Supplies are handed out, and everyone is ushered to the wagons, because there are still a lot of supplies going to the ship.

Shortly past noon, the three wagons head out. It takes about four hours to reach the ship, and supplies are already being loaded.

For anyone not familiar with the ships that ply the oceans of Immoren, the ship is quite strange looking. It is flying the Mercarian flag.

It is not a ship design that was adapted to the development of ironworks, rather it seems to have been designed specifically to accommodate it.

It has two masts with sails, but it also has a large paddle wheel right in the middle of the ship. The paddle wheel is covered, but the semi-circle shape is unmistakable. The masts are fore and aft of the wheel. To either side of the wheel, and slightly aft, is a smokestack proclaiming to all that there are furnaces below deck.

The sides of the ship are ironclad, and there are two gonnes forward (one port, one starboard) and two gonnes aft on the stern.

The name on the side of the ship is the M.T.S. Resolute.

There are enough soldiers around that loading the contents of the three wagons only takes about an hour.

You are introduced to Captain Milo Gant.

"Welcome aboard the Resolute, Ladies and Gentlemen," he tells the Iron Fists. "Since we'll be operating with a skeleton crew because of all the supplies we have to take, if you have any seamanship experience, it would sure be appreciated if you could lend a hand to shipboard duties."

He glances out on the docks to note the progress being made loading, then adds:

"We'll be sailing with the tide in about an hour. I suggest you get your gear stowed."

The first mate shows you to your quarters, advising you to keep everything battened down.

Rrger tries to stay out of the way and more or less succeeds as he loads his tools and gear onto his 'jacks and places the three of them where he can get to them on the trip. He needed to take Devro out and attach the saw, then he should probably train the three to attack and work together.
Once his larger gear is secured he finds his berth and ties down his issued gear. Once the group is together, either in the cabin or at mess, he poses a question. "Is there a way that you can all shoot around me and not through me? I'll try and hold back whatever we have to fight so you can reload, but I'd rather not get shot up in every battle."

Marco finds his berth and stows his equipment, though he keeps a fair deal of it on his own person...he's not the sort to be without weapons, or to leave his valuables lying about.  As he knows a bit of the sailor's craft, he helps out with getting the ship under way, though he is not above stealing a quick kip in his bunk if/when he thinks he won't be missed.

(When the group is together on board...)

Marco grins at Rrger, and says, "I'll do my best to keep my bullets out of your back, friend.  But for that matter, I expect to be doing most of my best work at close quarters as well, so his request goes for me as well."

Twirling one of his daggers betwixt his fingers, he looks around at the group.  "On that note...while we had a bit of a chance to get a feel for each other, I think it would be good to talk about how we fit together.  As a team, that is.  I've worked with street gangs, pirate crews, merc outfits...the members didn't all necessarily like each other, but they knew how to work together.  We need to do the same, if we plan on staying breathing and above ground."

"For starters...what does everyone consider their place here, their 'bread and butter', so to speak?"  His grin reappears, with a slightly harder edge.  "For myself...I'm good at getting into difficult places, cutting throats that need cutting, and convincing people to do what we want them to.  I'm no leader...and not a particularly good follower, truth be told.  But if one of you lot wants the job, I'll do my best to listen."

Danyka looked strangely at the Resolute, it was unlike any ship she had seen before.  Which wasn't saying that much, as she didn't have much experience with anything nautical; she could barely swim - which had been readily apparent in basic training.  She did know enough to ask permission before boarding, but seemed rather tentative on-board.  The ship might have been fairly large, but it wasn't so large that there wasn't movement to deck.

She greeted the Captain when he introduced himself and set about stowing her belongings in her assigned cabin.  Conspicuously, she continued to wear her own backpack for the moment; though the standard issue duffel and framepack (still fully loaded, sans pistol, of course) were left on her bunk.

In making sure that Argus was properly situated, she followed (or at least tried to subtly observe and copy) Nicollo's lead.  The Thurian gun mage seemed to know what he was doing - so, she figured that she could only do much worse on her own.  And even though she tried to watch him carefully, she was eventually required to actually ask for his aid in making sure that Argus was not in danger.

Not the strongest of the Iron Fist physically, Dany knew better than to disrupt the flow; so, mostly she tried to stay out of the way.  She was more than willing to put in a helping hand when necessary, but she never tried to inject herself into any doings or tasks unasked at this point.

Danyka was more than willing to gather and talk with the others, when Rrger effectively gathered everyone together.  In fact, she seemed quite eager.  "I can assure you that I hit what I aim for, Master Rrger." she said easily and simply, the raven-haired Llaelese gun mage does realized that might sound more than a touch arrogant, "I have studied you and your charges in various situations."  Dany shrugged slightly diffidently, "I have been watching all of you, and I believe that I have a pretty good feel for your movements and style."  During Basic, her pistol time at the range and in various situations does back up her assertions; the young lady does appear to be familiar with compensating for the chaotic movement of hand-to-hand combat in her own aiming efforts.

"Thank you for pulling us together," she nodded to her Ogrun mechankic companion, "We definitely should discuss better ways to ensure that we may insure that all of us remain alive..."  She nodded to Marco's assessment of himself, then pointing to herself.  "I have some facility in the woods.  And a fair facility with these..." and she pulled her two mage-locked pistols from the belt beneath her heavy greatcoat, though her fingers were obviously kept away from the triggers and they were not pointed in the direction of any of her comrades,.  Then Danyka smiled gently, almost diffidently, "I also carry a healing wand.  With Morrow as my guide, I am capable of some very limited feats of healing."  She shrugged slightly, "I am only lay clergy, however."  It was a bit of an apology and mostly just a matter-of-fact statement.  The raven-haired pistoleer seemed more than willing to elaborate on her perceived strengths and weaknesses, and entertain any other ideas about how best to utilize her skills.  Noticeably, Dany was tight-lipped about how some of those skills might have been obtained, but she is open about whether she knows something on a given topic (and her breadth is actually fairly good...) - for a gun mage.

[OOC:  The group would more than likely be well-aware that Danyka has Precise Shot.  And while Dany has some grounding in Knowledge (tactics) - though she is by no means an expert, her player really has none.  So, we'll have to presume that she can speak on it cogently, even if her typist can't.]

Nicollo boarded the resolute and quickly made himself familiar with it's interior; he was by no means a sailor, but his uprising ws seasoned with stories about the braves who captained the dead, and their sucessors in war during the time of the Rebelion. Salt water was on his blood by means of heritage, even if not by experience.

After making the preparations to accomodate Jester and helping Dany do the same to Argus, he found his own niche and let his equipment there... except for his pistols, which were not equipment, but an extension of his acting power. He carried with him even the new one, issued by the Quartermaster. As he had no holster for her, it went into a pocket. He would atone for the shame of being carried as a simple anything by being the only one marked while riding the waves, Nicollo thought, dreamy.

He spent some time talking to the sailors and helping with the ships arrangements, moved by remembrances of a happier time. One thing he knew: even though he needed to let his past behind him, the stories were the part which he would never forget. Even if he manage to erase his name, the stories he cherished would still be part of his being.

It wasn't long when the entire Iron Fist found themselves together. The Ordic gun mage knew that the subject started by Rrger and Marco were a crucial one, but he felt a little unease in being honest to his answers. "I won't lie to you, I am pretty good in hitting what I intend to, but I've never before had the need to worry about fighters I didin't want hit in one skirmish. You know, Rrger, when these bullets pass through a target as thick as you, it tends to loose too much speed and with it I can kiss goodbye to its penetrating power, so don't worry about me wanting to it it, though" he kids. "Anyway, I'm trying to wrap my mind around the idea of considering your erratic movements in a fight, but it's not something I've needed before. Don't worry, though, I would rather miss the chance to hit some enemy than risk hurting a friend."

"Well, what can I contribute to the fist? I'm a good shot, and I can keep my cool in most situations, be it a fight or a tense meeting. Not one to miss small details. I've passed through the Fingers and when exiting had more than when I've entered." He let this in the air, hoping that someone would understand, and knowing most would misunderstand. Anyway, the idea that someone with his figure could thrive in the mud - and a dangerous mud, that was - was the idea he wanted to instill, and that would be reached with both results.

Rrger looks from person to person. The military plan was working, they were becoming something of a team. "For myself, I went to college and learned my way around 'jacks and mechanika as well as casting some minor spells. I payed the bills in college by working as a bodyguard for a 'family' in the city. They had more people using the guns, I was mostly a deterrent." With a large smile he continues, "Most people won't mess with a full grown Trollkin. I'm planning to teach my 'jacks to attack as a team so they can swarm a single opponent. And I'm putting the large buzz saw on Devro, the steamjack. It's almost inevitable that we'll run out of fuel and spare parts so eventually they'll be less useful. And Nicollo, I'll try not to stop too many of your bullets. By the way, I took the pistol and rounds they offered. Figured you lot might need extra later on.

NPC'd

It actually took longer for Gorren to load his gear on the ship than it had Rrger, particularly the portable forge. He was still debating with himself whether he should wear his armor aboard ship. He struggled trying to imagine anything he'd need to battle on the ship, other than maybe pirates.

He joined the group late.

"Up close and personal, that's the way I fight. Rrger and his 'jacks and I can handle anything what comes our way. If you cover our flanks, we should be golden."


((OOC: I was planning on bringing Gorren and Katrin along just in case they returned.))

Creswick follows along, quite happy to keep silent while stories are told.

When it comes to his turn, Creswick smiles wryly, and says "While I am skilled in many things, I am not particularly good at any of them. Of what I pride myself, is the ability to learn, and take in information. I have a working knowledge of a large number of the beasties out there, and am quite focused on making it more so. I am more than happy to assist where needed and may have an option available should there be noone better than I."

"In the mean time, we should get sorted, and make sure that we can do what needs to be done, so I will bow to whoever offers the best plan."

Creswick then seems to fade back into the chair and takes up listening to each proposition once more.

As dusk falls, the furnaces on the ship are fired up.

"ALL ABOARD!" the call goes out.

As soon as the captain is sure everyone who is going is aboard, lines are cast off and he engages the engines. The paddlewheel begins to turn and the ship starts to move out.


The ship is barely a 200 feet from the dock when Gorren, Marco and Nicollo get a bad feeling. They can't put their finger on it, but something just doesn't feel right.

Marco is on deck as the ship begins to get under way, leaning against the rail and smoking a cigarillo.  He is feeling a bit morose; his face is absent its usual smile, instead wearing a much more subdued expression.  Smoke drifts between his lips, floating away to mix with the coalsmoke from the stack.

A long journey, he thinks.  A long, lonely journey.  He hadn't considered the fact that he's going to be cooped up on a ship with a bunch of men and only two women for what could be weeks.  Granted, both the lasses were quite easy on the eyes...but both were very handy with their pistols, and neither seemed the type to be talked around by his streetwise charm.  Besides, even if either of them were susceptible to his advances, that would be a perfect way to make the tension on the ship even tenser.  Hands off, he decides grudgingly, and comforts himself with the thought of exotic beauties that might await him on Zu.

It does little to cheer him, though, and he realizes he's on edge...something feels wrong, has him brimming with nervous energy.  Tossing his butt over the side of the ship, he begins to pace around the decks, his dark eyes casting about for any sign of anything out of place...and one hand rubbing his knife hilt for luck.

OOC:  If Marco sees Nicollo, Rrger, or Creswick, he will probably confide his feelings in them, see if they have any misgivings or ideas...no offense to anyone else, but he's got a bit of rapport with Rrger and Cres, and Nicollo is also Tordoran and thus seems more familiar.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:00, Tue 04 Mar 2014.

Creswick has stayed on deck for as much of the proceedings as possible. While not getting under foot, and even attempting to help where he can, it is apparent that his experience at sea is limited at best.

Attempting to start a conversation or two with people on deck as it will be a long trip ahead, Creswick finds that while he has no luck with any of the crew of the ship, he notices that Marco is also pacing on board.

Creswick begins moving towards him, "What's wrong," He asks, moving to take a view of the ocean. "I know naught of seamanship, and the little I know to help is relegated to tying things down and or steadying the swaying man. All else I know is sea shanties and tales of woe. The Sea appears silent, which could be good or bad, and all that is left is ones intuition as to when hell breaks loose. That much I know from my time between the hewn roads."

In response to Marco's comments about excess energy, "While nothing per say is bothering me, it is a fool of a man who does not trust his own instinct, and if you say something seems amiss, it does no harm to exercise a tad bit of caution." Says Creswick, "I'd suggest you keep a keen eye out and be ready for anything. Life has a funny way of warning you of that which can go wrong, and fate is the cruel bitch who keeps you guessing."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:48, Wed 05 Mar 2014.

"Hey waitaminute, " Rrger says, turning back to the grinning sailor, "There is no shore line. Well there is, but it's not a rope." As the sailor chuckled Rrger looks a little embarrassed. At least he hadn't run looking for it. "How about I just get out of the way and let you guys do the job?" The embarrassment fades as he walks away and he starts to chuckle a bit himself. He stops as he walks by Creswick and Marco.
"Hey, you'll never guess what just happened. I offered to help this seaman up front and he said he wass checking all the lines. He started naming them to me, this line, that line, the whatever it was line. But he was concerned that the shore line wasn't there and to me to go see if it was aft. I was about to ask where aft was when I got the joke. I think he just wanted me to stop distracting him and go away for a while. So I'm out of the way. What's happening here?"

Danyka stood at the railing towards the stern of the Resolute.  Her gaze seemed steady and unwavering, though her hands gripped the railing tightly - her knuckles white under the pressure, which betrayed the mounting tension despite her rather stony features.

She tried to take deep breaths for the young Rhynnish woman looked a touch uncomfortable with the rocking of the boat.  And she was likely a shade paler than normal.  Her head didn't move - keeping her gaze locked on the receding land, though she did respond to Rrger's observations with her own question.  "Do you think," the tall Llaelese brunette said slowly, "that there is a problem, Mister Rrger?"  There was perhaps some urgency in her tone, though that could have been due a number of things in the surround rather than the trollkin's budding suspicions.  Obviously, she didn't necessarily sense anything wrong, but then she also obviously had very little (if any) previous shipboard experience.

She paused to let out another deep breath.  "Careful boys." Dany stated thoughtfully, just a touch of wistfulness in her voice, "This may be the last time we see the continent of Immoren."  She knew that might sound just a touch too fatalistic, so she added after another measured pause, "At least, for a fairly long while..."

"There don't seem to be any problems with the boat, if that's what you mean." Rrger says. "I think our chances of returning home are good though. I have a teleport spell on a scroll. We may not get out of here with all our gear, but we should be able to get out."

Gorren was more interested in the engines and the big wheel, thought that there might be something off with them, but it couldn't see or hear anything amiss.

Marco was pacing around the deck, and Nicollo was staring ahead when...


The ship was suddenly being boarded! They were climbing up ropes that were hung from the bow!

Marco's first indication was when a dagger whizzed by his head and stuck in the mast.

Nicollo's first indication was when a hand reached through the gunwales and tried to grab his foot!

The first impression after that was that monsters were trying to board the ship! They had big dark heads... mean-looking! And then you realized that they were wearing some sort of mechanical apparatus on their heads.

It was hard to tell in the fading light, but it looked like there were a dozen of them.

Rrger quickly draws his weapon and moves to attack the nearest opponent.

OOC: 22:37, Today: Rrger rolled 16 using 1d20+2. initiative.

Danyka had been pacing the mid-deck near the others.  She hadn't found Rrger's answer all that satisfying or comforting, but had left if at that.  There was nothing to be gained with further badgering.  And actually Dany had seemed preoccupied anyways.

when the dagger had clattered upon the deck, the tall Rhynnish brunette had whirled and around, her pistols sliding easily from their belt holsters in a movement that appeared to be all too practiced for the young lady.  Danyka stared off in the direction that dagger had come from, letting her vision momentary adjust its focus in the dying twilight.

"What..." she vocalized her momentary confusion, half-demanding growl resonated with more than a touch of semi-rhetorical, quasi-confused undertones, "what the hell is going on here?!?"  The Llaelese gun mage didn't really expect an answer - at least one that didn't involve some serious lead...

[OOC:  So many choices, so few guns...

  Move Action:      Shift position as necessary to get clear shots and not be engaged, while drawing a pistol in each hand.
  Free Action:      Uh... what the heck are these things?
  Standard Action:  Ready pistols to fire, as necessary

  22:31, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 19 using 1d20+9. Initiative.
  22:45, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 13 using 1d20+6. Knowledge (Arcana (?))/Int Check.

I'm not really sure what Knowledge specialty (if any) might apply - but if Dany has it, the same bonus would apply +6 - otherwise, she knows nothing...:)]

Marco cursed sulphurously and his hands immediately dropped to his weapons.  "We're under attack!  Everybody, grab arms and repel boarders!  Move, you..." he finished with a string of Tordoran slang phrases that would never be called terms of endearment.


17:49, Tue 11 Mar 2014: Marco Fiero rolled 28 using 1d20+8 (initiative).

Action will depend upon how close I am to one of these miscreants.

A.) If a boarder (preferably the one who threw the knife) is within 30':
Move action:  advance to opponent, drawing knives simultaneously
Standard action:  attack with dagger
17:50, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 27 using 1d20+9. Attack roll with dagger.
17:51, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 7 using 1d4+5. damage roll with dagger.

B.) If none are within 30':
Move action:  advance towards opponent, drawing double-barreled pistol simultaneously
Standard action:  fire pistol
17:50, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 26 using 1d20+8. Attack roll with pistol.
17:51, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 5 using 2d4. damage roll with pistol.

It would seem as if the boarders were expecting to have surprise on their side, or otherwise didn't account for climbing the last 5 feet of rope and negotiating the climb over the railing. As a result, the Iron Fist has the initiative.

Marco has no problem moving 30 feet to engage the enemy. His dagger attack hits, but he quickly realizes that the armor his opponent is wearing is absorbing some of that damage.

Dany is initially puzzled by the attackers, but only because of the dim lighting. Once they climb over the railing, she realizes that they are just people wearing some sort of ironwork armor with strange helmets. As the water continues to drip off them, she guesses the helmets allowed them to breathe underwater.

Rrger's cleft greatsword comes down quickly, scoring a solid hit against the boarder he had moved to block.

OOC:
08:06, Today: Rrger rolled 26 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 17. attack boarder.
08:08, Today: Rrger rolled 17 using 2d6+6 with rolls of 5,6. Damage boarder.
Note: quenched serricsteel, bypass most damage resist

Nicollo stepped back, trying to avoid the grappling hand. More from instinct than decision, one of his guns found a way to his left hand. He heard some words and the sound of steel on steel, but he added his own shout and shots to warn the sailors and his fellows, for good measure. "We're being boarded!"



OOC:
Free actions - Readying Shouter (Quad-iron pistol) and shouting
Shooting at the nearest attacker (the one who tried to grab him) at point-blank
22:32, Today: Nicollo Baldino rolled 26 using 1d20+7. Sooting neareast attacker (PB).
A nineteen on the dice means it's on the threat range of my Quad-iron!
22:35, Today: Nicollo Baldino rolled 18 using 1d20+7. Confirming critical?
I really hope these attackers have a less tan 18 AC... 'cause if that's the case, I'm rolling 8d4 of damage for him!
22:37, Thu 13 Mar 2014: Nicollo Baldino rolled 21 using 8d4 ((2,3,1,3,4,2,4,2)).

When the chopping and the shooting started, Dany joined right in.  Well, with the shooting at least.  The tall Rhynnish brunette shifted to get a better position and then squeezed the trigger of the pistol in each hand.  She sought to back up the charging Rrger, unphased by the trollkin's bulk and seemingly unworried about hitting her companion even though he was directly engaging the enemy.

The Llaelese gun mage was quiet amongst the din of battle, not saying anything didn't require her to raise her voice at all.  For Danyka, it was a win-win situation.

Now, all that she needed to do was to try and help her side to actually win.

[OOC:  Fire at an opponent, preferably the one that Rrger is hitting (unless, of course, he has already killed that one - in which case, she will target the next nearest boarder):

  Move Action:      Shift position as necessary to get best shot - other held to reload one pistol afterwards...
  Standard Action:  Fire to Repel!

  11:55, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 28,17 using 1d20+12,1d20+12. Attack: Magelock Pistol 1&2.
  11:57, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 10,11 using 2d6,2d6. Damage: Magelock Pistol 1&2.

Accurate magelocked military pistols with Precision ammunition.  If the enemy is less than thirty feet away, then Dany will get +1 attack and +1 damage from Point Blank Shot (not added in).]

Sorry, didn't realize it was time to take another turn. :)

Marco's face twists into a savage grin as he continues to fight with his opponent, daggers flickering and darting, seeking the chinks in his opponent's armor.

OOC:  Blasted DR...
11:56, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 14 using 1d20+7. attack roll with right dagger.
11:56, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 22 using 1d20+7. attack roll with left dagger.
11:56, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 6 using 1d4+5. damage roll with right dagger (if it hits).
11:56, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 6 using 1d4+5. damage roll with left dagger.

Creswick draws his Longsword as the attackers climb the railing, and moving in to flank Marco's victim, he swings his sword at his target, although it looks like it was wildly off course, perhaps due to not being on a ship before.

Slowly circling around his target, Creswick gets ready to attack again the moment an opportunity is presented.

"Better to whittle em down quickly right Marco?" Creswick says as they continue the combat.

OOC
10:32, Today: Creswick rolled 9 using 1d20+1. +2 from flanking not included, attack roll. (Also forgot to include masterwork +1 to hit, but meh. still a miss methinks.)

Better luck with any attacks of opportunity I hope.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:20, Mon 17 Mar 2014.

Although there are a dozen boarders climbing over the rails pretty much all at the same time, they aren't all within reach.

Rrger hacks at a boarder and manages to kill him with one blow!


Not to be outdone, Nicollo fires at the boarder that had tried to grab him. His shot hits with a critical and kills the man. ((Odd that this hasn't come up before... House Rule: a natural roll of 20 without a critical does max damage. Critical success does max damage times the multiplier. Makes combat go a bit faster. So Nicollo did 32 points of damage.))


Seems like it's a case of one-upmanship as Dany lets loose at the next boarder to Rrger's left. Both pistols hit, which is enough to kill another boarder.


Marco is also able to score a hit with both his daggers, and though he seriously injures the boarder, it's not quite enough to take him down.


Creswick has no problem flanking Marco's foe, but he swings and misses.


By the end of the round, though, everyone has a better idea of what they are facing. The boarders all appear to be human. They aren't really wearing armor, but have a breast plate that is fused to the large helmet. It handicaps them in their movement, AC and attacks, but provides a DR of 1. They have an AC of 14 and 15 or so hit points.

The only one still alive and in position to attack is the one facing Marco. He pulls out a short curved blade and swings... and misses.

Seeing the boarder attack Marco, Creswick counter attacks and uses the flat side of the blade, trying to knock out the boarder and hopefully learn something about this attack when they interrogate him later.

OOC
Creswick rolled 16 using 1d20+6. Attack of oppurtunity - Boarder attacking Marco - subdual if possible. Subtract whatever penalties for using a longsword as a subdual weapon (IE Flat side of the blade)

Creswick rolled 2 using 1d8+1. Subdual damage to Boarder, assuming it is possible to use it as such. I guess it is ironic it did minimal damage on a Subdual attack :)

Creswick's attack isn't an attack of opportunity; it's just a regular attack. It's not as accurate an attack as he was hoping for, but he still manages to hit.

Although the 2 points of nonlethal damage by themselves aren't quite enough to take the boarder out, Creswick's sneak attack does another 8 points of subdual.

In addition, Creswick's flanking maneuver also serves to keep the boarder from falling back overboard.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:35, Wed 19 Mar 2014.

Rrger takes a look into the water to see if there's some kind of boat or vessel down there that the boarders might have come from.

Marco leaps back to avoid the falling body as Creswick expertly sapped the fellow in the back of the neck with the flat of his sword.  He gives the other fellow a respectful nod, and says, "Nice touch."

Flinging one of his daggers down to thunk into the deck and stand there quivering, he uses that hand to draw his double-barreled pistol.  Cooly, he draws a bead on the next nearest of these attackers.

OOC:
Free action:  drop right-hand dagger
Move action:  draw pistol
Standard action:  fire pistol at nearest boarder not engaged with an ally.
18:00, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 20 using 1d20+8. Attack roll with pistol (additional +1 if within 30').
18:00, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 6 using 2d4. Damage roll with pistol (+1 if within 30').

Danyka frowned as more and more shadowy forms started to clamber on board over the railing.  "Too many" she growled softly to no one in particular.  She didn't bother to try and reload her pistols at this moment.  Instead she leveled the one in her right hand at a grouping.  She was careful to try and not hit any of her people, but to try and encompass as many of them as possible.

She rolled her shoulders as she took aim.  "Ocrol Yraps!" the Llaelese gun mage intoned sharply, her sing-song lilt resonating within a couple of harmonic registers as Dany pulled the trigger.  Instead of a bullet emanating from the barrel, a cascade of different colors sparkled forth spreading out in the kaleidoscopic cone...

[OOC:  Too few of us, too many of them.  Let's try to even the odds a bit...

  Standard Action:  Color Spray as many of the enemy as possible (and as few allies as possible) (DC 16)
  Move Action:      Held for the moment...

I hope this works...]

In the twilight of the setting sun, already below the mountains behind them, it was hard to tell just where everyone was at first. Dany knows this as the 'fog of war'. The subsequent flash of pistols served as momentary bursts of light that gave glimpses into the scene.

Marco and Creswick had wound up in the center of he fray. Rrger and Nicollo were on the forward port side while Dany and Gorren wound up on the forward starboard side.

There were 12 boarders; three in the center were eliminated by Nicollo, Rrger and Dany, while the fourth has now been dealt with by Marco and Creswick.

That leaves four on the left and four on the right.

Rrger looks over the railing but doesn't see any boat, but he does see a dozen ropes hanging down into the water.

Marco fires at the next nearest boarder on the left, and hits, but it doesn't stop him.

Dany's Color Spray to the right drops two of them (#1 and #3), but the other two are unfazed.

It's about now that Gorren and the crew arrive. There's only five crew plus the captain. The captain and three crewmen are on the port side, while two crewman join Gorren on the starboard.

Gorren didn't have time to put on his armor, but he did grab his rifle. As soon as he has a clear shot, he stops and fires at the nearest boarder (#4).

19:12, Wed 19 Mar 2014: GM StarMaster, on behalf of Gorren Stonefist, rolled 14,14 using 1d20+4,2d8 ((10,8,6)).

He hits, just barely, and does 13 points of damage, which drops that boarder.

Satisfied that there aren't any more boarders waiting in the water, Rrger pivots on the balls of his feet and charges the next opponent. His greatsword flashes through the air and lands a solid blow.

OOC:
15:28, Today: Rrger rolled 16 using 2d6+6. Damage boarder.
15:27, Today: Rrger rolled 21 using 1d20+11. attack boarder.

Marco, nonplussed that his bullet didn't stop his most recent target, empties the other barrel at the same fellow, then drops the pistol and yanks his knife free of the deck.

Noting the pair that Danyka put down with her spell, he says casually over his shoulder to Creswick, "Might want to make sure those fine fellows don't wake up again.  One prisoner for questioning is fine.  A surplus can get messy."

He starts forward with knives in his hands, whistling a jaunty tune.

OOC:
Standard Action:  fire pistol
19:01, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 22 using 1d20+8. Attack roll with pistol (+1 if within 30').
19:02, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 7 using 2d4. Damage roll with pistol (+1 if within 30').
Free Action:  drop pistol
Move Action:  retrieve dagger
5' step towards nearest standing opponent...the guy he shot, if that guy is still on his feet.

This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Sat 22 Mar 2014.

"In the onset of Darkness..." intones Dany solemnly, "Comes the Blessing of the True Lord of Light!"  She lets the power of Morrow fill her, causing her eyes to flare with the inner light.  She shifts her position; so, that she is more towards the center of her group of allies.  And with one pistol held high above her head, the Rhynnish gun mage pulls the trigger on the spent weapon.

The runes along length of barrel of the upraised magelocked military pistol glow with a soft whitish tinge and a burst of positive energy emanates from Danyka and her sidearm.  The pulse saturates the Llaelese brunette and her companions (and the Resolute's crew as well) around her, filling them with the warmth of Morrow - letting the Prophet's Will steady their aim and harden their resolve.

[OOC:  Blessed are the cheesemakers ... er ... nevermind...

  Move Action:      Step back to make sure that Dany is not engaged
  Standard Action:  Cast Bless

That should be a +1 to hit and +1 vs fear for all of Dany's allies - which should include the Captain and Crew!  Yay!]

OOC: It seems like I've missed one turn of action, and by all chances, Nicollo would spent it recharging his gun. May I post as if he was doing it last round and then proceed to engage someone else this round? I'll write like that, but if anyone feels like that's not appropriate, I'll edit it and just recharge the gun.

After giving his warning with both the power of his lungs and the power of his powder, Nicollo was silent. A quad-iron was a complex mechanism, and he opened it and started the process of filling it with a respect that bordered being ritualistic. It was a precision procedure, but there was more than just care in his doings.

OOC: And it come to pass that I've just rolled another natural 20... pity we're not on a fight again. One standard action later, and the quad-iron pistol is charged again.
17:50, Sat 22 Mar 2014: Nicollo Baldino rolled 20 using 1d20+15 ((5)).
17:51, Sat 22 Mar 2014: Nicollo Baldino rolled 31 using 1d20+11 ((20)).

Hadn't he hear Danyka's prayer just before felting the overwhelming feeling of purpose that came with the blessing, Nicollo would have believed that he had really performed a ritual. As the pistol come close, shooter and gun became as one and another bullet gained its freedom.

OOC:
Nicollo shoots the nearest foe to him.
17:57, Sat 22 Mar 2014: Nicollo Baldino rolled 8 using 1d20+7 ((1)).
Well, too much confidence, I guess.

And fly free it did. An uncredulous thurian could just look at his surroundings and gasp "what?"

In reply to Marco, Creswick states "While normally I would agree with you on that, I see no reason to kill them while they are unconscious."

Creswick moves over to the unconscious men, ready to stop any possible attack the other attackers may make on him.

"And while you are right about the questioning of one, a smart attacker only gives minor information to any individual. At this stage I would rather they had breath, if only to lose it later."

Creswick takes up a defensive stance around the unconscious ones, ready to knock them out again should it be required.

((Apologies for the delay again. Had some disrupted days compounded by Internet connectivity problems on Thursday and Friday.))


Toward the port side, Rrger attacks the next boarder and takes him down.

Right behind him, Nicollo gets his pistol reloaded and shoots the next boarder... and completely misses.

The Captain and crew engage the remaining three boarders on the port side.


Toward the starboard side, Gorren's rifle takes down one of the remaining boarders there.

Marco fires a second shot at the last standing boarder, the one that he already shot. It hits, and the second bullet is enough to take him down.

Even Dany's blessing isn't enough to help Nicollo's shot, though.


The battle isn't quite over, as the crew on the port side are struggling with the three remaining boarders, but once the starboard crew join them, the boarders are all taken down.


It finally registers to Marco and Nicollo what was wrong with the picture that alerted them. All the extra ropes tied around the forward railing seemed reasonably normal to them, but once the ship was under steam, they should have been laying flat against the ship. Instead, they were hanging straight down because of the weight of a body on them. It just didn't look 'normal'.

As the battle ends, Nicollo found himself staring increduly at Shouter. He couldn't accept his own thoughts, but the message was all too clear. He recalled Danyka prayer, but it was in his father voice that he heard them... and suddenly, he felt as if his other pistol, Heirloom, turned unconfortably in his holster.

Yet, he would have time enough to deal with his own demons later... right now, the questioning of the survivor remains to be done, and there's too much questions he would want answered, that concern more than his own self. So he walked next to where Marco and Creswick had tied the remaining attacker. His face was the image of disgust.

"Is everyone allright?"

"I believe so, although the three that still draw breath may have some regret towards that." Creswick says as he keeps an eye on his "charges"

"Any assistance in getting this lot secured would be appreciated. While having captives is nice and all, them not being captive, is kind of a problem."

Creswick looks at his blade and shrugs. For whatever reason he is getting out of practice with his Longsword. "After we get this sorted out, I think I may need to put in a few more hours of practice"

"Alright." Rrger grunts and nods. His somewhat gutteral response doesn't quite sound like him. He starts a pile with the gear from one of the corpses, staying close enough to hear what's going on and to be seen by the surviving boarders.

Marco tucks his smoking pistol back into his belt, and sheathes his blades after wiping them clean with a handkerchief.

Shouting for some rope, Marco helps strip off the invader's bulky diving gear and searches them roughly for any weapons, tossing any that he finds to the side.

Once all of the surviving boarders are bound hand and foot, Marco will shove one up against a bulkhead and throw a bucket of seawater in his face to awaken him.

"Rise and shine, my friend.  I believe you have a story to tell us, about why you decided to climb aboard our fine vessel."  His smile does not match his eyes, which are hard and cold...but one could not say there was no humor in it.  "Make it fast, make it good, and make it the truth."

Besides the strange diving armor-and-helm they were wearing, each had a dagger in a boot and a short sword at the waist. Most of them never got a chance to draw their weapons as it took two hands for them to climb up the ropes.


Two of them will wake up from the bucket of water; the other one will take a little longer.

The one Marco is questioning doesn't reply; he just sits there looking sullen.

Marco flips out one of his knives and presses the point into the man's cheek directly under his left eye.

"Nothing to say?  You might want to review some basic arithmetic here, my friend.  For instance, if I have three prisoners, I only need one who's willing to talk.  And while a prisoner has two eyes, he really doesn't need any to answer questions."

"Now then, let's try again.  Why were you boarding us?"  And then he starts to count down from ten.  "Ten...nine...eight..."

OOC:  For everyone's benefit...Marco is not bluffing.  If anybody doesn't want this to happen (I'm thinking Nicollo and Dany in particular), they can--and should--stop him before he finishes counting down.
07:48, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 18 using 1d20+11. Intimidate check (plus whatever bonus threatening to blind a dude is worth).

Creswick watches the interrogation quietly, but when Marco threatens to blind both of them, he taps Marco on the shoulder. "One moment Marco"

 Creswick mutters to Marco, before approaching our three woken brigands.

"Listen up, you lot are on tender hooks. And while I am quite happy to just toss you overboard after finding out what you have to say. My friend Marco here has apparently taken personal affront to your being here on board this fine vessel. If you speak quickly, you may yet leave with your life. Assuming you are able to swim well enough. If you offer us something of worth, we may even leave you on solid ground. Your choice."

As Creswick walks back over to Dany and Nicollo, he says loud enough for all to hear

"Marco, if they don't talk, they are in your hands, but if any of them give us anything, you pass them on to myself or one of the others. No offense intended for you, but I would rather make good on our offer to the prisoners, than have you get a little carried away."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:11, Thu 27 Mar 2014.

Rrger doesn't say anything but starts pulling the gear off the corpses and throwing the bodies overboard.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Tue 25 Mar 2014.

Danyka frowned at Marco's threats against their captives, taking a hard swallow - as though she were fighting down the words that she wanted to say.  However, Creswick appeared to have things in hand.  At least, she hoped so - and she didn't feel as though potentially piling on would help the situation.  That frown of disapproval at the methods currently being used was all that she conceded for the moment.

So, she watched and waited.

And while, she waited, Dany reloaded her pistols.  And then she holstered her pistols with a flourish, gritted her teeth, then took a deep breath and turned to look out over the water for a moment.  Her motions were a bit stiff and her expression tightly controlled.  Only her whitening knuckles on the railing betrayed the tension or conflict that she might be feeling.

At this point, Danyka only intended to intervene when Marco's countdown got to 'one'.  She wasn't sure what she would do (especially to get them to actually talk ), but the young Llaelese woman wasn't going to let the charming, dagger-brandishing rogue carve up their captives.  At least not yet.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Wed 26 Mar 2014.

Nicollo was clearly annoyed, and he did no effort to hide his anger. He wanted, as well as any of the others, to know who the attacker were, and why did they had tried to board them. But there were others, more essential things he wanted to know more.

He also knew something about threats: one should never profess something one is not intending to do... and now he found himself cornered. On one hand, he didn't want to be part of torture - killing someone who has attacked you is something, but subjecting another living being to suffering is barbaric -, and even if the Good Twin' favor has been held from him, Nicollo would not stray from his path.

On the other hand, the rogue has already called his card, and who does the gunslinger thinks he is to decide what's to be done in the matter?

He hoped Creswick's words had the desired effect, 'cause he wouldn't like to have to act. But the tension in his arm was building in anticipation, anyway.

As Marco's countdown neared its completion, Danyka turned.  She held up a hand, to have the charming rogue halt.  "I believe," the tall Rhynnish brunette spoke haltingly, "that we are perhaps going about this the wrong way!"  She gestured towards where Rrger was 'cleaning up', "We only need one of them.  The other two are just taking up space.  We can't take them with us or let them use up our precious supplies."  Dany shrugged slightly, "Perhaps they themselves should decide who is best suited to remain with us.  And who will be leaving."  Her last statement was punctuated by a splash as her large Trollkin companion tossed yet another corpse over the railing; making the choice implicitly one of life and death.

The Llaelese initiate of Morrow made a dismissive wave and noted off-hand in a volume loud enough for the captives to clearly hear, "Morrow willing, we will have a Zone of Truth for our questioning available tomorrow at sunrise..."  Hopefully, that would help to motivate the three men to come to some sort of understanding with their captors and themselves.  It pretty much was a matter of resolve and priorities.  A Zone of Truth could take much of the guesswork out of the interrogation.

It wasn't necessary to tell anyone else that she had never actually requested or prepared such a divine prayer before...

[OOC: Nor, it should it be noted, is Zone of Truth actually in any of her spell lists (Gun Mage or Adept)...

  22:44, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 26 using 1d20+12. Bluff/Cha Check:  Vs Boarders.

Here's to hoping she can get something out of them!  And, of course, once separated, it is not necessary to actually kill any of them.]

Initially, two of them were determined and stubborn, but no one had asked the one who wasn't. After all, they were 'soldiers' going into battle; death was almost expected. When it came down to it, though, the fact that their plan had gone completely awry from the beginning began to prey on their minds and slowly undermined whatever loyalty they might have had... at least for one of them.

"We was hired to stop the ship from sailing," one of them mutters.

"Shut up, Grigor! Or I'll rip your heart out myself!" the other conscious one threatens.

"No! You shut up, Drago! You don't get it! We ain't gotta worry bout no rep if wees dead!"

"This guy hired us," Grigor continues, turning back to Marco, "Wouldn't give us his name... said we could just call him Mr. Gold. Seemed to think that was a big joke. But I heard one of his... pals... call him Nefario. I think he was a Menite. We trained in them suits for a week... for all the good that did us."

Both of them appear to have a Cryxian accent, though.

"Interesting...but not nearly enough." Nicollo let go of his tension, and started playing bad cop as well. "Grigor here got it right, you shouldn't worry with more than the continuity of your lifes right now... So, either you helphim remember the facts, Drago, or you stay out of the way. If you don't, Marco here may do it for you, but you'll find it more pleasant if done willingly."

The pistoleer then began the act of reloading Shouter. "Anyway, it seems to me that if you spent so much time training with their gear, you got a little more from them than a possible name. Would you mind making a better effort in remembering them?" The tone let little doubt that it was not a polite question, but an urgent order.

When Grigor begins spilling his guts, Marco glances at some of his teammates with eyebrows raised, but his expression is blank again when he turns back to their prisoners.  He decides to let cooler and sharper heads ask the questions, while remaining an ominous observer to the conversation.

OOC:  How far out of port are we at this juncture?

"Huh?" Grigor responds to Nicollo. He seems genuinely confused.

"Do your worst, nob! You'll get nothing from me!" Drago responds.


By now, the ship is maybe half a mile from the docks, perhaps a little close to the shore off to the starboard side.

Rrger nods to Marco and Danyka before placing Drago unceremoniously over one shoulder. He turns with a grunt and carries the hapless prisoner around the cabin and out of Grigor's field of vision. He drops the man on the deck and turns to start clearing the corpses on this side of the ship.

As Rrger took Drago for his walk on deck, Nicollo lowered in order to get eye-to-eye with Grigor and clarify his confusion: "Focus here. You learned how to dive with these devices in just one week, so I guess you were smart guys. You will understand us, then. Your friend Drago was being uncolaborative, so my trollkin friend took him to test if he is smart enough to learn to dive in cuffs in his first try. While we wait his answer in this, I'd like to know what more, besides diving, you learned during these week. What more can you tell me about Nefario and his pals? How many were there, what did they talked about? How much would they pay you? What were the terms of your accord? You'll want to answer as many of these questions as you can." He left the implications of not answering unsaid, but he trusted Marco's presence behind spoke volumes about it.


OOC:
20:24, Sun 30 Mar 2014: Nicollo Baldino rolled 27 using 1d20+9 ((18)).

If there was such a thing as over-intimidation, Nicollo may have reached it. The man clearly wasn't used to thinking much, and Nicollo's barrage of questions seemed to overload his brain again.

"100 gold he paid us. Said there'd be more if we succeeded. Um, maybe six. Didn't see 'em clearly when they was around. We was usually too busy training with the monkey suits to see 'em.  Once, I seed one of them what had a black robe on. Thought he was a Menite priest. Never heard 'em talk about nuttin' except the monkey suits and the strategy to stop the ship from sailing."

"That's all I knowd! Honest! We was kept in the dark a lot. Only told what we needed to know. We didn't exactly know you was going to be on board. We was told to expect a loot and a few guards. Not... not... whatever you are!"

OOC:  Quick check:  do I get the feeling he's telling it fairly straight?
16:21, Today: Marco Fiero rolled 23 using 1d20+6. Sense motive.

He does sound like he's telling it as he remembers it, but he's not the smartest of people. It may not have been quite like he remembers.

"100 GP as a carrot now, with an unknown offer as the carrot later..." Creswick drawls as he wanders down to the now talkative captive, "And I imagine he would have had some place for you to gather following this jobs completion? You don't happen to know where that was, do you?"

Creswick kneels down next to our captive and looks him in the eye. "You do realize, that you probably would have died on completion, right?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:05, Sat 05 Apr 2014.

Marco gets up, shrugging and tucking his dagger back into its scabbard.  In a disinterested voice, he says, "I'd say he's told us what he knows...and it isn't much, more's the pity.  Now...what do we do with him, and his less cooperative mates?  I say over the side and have done, but perhaps some of you have a better idea?"

Danyka lapsed into silence again, once one of the captives started.  She leaned on the railing looking out over the water once more listening to what he had to say.  The thin Rhynnish brunette frowned slightly, at the suggestion that they be abandoned overboard here.  But in all honesty, she couldn't necessarily think of a better solution at the moment.

Unless... If they kept them for a couple of days they might be able to ensure a head start.  But once none of the men returned, their employers would know that they had failed (or at least be right in presuming so).  So, that was the best that they could do to help themselves.  But, where would that leave the captives?  With them?  All the way to Zu?  Seemed unlikely - they were mercenary at best, and she didn't for the prospect of shepherding them there - or turning them loose.

"Hmmm..." the Llaelese brunette mused aloud, "Perhaps we need to keep these men for a couple of days.  We can abandon them at the next island or port that we pass.  Presumably, their employer will expect them back soon - but we cannot really permit them the opportunity to return too soon."  Her tone didn't even seem to be entertaining the possibility of actually killing the men themselves.  Not that abandoning them on a desert island was necessarily not a death sentence...  But Dany didn't seem to be dwelling on that.

She did wait on the question that Creswick had postulated.  It might be worth investigating the rendezvous point...

Rrger finishes up and looks at the pile of diving gear and weapons on the deck before moving over to the rest of the group. "Mercenaries." He says simply, "Hire them."

Creswick looks at Rrger as he makes this comment.

"I would hope that they are happy to know that they have an opportunity to live. Never mind payment? Anyway, no matter what we offer them, their prospects are much higher than if they had actually made it back to whatever rendezvous point they were expected to meet at anyway."

Creswick turns to our captives, and says in an oddly cheerful tone."What do you say chaps? Interested in surviving a bit longer and joining us on our way to Zu?"

"Ha! Very good idea there, Rrgrr!" Gorren responds to Rrgrr's suggestion. "Hey, Nicollo! Wanna bring that other lug back... if he's still alive, o' course. We got a proposition for him."

He waits until Nicollo brings the other one back, and the third guy wakes up.

"Now listen up, you louts! Your continued breathing depends on you paying attention to what I say!"

"So, as I understand it, you was just hired by this Nefario fella for this one job. You never worked for him before, and he didn't give any indication that you was going to keep working for him. Right?"

He waited a moment for them to nod, nodding himself in encouragement.

"Well, then, everything's okay!" he exclaimed cheerfully. "That makes you mercenaries! You were paid to do a job, you did it, even if it didn't work, so your responsibility and obligation to Nefario is ended."

"That means you are free to work for us! If you'd been successful, you'd still be working for him until he paid you. But you weren't, he didn't and you aren't."

"Now, it just so happens that the Captain here is a bit understaffed, so he could use the extra hands. Plus, since we acquired all this nifty underwater gear, I'm thinking we sure could use someone who knows all about it to teach us how to use it. You wouldn't happen to know anyone who could do that, would you?"

Danyka remained silent as Gorren spoke; somewhat to her amazement (though she tried not to let it show), he offered their attackers a job.  The Rhynnish gun mage pursed her lips slightly into a tight, slight frown.  She shuddered a touch as she took in a deep breath, her only other concession to her discomfort at having men so recently attempting to kill them (no matter how inept or half-hearted) given free reign of the ship potentially.

Still, she kept most of her misgivings to herself, preferring to try and present a united front and back the dwarven bodger's play.  Of course, Gorren wasn't an attractive woman either - so, Dany didn't expect him to have to fend of any unwanted advances either.  That is unless, the young Llaelese woman had misjudged the proclivities of their captives.

The tall brunette continued to look out over the sea and the watched the shoreline recede into the distance.  Her tight grip on the railing was for both her own physical stability - she had yet to develop her sea legs - as well as an external indication of the reins she tried to keep on her sanity as well.  It also kept her hands well away from her pistols, which meant that Danyka wouldn't then be tempted to use them...

A couple of the group are behind the idea of hiring the mercenaries. That might not be the best idea he's ever had but, in Rrger's mind, it beats killing helpless captives. They could be executed in the name of justice but that would still be killing the helpless without even a trial. The large trollkin looks around the deck and gets another idea.
"Extra lifeboat, send them back tomorrow?" Maybe a better idea since they should make it back ok. One way or another the group would deal with these three, they weren't a real threat. This Nefario person was more of a concern. Was he trying to make problems with the islanders? Or maybe he was trying to corner trade in a new market. Maybe this guy was connected to the 'family' that was after him. He was pretty sure the group had a nemesis. This could end badly.

Gorren was feeling rather smug at having come up with a solution to their prisoners. His circumlocution (even if he didn't know what that meant) seemed to have swayed the prisoners over to his side.

"Wasn't that one of our lessons in bootcamp? Turn a problem into a solution?"

"They weren't what they first appeared to be, now, were they? They was merely a weapon turned upon us. We took the gun away and now we can turn it back upon this Nefario."

"I can see that the Menites wouldn't want us to succeed in our mission... certainly not re-establish trade with this foreign land. What we don't know, though, is how dedicated this villain is!"

"I heard someone refer to him as a nemesis. I'm not normally superstitious, but I think giving him that label may have assured that he will try again. His plan was rather clever, too. If he'd taken over this ship, it, too, would have vanished."

"Now that I think of it, perhaps Nefario is involved in the other ship's disappearance. We should keep that in mind."

Noticing that a couple of his companions are a little unhappy at this turn of events, Creswick starts looking at the possibilities.

"Lets see, we get attacked by these fellows, they decide to try and tough out the interrogation, clearly intimating that death was preferable to being known to talk, or at least Drago was of that opinion."

"Now Gregor here appears to be the type who likes to keep his skin. I imagine he wouldn't have taken this mission at all had he known people would be on the ship. So, assuming we keep the three of them on board, whats the worst thing that could happen."

"Them attempting to silence us in our sleep? nah, too easy to keep that from happening if we prevent them from being armed and free until we have them well entrenched at sea. In fact, assuming we get far enough out, I don't imagine they will have a choice but to help us."

"They do not seem to be the type to be particularly knowledgeable of the sea. So, whats the worst thing that could happen?"

As Creswick starts his musings aloud, he wanders around the captives

"Assuming that our fellow enemy knew that we would be on board, then he would have known that these individuals would have failed, taking into account the massive hindrance that the equipment portrays, and if that is the case then he would have planned on them being captured."

"Assuming he wanted them to give us nothing then he would have given them a method of suicide in the event of capture. As they are still alive that wont be the case. So following this reasoning he intended on them to be captured."

"All of the equipment they wear has been stripped from them and put into a separate pile of course, but none of us have taken the time to look them over yet. I am not sure we should actually try and wear it, because assuming worst case scenario it has been either cursed, or booby trapped."

"So, the worst thing that could happen is that we allow these men to work with us, we keep them under our gaze, and they either suicide, which is unlikely, or take the dive suits and walk back to shore. Which I doubt."

Creswick looks at the rest of the party, "Did I miss anything?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Mon 14 Apr 2014.

Rrger looks at Cresswick in surprise and starts pulling three diving suits from the pile and taking them over to the group. Putting them in the suits and tossing them overboard seemed so obvious yet it hadn't occurred to him. He and Gorren could take one of the other suits apart to figure them out and still have enough left to use if the need ever arose. Not to mention the arcane accumulators in the gear itself. It might be worth retrieving those for the other mechanikal gear the team might have or might find.

The Llaelese gun mage looked thoughtful for a moment.  "Nefario." she breathed out softly, turning the name over in her mind as she spoke it.  Then she added quietly, "Sounds like he is up to no good..."  That sort of went without saying, though Dany still apparently felt the need to vocalize it.

Danyka turned away from the sea spray and back to face the captives and her companions.  She nodded to Gorren's suggestions and Rrger's implementation.  "We may want to release them at slightly different places or times...." the Rhynnish brunette suggested, adding simply as an explanation, "Minimize collusion."  She'd confer with the others in a bit to ensure that Grigor was released last.  He might have more to say.  And at the very least, he was the mostly likely not to attempt to return to this crime boss, Nefario.  Girgor was presumably a marked man at this point.  And, as both Gorren and Marco had suggested, the most likely to turn - or at least want to be freed as far as possible from the others and his former boss.

Nicollo was sullen and sour, leaning against the railments while watching thoughtfully the horizon. As soon as the last bits of information were squeezed out of the captives, he left the others assume the dealings with them and went out to allow the spinning movement of his ideas the space it needed. Yet, he listened to their conversations, without giving it too much attention to it.

At first, he thought the idea of hiring the goons was good enough. He didn't want the any unnecessary death weighting on his shoulders, and maybe, just maybe, in time they could find out there was more they registered about this Nefario guy than they even knew. But... the idea of casting them out in the waters wearing the suits was somewhat ironic, and held a strange allure...

He turned his attention back to the ships movement and his own inner demons, and let the others decide what to do. So long as no death or torture was  to be inflicted, he had resolved they would make a better decision than he would.

Rrger takes one of the suits around the cabin where he left Drago and drops it next to the man. He points toward the shore and pauses a moment before picking up the ruffian and hauling him along. Just before tossing him out into the open sea the large trollkin grunts and turns about. "Suit." he says simply as he drops poor Drago next to the contraption, then unties him as an afterthought.

"Not a bad idea," the captain says as sees what Rrger is doing. "Might I suggest we wait until we pass the Margo Point promontory... about 10 miles ahead. Once we pass that, we'll be out into the open ocean."

"I'll swing in closer to shore, and then we can drop them off about ten minutes apart. It'll still take them time to walk to shore along the bottom, and even longer if they want to get together, and longer still to get back to any kind of civilization."

"Sound like a plan, lad?"

"Good." Rrger nods to the captain with a smile. He'd been having fun with this whole knuckle dragging monosyllabist ruse. He made a couple of mistakes but they probably weren't even noticed. He keeps a good eye on Drago, looking to see how one puts on a diving suit. He had a good idea how it was supposed to be worn, he'd taken almost a dozen of them off the other pirates, but he needed to know how the gear got into its operating position.

Nicollo was feeling like anger given form. That was probably some bit of his formation years coming back, but this was being a rough day, and he let it pass.

He let go of the railings and sat, cross-legged, with Drago. There was something akin to a fire burning in him, and he wanted to let it make its damage on someone else.

"You know, buddy, you're getting it quite lightly. If Marco there could make his call, your entrails would mark the place the place where you were gutted. If, by any ill luck, your last employer find you, let he know that. We are not here for the ride. We got the good and the bad in us. And we know when to use which. I'd be more than happy to let my cutthroat and my trollkin loose on your Nefario, and the nasty bits of our good guys." - Nicollo let this little bit of discourse falls its own course and be distilled on the understanding of the captive. "This warning will, unfortunatelly for you, have no cost on your part. But, trust me, they will want to be warned. Oh, how they will..."

Without further ado or ceremony, the noble gun mage rose and went back to his position watching the coming and going of the wind and waves. He longed for the sea, and he couldn't even know why. But he knew how much he was powerless, and how much he was powerful when dealing with that unfortunate soul... He would miss that. A lot.

OOC: And here we got a terrible roll, where a good skillmodifier can make all the difference:
23:38, Today: Nicollo Baldino rolled 16 using 1d20+9. Intimidanting Drago.

Danyka suspected that both Nicollo and Rrger were enjoying this situation a little too much.  But then, perhaps she was not enjoying it nearly enough.  It was hard to say.  She merely nodded curtly to the Captain's suggestion, letting Rrger continue to take the lead physically in handling the prisoners; he was definitely more well-suited to that work than Dany was.

She had to crack a slight smile at the Ordic gun mage's thinly veiled (okay, well, unveiled) threat towards Drago and his (ex-?)boss.  Though they might never meet this Nefario in person (at least not for a while), she had to agree with the assumption that everyone seemed to be making that they had not seen the last of Nefario's attempts to interfere with their plans.

Curiouser and curiouser... she thought to herself as she watched the shoreline and the trappings of civilization continue to fade away into the distance.

Rrger has no problem figuring out how to don the diving armor after watching Drago put in on. It doesn't seem to have any idea that Rrger hasn't figured that out yet.

Seeing as how Drago seems to be the 'hardnose' type, the captain suggests he be the last to go overboard.

It isn't long before the promontory comes into view. The captain's already steered the ship a bit closer to shore. It actually didn't look that far, and wouldn't have been to walk... a little harder to swim it, and harder still to walk the distance under water.

By now, the attackers weren't so sure that being gutted might be better than being dumped into the sea. They didn't seem to have any paranoia about the ocean, though, and since they didn't have much choice, one by one, over they went. The reservoir was able to store enough air for about six hours of operation, but the compressor could pump more in via a snorkel tube if they were close enough to the surface.

Although it was dark, the suits produced light and even had a compass so they'd know which way to walk. Drago was last, figuring that he'd be less likely to cause trouble that way.

For a short while, they could follow the underwater light, so the water wasn't deep enough to crush them. And the light was moving toward the shore.

While the captain's estimate of it taking an hour or so to walk that distance seemed reasonable, the ship was well out of sight by the time that came about.


That hour also saw the last glimpse of land disappear, though it was possible the dark skies behind them also hid the mountains.

"My crew can handle normal shifts, the captain addressed the Iron Fist, "but with this Nefario incident, I'd feel safer if at least one of you could stand watch at all times through the night."

"I don't know about my colleagues here, But I have always been partial to the morning watch, so I am happy to take from 0400 to 0800."

So saying Creswick turned back to watch the last light fade out in the ocean.

"Are we really sure that letting them all go was such a good idea? If for no other reason than at least two of them are going to die?"

Creswick looks out to the fading coastline, watching it diminish in the distance.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Mon 21 Apr 2014.

I'll take the first watch, if that's alright. And I thing Grigor has a chance to get away before Drago can report to the boss. The last one didn't have a chance to be disloyal so he should have no problems." Rrger looks up at the stars coming out in the night sky, "So who should I wake up at midnight?"

"It could be me." Nicollo was fast to answer. He knew his mind s still in a haze, but the midnight shift would be fine either way. He didn't know if he would be sleeping by then, though. "I've got no problem holding vigil." His gaze was still where the distancing shoreline dissapeared. Although it might seem like it, Nicollo was not trying to hold the vision in his memory.

Danyka smiled a slightly self-deprecating smile, "I guess I get my beauty sleep then..."  She pulled off her tricorne and ran her fingers through her long straight black hair before resetting her ponytail and placing the hat back atop her head.

"Unless any of you prefer company." she noted with a raised eyebrow, before adding more matter-of-factly, "though I will need time to rebuild my arcane energies."  The young Llaelese gun mage had been liberal enough with her castings when the twelve men had tried to come aboard that some recover time would be necessary to get her fully refreshed.

With the fading light, Dany started towards her cabin.  She might as well get some sleep, though she wasn't sure exactly how restful.  But, the Rhynnish brunette felt the need to try to get some quality downtime; she never knew when she would next be awoken or under what circumstances.

There are enough Iron Fist members that the watches only have to be two hours, so it'll work out this way:

20:00-22:00 -- Rrger
22:00-00:00 -- Katrin
00:00-02:00 -- Nicollo
02:00-04:00 -- Goren
04:00-06:00 -- Creswick

If Marco or Dany wants to help, they can double up on any shift they want, even across two shifts if they so choose.


The first shift passes uneventfully.

The second shift passes mostly uneventfully; only the ship passing out of sight of land marks it.

The third shift is also mostly uneventful, though Nicollo thinks he spots something on the horizon to the east. Something white that seems to disappear into the clouds.

Fourth shift is uneventful.

Fifth shift starts out with fog rolling in, though only in intermittent wisps. Towards the end, however, Creswick spots another ship through the fog--500 yards and closing. It's engine and boiler are quiet; the ship glides silently across the waves.

It has to close another hundred yards before the sound of the oars reaches the ship.

The moment Creswick sees an approaching ship, after taking down mentally all details regarding it (approx distance, speed, and it not making sound), and immediately shutting out any light-source on deck, Creswick heads directly to the captain, rousing him quickly and passing on the information, before heading to his comrades quarters and roughly waking all of his team mates as quickly as possible.

The message given to each person is the same.

"There is a ship approaching, spotted [time since he saw it] ago, and  I estimate we have [rough estimation of time till contact] to prepare for contact. We need you on deck now."

Once having woken all individuals, Creswick prepares his weapons and waits on deck for further action. Who knows whether this is friend or foe.


ooc

All of this is done quietly, so as not to give any indication that suggests the other ship has been spotted by our ship.

I will also defer to the GM on what times Creswick offers.

P.S. What is the name of our ship?
This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Sat 26 Apr 2014.

Nicollo rose easily from his troubled sleep, and the image of the whiteness fading into the clouds on his shift comes to mind. He has told the others of what he saw when he was relieved, but he also said he could have just imagined things. Now he seriously doubts it.

He prepares his guns and walks steadily to the deck, eager to know how much troubled could this voyage be.

Creswick is able to wake all of his teammates in about a minutes, and contact with the other ship is somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes. It's not closing fast, but it is steady.

The ship the Iron Fist is on is the M.T.S. Resolute.


In retrospect, of course, Nicollo thinks that the white puff he saw might have been the steam cloud from this new ship.


It's now what is referred to as 'false dawn'--when the light from the sun is diffused over the horizon, even though the sun is still an hour away from rising.

Danyka's cabin door opened and a slightly groggy brunette half-stumbled out of the room.  The thin Rhynnish woman took a moment to straighten her hair and tuck it under her tricorne before shrugging on her reinforced buff coat.  She already has her bandolier and gun belt strapped on and her pack in tow.

It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the scene as she hit the deck and the crisp early morning air.  Dany breathed in deeply.  She moved over to join the others, peering over the rail in the direction of the approaching ship.  A deep frown crossed her lips and her brow furrowed more than a touch.

She took another deep breath, her thin Rhynnish frame shuddering slightly.  "What colors does she fly?" barked the Llaelese gun mage up towards the Resolute's crow's nest.  That was even as she started to fish around in her pack for her spyglass.

Rrger was having the best meal of his life and thoroughly enjoying the lack of overcooked meat and the dreaded army food. He's devouring a scorched leg of mutton and a fresh mug of honey mead when the knock comes at the door to wake him up. He comes out dressed a few minutes later tries not to be seen settling in to wait for the oncoming ship.

Amid the dawning light and the wisps of fog, it's still hard to tell what flag the other ship is flying, but figures can be seen on deck. Without much wind, the flag is hanging limp, but when a stray gust of wind kicks it up a bit, the gold Menofix on a dark blue field becomes visible.

There don't appear to be any large guns on the deck, but there are a few catapults and ballistas. And armored figures.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:03, Mon 05 May 2014.

Danyka frowned slightly at the sight of the symbol and colors of Menoth, lowering her spyglass from her eyes.  "A Protectorate ship?" she growls her volume low and her husky timbre tinged with the incredulity she is obviously felt, "Here?  Armed and approaching quietly and unannounced in fog..."

"This can't be good." the raven-haired Llaelese gun mage quips under her breath to no one in particular, "Not good at all..."  She took a quick survey of the number of armed figures available (and dispositions, if possible) and the amount of artillery that could easily be brought to bear.  Then relayed the information to the others, calling the numbers out over her shoulder.

Dany looked up to the crow's nest again and hissed up the viewing position, assuming that there was some sort of line to the bridge there, "Tell the Captain to be ready for evasive maneuvers..."  She figured that the larger artillery would be harder to shift.  There was no advantage in getting the Resolute hit by catapult fire for no reason, especially if it was avoidable.

[OOC:  Who?  What? And How many?!?  Danyka will 'Take 10' if possible to assess the enemy (Knowledge (Tactics) check total = 16).]

Dany spots 6 ballist and 3 catapults. The catapults are rather small ones, and look kind of odd... which she figures out why when one of the dozen armored men climbs into the seat on the catapult. Apparently, the intent is to launch an armored figure from one ship to the other.

The other ship is within catapult range, but the accuracy would be limited. Likewise, the ballista can be fired at an arc, but accuracy decreases considerably unless the target is very large. A ship is, but yet not quite, and also moving.

As Dany gets a better view, she can tell that about half of the armored people are probably Ogruns! Also, the catapults and ballistas have mechanisms attached to them, making her think they may be steam-powered. The ballistas also have ropes attached to the bolts--clearly intended for boarding actions.

"No good at all." Nicollo grinned at the dark.  "The gods have a sick sense of humor."

Rrger reaches down into one of the deep pockets of his jacket and comes up empty handed. He says something incomprehensible as he sprints down the short deck and into his cabin for his folding bow and quiver of arrows. It only takes a minute or so for him to get back and unfold the heavy composite bow. He gets the thing together in a flurry of motion and looks up with an exploding arrow nocked and ready. "We're assuming these are hotiles, right?" He pauses for an answer before loosing the first shot.

"Well, if they weren't earlier, they are now" Creswick mutters as he pats his pouch of daggers, "May as well expect the worst now I guess" Creswick smiles as he starts loading the crossbow with the last comment.

"Any idea why this has become the worst kept secret this side of the sea?" Creswick asks his comrades, moving to take cover in preparation.

"Thank the gods it isn't a warship!" the Captain comments in a pseudo-attempt to bolster morale. "No heavy guns or we'd definitely be sunk! To sink us now, they have to board and blow us up. I don't plan on letting them do that."

"I have to admit, though, that without you Iron Fisters, we wouldn't stand a chance. Then again, if you weren't on board, they'd most likely have left us alone."

"A secret is only a secret if but one person knows it!"

"Besides, it isn't a secret that we've made contact with another land over the sea. That has wreaked havoc with the religious dogma of the nations. They'd all like to see us fail, to write this chapter of history off as some fluke or fraud. It's just that the Mennites are the closest ones that can do anything about it."

"My plan is to lead them a short chase, then when they pull alongside, go hard to port and ram them broadside. You'll need to repel the boarders along both sides of the bow, though."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:13, Thu 08 May 2014.

"Repel them we will, then.", the ordic pistoleer explain, with one of the branded magelock pistol in his hand and a wicked grin on his face. There's more anger than confidence on his eyes, though.

Since the team has come to a consensus Rrger draws back his bow and lets the first arrow fly at one of the figures on the other ship.

OOC:
22:21, Today: Rrger rolled 7 using 1d8+6. Arrow damage.
22:19, Today: Rrger rolled 19 using 1d20+5. to hit, longbow.

Following in Rger's wake, Creswick lets loose a Crossbow shot at the nearest figure on the ship, and watched with disbelief as the wind appeared to snag the shot and almost guide it directly into the target

"Dany, did you have anything to do with that?" Creswick asks, surprised that the bolt even covered the distance to the target.

13:28, Today: Creswick rolled 8 using 1d8.[8] Crossbow Damage.

13:27, Today: Creswick rolled 21 using 1d20+5.[16] Crossbow Confirm Crit.

13:26, Today: Creswick rolled 24 using 1d20+5.[19] Crossbow to hit.

13:26, Today: Creswick rolled 18 using 1d20+8.[10] Initiative.

The other ship certainly hadn't expected that, but they were in the process of launching their own attack.

As Creswick's arrow finds a target, the twang of a catapult reaches the ears of the Iron Fist. Although the angle is still wrong and the range is long, but the artillerists seem to know their job. One of them goes down with Creswick's arrow in him; he's probably not dead but he's certainly out of the combat.

The catapult ammo is an armored man who lands on the stern of the ship with a crashing tumble. He's got a grappling hook with a rope attached, and he quickly fastens it to the aft mast.

02:10, Thu 15 May 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 19 using 1d20+6 ((13)).

Rrger's arrow also finds its mark.

After that, things seem to move in slow motion, though a lot happens in a short time. It just happens so fast that no one has an immediate chance to react.

When the armored ammo hits the ship, the captain sees the grappling hook, and cuts the rudder hard aport. This causes the bow of the ship to swing around to port, and the ship kicks into full steam ahead, heading for the broadside of the other ship.

This causes the line to pull taut and then snap.

The tactic catches the other ship's captain off guard, and though he cuts his ship hard to starboard in an effort to cause the two ships to pass, he's not fast enough to pull it off.

A couple of catapults fire as a reaction, but they don't have a chance to re-aim. Two of the armored ammo people splash down off the port side, but not before firing a crossbow with a line attached. The third one lands on the ship.

The impact with the other ship knocks most of the enemy off of their feet, and several of the catapults skew sideways. It'll take a bit of effort to realign them.


At this point, the Iron Fist has the option of remaining on the Resolute and defending it or taking the battle to the other ship.

There was a vague, slightly distant, expression of disappointment that crossed the Llaelese gun mage's features.  She probably didn't expect the Protectorate ship to attempt parley, but that didn't mean that Danyka was actually hoping that there would be violence.

Yet, now, it seemed, violence was now unavoidable.  Danyka sighed slightly plaintively.  The story of my life... she thought sullenly.

She shifted positions, not willing to directly engage yet.  As the tall, Rhynnish brunette moved, her hands darted into her voluminous buff coat and emerged with her twin magelock pistols.  "Prepare to repel!" she barked over her shoulder to her companions.  It probably wasn't necessary as the chaos was joined, but it made her feel better anyway.

Brandishing the weapons, Danyka uttered an invocation to her ancestors and her left pistol lit up; the etched runes along the barrel started to glow dull bluish-violet.  Two eldritch missiles shot forth from the barrel in rapid succession, unerringly striking one of the armoured men that had been so rudely deposited upon the deck of the Resolute.

[OOC:  Lo there, do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning...

  Move Action:      Draw both pistols, shift position to direct fire on one of the armoured boarders.
  Standard Action:  Cast Magic Missile at said boarder.

  23:43, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 12 using 1d20+9. Initiative.
  23:54, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 2,5 using 1d4+1,1d4+1. Damage: Magic Missiles.

A little slow on the draw, I guess...  if the boarder is within 30', then +1 to damage.]

"Jantze hold this" Rrger hands the bow over with one hand while reaching into his inside pocket with the other hand. He whispers a command word and draws his greatsword, looking to make sure the catapult missile isn't running up on the group's flank.

OOC: I know Jantze isn't there, Rrger will realize in a minute that he just dropped his bow on the deck.

Free action: Drop Bow
Standard action: Cast shield spell from wand in pocket
Move action: Draw weapon

[OOC: I'm not exactly sure if there's any viable target on board, and I believe the other boat is out of range...]

Nicollo positions himself on board as if he intends to block the next incomers using only his body... a rather implausible outcome. Then, with a flap of his coat, his arms come into view and the cannon of a magelock pistol starts tracking the movements of the armored man still on the enemy boat. Just so that they can hear him, he shouts over the wind, in cygnaran: "If anyone else is ready for the next leap of faith, we're more than glad to help you meet the Creator of Man."

For the moment, the two ships are touching. The Resolute rammed the other ship, and they've yet to separate. The captain of the other ship was temporarily out-maneuvered by the Resolute's captain.


Dany hits her target, but it's not quite within 30 feet... closer to 50 feet at this point, and it's not enough to take him down.

Gorren, however, comes charging into the man, smashing him down with his hammer.

As the other ship's boarders regain their feet, you'll have an advantage as the others have to negotiate two railings. Their footing will be unstable for that round.

Katrin steps up beside Dany.

"Looks like it's going to take more than one shot to bring these villains down! How about a bit of teamwork?" she says to Dany.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:03, Wed 21 May 2014.

Rrger lobs a smoke grenade into the middle of the group of boarders, hoping to blind them while they're still disoriented. Then he races up to place himself next to Nicollo, ready to cover the man when he needs to reload that hand canon of his.

15:27, Today: Rrger rolled 6 using 1d20+4. lob grenade.
Maybe his aim is a little off, still it's an area weapon and maybe he'll slow down a couple of them.

Danyka nodded curtly to the diminutive Cygnaran pistoleer, "It does appear that way."  She gave Katrin a sidelong glance and a wink, "We girls definitely need to stick together."

Dany barely flinched as Rrger's tossed off his own artillery in an attempt to fend of the enemy.  She kept both of her pistols steady and trained on separate enemies for the moment, as the Rhynnish gun mage prompted her female companion, "What did you have in mind?"

Without much more to go on, she'd have to just start shooting soon...

Creswick starts reloading his crossbow, taking the time to ensure that the reload is done right, and once his crossbow is back in an operable state, brings it up to aim at the nearest enemy.

Creswick takes the time to sight and follow the target, giving plenty of time for Dany and Katrin to sort out the team work of which they spoke.

"Whatever we are doing comrades, we must do it quickly." Creswick yells through the smoke on board.


ooc
Move action - reload
Standard action - Take Aim.

"Alas, I have no magic to empower my gun," Katrin replies to Dany. "I was thinking, though, that if we both focus on the same target, we might be able to take one down."


Choosing to wait for the boarding attacks, the Iron Fist is prepared to meet the enemy.

The captain of the other ship isn't quite sure what to do. He's afraid if he pulls away, there might be enough damage for his ship to sink.

The first two boarders (that weren't ammunition) had managed to keep their feet, and now they clambor up onto the railing and make the leap to the Resolute's deck.


Rrger's smoke grenade is at least partially effective, as several of those that were knocked down by the collision now think the ship is on fire. At least a touch of panic affects them.

The smoke is also delaying the recover of the catapults.

Nicollo, being true to his word, greeted one of the boarders with the full view of Poetry's cannon - and with the full range of the symphony of it's workings.

OOC:
Standard action - Shooting a boarder
00:49, Today: Nicollo Baldino rolled 14 using 1d20+7. Attacking with Magelock Pistol.
If it hits: 00:51, Today: Nicollo Baldino rolled 7 using 2d6+1. Damage.

"Welcome aboard!"

Rrger charges forward and lowers his shoulder as he hits the boarder and uses his momentum to force the other man back over the railing.

OOC: Charge with Bull rush, strength check +5 str +2 charge


00:42, Wed 04 June 2014: GM StarMaster, on behalf of Rrger, rolled 22 using 1d20+10 ((12)).
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:44, Tue 03 June 2014.

"Works for me..." quipped the Rhynnish brunette as she gestured in the direction of a potential target for Katrin and herself to focus on.  The movement was a shrug with just a touch of a shoulder roll - the latter to relieve the mounting tension in her neck and arms.  Danyka leveled her dual magelock pistols at boarder in question.  Training her guns on the chosen victim, she sighted in and let the clammor and din around her fall away for just the briefest of moments.

"Tally ho." she muttered under her breath, and she squeezed the triggers on both guns.  "Prepare to repel." the Llaelese gun mage repeated tersely to her companions, "In fact, let's take the fight to them."  Luckily, the Captain of the Resolute wasn't an idiot keeping the ship's locked in close quarters to minimize the effectiveness of the catapults.  That left dealing with the personnel in an up-close and personal manner.

[OOC:  Fire!

  Full Round Action:  Fire both pistols at the same target (hopefully the one Katrin is targeting as well ...)

  00:15, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 30,15 using 1d20+10,1d20+10. Attack: Magelock Pistol 1&2.
  00:15, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 22 using 1d20+10. Attack: Magelock Pistol 1 - Confirm Crit?
  00:16, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 6,8 using 2d6,2d6. Damage: Magelock Pistol 1&2.

+1 to attack and damage (not added in), if enemy is within 30 feet (Point Blank Shot).  Also, not sure if critical damage multiples or requires more rolling... ]

For once, Marco had kept his mouth shut. There were times to fight and times to talk. This was a time to fight.

It was almost like he could see what was going to happen. He'd seen the captain's mettle; there was the hint of military in his mein. So when it came to crunch time, Marco was pretty sure the captain would fight.

And fight he did.

This wasn't a battle between mighty warships of the fleet. This was a battle between two merchant ships ill-equipped to fight such a battle. It wasn't going to be about the quality of each ship... the armor, the weapons, the design... it was going to be about the calibre of their crews.

He smiled at the thought, because he already knew the Iron Fist was superior to any other crew on the high seas. Technically, they were marines... or supercargo, but it was a distinction that really didn't matter in this situation.

Marco wasn't a tactician, certainly not any sort of ship expert, but he'd learned early on the advantage of height. So in the half-light, he scurried up the ratlines to yardarm of the forward mast.

He braced himself for the impact, and then unslung his rifle and took aim at the boarders. From his vantage point, he saw that Dany and Katrin were targeting one of them, and Rrger was (hopefully) dealing with another. So Marco will aim at another one; he didn't want to steal the women's thunder.

21:42, Tue 03 June 2014: Marco Fiero rolled 24 using 1d20+7 ((17)).

00:23, Wed 04 June 2014: Marco Fiero rolled 6 using 2d6 ((1,5)).

That's not good... spend 1 Grit Point to do maximum damage: 12 points.

Katrin wasn't a two-weapon fighter like Dany, but she had other tricks up her sleeve.

Dany was a bit faster than Katrin and got off the first shot, but Katrin was quick to follow.

00:50, Wed 04 June 2014: GM StarMaster, on behalf of Katrin Eason, rolled 18,13 using 1d20+8,2d6+1 ((10,6,6)).

"Good shot!"

It was unclear whether she was referring to herself or to Dany.

Figuring that the ogruns are probably the toughest of the boarders, Rrger and Creswick let loose with bow and crossbow at two separate ones. Surprising, they both hit! Rrger's arrow, however, misses the ogrun he was aiming at due to the bouncing of the ship, but hits the artillerist that was standing behind him.

Rrger struck the first one for 7 points.

Creswick struck the second one for 16 points of damage.

Dany's Magic Missiles struck the 1st ammo-man, the one most distant, for 7 points. It doesn't take him down.

Gorren crashes into that one, though, smashing him with his warhammer.

Nicollo just barely manages to hit the first of the boarding party for 7 points.

Rrger then charged the second one, slamming into him. The ogrun's footing is still unstable, as he's semi-balancing on the railing, and he can't compensate for the charge. He's driven back 5 feet. The angle just barely knocks him off the railing into the sea.

Dany fires at the next boarder, landing a critical hit with her first shot, but missing with the second, doing 26 points of damage. He is within 30 feet... a bit too close.

Marco shoots at the first one, using his aerial perch to his advantage, hitting for 12 points of damage.

Katrin follows up Dany's shot with her own, and manages to hit for 12 points of damage.


At the end of ROUND 2, the enemy's status is this:

Ogrun #1 (9/28)... on foreward deck of the Resolute.

Ogrun #2 (19/35)... in the water.

Ogrun #3 (6/32) (-6/32)... dead; on the forward deck of the Resolute.

Ogrun #4 (27/27)... recovering on enemy ship; didn't make it over on the first wave.

Ogrun #5 (30/30)... recovering on enemy ship; didn't make it over on the first wave.

Ogrun #6 (35/35)... recovering on enemy ship; didn't make it over on the first wave.

Ammo-Man #1 (16/23) (-12/23)... dead; on aft deck of Resolute.

Ammo-Man #2... in the water.

Ammo-Man #3... in the water.

Ammo-Man #4 (24/24)... on the aft deck of the Resolute.

Ammo-Man #5 (27/27)... status unknown; still on the enemy ship.

Ammo-Man #6 (21/21)... status unknown; still on the enemy ship.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:06, Sat 07 June 2014.

Rrger wastes no time watching the (hopefully) sinking ogrun. He steps across the bow and swings at the first Ogrun, giving Nicollo time to reload.

OOC:

15:10, Today: Rrger rolled 18 using 2d6+6 with rolls of 6,6. damage ogrun 1.
15:10, Today: Rrger rolled 22 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 13. to hit ogrun 1.

Danyka's jaw was set in grim determination.  Her head turned towards the prow of the ship and then the stern and back.  There were a lot more them than her and her companions.  But, that had never stopped the Rhynnish brunette from defending, fighting or try to do what she thought was right.

As she surveyed the field of engagement, Dany suspected that they would have to take the fight to the enemy soon.  "Rrger, Gorren hold the line.  Keep them engaged." her Llaelese lilt barked, "Creswick, Marco.  Stay mobile..." she pointed to the deck of the enemy ship, "... there are plenty more."  The raven-haired gun mage knew that her fellow female pistoleer had the right idea, "Katrin, Nicollo, let's concetrate fire.  Coordinate efforts..."

She bared her teeth slightly, took a step towards the center of the Resolute and held the pistol in her right hand aloft.  "Bring the Protector's Light to his allies."  And with that she gave the trigger on her empty pistol another pull and the flash of yellowish light burst forth, the rays that burst forth were reminiscent of a sunburst.  "Go forth with His Blessing..." Dany intoned, trying to place herself such that she could encompass as many of her allies as possible.

Then Danyka lowered the pistol ready to engage the enemy, her eyes narrowed as she made ready for another volley.

[OOC:  Just bein' bossy...  Looking fer any chinks in the enemy's armour; would 'Take 10' on the Tactics roll, but I suspect that this is a stressful situation...;)

  Move Action:      Center of the deck to try and encompass as many of her companions (and the crew) for the spell...
  Standard Action:   Cast Bless - 50' radius (+1 to attack and saves vs. fear)

  11:02, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 21 using 1d20+6. Knowledge (Tactics)/Int Check - if necessary.]

"stay mobile ye say, plenty more, ye say? It is with a heavy heart that I tell ya comrade, that both movement and enemy alike are wont to come on an unending trail."
Creswick yells out to Dany, as he loads up a fresh bolt. "I may be a little slow to put a bolt through em, but I feel that it beats trying to climb up the rigging that our comrade appears to be enjoying up there."

Creswick brings up the crossbow once more and starts tracking the movement of an ogrun on the enemy ship.

"It's not like this is such a bad thing, our ship being latched on to that one, but I do have to question the sanity of anyone willing to be fired from a bloody trebuche. It aint bloody natural"

OOC

Same as before, reload as a move, take aim on Ogrun #6 If anything, aiming for lethal locations to drop as many as early as possible.

Rrger has no problem hitting Ogrun #1, finishing him off.


Dany also has no problem firing off her spell. She may not have affected some of the crew at the back of the ship, but she easily covers all allies and forward crew with her Bless spell.


Creswick has reloaded, and is now tracking the ogruns that had gotten knocked down from the impact of the two ships. He can hear their curses.


Apparently others are recovering as well, for most of the Iron Fist can now see the two deck hatches on the other ship opening up and a dozen soldiers emerge. One thing that might have perpexled them was the fact that the ogruns and the armored ammo guys didn't have any firearms.

The soldiers do!

It seems like an odd strategy, but considering how many of the first wave wound up in the drink, perhaps not giving them firearms was a prudent move.

Marco, from his vantage point, gets a better look at the 'soldiers', and realizes that they may just be the crew of the ship... not necessarily trained soldiers, though a few look like they might be marines.

Some of them either panic or just get a bit excited and immediately open up with their guns.

Two shoot at Marco, as he's an obvious target up on the yardarm.

02:53, Fri 20 June 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 16,22,6,9 using 1d20+2,1d20+2,1d8+1,1d8+1 ((14,20,5,8)).

One hits him for 9 points of damage. He's braced himself already, though, so the impact doesn't knock him off.


Another two shoot at Dany, as she's put herself in the line of fire.

02:53, Fri 20 June 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 20,21,2,8 using 1d20+2,1d20+2,1d8+1,1d8+1 ((18,19,1,7)).

Both come close, but don't hit her, probably because the angle is wrong, and the decks are still pitching.


Another two shoot at the big target... Rrger.

02:54, Fri 20 June 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 7,22,3,8 using 1d20+2,1d20+2,1d8+1,1d8+1 ((5,20,2,7)).

The first shot misses, but the second one manages to hit him for 8 points of damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:07, Fri 20 June 2014.

"Gah!" exclaimed Dany as the bullets whizzed past her; they were too close for comfort.  And the Rhynnish brunette knew that she had dodged a bullet (or two), quite literally.  She instinctively broke for cover, knowing that even if she was only moving - that it would help to keep an enemy from tracking her reliably.

She reached into her pack dropping her pistol into as she moved and mumbled a single word while her hand was still deep in the leather bag.  When her hand reappeared, it had a large grapefruit-sized object wrapped in her long fingers.  Smoke grenade in hand, Danyka popped the pin and pulled her arm back in order to toss the thing towards one of the groups riflemen.

Since the men were already spreading out and had the advantage of numbers, the Llaelese gun mage had no qualms about creating her own fog of war; it seemed as though they needed to make their own luck here.  The smoke would only give their limited numbers an opportunity to even the odds and a fighting chance.  "Katrin!" Dany called out, as she hefted the grenade and lobbed it high into the air, "Smoke the other group!"

"Marco, Rrger, Gorren, time to engage I suspect." the raven-haired woman barked as the smoke started to cover the decks.  "Creswick, Nicollo..." Dany noted with a glance in the direction of the Ordic gun mage and then the Iosan, "Sniping and cover.  Her free hand started towards her ammunition bandolier under her buff coat, but Danyka wouldn't get a chance to reload her empty pistol quite yet...

[OOC:  Mommy!  Probably shouldn't have made myself the obvious target...

  Move Action:      Get to some cover if possible... otherwise bob and weave a bit
  Free Action:      Retrieve smoke grenade from Handy Haversack
  Standard Action:  Lob grenade (attack on AC 10 square?)

  23:58, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 13 using 1d20+8. Attack: Smoke Grenade towards Group 1.

Ugh, not great.  I'm not sure what the range increment or target number really is... but here's to hoping *fingers crossed*]

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Katrin replies with a salute with her pistol even as she fishes into her belt pouch for the said smoke grenade. It hasn't been that long since 'boot camp' so she still remembers the training they got.

They weren't trying to put the grenade through the eye of a needle, so hitting a deck square should be child's play!

05:09, Fri 27 June 2014: Katrin Eason rolled 11 using 1d20+5 ((6)) to hit.

Ugh. Worse than Dany!

Rrger jumps across to the other ship even as smoke billows around to provide cover from the enemy shooters. He closes with Ogrun 4 and lays into him.

OOC: 16:32, Today: Rrger rolled 15 using 2d6+6. Damage Ogrun 4.
16:31, Today: Rrger rolled 10 using 1d20+9. Attack Ogrun 4.

Can he cast 'shocking grasp' next round and add the damage to weapon damage if he hits? I read it that the attack is part of the spell and electricity should arc down the metal blade into the enemy. I've seen gm's rule both ways on this so I'm asking before I try it.

Creswick takes his time tracking his target, getting the nearest prone target squarely in his sights before pulling the trigger and sending the next bolt out toward his quarry.

The bolt flies through the air, and sinks with a thud into the Ogrun's neck with a sickening thud.

Once his finger has touched the trigger, Creswick immediately pulls a fresh bolt from his quiver and begins to reload anew. "Don't let up on them comrades, anything could happen to give them the battle yet."

OOC
Creswick rolled 16 using 1d20+6 ((10)).
17:17, Sun 13 July 2014: Creswick rolled 7 using 1d8+1 ((6)). (Bolt Damage)

17:18, Sun 13 July 2014: Creswick rolled 9 using 2d6 ((3,6)) (Sneak attack damage if valid)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Sun 13 July 2014.

Both Dany and Katrin easily loft a grenade over to the other ship, and land it in the middle of the group... wihout actually hitting anyone. But then, the smoke grenade didn't need to. Suddenly engulfed in smoke, you can see a slight panic begin to set in. the main advantage of the smoke is that it keeps the enemy from seeing you and targeting you.


Rrger leaps over to the other ship, and practically jumps into the smoke, so his initial attack misses. But he's also shielded by the same smoke so the Ogrun he attacks misses his counter-attack.

Yes, next round, Rrger can direct his Shocking Grasp spell through his weapon. Dealt with this with the Magus class. It's essenially the two-weapon fighting style just with one of the attacks being a spell. You take a -2 penalty to attack with your weapon, though, as the spell-casting has to be the primary 'attack'.


Creswick has no problem hitting a prone target, and his sneak attack damage applies because the prone figure doesn't get his Dex bonus. Whether that extra damage is enough to kill him or not isn't immediately clear, but it's enough to keep him from getting up again.

A couple of shots ring out from the other crew, but most go wild.

Glad for the cover of the smoke, Rrger invokes the shocking grasp spell and attempts to slash through Ogrun 4. His quenched serricsteel blade cuts through the armor and delivers its spark of electricity.


OOC:
The -2 to hit is figured in. The spell description says +3 if the opponent is wearing or made out of metal armor but I'm thinking that's just for the hand touch version so I didn't add it. I originally rolled the shocking grasp damage as 1d8+level, but in 3.5 it's 1d6 per level, the corrected roll is posed here.
13:36, Today: Rrger rolled 16 using 3d6. corrected shocking grasp damage.
13:12, Today: Rrger rolled 12 using 2d6+6. weapon damage Ogrun 4.
13:11, Today: Rrger rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Critical threat.
13:10, Today: Rrger rolled 18 using 1d20+7. Attack Ogrun 4.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:56, Mon 14 July 2014.

With the smoke causing havoc on the foreign ship, Danyka took the opportunity to try and reload the pistol in her left hand.  Pulling open her greatcoat for a brief moment, the Llaelese gunmage pushed a paper-wrapped charge from one of the leather loops of her bandolier.

Ammunition in hand and keeping her head down, Dany took cover for a few moments as she set about the delicate task of trying to put the charge of shot and gunpowder into her rune-etched pistol.  She could feel the light layer of perspiration on the palms of her hands under the black suede gloves.  Luckily, the Rhynnish brunette had practiced the act of reloading so many times before that it her hands knew what to do almost without thought...

[OOC:  Dice don't fail me now!

  Move Action:      Take cover (anywhere nearby, really, perhaps some barrels ...)
  Standard Action:  Try to reload military pistol... (Concentration DC 15, Craft Small Arms DC 8)

  00:20, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Concentration/Con Check: (DC 15) Combat Reload.
  00:20, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 14 using 1d20+10. Craft (Small Arms): (DC 8) Reload Military Magelock Pistol.

That should be good enough to reload one pistol...]

Having already reloaded the bolt, Creswick takes his time to track onto the other prone target, as it does not yet appear to have moved. Sighting in on him Creswick waits with the sway of the ship for the optimal moment to release another bolt.

OOC

Aiming on the other target, will fire again next round. Would far rather take the time to get it right than waste a shot. Also, I feel it is more in character for him to not get very rushed on this :P

Although Gorren is better in a fight than he is at range, he's not in full armor. Not only did he not have time, but that's not such a good idea at sea. He's only rather reluctant to try to jump across to the other ship. So he takes cover by a rail and unslings his military rifle... props it on the rail and waits for a target to appear out of the smoke. However, his warhammer is still at his waist in case the enemy gets too bold and too close.

His assessment of the enemy not being any kind of elite unit turns out to be accurate, since his shot rings out, hits his target, and the target drops. Any kind of elite unit he'd have to shoot twice!


Rrger attacks the Ogrun #4 with his Shocking Grasp-enspelled weapon. The Ogrun is wearing some metal armor, which is enough to attack the electified weapon, just enabling Rrger to hit. The combined 28 points of damage is enough to finish off the Ogrun.


Nicollo, reluctant to use his other guns in favor of his bonded weapons, decides that the situation warrants it. Holstering "Poetry" and "Rhythm", he pulls out "Heirloom" and "Shouter". As one of the armed marines staggers out of the smoke to the railing of the other ship, coughing and disoriented, Nicollo fires "Heirloom".

He hits his target, but it doesn't drop him, though no doubt he's staggered a bit more. As no other target immediately appears, he shoots the same marine with "Shouter". This, too, hits, and drops the marine.

Now he has to reload. He quickly holsters "Heirloom" and "Shouter", and draws "Poetry" again. This time, he fastens a lanyard to the stock... just in case he has to drop it in a hurry... and begins to reload.

He still has his pepperbox "Twister" and his baton if the enemy gets too close.


Danyka takes cover behind some of the crates piled on deck. The overstocked ship has plenty of such on deck. Barrels are all below deck due to their tendency to roll, plus they usually have contents that don't mix well with water.

She has no problem reloading her pistol.


Katrin, a rogue/fighter with hedge wizard in her background, isn't as reliant on her pistol as the gunmages, so she waits until Dany is reloaded before she'll do the same. She's still better at range than in close combat, but her pistol is the only range weapon she's any good with. She holsters her pistol and draws her baton to attack any enemy that gets too close. The smoke has evened the odds a bit, but there were still too many of the enemy to risk boarding the other ship just yet.


Creswick reloads his crossbow.


Marco, still up on the yardarm, had a clear advantage with his rifle at picking off the other ship's marines. He even had some cover from the yardarm itself as he reloaded. However, that had never been his primary intent. Ship-to-ship combat needed panache, and he had plenty of that! Slinging his rifle, he scuttled back along the yardarm, cut one of the ratlines, wrapped it around his forearm while gripping it with the same hand, and dropped off of the yardarm!

He felt like he should have some sort of battlecry to go with the action, but he couldn't think of anything appropriate. Besides, with everyone in the smoke, they'd never see him coming... which was actually a good thing at this point. He vantage point let him see an assortment of heads milling about in the smoke, so he aimed for them.

In a strong wind, the line had to hold far more weight than him, so he didn't doubt the line would hold. His major concern was that he'd not estimated the length he needed correctly, but there was a liberal amount of wiggle room.

The arc of his swing carried him over to the other ship, but he had to raise his legs to clear the railing. Not as planned, but probably for the best as his body was more in a prone position that upright at that point. For this effect, he couldn't wait for the rope to reach the end of it's momentum. Instead, he let go as he reached the group of men. At the last second, he swung his rifle around in front of him to use it as a kind of battering ram as he slammed into the group. Crunching bones and screams of pain were his reward.

In the tangle of arms and legs, he knew everyone was his enemy. Keeping low to the deck under the smoke, he began slashing at arms and legs and bodies.

Yes, this will be more than a single round, but that's what he's doing.

His greatcoat provides some protection from damage but Rrger is still pretty sure he's going to get his tail handed to him by the two larger Ogrun in the swirling smoke. "Gotta make this count," he tells himself as he readies his greatsword and swings the blade to cut through the on most visible. If he lives to tell the tale he'll probably blame the smoke for partially blinding him. Or maybe he was knocked off balance by the gunshot he took. Whatever happened, the swing went pretty wild and he's sure it did no damage.

OOC:
10:39, Today: Rrger rolled 15 using 2d6+6. damage Ogrun 5.
10:39, Today: Rrger rolled 12 using 1d20+9. to hit ogrun 5.

Danyka's knuckles whitened for a moment as she closed her eyes and pressed the rune-etched barrel to lightly to her forehead.  There were just too many of the enemy in her opinion.  But there was nothing left to do, but to carry on the fight.  The odds had never stopped her before.

The raven-haired Llaelese gun mage's eyes popped open, a look of grim determination etched onto her features.  She took a deep breath and pushed up and away from her hiding place.  As she moved, Dany left hand pulled the baton from her belt and the depressed the button to extend the collapsible rod.  The spring-loaded set of concentric steel tubes shot open into its full length in an instant.

Her feet danced along the deck as Danyka twisted and turned; the Rhynnish brunette glided along the floor boards of the Resolute coming to stop just behind and to the left of her trollkin companion.  Pistol upraised, she leveled the firearm and standing just off to his right, barked out an arcane phrase laden with power, "Orcol Y'spar!"  A scintillating rainbow of flickering lights burst forth from the barrel of the magelocked, military pistol catching Rrger's two opponents in a brilliant (and hopefully, disorienting) light show.

[OOC:  Bob and weave.  And then (hopefully) dazzle our opponents!

  Move Action:      Move to position just behind and to the side of Rrger
  Swift Action:     Draw collapsible baton
  Standard Action:  Cast Color Spray (Will DC 16 to negate)
  Free Action:      Spend one Grit Point (3 left) on Spell Recall to retain the spell slot

With any luck, Dany can act before Rrger (did we roll for initiative?), in which case, he might actually be able to hit one of his opponents as they will at minimum be stunned for a round (depending on their HD), if they fail their Will save...]

Apologies for the delay. My brain's been a bit discombobulated this past week and I'm too tired too often due to insufficient sleep.



Rrger's attack on the Ogrun misses, but before it can retaliate, Dany steps up and casts Color Spray at the Ogrun. The creature fails its saving throw, leaving it blinded and stunned.

Rrger will still have the advantage next round; he might consider burning a Grit Point if he misses again.


Gorren is reloading.


Nicollo is reloading.


Creswick has reloaded his crossbow and seeing as how most of the enemy is lost in smoke, he decides to assist Rrger. Blinded and stunned as the Ogrun is, Creswick has no problem hitting it. It's not enough to bring it down, though.


Marco continues his dance on the other ship. He isn't sure how effective he's being because of the smoke, but at the very least he's sowing a hefty dose of chaos.


Katrin, waiting to see how the wind blows, sees the result of Dany's spell and steps up, too, swinging her baton at the Ogrun. It's an easy hit, but the Ogrun still doesn't all down.


By the end of the round, the wind is starting to disperse the smoke on the other ship. A few of the first (forward) group actually manage to find the rail and look to spot a target.

Marco is dancing and disrupting the second (aft) group.

Dany shook her head, they had to trust that Rrger could take down his opponent on his own at this point.  She extended her arm with the baton, indicating the first group on the far ship.  It would be a bit of a leap, but they needed to keep them preoccupied.  Or the group with the lesser number (theirs) would get picked apart.  "C'mon, Katrin!" she strongly suggested, "Up and over!"  They both knew that their chances were much better if they had each other covering their backs.

The Rhynnish gun mage turned on her heel, almost performing a pirouette as moved to engage as much of the enemy as possible.  Baton in hand, she took a running start, the hem of her buffcoat trailing behind her even as she launched herself off of the deck of the Resolute towards the Menite ship.  Danyka could only hope that her opponents didn't have the same level of experience with close quarters training and firearms.  Dany could shoot well enough into a melee, but was sort of counting on the fact that not everyone else could...

[OOC:  Take it to the enemy I guess!  Her intention is (like Marco) to engage/threaten as much of the enemy as possible in melee to try and buy her peeps time.  If Katrin goes with, then she will try to go back to back with her.

  Move Action:      Jump the other ship...  Spend a Grit Point (2 left) to try and make it
                    (either Add to a Roll or Special/GM Fiat.
  Swift Action:     Tumble as necessary to aid jump and to avoid as many AoOs as possible.
  Standard Action:  Charge/Attack one of the opponents with baton in hand!

  14:25, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 11 using 1d20+10. Jump/Str Check (with Grit!) - as necessary.
  14:25, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 28 using 1d20+10. Tumble/Dex Check - Avoid AoO and help jump, perhaps? - as necessary.
  14:27, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Attack: Baton (assumes finesse) - if possible.
  14:28, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 3 using 1d6. Damage: Baton (not what to roll...:)).

Heh.  That could have gone better.  Dany might be in the drink at this point...:D]

Rrger reaches down inside himself and pulls out some extra force to put into this attack. He grits his teeth in determination and swings again at his opponent, thinking how embarrassing it would be to miss this time.

OOC: I thought I had posted a couple of days ago but just checked and realized I hadn't - although I did roll the attack. He used a grit point as you suggested, although I think that 14 would hit an opponent that is both blind and stunned.
23:21, Mon 11 Aug: Rrger rolled 14 using 2d6+6. damage Ogrun 5.
23:20, Mon 11 Aug: Rrger rolled 14 using 1d20+9. to hit Ogrun 5.
 

Dany takes the bold move to jump to the other ship, stumbling a bit at the rail as the ships lurch beneath her feet. She's able to recover at the last moment, converting her stagger into a tumble. She's even more surprised than her opponent as she land right on top of one of the foes who staggered out of the smoke.

The impact knocks him down, and Dany gets an attack of opportunity on him, bashing him in the head with her baton as her moment continues to carry her forward. She's unsure if she was able to knock him out, but doesn't have time to check, tumbling forward again into melee with the next foe.

She easily hits him, but not as solidly as she'd have liked. Coming out of the mist at him as she was, he's momentarily startled, a bit easier to hit, but can't recover enough to strike back.

By the end of the round, the fog is almost all gone, and the dozen men are starting to get organized. At least one of them spots Dany, and moves to attack but misses with his sword.

(No grit spent; you can roll your AoO if you want to see what damage you actually do. She'd have had to miss the Jump check DC 15 by 5 or more to get into trouble.)


The Ogrun is sitll blinded and stunned for Rrger's next attack on him, and Rrger easily hits him. The damage is enough to take that Ogrun out.


Sparing a glance at the situation while he is reloading, Gorren reassesses the situation, but still comes to the same conclusion. His ability to jump to the other ship is shaky at best, and with Marco and Dany taking the battle to the enemy, he decides they'll be better served if he keeps an eye on them from a distance, picking off any threats that they might miss.

He catches Nicollo's eye, and nods at the other ship with his rifle. Nicollo nods in agreement.

Although Nicollo's ability to jump ship is probably better than Gorren's, he comes to the same conclusion. Covering fire from him and Gorren will protect Dany and Marco better than their melee presence will. He decides to stagger his attack with Gorren's, so that at least one of them can fire each round.

Not being in the midst of combat has the advantage of letting them concentrate on reloading, letting them do so in just a single round.


While Creswick isn't near the other, he sees what they are up to, and decides to go along with it. Looks like that boot camp training is paying off! He takes this round to reload.


As Marco continues his dance on the other ship, he soon realizes that his advantage in the smoke is disappearing as quickly as the light wind is dissipating the smoke. He wishes someone would throw another smoke grenade! Then it occurs to him that he has two in his pockets as well! It's not a normal combat style for him, but he's starting to like it!

He still keeps low as he pulls out the first one and goes through the ritual of igniting it. He can see three bodies lying on the deck--his handiwork. A leg sweep trip followed by an AoO on the prone figure has laid them out, though he doubts they are dead yet.


After her attack on the Ogrun was less that spectacular, Katrin manages to suppress her urge to follow after Dany. Her melee abilities aren't very good, and feels she'd be in the way more than being helpful.

Glancing around, she catches the drift of the other three, and smiles, understanding the point and the logic.

"I guess they knew what they were doing in bootcamp!"

She moves to stand beside Creswick, offering to do the staggered shooting with him.


By the end of the round, there are only a few wispy trails of smoke still lingering the deck of the other ship. Those that finally made it to the rail and are out of the smoke are looking for targets, and aiming their guns. Clearly, they are not marines. They have no training, talent or interest in boarding the other ship while the enemy is still firing at them.

With the smoke clearing Rrger sees the last Ogrun standing near and readies himself for a good strike. Feet planted and body balanced. Shifting weight forward and twisting from the hips and shoulders at the same time. Pushing down with the forward hand and pulling back slightly on the pommel to create leverage for speed and power. Everything felt right, he was surprised that the blade didn't go through his opponent.
At least it hit, maybe it hurt him a little.

OOC:
Spent grit point for natural 20.
15:43, Today: Rrger rolled 12 using 2d6+6. damage.
15:30, Today: Rrger rolled 11 using 1d20+9. confirm crit.

Danyka's lips are pressed thin as she stumbled her way onto the deck of the other ship.  It wasn't showy, it wasn't pretty - in fact, it was darned right lucky that she kept any semblence of composure or footing.  And it was pure luck that the enemy crewman softened her fall.  Tucking and rolling, the Rhynnish gun mage popped out the heap of limbs with a pistol in one hand and her baton in the other.

She had committed (or needed to be committed ... or both, but the latter would have to wait) to her course of action.  The enemy needed to be kept off-balance for her comrades to be able to effectively whittle down the numbers.  It probably wasn't the best of plans, nor did it have a great probability of keeping her alive at this point - since was now one of the more obvious targets - but, that couldn't be helped any longer.  Dany's goal was just to survive as long as possible.  And hope that it gave her companions a fighting chance.

The thin Llaelese woman took a stutter-step to her right and turned her body slightly.  The baton was menacing, but with so many still arrayed before her - and now visible - Danyka called forth her own inner reserves once more.  Positioning herself such that she could encompass as many as possible of the dozen or so of her nearby opponents, she held her magelocked pistol in her outstretched hand and call into existance another bright, scintillating color show to bedazzle the enemy.  "Ocoly Pras'r!" she called out in a clear voice.  With any luck, those near her would be out of commission for a short while, which might help to even the odds.  Or at least delay the inevitable.

Not waiting to see what the results were, Dany then tumbled into the midst of the group.  It gave the bastards the chance to engage her.  But since they had guns drawn she figured that she had the advantage.  They wouldn't want to shoot each other, and she at least had a baton.

[OOC:  Those who dare...

  Standard Action:  Cast Color Spray (Will DC 16) on as many of the nearby enemy as possible (15' cone)
  Free Action:      Spend a Grit Point (2 left) to keep the spell slot
  Move Action:      Tumble into the Lion's Denmiddle of the enemy to (hopefully) engage as many as possible to negate
                             their use of their guns (unless they have the ability to pistol whip or Precise Shot

  10:07, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 9 using 1d20+5. Concentration/Con Check: to cast Color Spray (DC ??) as necessary.
  10:08, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 25 using 1d20+11. Tumble/Dex Check: (DC 15?) to avoid AoOs and engage.

Hmmm... that may not have been so good, figured the GM would take of any effects (if any) from the spell or AoOs ... *shrug* ... Uh, a little help?!?]

Rrger attacks the last Ogrun. The 'natural 20' does maximum damage (18 points) to the Ogrun, but it was not a critical strike. The damage isn't quite enough to take it down.

The Ogrun strikes back, though, and manages to hit Rrger... for only 7 points.
19:55, Sat 13 Sept 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 21,7 using 1d20+6,1d10+4 ((15,3)).


There were a dozen men in each of the would-be boarding parties. Dany knocked one out (or at least stunned him--she didn't waste the time checking) when she landed on him, then quickly tumbled into the midst of the others. Her tumble is good enough to avoid any attacks of opportunity, as well as maintain her concentration to unleash a spell.

All other things being equal, she'd have had a hard time catching too many of them with her Color Spray, but the 'mob' attitude of the boards tended to keep them bunched up a bit more than was prudent. So she is able to catch four of them, rendering all four unconscious. They slump to the deck.

Another one suddenly backs away from the display of magic.

One of them reacts in panic and fires at her, but misses her and shoots one of his buddies instead. A glance from Dany shows he isn't seriously injured, but is at least momentarily stunned.

Dany quickly realizes that these men aren't marines... that is, they haven't been trained to fight at sea. They also aren't experts; experienced fighters maybe, certainly more than raw recruits, but not highly skilled. Nor are they trained soldiers--they haven't been trained to fight together as a unit.

The boot camp she went through may have been brief (though intense), but even that little bit taught her the benefit of teamwork and support. Her opponents have none of that.

The benefits of that teamwork and support becomes quite clear when a grunt from behind her draws her attention to a fighter with a raised sword... and crossbow bolt in his chest... as he tumbles backward.

At this point, she is confronted by only four of the fighters, plus the stunned one shot by his buddy, and the one that backed off.

Rrger steps into his opponent and makes another attempt to cleave the ogrun with a greatsword.

OOC:
13:57, Today: Rrger rolled 11 using 2d6+6. damage.
13:52, Today: Rrger rolled 14 using 1d20+9. confirm crit.
13:52, Today: Rrger rolled 18 using 1d20+9. Attack.
 Wearing the armored greatcoat Rrger takes 2 points of damage, right?

Yes, Rrger takes 2 less points of damage from the greatcoat.

His next attack is indeed a critical hit, delivering 18x2=36 points of damage. That is more than enough to take down the already wounded Ogrun.

OOC: Cool! I didn't think the 14 would hit. And the DR from the armored greatcoat is 5, it also gives him the spell failure chance. I have a feeling that it's going to come into play - at least 24 boarders plus the catapult crew and their 'ammunition' guys left.

Six on one.  Dany still doesn't like the odds.  All it takes is a moment on inattentiveness on her part.  Or a lucky shot on their part.  But then the Rhynnish gun mage has always been a survivor, whether in those days so long ago when she first fled the Llaelese capital or in the dark, dank forests of near Fellig.  She didn't like the odds then either.

But Danyka was still here.  Morrow had not yet seen fit to call her home or cast her completely from His Sight.  And though she was not sure what to make of that fact, the tall, Llaelese brunette knew that it meant for the here and now that she needed to continue to fight.

She took a step to the side, to try and gain some positioning with respect to the enemy, and then the hand with her baton lashed out to try and deal with one of her close quarters assailants.  With angels (or at least some of her comrades) watching out for her from above, Dany hoped that if she could just keep the men occupied at worse or take some more of them down at best that she had a fighting chance (or the others would have their chance to take the enemy out).  "It isn't very sporting," she quipped grimly through gritted teeth, the strain of the desperate fight and the rather dire situation leaking through, "to have six on one..."  It may have been an exaggeration, since one of the men was out on his feet.  But then again, Danyka may have referring to the sailors being at the disadvantage...

[OOC:  Fighting defensively, if possible.

  15:03, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Attack: Baton (assumes finesse) - if possible.
  15:03, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 2 using 1d6. Damage: Baton (knowing not what to roll...:)) - if necessary.

Not that it matters much with those rolls...:D]

Rrger moves to the other ship, being able to judge the rhythm of the joined ships as they bounce on the waves. The catapult crew had managed to fire most of the living ammunition, though not much of it hit. There are four of these partially-armored men still standing around. They are unsure of what their action should be--wait to be boarded, join the boarding party (that hasn't actually made it across yet), or wait to be launched. No one seems to be in command to tell them which is the proper course of action.

However, the appearance of Rrger IS something they can understand, though. So Rrger has a choice of those four. Of course, the catapult crews move to back them up.


Dany misses her attack with the baton, but that leaves her open for retaliation... except her opponent misses.
01:20, Sun 05 Oct 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 10 using 1d20+2 ((8)).

Two of the others are in position to attack, however, but even with combat advantage because they are flanking her, they both miss.
01:23, Sun 05 Oct 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 18 using 1d20+2 ((16)).
01:24, Sun 05 Oct 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 16 using 1d20+2 ((14)).

That doesn't stop Creswick from shooting one of them, and Katrin shooting the other.


As Katrin and Creswick reload, Katrin has a suggestion for Creswick.

"I don't suppose you could sneak aboard the other ship and find any papers they might have? It might help if we knew a bit more about what was going on. Just try to get back before that ship sinks!"


At the aft end of the ship, Marco continues his dance. He's able to keep moving, and any time he makes a wrong move, Gorren and Nicollo are able to pick off one of the opportunistic attackers before they can hit Marco. Of course, those chances diminished with each opponent taken out.

Rrger takes a step to put his back to a cabin wall or a large barrel or something so that he might be able to keep from getting surrounded. He takes a good swing at the left most ammunition guy and pushes himself to move from that attack directly into the next attack.

OOC: spend grit point for extra standard action (attack) 4 points left

09:31, Today: Rrger rolled 16 using 2d6+6 with rolls of 4,6. damage.
09:31, Today: Rrger rolled 15 using 2d6+6 with rolls of 5,4. damage.
09:30, Today: Rrger rolled 18 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 9. attack.
09:30, Today: Rrger rolled 26 using 1d20+9. Attack.

Rrger has no problem hitting his targets, but the 'ammunition men' are a bit tougher than the catapult crews, so it's going to take more than one hit to drop them.

18:54, Tue 07 Oct 2014: GM StarMaster rolled 14,15,11 using 1d20+6,1d20+6,1d20+1 ((8,9,10)).

The two 'ammunition men' Rrger hits manage to strike back, each hitting for 7 points of damage, so only 4 (total) get through his greatcloak. One of the catapult crew also gets a chance to attack, but misses.

With a grunt, Rrger turns to hit his first opponent once more.

OOC: 12:58, Today: Rrger rolled 14 using 2d6+6 with rolls of 2,6. damage.
12:58, Today: Rrger rolled 17 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 8. attack.

Dany thanked her lucky stars, well, Morrow actually, that the enemy crew hadn't proved to be more effective.  Knowing her place, she simply continued to occupy as many of the crew as possible, knowing that if they didn't take her presence as a threat seriously enough that she would be able to retaliate.

At least, the Rhynnish brunette figured, that if anyone nearby tried to ignore her and shoot her or one of her teammates that she would get an opportunity to attack or disrupt their aim, potentially.

Given the odds, the Llaelese gun mage set about her chosen course with grim determination, thinking that she would continue to whirl and dodge - the tails of her heavy buff coat trailing her lithe form in a circular pattern.  She found herself trying to make sure that she didn't get hit more than really trying to hurt her opponents.  Those sniping from the wings would get their chance to put the hurt on the enemy.

As she spun to bring her weapon into position, she could feel that her grip on her collapsible baton was precarious, but nothing could be done about that now.  All Danyka could really do was try to keep moving.  Even if her baton didn't agree...

[OOC:  Fight defensively (-4 attack, +2 AC (Total: 23)).  Tumble, as necessary:

  00:51, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 4 using 1d20+3. Attack: Baton (assumes finesse and defensive fighting).
  00:52, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 16 using 1d20+11. Tumble/Dex Check: (DC ??) as necessary.

Heh.  May have just dropped that baton ... Smooth, Dany, very smooth...:D]

Dany's attack was disrupted by one of the men's attack which hit the base of the baton while it was in her hand, cause it to pop out of her grip. At this point, she's facing only two remaining opponents... but her baton is skittering across the deck.

Danyka gritted her teeth and hissed as she heard and felt, more than saw, the baton slip from her hand and skitter away on the deck of the enemy ship.  She didn't have time for admonishments, at least no more than a single Llaelese expletive.  She certainly would not be taking Morrow's name in vain.

She had been whirling to try and keep the pair of sailors still standing off balance.  The thin, Rhynnish brunette found her empty right hand, which had been holding the collapsible baton, instinctively darting towards her back of her belt near the small of her back under her buffcoat, where a number of balance throwing knives were secreted.  When the hand emerged, there was a knife in it, which she menaced the nearest opponent with.

Close quarters combat required Dany to get up close and personal.  Which for the purposes of this exercise, she seemed more than willing to do; she tucked and rolled and moved in to try and keep it simple.  And deadly.

[OOC:  Well, let's keep threatening and try this again....:D

  Move Action:      Draw throwing knife...
  Free Action:      5' step as necessary to continue to threaten both opponents and hopefully keep some sort of tactical advantage
                          (i.e. not get flanked or obtain any more opponents, &c.)
  Standard Action:  Attack nearest opponent

  23:41, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 15 using 1d20+7. Attack: Knife.
  23:42, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 3 using 1d3. Damage: Throwing knife - if necessary.
  23:44, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 31 using 1d20+11. Tumble/Dex Check: (DC ??) as necessary.

Unlikely to hit, and a likely waste of a '20' on the tumble check, but... c'est la vie.]

With a step forward Rrger swings his great sword again, connecting solidly with the next ammo guy. The trollkin pulls his weapon back after the strike, letting the backward momentum help him shift to return his back to the wall of the cabin.

OOC:
The mage armor should still be up, ac 17 . If the mage shield spell is in effect his ac is 21.
08:17, Today: Rrger rolled 13 using 2d6+6. damage.
08:16, Today: Rrger rolled 18 using 1d20+9. to hit.

OOC: Pfui. Another bad week.


Dany's tumble enables her to retrieve her baton and come up and attack her opponent. She hits, but doesn't do enough damage to take him out. He retaliates, but misses. His remaining buddy has better luck, though, and hits Dany for 5 points of damage. A shot rings out just then and hits him. He falls down. A glance shows the shot came from Katrin.


Rrger hits his opponent, but doesn't take him out. He swings back and misses.


Meanwhile, Crestwick has managed to jump to the other ship and sneak below decks. This was fairly easy since nearly everyone that was on the ship is up on deck, and most of them dead or unconscious.

He's looking for any documents that might indicate who these people are working for. He finds a locked room, which might be the captain's quarters, or perhaps the navigator's or even the commander of these forces.

He quickly manages to pick the lock, and swings the door open... only to be brought up short by the sight of an Ogrun! It doesn't take long to figure out that the Ogrun is injured... and chained to the wall!

OOC: Thats ok ^_- Not getting rid of me so easily. Im a tough bodger. And a patient one hehe


It had been .. what hours, no probably days. Or wait a week. Or was it a month since Bosh had been chained to the wall. Certainly they had expected him to resist. or atleast maybe try something. Having removed his mechanical arm, it must have certainly been a rather shocking first glance. The room had been dark and Bosh holds as much as possible his 'still intact' right hand infront of his eyes. Growling softly "Who goes there ?" in a heavily accented Khadoran (sounding more like Molgur-Og)

Rrger shifts his trailing foot back to put more force into the next swing. As he slides into position and brings down the greatsword, the slippery deck pitches in the wrong direction. If he had practiced shipboard fighting he might still have hit, but as it was he barely managed to keep his feet.

OOC: I hope he kept his feet..lol..
22:04, Today: Rrger rolled 1 using 1d20. to hit.

A gasp of pain escaped her burgundy lips as Dany momentarily dropped her guard against her second opponent.  Preoccupied with sticking the first man, she has stupidly left her back exposed for just a brief second, which her flanker had taken full advantage of.  She silently vowed to herself not to do that again.

Leaving her throwing knife stuck in her opponent, Danyka deftly plucked her baton up from the deck as she executed a well-timed tuck and roll to achieve some space and buy herself a little bit of breathing room.  Spring up from her crouch, the lithe Llaelese woman menacingly brandished the collapsible rod once more.

With a flick of her wrist, she sought to catch her last enemy off-guard.  She swept her arm around and tried to connect metal to bone.  The faster this was over, the better off they would be.  But, if nothing else, Dany knew that she continued to threaten the man.  He would be unwise to shoot at anyone else - even if her companions were slowly picking people off.  And that was the way that the Rhynnish brunette liked it.  All attention on her and not her companions.  Even if that attention sometimes hurt.

[OOC:  Just trying to hit defensively...

  Standard Action:  Attack nearest opponent with baton (fighting defensively) (AC: 23)
  Move Action:      Held (move to avoid any flank as necessary)

  21:15, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 18 using 1d20+3. Attack: Baton (assumes finesse and defensive fighting).
  21:15, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 6 using 1d6. Damage: Baton - as necessary.

Let's hope that hits, as to not waste that damage roll ... :D  Oh, and I hope that your week is treating your better, GM!]

"You're sure a big one!" the monk exclaims at Bosh's words. "Possibly a friend."

If these attackers had imprisoned one of their own for bad behavior, Crestwick reasons, that's one thing. If they shackled him, that's a horse of a completely different color. He could only think of two possibilities for that: traitor or enemy. He was well aware that the 'traitor' option was open to a lot of interpretation, starting with not agreeing with the captain's orders, whether given to him or by him.

"My enemy's enemy is my friend," Creswick added. "This ship is on the verge of sinking, my friend. If you wish to get out of those shackles instead of feeding the fishes, speak quickly. Why are you imprisoned?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:52, Tue 18 Nov 2014.

Rrger suddenly finds his footing uncertain, and stumbles for a moment. Fortunately, the same shift of the deck has put his opponent off balance as well. His swing does manage to clip Rrger's shoulder for 1 point of damage. The impact, slight as it is, still manages to impart unwanted momentum to Rrger. He finds himself in the peculiar position of having to drop his club to keep from falling down, or else falling down!


Dany easily hits her remaining opponent, but he's made of sterner stuff than that. However, as she's learned from her battle, these troops are untrained at battle and even less trained at fighting on a ship. They'd be classified as auxiliaries in most armies and navies--great numbers to be thrown at the enemy to overwhelm them. He attempts to strike back, but Dany's defensive fighting completely thwarts him.

Bosh squints his eyes to see better. Only seeing the shadowy shape of a humanoid form in the door opening. "Sinking ? Oh that loud BOOM was you then. Did you smash them all good on their heads ?" only then realising the man had asked him a question "Oh, well .. I had disobeyed a direct order to finish off some Cygnar soldier who I had found in a deathtrap. freeing them instead. To fight another day" Bosh sleightly distracted points with his head into a certain direction

"If you could then so kindly remove these shackles and hand me my arm. Boo is still trapped within it. If you have some carrots that would be grand. He hasn't eaten for a long time."

Danyka's eyes narrowed slightly as her opponent didn't go down with the rather solid hit that she nailed him with.  Sterner stuff, indeed. the Rhynnish brunette thought to herself.  Which really only served as a wake-up call to Dany and forced her to redouble her efforts.  She almost forgot about her objective - for she would have dearly loved to have taken down the man herself.  But, the Llaelese woman knew that her job was primarily to occupy the man.

So, she did by continuing to fight defensively.  She used her baton almost as a practice foil - as she was trained in the art of the sabre, foil and epee.  Danyka wasn't Llaelese for nothing.  "Touché." she intoned simply and she reached out and touchedtwacked the sailor.

[OOC:  Once more into the breach, dear friends...

  Standard Action:  Attack nearest opponent with baton (fighting defensively) (AC: 23)
  Move Action:      Held (move to avoid any flank as necessary)

  21:33, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 22 using 1d20+3. Attack: Baton (assumes finesse and defensive fighting).
  21:33, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 3 using 1d6. Damage: Baton.

I don't think that a '19' is a crit with a baton (oh, if only Dany had had a rapier...:D).  Not that it would be that much more damage per se, she doesn't have any Strength bonus to speak of...]

Rrger was taught that a warrior should never lose his weapon. He shifts so that he doesn't land on the blade in his fall and lets himself go to the deck. With as graceful a move as he can muster, the large Tollkin uses the momentum of standing up to make a better attack than his last one.

OOC:
Free action: swear loudly
move action: stand up (provokes aoo)
Standard action: Attack
15:35, Today: Rrger rolled 14 using 2d6+6. damage.
15:34, Today: Rrger rolled 28 using 1d20+9. to hit.

(Meanwhile) Creswick hears a squicky noice coming out from underneath a large mechanic arm. "BOO !! there you are" back in a heavy Khadoran accent. A little hamster pushes open a little metal hatch with synthetic skin over it. Sneezes out loud (loud for a hamster !!) and rushes off to Bosh "yes I missed you to Boo. What have you been doing ? What ? Sleeping ?" Turning back to Creswick

(Cygnar) "Well .. ? I'll join gladly your cause if you free me of these shackles. I have no wish to take a chance on my swimming skills this far offshore"

(Boo http://nl.pinterest.com/pin/467107792576017224/)

Creswick had been inclined to free the ogrun anyway, because he didn't want anyone to drown, but now that he saw the little hamster, he had a hard time believing that the big guy was also a bad guy.

The keys to the cell and shackles were hanging on the wall, so it was simply a matter of getting them, and then freeing the ogrun.

"I don't supposed you know which way the captain's cabin is?" Creswick asked the ogrun. "I'm trying to find any documents that may shed light on why this ship attacked us. Navigation maps would be good, too."

Dany manages to land another blow on her remaining opponent, but it's still not enough to take him out, though he's clearly on the ropes, which is probably why his retaliatory strike misses albeit just.


Rrger's opponent misses his opportunity to hit Rrger as the Trollkin gets up, but the effort costs him as another shift in the deck below their feet helps put Rrger back on his feet while taking his opponent's feet out from under him. Already down, when Rrger's blow lands solidly on him, that one keeps him from getting up again.


Meanwhile, Nicollo has swung across to the other ship and helps finish off Marco's opponents. Not that Marco needed the help, but the more time they waste, the lower in the water the other ship settles.

That ship wasn't outfitted for a long term voyage, though. Rather, it was manned as a raider. It still had its life boats, even though there weren't enough for the whole crew. Unfortunately, many of them were no longer alive to need a life boat.

That's why Nicollo and Marco were now launching the life boats, so that they wouldn't go under with the boat. They weren't so far from shore that they couldn't make it back in the life boats, but there wasn't room or supplies on the Resolute to accommodate the enemy survivors.

Once free of the chains Bosh picks up his little hamster and puts it on his right shoulder. "Hmmmmmm.." growling (in a friendly tone) "..I am not certain, but I think I passed it to come here. it might be in this hallway. That way .. somewhere .. in the middle"

Picking up his left arm Bosh starts to assemble it to the sockets. With some steam hissings and a sort of magical click Bosh flexes his left hand "Seems to be in mint condition. Good thing they thought it was nothing of worth." Opening a little hatch in his arm Boo sneaks inside again "Stay Boo .. I will go with this nice man and look for the captains quarters"

Stretching himself, Bosh reaches towards the ceiling. Only a few inches left between his head and the metal plates "Damned human ships" Smiling to the man before him "Lets go then .. shall we ?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:31, Mon 24 Nov 2014.

The traditional captain's quarters at the rear of the ship has been turned into a shrine, forcing the captain to use one of the other cabins. With no one stopping them, it is easy enough for Creswick and Bosh to find that cabin as there are many charts and papers all over the room.

Creswick has no problem hastily gathering up everything in sight and shoving them into a handy sack.

Danyka gritted her teeth as her opponent refused to go down.  She knew that time was a-wastin'; so, she did what any self respecting gun mage would do: she resorted to her tried and true magelock pistols - and the threat of violence.

"Don't be a fool." the Rhynnish brunette growled, "This ship and its crew are done for.  Yield.  Now."  The pistol was leveled at her solitary opponent; Danyka knew that she could get the shot off if needed.  She had had plenty of experience firing in a melee - against only one opponent, that was nothing.  "Surrender now," she added tersely, "and you might survive..."

[OOC:  If you can't beat'em (to death), Intimidate them.  Or at least try.

  Move Action:      Draw pistol
  Standard Action:  Try to Intimidate opponent

  00:54, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 11 using 1d20+10. Intimidate/CHA Check:  Yield!

Well, that sucked.  But at least I rolled the '1' on an Intimidate check and didn't fumble an attack, instead ... :D]

Following Creswick and .. if needed haul some of his documents with him Bosh carefully looks around for his beloved Maul. It had been misplaced. Yes he knew he could easily find another one. But there were some good memories with the one he had with him for .. years.

"Want me to carry some of that ?" Bosh pips in nodding towards some of the things he sees in the 'shrine'/'captains quarters' Looking around himself sleightly nervous. The captain had TOLD him not to leave the room he was in. He was rather clear of that. Not that Bosh felt any need to go back into the chains and wait out his fate. Still. Orders were orders

Rrger looks to Dany shouting at her opponent. Her accent must get worse when she's excited and he can't really understand what she's saying. Something about being done and yielding. And then she wanted to sunder something, or she was trying to surrender. While pointing her weapons at him... That didn't make any sense. The other guy didn't seem impressed with whatever she was saying. And maybe she was trying to take a prisoner, Rrger runs forward and smacks the guy with the flat part of his sword. There's decent power in the swing and maybe it will bring him down.


OOC:
08:27, Today: Rrger rolled 10 using 2d6+6. damage.
08:27, Today: Rrger rolled 20 using 1d20+9. to hit.

Whether or not Dany's intimidation would have worked, you'll never know as Rrger rushes up and kills the man before he can react.

Most of the crew is dead, but there are around a dozen that were knocked unconscious or wounded to the point of incapacitation. Although they still have some fight in them, they don't have the strength or the stupidity to persist. Those who can help those who can't get to the lifeboats.

There's not as much steamgear on the enemy ship, which was named the Aggressor as on the Resolute, but Rrger can scavenge what little there is.


Looking through the shrine, Bosh and Creswick find two scrolls, a small locked box and a small coffer under the altar/shrine itself.

It isn't until Bosh gets up on deck that he finds his maul clutched in the hand of a dead trollkin.

Rrger had hit the man with the flat of his blade hoping to knock the guy out. Dany had wanted him to survive for questioning. Rrger looks at his team mate with an emberrassed shrug, "Sorry. hit too hard." After looking to make sure she's ok he turns aft, "I'll head below deck to check the hold for parts, you might check the armory or the wheelhouse. Navigation gear might come in handy on the island." He stops for a second and continues,"I'm sorry. You know what you need to do and it might not be checking for gear. I'm just in a hurry and got carried away, didn't mean to give orders." With that he turns and quickly heads toward the hold.

With his beloved Maul in one hand and shielding his eyes with the next Bosh pierces into the distance, but sees nothing he can remotely say (or think of) that is familiar. growling softly he looks aside to Creswink "What now ? If you need of some assistance I will help you with this all. I am to grateful You've rescued me from what fate they had in mind. Or from becoming fishfood." Seeing still a bustle of activity onboard the big Ogrun stands towering above just about anything.

Danyka looked slightly askance at Rrger, but his method seemed much more effective than hers.  At least, in getting their opponent dead; the man must have been on the ropes already.  If only Dany had been able to assess that beforehand; the man might have been saved.  But then perhaps it was just Morrow's will; these were followers of Menoth after all.  Perhaps it was best to just let the Afterlife sort them out...

She shrugged slightly, as she carefully stepped over the body and the pool of blood that was slowly growing beneath it.  Easy come. she thought to herself, Easy go.

As the others headed into the bowels of the ship, the thin Llaelese gun mage set about helping the wounded into the boats.  Well, that and relieving them (and their dead compatriots) of anything that seemed immediately valuable.  While she wasn't the keen appraiser, she looked for shinnies and weapons - which were much more accessible than worn items, like armour.  In particular, she was keen on getting a cutlass or fencing blade, if at all possible.  She didn't mind the collapsible baton (it had served her well, after all), but craved something that might both compliment her rather nimble fighting style as well as her sense of style.

[OOC:  Not sure if it is necessary... but why not?

  21:27, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Spot/Wis Check - as necessary.
  21:27, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Search/Int Check - as necessary.
  21:28, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 7 using 1d20+2. Appraise/Int - as necessary.

*sigh* My last 4 d20 rolls have been two '1's and two '5's.  I think that someone is trying to tell me something.]

In thee hold Rrger takes what he can find, several good pieces in fact. He empties a crate and packs in his finds, heading back topside and hauling it back to the Resolute. If there's time he'll head back to the wheehouse of the Aggressor to grab navigation maps and charts. Any notes and logs will go back with him, as will any of the navigator's tools he can find.

With the battle essentially over, the only concern now is that the enemy ship may take on too much water before the Resolute can disengage, in which case the sinking ship may drag the Resolute under.

The captain passes the word on to make any looting quickly

In the wheelhouse Rrger grabs the things he came after and runs back to the Resolute. The maps and logs will help them figure out where the ship came from at least, and they might tell who hired her. With no time to make a third trip across, he'll look around to make sure the group are accounted for. Then he'll take a gaff, or whatever tool he can use, and do what he can to help dislodge the Aggressor.

What little wordly posessions Bosh had he had collected. Ontop. With the fresh air blowing in his face he sees a human female and trollkin busy. With his rescue'er Creswick most likely on the same side Bosh heads to where the trollkin is busy. "Might I lend a hand ?" Looking around to see what he is doing. Bosh aids where needed using his strong muscles he works with Rrger to free the ships from a deathlock of an another.

"Yes, I think we can.." Rrger glances over and then does a double take, <DarkGreen>"I'm sorry but I thought I'd met all the crew. I'm Rrger and of course you can help. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing but I figured doing something is better than doing nothing." The tall trollkin goes back to work breaking up the hull of the Aggressor to help it dislodge from the Resolute.

"Im really good at smashing things .. here .. Is everyone onboard ?" Bosh heaves his Maul and prepares to mash not a potato but what kept both vessels attached to one another. Together with Rrgr they would manage for sure. Thats was to say. Most likely. With his Maul ready Bosh smirks

"Well met Rrgr .. I am Bosh and this here .." as if on command a little hatch opens in the arm of Bosh and a little hamster pops out ".. is Boo. My trusted companion"

"Hello Bosh. Well met Boo. I'm afraid we've attracted more hostiles to your ship. Hopefully these will be the last but I'm not willing to bet on that." Rrger continues working to separate the two ships, noting that it's odd he hasn't noticed Bosh on board before.

 Towards the tail end of Rrger's greeting, Danyka trotted up to the trio of men working to free the coupled ships.  Her pack was full, almost bursting, and she carried what excess she could liberate from the crew and such.  She had only heard the latter part of the exchange between the trollkin and the ogrun; but if she was taken aback by the fact that there was a stranger amongst two of her team mates, the Llaelese gun mage didn't let on.  The fact that they were not attacking him, was enough for her for the moment.

"Boys." she chirped in a rather curt tone, "Be quick.  Time is of the essence."  The Rhynnish brunette knew that she wasn't going to be strong enough physically to really help the effort to free the ships.  But, brute force wasn't everything.  "If we can't get this thing freed, she'll take the Resolute with her..." Danyka reiterated.  It was perhaps obvious, but she did feel it bore repeating - as it seemed the two burly males were kibitzing and introducing themselves in the midst of the chaos.

She cast about the deck with her eyes, until they settled upon the barrels of the cannon fodder.  "You have two minutes." Dany warned Rrger and Bosh.  Then she motioned to Creswick to help her with the barrels of artillery gunpowder, "Let's get these positioned to help weaken the deck to free the Resolute."  And she started to try and roll some of the barrels into position...

[OOC:  It may be a stupid idea, but Danyka isn't going to just sit around and wait for both ships to go down; she'll try to blow the crap out of the Aggressor first...]

The only way the other ship would drag down the Resolute is if the other ship filled up with water. The efforts on the bow of the Resolute to free it from the grip of the enemy ship mostly involves bashing on the wood along the edges of the hole caused by the ramming.

There are probably a few other things that could be tried if it was needed, but once the captain of the Resolute throws the ship in reverse, there's enough force from the paddle wheels to rip loose from the enemy ship.

As the Resolute pulls farther and farther away, the enemy ship slowly diminishes in apparent size and fills with water. It takes about an hour for the enemy ship to sink below the waves.

Meanwhile, the captain has set the Resolute back on its course for distant lands.

"It seems the rest of your crew were busy defending the ship, Bosh. Thanks for going to help us in the Aggressor." He nods to Danyka and continues, "Bosh here jumped across and helped out on the other ship. I think maybe we should talk to the others about bringing him into the group, if the captain can stand to loose a crewman when we get to the island." The large trollkin has obviously mistaken Bosh for a sailor from the 'Resolute'. Perhaps he was resting up for night shift until the attack woke him. Otherwise it would be odd that they hadn't seen an Ogrun aboard. He gathers up the stuff he took from the wheelhouse, "Meanwhile, I have some maps and such that need to go to the captain. We probably should stow the rest of what we 'salvaged' and have some chow. Fighting makes me hungry."

Bosh nods *Scratches the back of his head* "Just to correct a wee-little detail. I was not a very willing crewmember. Once perhaps if .." Bosh mumbles something in (Molgur-Og) "If they had not courtmartialed me humm" ".. no matter. If there is a jobspace open I would gladly solicited for that. Seeing I have nowhere else to go but out and far away from the Khador borders"

Gathering his few belongings and his trusted Maul .. Bosh (and Boo, on his shoulder) watch the vessel go down below the waves. Had they been on it. Bosh shakes his head. Swimming was just not really his greatest skill. And so far away from shore .. Boo squeeked as if pipping into the thought. "Yes Boo, we have new friends now"

Danyka was busy cataloging the things they had been able to salvage from the enemy ship.  Her over-sized buff coat was unbuttoned, revealing the double bandoleers strapped across her chest and the twin magelock pistols harnessed around her waist.  She had already refilled the empty slots that had been used during the fight, with fresh ammunition.

She looked slightly askance at Rrger, her eyes moving over to Bosh as the trollkin spoke of meeting their new companion.  She gave him a rather critical once over visually.  The ogrun was no taller than she was (without her tricorne), but must have weighed three times her own weight; he looked more than solid enough.

The Llaelese gun mage nodded to Bosh's assessment of his status on the sinking Aggressor.  "Threw your lot in with us, eh?" the Rhynnish brunette quipped with a slightly crooked smile crossing her lips.  "Well met then, Mr. Bosh." Dany greeted the ogrun bodger, then introduced herself more formally, "I'm Danyka Ydrasyl."  She extended her black gloved right hand towards Bosh.

Her left hand rested easily on her lapel of her heavy, voluminous outer coat, a finger hooked into one of the button holes.  When the stocky ogrun, engaged in conversation with the small ball of fur on his shoulder, Danyka raised an eyebrow.  She extended her left arm and the nose and muzzle of a black-footed ferret presented itself from just inside the cuff of her sleeve.  The thin line of fur snaked its way into the cradling fingers of Dany's outstretched left hand.  Then the raven-haired pistoleer then introduced her own rodent companion to Bosh's, "Boo.  This is Wyck."

Both Bosh and Boos' heads turn towards Danny. While Bosh nods "Name is Bosh, .. Ironside ma'am" tipping his forehead towards the woman. Boo on the otherhand once seeing Wyck shoots into the hatch within the mechanical arm. Though only a second later (out of curiosity) the hatch pops open and two eyes look at the ferret. Squicking softly "No Boo, I dont think the ferret eats hamsters"

Taking the hand of the raven-haired Danyka "May our mugs be filled with ale and our  travels be without harm .."

Rrger finds the captain, "These are the maps and logs from the Aggressor.  I thought that you might be able to use them to figure out who's attacking us."

Once the agressor is fully submerged and the ship Bosh is on sets sail to .. wherever it had been going .. Bosh chooses a spot in the sun, overlooking the ocean. Looking around to his new found comrads. Bosh nods. ["It could have been much worse, could be at the bottom by now .. or at some horrible labourcamp."] looking around for some tools Bosh flips some switches, easily done with the muscles he could muster. otherwise they would certainly be stuck for good. A small steamish puff escaped. And his left arm goes off. While whistling Bosh checks the condition and repairs what he can. The little hatch needed reoiling. And boo skimmers off happily to go about his own business. And explores the ship and his new friends

The captain takes the charts offered to him from Rrger.

"Thank you. These may be of some help, but I fear that our own charts are far more detailed on where we are going." He has a somber expression as he pauses for a moment.

"It's the Law of the Sea, but it is always a sad occasion when a ship sinks. Every ship has a majestic grace when it is sailing, but beneath the waves it is just rotting fish food."

"I will look over these, of course, but a ship's rutters are nearly always in code that only the captain that made them can read."

"However, I can tell you right now that these all bear the mark of the Protectorate of Menoth. That's twice now they've tried to stop us. I doubt if they are done with us yet, but the farther away from land we get, the less chance they'll have of reaching us or even finding us."

"This was not something that was anticipated. Our resources were predicated on a specific plan of action. I'm sorely tempted to go full steam ahead for the rest of the trip. That will use up our coal resources to the point there won't be much left for the return trip. We'd have to go all sail, unless we can refuel where we're going."

Although he appeated to be talking to Rrger, he was also directing it to the few crew he had.


Later, up on deck, as Bosh worked on his mechanical arm, Rrger noticed that Bosh used a technique that looked rather familiar... and finally realized it was the same technique he used... one that had been taught him by Clanker back in his Iron Fist training!


As Dany introduces herself to Bosh, Creswick points out that Bosh was a prisoner on the other ship; he wasn't with the other crew, though they'd wanted him to join.

Katrin and Marco and Nicollo had joined Dany as she surveyed and inventoried all the loot from the Aggressor. It was going to be a toss-up how much they kept and how much they had to deep-six. On the one hand, as they paddlewheeled onward, they were burning up coal, thus reducing weight that way, but it would require a bit more to compensate for the extra mass of the new cargo. On the other hand, this might be valuable 'trade' items where they were going.

Of particular significance is the 1000 rounds of ammunition, plus an extra 100 pounds of powder.

The most significant item, however, might be the altar box. Opening it (after successfully picking the lock), it is full of blue powder. It is only when you notice that there is a pouch-like compartment fastened to the inside of the lid and extract the letter that was concealed there that you understand what you have.

The letter is from Garrick Voyle himself! Menite alchemists, under the guidance and inspiration of Menoth, have been able to make a new kind of gunpowder. Using this 'shockpowder' as it has been dubbed in place of normal red powder causes bullets fired by it to deal extra shock damage (+1d6) to the target it hits. Naturally, this powder is only to be used in the cause of Menoth.

There is enough powder for 200 shots.

Whistling while cleaning and 'repairing' Bosh is happily enjoying the sun and oceans breeze, chatting up with whomever wished. Once the mechanical arm has been sufficiently mended (used a little magical spell on some rusty iron pins and such) and cleaned Bosh slides it back into the designated slot. A few moments later a click and a hiss signals the time it can be fully locked into place. With some effort Bosh pushes down several pins and flexes his fingers. letting out a satisfied 'Hummmm' He gets up and heads to where others are ..

"While we .. wait, is there anything I can assist you with. Onboard here ?"

"Hello Bosh. I was watching some of your maintenance technique. Reminds me of an old steamjack we met in training." Rrger looks up at his new team mate, "Do you know Clanker by any chance?"

Dany whistled slightly as she read the missive from the Hierarch himself. "Interesting." she muttered aloud.  The lithe Rhynnish brunette looked at the others gathered with her, holding the piece of parchment in her hand aloft.

"Anyone here," Danyka solicited, "have any experience packing ammunition..."  She pursed her lips, "This stuff would be useful ...  I can likely," though she hardly sounded convinced herself, "pack the stuff myself."  The Llaelese gun mage swallowed hard, before continuing, "Though some might be wasted..."  From the sounds of it, that might be an understatement (not to mention just plain dangerous - especially shipboard).  Dany had the basics of ammunition packing taught to her - and she had a gunner's kit - so, it was possible that she could manage it.  But, it would be stretch to say that she was an expert in the field.

And with the extra punch this powder packed, they probably needed an expert.

She had send Wyck off with Boo to see make sure that the little rodent didn't get into too much trouble.  She seemed to trust Boo implicitly.

When Rrger asked Bosh about his training, Dany paused in what she was doing.  The answer seemed to pique her interest.  Bosh was an enigma, for if what Creswick had said was right, who knows where Bosh was from.  Or what his story was...

Noticing the trollkin approach Bosh turns his head  "Hello Rrger. Yes, a long time before I was .. enlisted .. in the Khadorean army. I had been living in a monastery. I met this Clanker you mentioned. Apparently he must have seen something he could mold lest he would have not taught me all he knew. Atleast that is what he said before leaving .."  rolling down his sleeve  ".. before apparently heading down south towards Cygnaran lands"
Bosh looks around seeing Boo was skimming around with Wyck. Smiling to see Boo had met a little friend that didnt want to eat it for a change.

Upon hearing the Llaelese brunette "I am somewhat familiar with gunpowder itself, not overly so. I .. would be more versed in brewing beverages and ointments of sorts. I could take a look to see if we can do something with the pile hummm" Getting up, it is not so much the size in height that made Bosh stand out. Barely qualifying as a tall humanoid. It was more the overal size from the Ogrun.

"Let us get to work .. then"


(Link: http://nl.pinterest.com/pin/165225880048963641/, think of a sort of outer'outfit such as this one, Bosh does keep the hood off 99% of the time. Unless mentioned :))

"I'm pretty good at putting charges together," Katrin offers as she joins the group looking over the loot.

"If you could assist me, Dany, that would make it go a bit faster and easier. I have a gunner's kit, and I believe there were two put on the ship as part of our supplies."

She starts going through the loot looking for useable guns and spare ammunition.

Most of the loot came from the dead or those that surrendered. Some of it was found in the ship's armory. The 1000 rounds first estimated were from the ship's armory, but there were a lot of rounds on people. The following is a list of loot.

2 Collapsible batons
6 bayonets
1 battleglaive
1 Cryxian dirk
22 harpoons
2 folding knives
1 maul
2 Menoth’s stings
1 Umbrian waraxe
2 Clockwork Arms pepperbox with 100 rounds
1 Radcliffe Quad-Iron pistol with 60 rounds
1 Rynnish hold-out pistol with 20 rounds
1 Rynnish walking stick
3 Serric steel rifles with 75 rounds
21 Military rifles with 1000 rounds
2 Vislovski rifles with 40 rounds
1 Vanar Liberator with 100 rounds
4 blunderbusses with 40 rounds
4 grappling guns with 12 rounds
26 military pistols with 1000 rounds
8 small pistols with 200 rounds
24 explosive grenades
24 flash grenades
2 gunner’s kits

Oops! I completely fogot about the mundane weapons!


At the bottom of the pile, there are a number of ordinary weapons:

7 longswords
9 short swords
2 battleaxes
2 rapiers
1 Elvin thin blade (though no one can recall seeing an Elf on board the Aggressor)
12 longbows with 121 arrows
14 crossbows with 143 bolts
51 daggers

There weren't nearly that many people on board the ship, but most of them had two or three weapons, plus the ship had a fairly well-stocked armory. What made that a bit odd is that the crew on the ship weren't trained soldiers who could have made better use of the weapons. It's as if they threw militia or auxiliaries onboard rather than regular marines.

"We need to secure this stuff in the hold, or in an armory if we have one. I think we all need some of these." Rrger leans over and picks up 3 of the explosive grenades and two of the flash grenades. Picking up a blunderbuss, he points it menacingly over the rail and toward the water, "I need to learn to shoot." He reaches down and starts moving gear below decks. Once that's finished he'll find something to eat and then go to bed for the night.

Dany inspected the two looted rapiers, one in each hand, for a long quiet moment.  Assessing which blade felt better in her hand, she chose that blade and put the other back into the pile.  Strapping the thin fencing sword to her hip, the lithe Rynnish woman then picked up the strange thin sword of obvious elvish origin.  Testing the weight and balance in her right hand, the young Llaelese gun mage's lips were pressed into a tight, pensive moue; the exotic blade was beautifully crafted, but might take more time and effort to master than she could afford right now.  She tested the balance and it was more than acceptable, and undeniably elegant.  "Quite the fencing blade..." she mused.

And there was no reason that she could (and apparently, wouldn't) claim the blade as a bit of plunder.  If allowed and no other owner for the blade appeared; Dany figured that as an Iosan, Creswick, could claimed precedence.  And the Llaelese brunette was fully willing to yield to him on that score.

"Seems that we have a hodge-podge here," Danyka noted to no one in particular, but loud enough for all to hear her musings, "Obviously, these boys were sanctioned privateers.  But, the fact that they targetted us seems far too coincidental..."  Of course, given what they had just done, and the pile of loot in front of them, the Rynnish brunette was sure exactly what that made them.  "The seas are presumably," she added quietly, "are safer for what we have done."  Menoth raiders were scary enough.  Menoth raiders targeting them was even scarier.

She looked up from her musings at Rrger's prompting.  "Rightly so." Dany nodded curtly, tossing the elven thinblade back onto the pile of weapons.  Scooping up the Rynnish walking stick in her hand as well, the Llaelese gun mage moved to help port all of their ill-gotten booty into the ship's armoury and below deck storage.

Once everything was stowed properly, Danyka stared at the polished, engraved pommel of the walking stick that they had obtained.  She frowned slightly, a tight uncomfortable moue forming on her burgundy lips, as she traced the intricate patterned grooves in the burnished ebony on the long concealed weapon, but remained silent.  There was a glimmer of recognition, but little more said or done.  Well, other than the young Llaelese woman taking the stick with her.

"Yes," the thin Rynnish brunette intoned, looking up at the rough trollkin, "I'm famished."  It was only once the adrenaline high, the euphoria of victory, and interesting pile of equipment was dealt with that she realized just how famished she was.  Tiredness was creeping in to the edges of her awareness.   But, some food would be good first.  Dany started to pad off towards the mess hall of the Resolute.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:11, Wed 31 Dec 2014.

At the mentioning of 'FOOD' Bosh, turns his head and smiles "Bosh is always hungry. Boo is not so .. the little one enjoys a crunchy carrot or apple. or of sort. If you need aid in dragging these heavy things down towards a room. I will gladly assist."

Bosh gives the weapon pile a once over but shrugs, there was nothing to this pile of 'junk' he thought usefull. With already his trusty Maul in his posession he follows Danyka down towards the mess. Opun entering (those closeby) Boshs' stomach growls loudly. "I could eat like a troll" Turning to see if Rrger had been following them ...

Rubbing his hands "You look pale young ladyfriend, you should eat more. You have such small cheekbones"

Dany chuckled slightly, her high, prominent cheekbones curving slightly in a smile, "Perhaps, but I don't believe that I will ever have the girth of you, Mr. Ironside."  She pushed a plate with a large wedge of cheese and a loaf of bread into the center of the table, presumably for all to share.  Then Danyka set her tray down and the Rynnish walking stick that she was still carrying with her on the table.  With a slight flourish of her greatcoat, the Llaelese gun mage sat down near both Bosh and Rrger.

She started to dig into her meal.  Danyka didn't wolf her food down, though somehow it all seems to disappear quite efficiently; all of it ending with the bowl of stew fastidiously cleaned with the last piece of bread on the accompanying plate.

The young woman chatted as she cut a wedge of cheese and broke off a hunk of bread to go with it.  "I still don't think that it was a coincidence that we met up with the Aggressor." Dany wagered idly, and she didn't seem to be talking about Fate, Faith or Morrow being the reasons, "Though lucky for you, Bosh, that we did.  How is it that you were on-board?"  Some of his mannerisms bespoke of Iron Fist training - which meant something.  The Rynnish brunette just didn't know what; she actually hoped that he might be able to fill them in on that...

Bosh scratches the top of his head "Some months ago I had saved a few Cygnaran soldiers from a deathtrap that was laid by a Khadorean Commander. I think he did not like this. But at the time it felt like the right thing to do. There is no sense of honour in killing folk that are stuck beneath a rock. For the rest .. I got courtmartialed and was send to do hardlabour for some years. But apparently, perhaps the captain had other plans. I am quite certain where I was needed I did not go"

Rrger takes the nearest tray as he walks into the mess area and proceeds to load it with whatever is handy. A large mug is filled and the tall trollkin sits with Bosh and Dany. He tries to eat politely at first but that just takes too long when you're hungry. After a couple of platefuls he finally finishes and fills the mug one last time, sitting to chat comfortably with his teammates. "You were sentenced to hard labor for not killing helpless people? That sounds military."

Dany chuckled slightly at Rrger's assessment of the Bosh's previous superiors, nodding and quipping, "Eminently.  Or is that immanently?" She had never really been sure whether such mentality came from without or within...

She took another sip of mulled wine from her tankard, "Interesting, I didn't know that Clanker was from Khador.  Or in a monastery ..."  The Rynnish brunette seemed lost in thought for a moment, before the focus returned to her eyes with slightly more determination; it seemed to explain some things perhaps.

Danyka pulled our her dagger and started to slice up an apple that she had apparently pocketed.  "And your arm?" she leaned forward for a moment gesturing to the prosthetic with the tip of her blade, before returning to cutting, "There must be a story behind that as well.  It is a serious piece of work."  She took a couple of slices offering them to Bosh and Rrger.

Then the Llaelese gun mage took two more slices and passed one into her sleeve, where it summarily disappeared, and held out the other to Boo.  Only then, did she partake herself, slicing off some of the hard cheese on the central tray and pulling a few apple wedges for herself.

Rrger is a little surprised as Dany's question seems a litle nosy to him. Still, he's more than a little curious about the arm. The large trollkin takes a slice of the apple when offered and turns to Bosh.

At the question Bosh stops .. his eyebrows get thicker and a 'Hmmm' escapes the ogruns lips. Then a shrug "You could say it was perhaps a freakish accident. I had intended on boiling an elixer to get rid of a rash that had been caused by a plant. The black kettle however was perhaps not trustworthy. yet, I saw no other. After preparing it was heavy. Maybe a bit to heavy. While taking it off the flames and by Cyriss onto where I had intended it to go, the handle broke off. And though I tried to keep the kettle from spilling I placed my hand .." Bosh shows the mechanical hand ".. onto it. Obviously it was to hot still, and I withdrew my hand. Only to have it be placed into the fire from where I had taken the kettle. Not to say, that was a rather unpleasent suprise."

Bosh scoops up some soup and continues "Though that was just one of the many injuries it had sustained outside of the militairy. As after I had found out I was not so much to be cut as a monk nor friar. I left the monastery soon after. Joined the army as an adventurous thought. Join the army, see the world it says. I saw the world. But not the way I had hoped it would be. And along the way unlike him .." Thumbing towards Rrger ".. my arm does not grow back, and thus with what I had learned from this Clanker and with some assets I had aquired while being in service I had managed to replace it. And that is where I got to meet Boo. Being accidentally caught in some metalplates. I rescued the little buddy. And he has been following me eversince"

"Freak accident indeed." Rrger nods, looking uncomfortable. He moves quickly on to another subject, "I wouldn't have thought you a monk. Even less I would expect Clanker to have been one. We met him as a trainer in a military school. We were given special training to be part of a team that the military can deny exists." He looks from Danyka to Bosh and then continues, "In return our past is 'forgotten' and we get a fresh start. When we get back we can talk to the sergeant about officially recruiting you into the Iron Fist. They might throw away your conviction so you wouldn't have to worry about them. Although they probably assume you're dead since you were captive on the Mannite ship." Something suddenly occurs to him, "Hey, a military prisoner was aboard a Mannite ship. Do you think the army is connected with the Mannites? It would explain how they knew which ship to hitch onto and when to do it. And how they knew our course well enough to intercept us."

Ioelenna smiles.

I would love that thinblade unless some one else claims it.

Ioelenna follows Dany around and waits for something to do. She also listens intently to Bosh, Rrger and, Dany.