Calgarvin comforts the boy as best he can. He informs him he will return in a few minutes, and goes topside to seek out the First Mate.

"Varul, the boy is groggy still, and unable to say much, although I expect he will improve over the next day or two.

"He was able to mutter two words that were unmistakable. Desert Rose. I thought they might mean something to you. It could be the name of the ship we are seeking."

"Aye, it could be a name of the ship. Keep up the good work." Vraul will then go tell the Capn what the boy has divulged thus far...as he searches his memory to see if he knows that name.

Tagen stays aloft and continues scanning the horizon for any sign of ships, sneaking an occasional peek at the deck below to keep tabs on what is going on.

[Private to DM Foxpaws: Feel free to roll any Spot checks you might need from me as I'm watching form the "crow's nest". I figure that's better than me including one with every post while I'm up here..]

"Desert Rose? Sounds like a ship to me, but not one that I'm familiar with.  If shes a pirate vessal she's a nasty one though.  'Course, that could have been the name of the Waukeen vessal we sent below as well.  Good Work Varul, have Mr. Calgarvin keep watch on the boy, see if there is anything else we can find out from him.  I plan to keep us out a might bit longer, after that we'll head back to port and find us a Merchants Temple to take care of the boy, and hopefully tell us more about that lost ship." The captain says as he stares out over the waters.  With a loud whistle and a few moments wait the large head of Fido emerges next to the ship.  After a few moments of stareing at the Captain he submerges and a wake can be seen move rapidly away from the Swyft Wynd.  "Lets see if any of Fido's friends were in the area for that little bit of trouble".  With that the captain heads back to the wheel and the ship once again begins to sail for points unknown.

[Private to Tagen Vrinn: At this point you have seen nothing, just ocean and more ocean.  Toward the end of the day you do finally spot a sail on the horizon, a square rigged vessal that appears to be moving toward you.]

OOC: I have to apologize guys, and warn you all.  Dont' expect to much out of me for a while, RL has gone all wierd time wise and getting a moment to sit down at a computer for fun is not on the top of the time list right now.  I'm going to continue to post as often as I can, and hopefully we'll get some combat going soon even if its just for the fun of it....and I really want to try ship to ship combat some time :)  - but not right now Tagen :P

Tagen keeps his watch throughout the day seeing nothing but water until just a few hours before dark.

"SAIL HO!" Tagen yells, "OFF THE STARBOARD BOW! A SQUARE RIGGER HEADING OUR WAY!"

Taking a sharp eye toward the starboard side Clarke nods to you all to arm yourselves, but take no immediate actions.  "Lets she what colors she flies boys, these are merchant waters afterall." The journey toward the encoming ship is as slow as any night before a battle, but blessedly it is no where near as bloody as the dawn of that battle.  A large merchant vessel hails the Swyft Wynd calling for any news.  The Captain goes over breifly with a few sailors to converse with the merchant captain and informs him of the dangers of the waters...just in case.

Returning to his own ship Clarke calls out "Lets move on boys, their a pirate out there I mean to have words with, and she's not gonna be found waiting here!"

Calgarvin continues to attend to his duties on board until given alternate orders.

"Sailors stay were ye be fer now and do your jobs. Marines man battle stations in case da be pirates." vraul shouts.

Heading out with the setting sun off on the horizon the night could not be more peaceful, clear skys, calm waters and a gentle wind to sail the ship by.  The days begin to blend as the ship sails on, always in search of prey.  Calgarvin makes little progress with the boy, though he no longer screams when the first mate is within his view.  The captain begins to grow irritable at the lack of leads into this frightening case of piracy, though he has yet to take it out on the crew.  In all the entire ship has begun to feel like a to tightly wound spring, ready to snap.

OOC: bear with me guys, I don't have class after next monday (not the one coming up, but after that) and you had better believe I plan to get some damn combat in during that time!

BTW, everyone take 250xp for sticking it out with me, I apprecaite it guys.

Calgarvin continues to go about his chores as he is able, thought he asks for special dispensation so that he can spen as much time with the boy as possible. The best clue to the piracy will come from the boy's lips, and Calgarvin will be there when he utters it.

No dramas, Foxpaws. Whenever you can make it is fine :)

[Private to DM Foxpaws: Hey Dude, I'm up a level so I will PM you all the relevant details soon.]

Vraul tells the marines to stand down and go about routine business. It seems no pirates will be found today...If possible, vraul seems in a worse mood then normal.

Sailing on the small ship soon returns to the shipping lanes, moveing amoung the larger, slower moving craft with a nimbleness that makes the other ships seem to be standing still.  It is toward the end of the day when smoke begins to appear on the horizon, still to far to see what might be causing it, but a few words from the Captain and the winds begin to pickup, the ship fair flys across the waters, bringing sign of two small ships engaging a larger merchant ship.

"Stand ready men! I'll do my best to hold off one of the ships, the other you marines will need to engage!" with that the captain withdraws into himself, concentrating on the ship on the starboard side of the merchantman.  Soon its decks soon become slick with ice, slowing its crew down as they rush to free the ship of the heavy mess before it causes her to capsize.

Vraul shouts, "All hands to battle stations. We have pirates to sink." He looks to make sure all are taking positions. "Marines to me..we shall board the other ship as the Capn orders."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Fri 19 May 2006.

Calgarvin, not being a marine, still moves with Varul and stays towards the rear of the boarding party so that they might form a shield for him behind which to cast his spells.

"Helmsmen, bring us in line with that ship, men reef the sails, lets not come upon her so fast we over shoot her.  Varul, be safe there, I mean to have my marines back in one piece!" with that the captain withdrawals into himself once more and smiles in satisfaction as three hippogriffs appear above the starboard ship, quickly they begin to attack the men in the rigging working to free the ice, and any archers that are still working their deadly craft toward the merchantmen.


OOC: what say you boys, ram her, or come along side and let Mr. Woodwill have at her with his spells while the rest of you board?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Fri 19 May 2006.

I'm ready either way :). I'll do whatever the first mate asks :).

"Bring along side....I'd hate to see us damaged with another pirate out there." Vraul suggest.

Coming up along side the pirate vessal is not all that difficult, most of its crew on board the merchant craft in struggles to take thier prize.  The crew of the Swyft Wynd quickly throw out the grapling lines and bring the ships together.

(ok, ships are: Pirate, Merchant, Pirate, Swyft Wynd

  |01|02|03|04|05|06|07|08|09|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 A|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |/ |\ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |A
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 B|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | /|  |  |\ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | /|\ |B
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 C|  |  |H |/ | \|  |  | /|  |  |M |P |\ |  |  |/ | \|  |  | /|  |  |C
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 D|  |  | :|P |P |: |  |: |b |  |P |  |: |  | :|b |  |: |  |:V|  |  |D
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 E|  |  | :|P |H |: |  |: |  |P |  |  |: |  | :| P|  |: |  |:T|C |  |E
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 F|  |  | :|H |b |: |  |: |  |M |P |b |: |  | :|  |  |: |  |:B|  |  |F
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 G|  |  | :|==|==|: |  |: |  |  |  |  |: |  | :| P|  |: |  |: |  |  |G
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 H|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |: |  |  |M |P |: |  | :|==|==|: |  |: |  |CC|H
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 I|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |: | P|  |  |  |: |  |  |  |  |  |  |: |==|==|I
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 J|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |:P| M|  |  |  |: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |J
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 K|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |: |==|==|==|==|: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |K
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
  |01|02|03|04|05|06|07|08|09|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|

V = Varul
T = Tagen
B = Brald (?)
C = Calgarvin
CC = Capt. Clarke (and sailors, they'll cover the ship, and provide ranged atks.
H = Hippogriff (6 rounds)
P = Pirate
M = Merchant

(also, there is 5' between each ship...so make a good jump boys!)
Ok guys, I know its kinda hard to read, but bear with me...anyone have better ideas for ship combat grids?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Sun 21 May 2006.

Init: 22

Init.: 12

Init: 6

With a screan and a running jump the two pirates on deck of the ship grappled to the Swyft Wynd  One to land amid the marines, the other rushes to attack Captain Clarke as he concentrates on the summoned hippogriffs...he quickly regrets that charge as Clarke dispatches the man with barely a thought.  The other attempts an overhand cut against Tagin, but his attack is foiled by the pitching deck and a bad landing.

  |01|02|03|04|05|06|07|08|09|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 A|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |/ |\ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |A
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 B|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | /|  |  |\ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | /|\ |B
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 C|  |  |H |/ | \|  |  | /|  |  |b |  |\ |  |  |/ | \|  |  | /|  |  |C
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 D|  |  | :|b |P |: |  |: |b |  |  |  |: |  | :|b |  |: |  |:V|  |  |D
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 E|  |  | :|P |b |: |  |: |P |P |P |  |: |  | :|  |  |: |  |:P|TC|  |E
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 F|  |  | :|H |b |: |  |: |  |M |P |b |: |  | :|  |  |: |  |:B|  |  |F
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 G|  |  | :|==|==|: |  |: |  |  |  |  |: |  | :|  |  |: |  |: | b|  |G
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 H|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |: |  |  |M |P |: |  | :|==|==|: |  |: |  |CC|H
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 I|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |: | P|  |  |  |: |  |  |  |  |  |  |: |==|==|I
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 J|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |:P| M|  |  |  |: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |J
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
 K|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |: |==|==|==|==|: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |K
--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
  |01|02|03|04|05|06|07|08|09|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|

V = Varul - 12
T = Tagen - 6
B = Brald (?)
C = Calgarvin - 22
CC = Capt. Clarke (and sailors, they'll cover the ship, and provide ranged atks.
H = Hippogriff (6 rounds)
P = Pirate
M = Merchant

As the pirate jumps to board his ship, Vraul sets/readies his trident for the pirates charge so that the pirate lands on it.

[Private to DM Foxpaws:
Attack: 24
Damage: 29]

After avoiding the blow from the pirate, and with little room to manuever, Tagen slashes at his attacker with his sword.

[Private to DM Foxpaws:

08:56, Today: Tagen Vrinn rolled 6 using 1d8+2. Long Sword Damage.
08:56, Today: Tagen Vrinn rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Crit Threat ck.
08:55, Today: Tagen Vrinn rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Long Sword attack.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Fri 26 May 2006.

Calgarvin, satisfied that his crewmates can deal with the imminent threat in front of them, holds off behind them, conserving his energy for the main assault.