Anything But Normal, Sailing the Endless Falls...

[Kelleris]

Lupaz, his sensitive nose still somewhat bothered by the dustbreakers of the previous day, is in something of a foul mood, and alert for deception to boot. On hearing Nissa's plea, he shakes his head back and forth, his eyes watering a bit.

Very well. But I'll see if I can't discourage any disasters in the offing, yes?

On sighting the small ship, he concentrates for a moment and blurs, his form becoming first indistinct and finally insubstantial as his substance bleeds off into the Ethereal. He appears a moment later perched on the small boat, slinking behind Vaukriel and warning the huddled mass away with a lupine sneer. He's content to let his humanoid companions handle the rescue operations, but the beneficiaries of our generosity had better know the price for betrayal beforehand.

[sblock=OOC - ]Use dimension door to blip over there. Then a +21 Intimidate check just to set the mood, and then Lupaz will use Daunting Presence to work his way through the crew, starting with the spunky one and going in descending order of spunkitude (Spot +7, Sense Motive +1). That's a DC 18 Will save to avoid being shaken for 10 minutes (shaken: –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks). During this, I'll roll Knowledge (local) to get more information on these guys (+11 bonus).[/sblock]

 

[Kelleris]

[sblock=OOC Again - ]Oh, and I suppose I should roll my lucky bones too. Shall I do it, or you, Isida? Actually, for that matter, how do you want us to do rolling in general? I'd prefer to just list bonuses and have you roll, but if you want to have us use one dice service or another, that's cool too. Apologies in advance if you've already addressed this and I missed it.[/sblock]

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Great Taala! What in the Hells are you doing?" Nissa calls out, exasperated greatly by Lupaz's irrational attempt to frighten the already-scared sailors.

*She hadn't been planning to swim to the ship, but now she has no choice. She heads over and speaks comfortingly, urging them to ignore the addled dog, promising them safety, warmth, and rescue.*

(OOC: Diplomacy +24)

 

[Kelleris]

[Can only be heard by allies within 30 feet.]

Why so surprised? That foolish girl, I'm just making sure these whelps are as fearful as they pretend to be. As fearful, indeed, as they should be.

[sblock=OOC, More or Less - ]Uhm, I guess roll my Intimidate opposed by your Diplomacy, then. Although I think Daunting Presence just overrides skill checks. And don't worry, I'm just making sure they're as shaken as they pretend to be. If they're already shaken, as in the status effect and not the flavor text, Daunting Presence won't have any effect, as it's an exception to the usual "fear effects stack" thing. Which is why I'm using that and not the Demoralize action, actually.

Seriously, doesn't this look just a wee bit suspicious to you? I'm just covering our butts just in case. Oh well, at least I'll have a head start, since teleportation's faster than swimming. [/sblock]

[sblock=OOC for Isida and Nissa - ]Actually, I think I can work with Nissa's consoling. The constrast might be better than pure intimidation at getting across the message I'm trying to send - that we're willing to help, but that horrible, horrible things are about to happen to them if they should rouse our ire. One person intimidating and one diplomacizing gets across the wary, but not psychotic message well, if we cooperate. (Which I'm certainly willing to do.)[/sblock]

 

[Rystil Arden]

[SBLOCK=OOC]Oh, it looks suspicious--that's why she was going to stay at a safe distance, but she's not going to be happy if they start jumping overboard to escape the insane evil dog thing

Also, she never said the word irrational.[/SBLOCK]

 

[Kelleris]

[sblock=OOC to Nissa]You called what I was doing an irrational attempt, but you're right, you didn't *say* anything. Duly noted. Oh, and I added a suggestion for you to that post, in another sblock.[/sblock]

 

[Rystil Arden]

[SBLOCK=OOC]Yup--you're thinking the same thing I was. Nissa knows she can't cancel out Lupaz's attempt to frighten the poor shipwrecked sailors because he's using magic, so instead she'll do a good cop/bad cop thing. They'll be frightened into liking and trusting Nissa more. A bit nasty, but effective, and it is better than just letting their hopes be crushed by the Hound of Dooooooom.[/SBLOCK]

 

[Kelleris]

[For future reference, the DM is naturally invited to read any and all sblocks I throw up here. For that matter, so is everyone else. The delineation is just to communicate who in particular I have in mind.]

[sblock=OOC to Nissa - ]Yeah, cool. Heh. I knew we'd find a way to get along. Don't forget shaken-ness penalizes Sense Motive, Bluff, and counter-Diplomacy checks as well as everything else.[/sblock]

 

[Voidrazor]

Oobobooboo disgorges its weird armor onto the deck and swims after Ekilu. It snakes through the water in a decidely non-humanoid fashion, swimming more like an eel than a man. When it gets close to the boat the ooze raises a stubby pseudopod above the waves to speak.

"Hellooo, were you attacked by pirates? Did they have hooks and peglegs and talking birds?"

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Those people are in trouble! It looks like they lost their ships to pirates or something--we have to save them!" Nissa says firmly, pointing at the people in the small boat, "And yes, I know that it could be a trap, but that is no reason to let them die. Please help them?" she asks the others.

Captain Merri has heard many of Nissa's speeches over the last week, and her compassionate and kindly nature is very well known. He heaves the Khora Aisa to and presents her side to the rowboat.

Vaukriel nods to Nissa and takes to the air. He flies over to the rowboat and perches on the gunwal. "Do you need assistance? We can help you get to Bluegorge."

The more alert of the group begins to speak, "Yes, we could really-"

"Let me get them," Ekilu says. He grabs some rope and takes a deep breath and dives into the water. Easily swimming over to the row boat, he ties part of it to the front, and wraps a bit more around his hand, before he begins to swim back, towing the row boat towards the island ship.

At the same time Ekilu leaps into the water and begins swimming, rope in hand. The rope on the Khora Aisa is light as air, so it's extremely easy to do.

Trebuchet goes to the side of the deck and looks down at the little ship, keeping a vigilant eye out for signs of treachery...to be rewarded with copious displays of firepower.

Trey's eyes are watchful and ever-ready for danger and violence, but the people on the boat seem passive and quiet... for now. Minnow moves up next to you, his massive frame causing a partial eclipse of the sun, his hand on his cutlass. Like others on the crew, he's ready to defend the ship at a moment's notice, and seems to trust that Trey will give the signal if he spots danger first.

Lupaz, his sensitive nose still somewhat bothered by the dustbreakers of the previous day, is in something of a foul mood, and alert for deception to boot. On hearing Nissa's plea, he shakes his head back and forth, his eyes watering a bit.

Very well. But I'll see if I can't discourage any disasters in the offing, yes?

On sighting the small ship, he concentrates for a moment and blurs, his form becoming first indistinct and finally insubstantial as his substance bleeds off into the Ethereal. He appears a moment later perched on the small boat, slinking behind Vaukriel and warning the huddled mass away with a lupine sneer. He's content to let his humanoid companions handle the rescue operations, but the beneficiaries of our generosity had better know the price for betrayal beforehand.

After a few moment's thought, the bejeweled blink dog appears on the bow opposite Vaukriel, and the crew swings around to look at him. Indefinite menace seems to radiate from the hound, enough to know that he's dangerous, and that attempting violence would be a mistake, but not enough to cause a mass aquatic exodus. The leader snaps his mouth shut as more and more people begin to appear around his boat, his eyes wide with surprise and fear.

Lupaz: [sblock]When you attempt to demoralize the crew of the tiny boat, they seem curiously unmoved by your daunting presence. Only one, the one that was curled up the tightest, begins to tremble with fear and uncertainty. Not that they're not wary and afraid already, but the extra edge of fear and nervousness you're used to inspiring is simply not there.

OOC: I rolled a lot of high saves for your Daunting Presence, it was really weird. You got a 25 on your Intimidate check. As for your knowledge of these people, their general type and way of dress is not native to Bluegorge or the surrounding area. However, you do remember seeing a few traders that looked like this. They had a shady reputation, and it was known that you never fight them, because they fight dirty.

Your luck roll for today is: The next time you would be dropped to negatives, you instead roll with the damage and are left with 1 hit point.[/sblock]

"Great Taala! What in the Hells are you doing?" Nissa calls out, exasperated greatly by Lupaz's irrational attempt to frighten the already-scared sailors.

*She hadn't been planning to swim to the ship, but now she has no choice. She heads over and speaks comfortingly, urging them to ignore the addled dog, promising them safety, warmth, and rescue.*

Nissa exclaimation, as well as her winning manner and soothing gestures and words seems to thaw the fearful crew, and the leader starts to find his voice again as Nissa coaxes him gently. But at that exact moment Ekilu arrives, and a few moments after him, Oobobooboo, floating on the salty current.

Nissa: [sblock]You got a 44 on your Diplomacy check. Natural 20 baby![/sblock]

Oobobooboo disgorges its weird armor onto the deck and swims after Ekilu. It snakes through the water in a decidely non-humanoid fashion, swimming more like an eel than a man. When it gets close to the boat the ooze raises a stubby pseudopod above the waves to speak.

"Hellooo, were you attacked by pirates? Did they have hooks and peglegs and talking birds?"

The leader opens and closes his mouth twice, apparently attempting to find the right words (and fighting open amazement at the pink talking blob... that's strange even for the Endless Falls!). As Ekilu smartly wraps the rope around the boat, he finally begins to speak.

"Ah... yes, I'm Coron. We could really use a place to dry off... please. Tema hasn't stopped shivering since we escaped and we haven't had much chance to eat in a long while," he gets out, pointing to the young woman curled up in the bottom of the boat. "You're very kind to offer such words to strangers, Lady of the Sea," he adds galantly to Nissa, bowing a little to her, seeming to have picked her out as the leader of the group