[Adventure] Kingmaker (DM:renau1g; judge: garyh)

[renau1g]

Ruarc & Elurín

Elurín's tactics prove sound as he moves forward and the druid's senses are enough to locate a path that surely should help throw off the beast.

As the half-elf moves forward, the goliath returns back and with his powerful legs and years spent in the wilds he's able to keep a strong pace, enough to keep the owlbear from getting close enough to see him, but not too far to lose him. After giving enough time for his new friend, the goliath puts on a burst of speed and sprints out of range of the beast.

You almost are past the creature's reach now!

[sblock=OOC]

Successes: 3/4
Failures: 1/3

I have a minor houserule that I hope gives a bit more life to the challenges and I'll apply a penalty for the same PC to repeat the same skill. i.e. if Ruarc was to attempt Nature again next round there's a -2 penalty to the check.

Note: Elurín can duplicate any skill that Ruarc's used (and vice versa).
[/sblock]

 

[Leif]

Faustus, Tiefling Avenger

Faustus, remembering hearing his priest mentor often call upon higher powers during storms, asking for their mercy to ease the anger of the weather, recites just such a prayer that he remembers.

(not necessarily Faustus's actual words -- this is the best I can do on short notice)
"Storm and wind, rain and hail, we beseech the Gods for the fury to fail."

Religion skill check
Faustus's religion check (1d20+8=19)

[sblock=apologies]Any poetry afficianadoes are asked to please forgive me.[/sblock]

 

[HandofMystra]

Elurín goes camo

While the creature was distracted by Ruarc and the smell had been washed off him, Elurín makes good his escape by taking the form of a creature that camouflages in this jungle exceedingly well using his knowledge of the fauna in this area and creeping off back to where he and the Goliath split off.
[sblock=Nature]Knowing the right wildshape candidate (1d20+9=21)[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

Mari

Clinging to a mast, Mari consults her spirit companion and watches the storm for a moment and then shouts to the helmsman what to expect from the storm in the next few minutes. "Ware a rip tide from starboard. What those sails, gusts are going to shift from aft to the port beam."

OOC: [sblock=actions]
Minor action:
Speak With Spirits (Encounter Minor Personal ✦ Primal) Shaman Feature
Effect: During this turn, you gain a bonus to your next skill check equal to your Wisdom modifier (+4)
Standard Action: Nature check (1d20+13=19)
[/sblock]

[sblock=Mari stat block]Mari Female Human Shaman 1 Initiative: 0, Passive Perception: 19, Passive Insight: 14, Senses: Normal AC:14, Fort:15, Reflex:13, Will:16 HP:28/28, Bloodied:14, Surge Value:7, Surges left:10/10 Action Points: 1, Second Wind: unused Powers:Haunting Spirits, World Speaker's Command, Voice of Battle, Call Spirit Companion, Wrath of Winter, Healing Spirit, Speak with Spirits, Bramble Ally, Spray of Quills Conditions: [/sblock]

 

[renau1g]

The Ship

Whether the prayers from Faustus were what held the storm from sinking your vessel or whether it was the skill of the adventurers and the crew will likely never be known, but what is important is that the Swift Current manages to pass beyond the storm and continue on its way.

Another few days pass by and the captain swears that you are almost there, he's sure his calculations are correct, but the crew are near to the breaking point.

That night as you are about to head to bed for the evening, Scorpius was standing on lookout when he's sure he spots a dark mass off the starboard bow. After gathering together, you are all sure you spot land, not marked on any map of the Shifting Seas. It is a large mass to be sure, nearly as large as Daunton by your first estimations. The sight lifts everyone spirits and the celebratory cask of rum is tapped and the drink is ready to flow, when suddenly the sound of wood creaking is heard and then you feel the ship lurch to a stop, throwing you all to the ground by its suddenness.

Looking over the bow of the ship perhaps the oddest sight you've ever laid your eyes upon stands before you. The very sea itself has hardened and turned to a gel that has trapped the Swift Current and even worse you see the prow is split open and allowing sea water to enter the cargo area. Apparently the solidity is only a few feet thick.

Mari recognizes this phenomena and informs everyone that its known as a Shifting Mire, the seas turning into a floating, jelly-like mass that is a rare, but deadly hazard. Luckily, they are known to be solid enough to walk on, albeit with some difficulty. With little choice the crew begin grabbing whatever they can, weapons, food, etc. and begin moving of the rapidly listing ship.

With hesitant steps, you find that it is pliable and yielding to your footfalls, but supports your weight. The adventurers are in the lead moving ahead as forward scouts, but in the failing light it is difficult going as even with those of races with superior vision have to be careful as one wrong step would send you into the Sea. Behind you the Swift Current sinks below the surface and the force of its departure begins to break up the Shifting Mire, starting closer to the location where the vessel sank. With a cry of surprise, the First Mate, one of the giantkin that towered over the rest of the crew, found that the Mire suddenly didn't support his tremendous weight, especially as he's laden with valuables that the Captain ordered him to carry. He slips beneath the dark surface of the water and his cries are cut short. The same fate befalls a few more of the crewman, a half-orc here, a human there, and even one of the goblins succumbs. Now the time for caution is over and with Mari and Faustus leading, the group begins running for it, hoping that the Mire lasts. A few men are cling desperately to the dissolving pieces of the gel-like substance but are drawn into the frigid clutches of Netari.

The group makes it about 100 feet from the shore when the Mire ends and with little choice, the adventurer's leap off the edge and swim to the island. The crewman behind are less lucky as the dissolution of the temporary landmass pulls them deep into the water.

You reach the shoreline, battered, water-logged, but at least you are alive. That is a far better fate than rest of the crew.

[sblock=Scene Inspiration]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFHT-MuiYRo&feature=related]YouTube - King Arthur - Ice Battle[/ame][/sblock]

You see a duo walking ahead in the distance, one is head and shoulders taller than the other.

 

[renau1g]

Ruarc & Elurín

With great skill and cunning you manage to elude the owlbear, but the incident has reminded you of the great danger the River Kingdoms present for the unwary. Ruarc realizes the easiest way to reach Brevoy will actually be much longer than a straight shot across the Kingdoms, but it is far more likely you'll reach your destination.

It takes a couple weeks of travel along the coast of the island, but you are within a couple days march from Restov. You hear a great commotion from behind and turn to see a quartet of humanoids drag themselves out of the water and onto the shore, the bedraggled individuals nearly drowned.

[sblock=ooc]
Sorry if this one's a bit shorter, the boys just woke up so my time's a bit more limited [/sblock]

 

[ScorpiusRisk]

Scorpius has his doubts about the spongy water, but he wasn't about to doubt Mari now, as the ship was sinking. He grabs his pack and some provisions before springing down to Mire, landing as lightly as possible.

"No body bunch up, and no heroics. These icy waters are death." He moves as lightly as possible, his eyes shifting every which way, watching people, the mire and the shore.

Then he hears the crack, and the water. He looks back to where the First Mate once stood and his stomach turned in knots. He knew he had to keep moving but other members of the crew foolishly moved forward, trying to see what they could do to help.

Scorpius quickened his pace. He was about to shout keep moving to the others when the Mire began breaking down dramatically, loosing crew in multiple places, as if they were dropping from existence. On the transitive seas, they very well could be.

Some body called for a full run and Scorpius was quick to comply, leaping from here to there, as quickly and controlled as possible until finally he had to dive for the murky, depths as far from the mire as he could. He found himself floating, thankfully, with a clear path to the shore. Swimming when death was on the line, had never been a problem for Scorpius.

He looked to the side a few moments later and saw Mari with him. That was the only confirmation he needed till he hit the shore. He hit it hard, so furious was his breath. He prayed the burning in his muscles would warn his body fully. For the fire of my soul can keep me in the fullest of life. A saying of his grandfathers. I don't think this was the intended situation to be applied.

Looking around himself, propped on one elbow, he noticed the other two from the deck, a couple days ago had made it as well. No more forms swam on the horizon. Not on the sea's horizon.

Survival instincts kicking in he looked towards land, and saw two natives standing a bit away, one of who was quite large, and armed. Scorpius quickly pulled himself to his feet, though the action pained him, trying to put on a false bravado.

"Hail!" He called out knowing he had been spotted. "Do you speak Allarian?"

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

On spotting the group struggling from the water, Ruarc makes sure Elurín has seen them as well. He begins moving toward them. He's ready to draw his axes but doesn't do so yet.

When the half-orc hails him he struggles to understand the man's thick accent. Once he works it out he responds:

"Hail yourself! Do you need aid? Speak your need and we'll do what we can!"

 

[Leif]

Faustus, Tiefling Avenger

Feeling a "need," the Tiefling says, "You wouldn't just happen to have, say, three dozen towels on you, would you, or at least four really big ones?"

 

[Scotley]

Mire

"This Shifting Mire won't last. Move quickly." She strides out across the Mire with her gear over her shoulder. She curses as the first crewman sinks and quickens her pace. She fixes Scorpius with a with a look that conveys the dire situation they are in. She is soon breathing hard with the exertion of forced march. As more and more men fall prey to the sea she slips off her boots and over-skirt. She hangs them over her shoulder and soon enough she is swimming for her life.

Crawling upon the shore she brushes sodden hair from her eyes and glances around her. Only four...

At least Scorpius was with her if these men on shore were trouble. A good man to have at her side in a bad situation. These other two, well time will tell. The others had started talking, so she would observe. She busies herself dumping water from her boots and wringing out her clothes.