"If we intend to use the Captain Blackmane as our distraction then we will have to be in place, ready to go, in three days time.  That is our time table.  Which means for the first and second teams will need to be at our destination in 2 and half days to give them time to move into position.

Also I would prefer to get there before any slaves are tranfered to a slave market somewhere or killed.

The point of this raid is to kill as many pirates at one time as possible and the more pirates located at this haven means less time wasted running them down to ground later on."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Fri 17 Nov 2006.

Gildor takes a deep breath, You mean all we have to do is storm a pirate stronghold where we will be outnumber about ten to one, kill a bunch of slavers and pirates, rescue some slaves and get back in one piece? Sounds like fun!

"Any further questions?", the captain asks.

Hands speaks up one last time. "Captain, I want some time to prepare with the second team. I have only seen battle with these men once and not nearly long enough to know their strengths." The muscle-bound human might be slow in a lot of ways but he understood battle tactics. "I wanna know what kind of men I will be fighting with."

OOC: I just want to learn each PCs class, level, and combat abilities and maybe work out a cooperative plan for dealing with the slavers.

Umbril had remained silent at the back, casting surly glances toward the captain from time to time.  When it was clear they'd get to go after some pirates after all though, he nodded as well. "Aye, sir."

If the meeting broke up, he moved to report to Hands to coordinate tactics.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Wed 22 Nov 2006.

Ready when you are."

As the meeting breaks everyone leaves the captain's room and returns to their duties on ship.  The broods more on the plan; thinking of ways to improve the odds of their success.  A lot of things can go wrong with this....

The day passes and night falls on the first day after the battle with the Desert Rose and the pirates.  Off in the dark just over the horizon on the port side the midnight watch can see flashes of light and fire and sounds of explosions being exchanged back and forth.  Whoever they are powerful magics and siege weaponary were being used over there; easily reducing the Shoalrider to splinters and ash.  The display causes a sense of wonder, awe, and fear in those on deck.

The next two days happens without incident.  Everyone feeling the rhythm of the crew's routine and building emotions of the coming day.

As the third day dawns the crew sees the coastline of the Chult peninsula appear on the horizon.  As the Shoalrider gets closer to land the details of the coastline are easier to make out.  The captain stands on the forecastle; looking through a spyglass towards the shoreline.  "Well well.  She wasn't lieing to us, boys.  Tell the helmsman to come 15 degrees to starboad.  We'll make for that inlet there and see if we can't hide the ship there in anchorage.  Make preparations.  Go!"  As he points towards his right at a cliff outcropping off a ways out of sight.  One of the crew hurries to aft of the ship to relay the order and the ship veries right towards the outcropping.

OOC: if there is something you wanted to do during this time like use a craft skill or something then just let me know.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Fri 01 Dec 2006.

Vraul just spends his time doing the job he loves the most. Making sure everything on the ship runs smoothly. He looks forward as the capn calls out the new heading to the helmsman.

Hands is persistent in his request for time to train with the other specialists in the crew. He pulls them from their duties to practice whenever the captain or the first mate allow it. They talk about fighting tactics and work out a few ideas involving what they might do when the come in contact with the slavers. When the Chultan shoreline appears, the dedicated warrior is not satisfied with what he has learned. Hands resigns himself to the fact that the other specialists are well trained in their own way and he hopes what they have learned of each other is enough.

"Ready or not, here we come." Karal mumbles to himself as he stands on the forecastle watching the shoreline get closer.

Gildor joins Hands at training whenever the human requested it. He was a little pushy but Gildor knew he had the missions best interest at heart. Gildor spends the rest of his time simply going about the ships duties.

Umbril was aloft when the call to change course came.  He joined the rest of the topgallant seamen in trimming the sails to help Shoalrider come about cleanly.

The Shoalrider makes the turn and sails down the coastline for an rocky cliff inlet for about an hour.  The crew maintains a state of alertness; scanning the rocky coastline for any lookout that may spy their progress.

The ship makes it to the inlet without incident.  The captain's hunch was correct.  On the other side of the inlet is a moderately sized lagoon area with sandy beaches and bottom; just large enough to maneuver the Shoalrider into and hide her from prying eyes.  As the ship makes it's way into the lagoon orders ring out to take in the sails and prepare to beach ship.

By the time the ship is secured on the beach the sun is beginning to set.  Night will soon be upon you.  The captain calls the specialist together on the main deck one last time.  "Everyone knows what they need to do.  The pirate cave is about 2 miles down the coast.  Team 2 will make it's way overland and find the hidden entrance to the cave complex and meet inside.  Remember, any help you can convince to help us in this endevour would be a bonus.  We'll be outnumbered at least 20 to 1, so anything you can do to even the odds and not get caught or killed you do.  Any last minute questions?"

"Wut about your animal companion? He could sink ships on his own." Vraul ask know how large he is having swam many times with him.

"He will be coming with you and I, Varal, to provide protection and support on our end."

Gildor grabbed his backpack and weapons and got ready for the mission. He looked for thwe other members of his team. Ready? He asked, certain that they were and hoping that they would all do well in the coming battle.

"I am ready," Varul says.

”None from me, Captain. I am ready. We will head inland and look for the hidden entrance.” Having already checked and rechecked his gear, Karal could only wonder how they could possibly find the entrance. But that problem was for the specialists, not for the Captain. He would have his own difficulties. ”We will not let you down Captain.”

Hands turned to the other specialists. ”We should search for a trail. Are any of you able to find trails?” He started looking around to see where they should enter the jungle.

One of the sailors from the crew dressed in gray and black clothing approaches the group of specialists.  "Leave that to me.  My name is Sam, by the way.  We should be on our way since we will have to travel farther than the captain and the first mate.  Shall we to the longboats and shore?"

Karl nodded to Sam and hefted his gear. "Well met San. So you are a tracker are you?" The big man was preparing the longboat and then climbing aboard. "Well we are glad to have you. And I imagine you will earn your keep this day." Hands rowed along with everyone else to get the longboat to shore quickly as possible.

Gildor helped get the longboat in the water and helped row to shore. Once there he disembarked and dragged the boat up onto the sand so the tide wouldnt take it out. So, which way then?

The captain watches the longboats head out towards shore and then brings his attention back to the activity of the crew on board the ship.  He makes his way to the second mate and sailing master to leave final instructions with them.  The sails are taken in, the ballista is manned and ready, and the crew makes ready for any trouble that may come....

He then finds Varul and asks, "You ready to get wet old friend? Let's go for a swim and see how far Valkur's luck will take us." He says with a grin.

He then jumps over the side of the ship and calls his animal companion to him waiting for Varul....



[Private to Varul Reefcrusher: From here on start posting in the Hunters: Under the Sea thread.]

With a huge smile and almost no splash, Varul dives into the sea and does not resurface.

"I'lll scout on ahead a little and see if there is a trail to follow, but I would get my hopes up.  This is jungle terrain and doesn't look like it been disturbed in a while.  We will probably have to blaze our own trail at least for a while.  It shouldn't be too bad though; we just stick to the coast line for most of the way.  I would rather not run in to anything before we get there.  I would also suggest that we get off the beach and out of sight quickly before we are noticed by anyone or anything."

With that Sam strings his bow and settles his backpack and quiver on his back and makes his way to the treeline quickly and quietly; looking for any signs of threats...

Gildor follows 5the scout to the treeline.

13:21, Today: Gildor Inglorion rolled 10 using 1d20+4. move silently.
13:21, Today: Gildor Inglorion rolled 22 using 1d20+4. hide

Sam scouts ahead of the group about 60 ft.  As the jungle closes in around you and sunset occurs the night sounds of the jungle begin their evening symphony.

The terrain and undergrowth do impede the groups progress, but the specialist are able to glimpse the sea and the cliff wall on their left every now and then.

A few times during your trek Sam motions for the group to wait while he checks on some strange sound, but returns moments later and motions you to continue...