to stay on the ship any longer than he had to).

It is an almost perfect evening... the sunset... the ocean... and the rustle in the bushes Carl just heard to the north! After a casual glance the noise is dismissed as the wind but shortly after the noise manifests itself as a panther leaping out of the dark!

Surprise round:
The panther pounces out of the bushes and is on Ulfar in the blink of an eye (modified melee attack roll of 24 vs. AC16 (flat footed); a hit doing 6HP dmg; modified melee attack roll of 3 vs. AC16; miss; modified melee attack roll of 18 vs AC16; a hit doing 3HP damage) biting deep into his shoulder, slapping one paw down next to Ulfar's head and clawing him on the arm with the other.

Initiative for combat:
Carl
Astarra
Heine
Panther
Ulfar

Actions please.

OOC: The party succeded at a listen check vs. move silently at 110ft but failed all subsequent spot and listen checks. The panther made a pounce attack with a bite and 2 claw attacks

mariusm · Sep 17, 2007

Carl

Carl jumps swiftly to his feet drawing his short sword as he moves 30' around to
flank the panther between himself and Ulfar. Carl makes sure as he moves to keep
more than 5' between himself and the panther. When in position he lunges hoping to
stab the enraged animal.

mariusm · Sep 17, 2007

Hein

Hein a little startled by the sudden appearance of the panther is not delayed long
though as his fighting instinct takes over. He covers the 15' to stand just south
of Ulfar in a couple of large big steps. As Hein closes in on the creature he will
bring his greatsword down as hard as he can aiming for the creatures right shoulder. (Hein is using his power attack for a -1 to hit so that he can add +2 to the damage)

mariusm · Sep 17, 2007

Ulfar

Ulfar grits his teeth as the burning pain in his shoulder wells up. :heh:

"Foul beast!", is all that he can utter as he staggers 5' away from the panther and spontaneously casts a cure light wounds on himself. (Using the bless spell that he had previously meditated for)

papenfus · Sep 18, 2007

Heine (henceforth known as Gordo the Great, Gordo for short) has a hearty laugh at Carl's "Short sword" and draws his "Great Sword"!!! He launches himself headlong into a crushing blow to the animals head.... (power attack please)

gr3mlin · Sep 18, 2007

Astarra is taken by surprise when the panther pounces on Ulfar. Not wanting to get close to a fierce creature that's bigger than her she points her finger at the panther and utters some strange words. In the blink of an eye a missile of magical energy darts forth from her fingertip.

k0nfused · Sep 18, 2007

Not too shabby...

The rogue moves almost as swiftly as the panther (melee attack roll of 14+2(AB)+2(FL)=16; a hit doing 6HP dmg) drawing his sword as he flanks the creature delivering a deep cut to its side.

While the panther roars with pain from Carl's cut it experiences a minor spasm as Astarra's magic missile hits it (dealing 3HP dmg) while she maintains a safe distance.

Gordo may not move as swiftly as Carl but still covers the distance to the panther in a flash (melee combat roll of 17+5(AB)-1(PA)=21; a hit doing 11HP dmg) impaling the animal's head with his great sword. The panther is dead.

As Ulfar staggers back he places his hand on his shoulder and closes his eyes for a second. The positive energy he channels heals (heals 10HP) his wound completely.

Camping in the wild turned out to be much more dangerous than a cozy room in the town but the encounter has made the adventures a little more alert. There is a little paranoia at every little noise for the rest of the evening but it turns out to be an uneventful night.

Your actions please.