I must say that the battle will be fought on two fronts. Above & below the waves. We both have our underwater forces, though we're outmatched in that area too.

Cap'n has what is essentially silent image. She can also summon a shadow.

[Private to Paul Roberts: Sure. Cap'n has a ton of scrolls she was saving for Zorlax as a reward.]

Well Zorlax is only 3rd level. I'm HAPPY I can cast web twice. I figure we should bow out of this fight and lead them on a merry chase. But first we damage the heck out of their sails. I think one of their part is a waterbreather by the look of his character, A water troll or orc. (How he got permission for that one beats me) He will probably try to some at us from below. (IE: cut the rudder)

IMO:
1st we use whatever long range fire attacks we can to damage them. Assume they will try the same, except we have a mage. Assume they have ranged wands/rods/scrolls.

2nd: We act like we are coming for them full steam, full attack, etc.. We get close enough to pour one "broadside" of whatever we can then get dthe windage and take off.

3rd: If we do wind up closing, we are pretty much toast. From what I've seen on the die roller and rumor here, I'd say they are all at least one level maybe 2 ahead of us. They have been Rp'ing constantly while we hunters have been in and out of limbo over the past months.

4th: Misdirection. We run away until it gets dark, set a rowboat with a lamp down, and do a 90 degree turn and take off. We can go somewhere, load up with a few weapons specifically for taking them out and come back together. (Gaining a level maybe)

While I'm not big on running usually, I do fear they are better prepared to take us out. (did I see a mention of a dinosaur somewhere) Another point is this custom ship. Probably it is a little faster than we are. I might have a few weapons hidden here or there.

Pirates are a cowardly lot for the most part, preying on the much weaker. So these actions aren't totally out of character. But then I'll give it my best shot with whatever we decide to do.

If the vote is to fight. The best Zorlax can do is to web several of the PC's and then put a few to sleep. Depending on exactly what the captain has, thats about it. I can cause havoc with their sails, but by that time, we are gonna be so close it isn't gonna matter. I have prepared to mend out sails again damage, but again, this might help us only if we are fleeing.

Hoat is correct about sending a few overboard. That would help alot.

Another item, How many extras do we have (regular seamen)? Only 3 of us have been involved with the shipboard duties. A caravel takes about 20 to run, and pirate ships usually carry 4 times as many as is needed for normal ops.

Coming up from below, Paul calls out "Captain! I found something interesting below - a few of these scrolls had slipped down behind a cabinet. They would be... indispensable in running down a faster ship. Shall I set their sails (and a few crew members) alight before we attack?"

How come we only manage to pull in a pair of posts each day? Judging from the rate of updates on the game the other group is either getting far more done than us, or there are more groups that just the two.

I am at least party to blame since I can't seem to get a coherent post in nearly as often as I'd like.

In any case, Hoat is ready to board and lay waste!

There are quite a few different groups on this game. I post fairly regularly and have a fair bit of time at the moment. Towards september I will have virtually no time, but for another week or two I am on holidays.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:35, Sun 09 July 2006.

This is my busiest time of the year. so I try to post 3 times a week. More if we have a fight going on. I make no promises but that is what I aim for.

Well Zorlax, we're relying on you to *not* fizzle the fireball scroll. If you fail a DC 6 caster level check, we're all boned.

I've had worse luck. Just keep your fingers crossed..

Hmmm. Hey NinjaCow, What kinda odds are we looking at for taking out the steering on the other ship? I mean if it's gonna be like a DC30 or something it might be wisest to take down the mast/sails. How many sailors are we looking at (on our side?) Are we going to be able to command/direct them?

Hmm alot of nothing happening, are they gaining on us or what is going on.

I for one think we are better off throwing the fireball at their sails. Vaporising them instantly instead of slowly burning them with alchemist fire (which we can only use at throwing range). Plus once their sails are gone, dont matter much if they can stear or not. Aint going anywhere.

And for our motivation, a ship coming towards us, gaining on us, and the captain with a bad feeling. I say we run for it, as someone said, we have a hold full of loot and only a partial crew (those left after the temple raid).

And if the other boys be wanting a fight, you can bet it wont be on our terms. We can always find them again and make sure we have a say in the where, how and when of the battle.

Preferably when they are at anchorage, sleeping and restocking supplies...

Sorry, I've been without t'internet since Friday. Lemme catch up first.

Sounds good to me. I'll take the sails out (hopefully) first and then we can get away. Unless someone has a better idea.

So... we there yet?

Not sure. Communications have sort of broken down. Noone's saying anything to anybody.
Foxpaws is very busy and plans to quit after this combat to free up some time for himself.

Bad news, they have the windage, so we pretty much have to close or at least pass close to them to make a break for it. We could draw this out til dark and try to slip away.....

Nuh uh. I said WE have the windage. We're on the Desert Rose, they're on the Swyft Wind.

Am I missing a thread somewhere?

It was a PM in the battle thread. I mis-read it. Anyway, this changes things. Now that I think about it, the wind is at our back. I assume its in a favorable position (dead aft us or slightly to one side ) So we are racing toward them. He'll be able to close, get off a blast adn turn while they'll be lucky to just turn. (if we turn across their bows and they have to cross the wind dead on their bows, it's likely that they will be what's called "in irons") That means they lose all locomotion. At which point we decide to fight or flee based on how well our fireball does.

Does this sounds like our tactic so far?

Now if we choose to fight we need an idea of what actions we'll be taking. Zorlax is pretty much going to be casting spells until they are along side. He'll need some cover. (ie someone with a shield and lots of HP.) After he exhasted his spells, if we are still fighting, he'll go into a cabin and take cover shooting any boarders.

What are the rest of you going to be doing?


If we flee, then we all pray to the gods to send a steady wind.

(just looked at the map)
We are in Perfect position to pull this off. We are slightly on their port bow with the wind aft. They will have to cross the wind to follow us. We should be able to head straight North and then as soon as we are close enough for ath fireball, we turn to port and blast them. We will close a little more and then we should be opening before they are within a long bowshot.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:26, Tue 18 July 2006.

Well, I cant see any battle thread, nor have I seen a map...

But anyway I'm up for either going full out on them of simply taking the better part of valor and fleeing.... then raiding their home port and abduct their wives

It's not a grouped thread so even people who haven't sent an RTJ should be able to see it.

Zorlax: Like I said: Don't underestimate these people. This shouldn't be a simple fight.

I still think that even the best-prepared party will have difficulty with a fireball followed by a web. Pile on the damage, burn the sails, and tie up the crew - then pump 'em with ranged weapons.

There isnt a thing such as a simple fight. But like Foxpawns said, do we know for sure that these are armed foe's (although we would see the ships configuration easily enough when the gap closes).

Well I'm not much for tactics. I assume they have a few surprises (special ship) and they will be expecting the mage to hurl a few spells.                                      Worst case they have some sort of anti-magic device. (Which I couldn't do much about anyway)

I guess it depends on what the DM's will be considering. Ie like Paul says, are you gonna have them trying to save their ship? What about movement? With us having the wind we can pretty much own them from a distance. Our crew (the NPCs) should be at least at good as their crew, so that shouldn't be a factor. I guess what I'm trying to say, is how techicnal is this battle? A well placed Prestidigitation or Mage Hand, could seriously hamper them normally. But then if the DM's are looking for structurial damage and such, it could go either way.

I'm still of a mind that we blast them with the fireball and see what they do? But then again, pirates usually flee from a even match and stick to the easy pickings.

BTW I also have Enlarge, Fog, and Gust of Wind scrolls So I can give us a boost to get out of here. (Enlarge the sail, fog them and the gust of wind directly behind the sail)

I could cast True strike on whoever is the best shot, to take out the most dangerous person.

Just some ideas.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Wed 19 July 2006.

I dont know about enlarging the sail - the physics of that seem wierd to me.
Gust of wind is a line, which limits how good it is.

Fog is excellent, although I plan to use darkness to similar effect..