Kamatar, you can see a group of villagers gathering on the beach not far from the shipwreck.  As you hurry down to them, Cassandre suddenly grabs your hand and points out to the water.

There are two ships out in the bay.  One, has settled quite close to your position Kamatar.  The one close to you has actually come up on a sand bar.  They seem to be throwing a ladder over the side.  On the deck, you can see a group of pirates armed to the teeth, looking like they are ready to come down the ladder and do pirate type stuff.

---

You arrive at the docks Breya and Bellinha.  Lori and her husband seem to be organizing the villagers that have gathered there.

Lori sees you and waves.  "Orus is going to join the ones at the shipwreck.  I-"

She's cut off as someone cries out, "Look!"

Through the thinning fog, you can see two ships in the harbor.

One seems to have come aground near the shipwreck.

The other one has turned sideways.  On the deck, you can see three large ballista.  The pirates are loading large bolts onto them, rubbing them with pitch, and setting them on fire.

So Kam...you and Cass and a bunch of NPCs have the smaller ship.  They are going to try to land an assault force.

Bel and Breya...you guys have a ship out in the water, about to open fire on the town.

Don't worry.  You guys have help coming on the way.

Questions?

"Can you use magic to warn them!?"  Breya asked, fastening her last armor strap.  She looked around for a skiff, a dinghy, an excessively large wash tub.  "I'm going to row out there and board the bastards!"

"I don't have any magic that can deal with something like that."  Bellinha said, peering out at the ship in the harbour.  She was all business now as she finished adjusting her own armour.  "That's pitch they're loading.  They mean to burn Salt Lick to the ground.  Lori, You have to warn the others.  Get some water splashed on the buildings to help protect against fire.  Where is that runner that I asked for?"

After looking around for the additional person that she asked for, Bellinha wheeled on Breya.  "I can't let you go out there alone.  You need someone to watch your back.  Now let's see if we can find a boat of some sort."  She didn't say that she had her doubts on whether they would be able to row out there fast enough to actually make a difference but they had to try something.

OOC:
How far out is the ship and how long would it take to row out to it?

In reply to Bellinha Grunnel (msg # 4):

Lori grabs a young man.  "Here's your runner.  I'll get on the dousing.  Go down the docks.  Some of the fishermen will be taking their boats out to try to board that ship.  You can go with them!"

You can see several boats are loading up with grim looking men bearing harpoons, axes, and whatever other weapons they have on hand.

The pirates begin to volley with the ballista!  The first few bolts soar from the deck of the ship, arcing in majestic fiery arcs up...up...and land in the surf.

"They'll adjust their next shots!  Let's get those bucket brigades moving!"  You can hear Lori's shouts above the din Bellinha and Breya

Bel and Breya...you have your runner.  You can head down to one of the ships and jump aboard.  It will probably take about four rounds  once the ship sets out to get near the pirate ship that's firing on the town

---

Kamatar, as you study the situation, you feel a hand on your shoulder.  Orus, the town administrator has walked up.  He nods at the ladder.

"I'm gonna take some men and try to get aboard that ship.  Take the fight to them.

"Can you take down any one of those bastards that tries to climb down that ladder for now?

"Once you see me start up the ladder, if you can try to clear anyone on deck from getting near it, so I got a chance to get aboard, that'd be great.  After that, do what you can."

Kam...Orus is asking you to snipe at any pirates coming down off the ship until you see him start to climb up the ladder.

Then he wants you to lay down some cover fire near the top of the ladder, so he has a chance to get aboard.

You okay with that?

"Come on!"  Breya began to run for the... runner.  "Do we have a grapple line?"

"So you want me to kill any pirates on the ship that try to get near the ladder until you and your men get aboard.
I have no love for pirates, so I will help you defeat them." the half-orc archer said.

Calmly, Kamatar asks Cassandre, "Please keep watch for any enemies trying to get close to us once I start killing pirates.
I'll need to focus my attention on my targets if I want to avoid shooting allies when the time comes." He pauses to look into her eyes and smile while saying, "Of course you will be using any magic you can to help. As always, I appreciate your help, Cassandre."

Kamatar will try to find a good spot from which to target the pirates' ladder, hopefully he can find a spot with some cover but a clear view to the ship before the attack begins.

OOC
Kamatar has no problems with defending the town, his allies, and himself from invading pirates. He knows what his and his allies' fate would be if the pirates succeed in destroying or dominating Salt Lick.

I'll need to know the rough distance between the best spot Kamatar can find to attack from, and the location of the ladder is.

"Breya!"  Bellinha shouted as she ran towards the docks.  "Tell him to get to Kamatar and let him know that the prates are trying to burn down the village, and that we are on our way to try and board the ships.."

When she got to the docks, Bellinha began to quickly organize the boats and find one that both her and Breya could ride with.  Preferably one with several strong and burly men to pull the oars.

Kam, above is the situation in the landing by the shipwreck.

Let's say 1 square = 5'.

Not sure you can make them out, but there is a low cliff that runs along the ridge.  The beach is below that.

There is a slope that leads down the ridge to the beach.  Marked on the map.  The cliff walls are about 15' on average in all other places.

Note that pirates can rush up the beach towards Salt Lick.  They do not necessarily need to scale up the ridge.  But it would be easier than trying to run up a beach.

Position of the ladder is marked.  Hopefully you can make out the cliff line on the map.  If not, let me know.

You will have time to set up your sniping position, but don't get too elaborate.  It won't take them too long to start coming down that ladder.

Let me know if there are questions/concerns.  Thanks

---

The runner shoots off to find Kamatar.  Meanwhile, you both find a fishing scow named Margaret is Burning.  They have grappling lines.

"Not our first time fightin' buggers like these," the Capatain of Margaret is Burning tells you.  "Hop on!  We're gonna push for her keel once I get all the able bodies I can hold!"

Two fishermen near the front of the boat are tying together grappling hooks to ropes.

They seem ready.

Bell and Breya, let me know if you want to prep anything else.  You don't have a lot of time here.  But you can do something reasonable if you want.

You are armor'd up and have your gear.

Questions?

Thanks

Breya reflected and realized there wasn't much she could do, not really.  She'd just have to do her best.

She did ask Bellinha a question.  "So, with the given that we're going to do it anyway, is there a decent chance we'll get killed doing this?"

With a practice ease, Bellinha hopped onto the deck of the Margaret is Burning.  She grabbed a rope and began to tie the end to a grappling hook as well.

Bellinha looked back at Breya after she had asked her question.  Was Breya looking to her for reassurance, or was she just making conversation?  It would be funny if it was reassurance, considering that Bellinha was probably more nervous about the fight than Breya was.

"I'd be lying if I said that there wasn't a chance, but people are depending on us."  Bellinha replied.  She flashed a smile.  "I'm a little nervous about fighting pirates on their own ground but I know that you are with me and that gives me strength.  I'll be with you all the way."

Breya nodded.  "Well in that case, you're stupidly attractive, nice to people who don't deserve it, and brave as hell.  If we don't die doing this I want to screw you so good you go cross eyed.  I've been a little chicken shit about it, which is not like me, and if I died without at least admitting it I'd hate myself for the entire afterlife."

On the map, the distance between the ladder and the shore seems to be about 6 squares (30 ft), most of it in water. Is that correct?

Also, about 8 squares before the ship's bow and about 4 squares to the left of the ladder appear to be a collection of rocks, boulders, etc.

If those rocks are man-sized or larger, they would make a great place for Kamatar to fire from cover, and he will take up position there.

Also, can someone or Kamatar find two or more man-sized planks of wood that could be used to create a snipers nest with cover for him to fire from? Perhaps leftover from the wreck nearby?

The incredibly blunt words spoken in such a public place was surprising and shocking.  So much so that the grappling hook Bellinha was tying slipped through her fingers and dropped onto her foot before clattering to the deck.  Bell yelped and hopped a few times on one foot.

"Breya!  Can we...just..."  Bellinha sputtered as she quickly grabbed for the grappling hook.  Copper, why did she have to say that now!? she thought, feeling both embarrassed and very flattered.  It wasn't as if she hadn't thought in that direction before but to have Breya blurt out such things now...Did anyone else hear?

Regaining some composure, Bellinha, her face still a little red, lowered her voice as she looked back at Breya.  At a loss for words, she just smiled.

"... go kick pirate ass now?  Yes.  No point doing anything else right?"  Breya shrugged.  She'd said what she needed to say.  She asked the mariners a question too.  "Need help with the oars or would I just fuck up your rhythm?"

And that's why the Lady is a Tramp.  And also adorable.  I'm rooting for you Breya!

"All help's appreciated!  You look like you could row like a bear!" The Captain of Margaret is Burning grins at you Breya, and then smirks at you Bellinha.  Because, yes.  Everyone heard that.

In a moment, the fishing boats start to pull away from the docks.

On the shore, a ballista smashes into the fishing market.  The villagers are already scrambling to deal with the fire...

Breya and Bell, if you want to make STR checks, I will add your results into the pool to see how fast you get over to the ship

---

"Someone go down an' get us some more pitch you gonorrhea totin' monkies!"

The bosun is shouting out as he commands the ballista men Skeeter.  He's looking at you as he does so.  You never liked the bosun.  And it's weird how everything is about gonorrhea with him.

But this might be a chance.  You saw Handsome Dan in the rigging above.  There's only a couple of men up there now, him being one of them.  And everyone's attention is on the whole raiding the village thing.



Skeeter, map above is the deck of the Scalped Priestess.  There are ropes up to the rigging if that is where you want to go.  Or you can run around the ship.  The captain's quarters are under the bridge, though usually guarded.  I'll let you tell me how you want to go about getting your sticker back.

---

Ansel and Jack, the scene on the beach near the shipwreck is a chaos at the moment.  Orus is barking out orders.  A big half orc with a mean looking bow says something to him, and Orus nods.

He turns and points at the two of you.  "You two!  This is Kamatar!  He's gonna snipe at the ladder.  Try to pin the pirates on the ship for a bit while I get organized.  See if you can find some wood or something and help shield him.  Do what you can to help him and guard him!"

Orus then rushes off to do something else.



Ansel and Jack, you need to find some wood or something to create a barrier to help Kam build an on-the-fly sniper nest.  You can rush over to the Shipwreck and try to pry up lumber but that is a bit of a distance.  I'd need an Athletics check from you.  You can also try to scavange something around here.  Make me a Perc check on that please.  Or you can come up with a different solution on your own.

Kam, there is a rocky outcropping you can use.  It's circled in yellow on the map.  The rocks by the ship are actually partially submerged.  They are boulders and outcroppings under the ocean surface.  Not suitable for your purposes I think.

Let me know what, if anything, that changes.  I will let you, Ansel, and Jack work out what to do next.  Hurry though.  Things are brewing.

Know that's a lot to throw at everyone.  But it's a pirate raid. Things are busy.

Let me know if there are questions.  Thanks.

_{"I told that som'bitch, if he made me get pitch again, I'd set the whole place on fire..."} Skeeter mumbles to himself, glancing up at the rat who most certainly has his knife, well, not his ONLY knife, just the one he REALLY likes. Then he glances down to the hold where the pitch is stored. These pirates may need a hard lesson in why maintaining morale is important, especially among the people you send after flammable and explosive materials.

Skeeter goes down after the pitch. Handsome Dan can wait. The old saying is wrong: Revenge is best served flaming hot.

The looks the Bellinha was getting from the sailors told her that everyone had heard Breya declaration.  Before she had a chance to feel further embarrassment, she watched a ballista bolt sail overhead and smash into one of the buildings in the village.  She uttered a very unladylike curse, a colourful one that she'd picked up from the Coinhaven docks, and grabbed for an oar.  There was a sense of urgency now.  They had to get to the pirate ship and stop those ballistas.

"Alright, quite laughing at my love life, you jack tars, and pull those oars!  Pull!  Put your backs into it!" she commanded as she pulled back on her oar.  Salt Lick isn't big enough to last long with them smashing buildings.  Why would pirates want to attack Salt Lick anyways?

OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 16 Strength Check
This message was last edited by the player at 04:39, Thu 15 June 2023.

Orus knew Jack from before but it's not long since Jack came home with nothing to show for his adventures than this lantern which he placed on the ground beside Kamatar.  "Jack," he said, "pleased to meet you." He could tell his life story later, if there was a later.

Next he took off his hat and cloak to reveal well-made, well worn but unrusted, studded armour beneath.  He folded the clothing carefully and placed them next to the lantern.  He knelt beside the lantern and whispered to it gently.  The shutters lifted an inch on the lantern and sickly green light danced away, playing like undead sprites on the water and danced around the heads of any snipers on the ship.  "Let's see them aim with those little monsters around them."

What next?  Well next, he somersaulted over the sand as he looked for anything to build a makeshift hide for Kamatar to use while shooting.

11:32, Today: Jack Ketch rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Perception.

Apparently having gotten it out of her system, Breya, now grinning like a loon, felt truly free to act and rowed like a... rowing machine, of some sort.  What a ridiculous invention that would be.

06:23, Today: Breya rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Strength.

She had a delivery to make.  Of murder!

You head down below Skeeter

Skeeter, please see map.

The Scalped Priestess has three levels below decks. Pitch would probably be in General Stores.

But I do need to ask what stairwell you go down to get to the Hold.  There's the central stairwell and the one leading to the Barracks.  Let me know please.

Thanks

---

Jack, luck seems to be with you.  There's part of an old rowboat buried somewhat below the sand.  A long section of the hull in fact.  A heave and a ho and that should serve as the barrier Kamatar was looking for.

Kamatar, you can see some movement at the top of the ladder.  Looks like a large group of men are gathering up there.

Oddly, they aren't moving yet.

---

Like a whale sliding through a rookery of penguins, the Margaret is Burning slides through the harbor like a shot towards the ship.

Breya and Bellinha, you can read the name The Scalped Priestess along the bow.

As your boat moves closer, a sudden volley of arrows rains down.  The captain takes one in the chest, but waves aside any offers of help.  "We need to get aboard that damn ship!  My wife's gonna have the baby any day now!"

One of his crew groans.  "Oh, see.  You've cursed yourself right there.  You're dead now.  Damn.  And you're a fine cap'n."

"What're you-"

But he can't continue as the Margaret is almost upon the Prietess!  The scalped one.  Not a different priestess.




Breya and Bell, now comes the question of how you want to get aboard.  Here's a handy dandy map.  Let me know what questions you may have.

Thanks

Scampering down the midship stairs as only Halflings can scamper, Skeeter heads for the general stores for the pitch. Hopefully the lower deck will be relatively clear with the commotion up top, but knowing that his luck has never been that good, He puts one hand up under his coat to close around the handle of his other favorite knife, a good punch dagger. Anyone who stands between him and setting this ship to burning is going to become intimately acquainted with how sharp and vicious he keeps the edge.

If there's a whole mess of pirates down here, I may have to rethink my strategy, but if there's only one or two in sight, they're gonna get sucker punched with a punch dagger.

So Kamatar and associates will take up position behind the rocky outcropping circled in yellow on the map and position the remains of the rowboat to make a sniper's nest with arrow slits that Kamatar and any so inclined, can use to make ranged attacks upon the pirates as they attempt to go down the ladder.

"Just so that we're clear." said Kamatar to his allies in a calm deep voice, "Our job is to keep the pirates on board ship from going down that ladder on the side closest to us. See it there? he pointed it out while quickly finishing his preparations, placing two of his many quivers of arrows within easy reach.

"Sooner or later, the defenders of Salt Lick will try to board that ship using that ladder. Then our job will be to defend the defenders from pirates while they board the ship. Anyone that isn't attacking the pirates as they try to land, please stop any enemies trying to get close to us. I'll need to focus my attention on my targets if I want to avoid shooting allies when the time comes." he paused to look at his associates asking, "Any last questions or suggestions?"

Once they had everything in position, Kamatar prepared to stop the pirates. He readied two bows, one a huge monster of a longbow as tall as the half-orc himself, the second a more ordinary sized composite longbow. Both bows looked finely made and very well taken care of, Kamatar quickly polished each of them before choosing the larger bow.

"Where's that damn grapple line!?"  Breya demanded.  This was a bad idea.  This was such a bad idea.  And she was doing it.

Ansel removes his helmet and shakes his long golden hair free. He walks over to Jack and touches his shoulder "Good catch finding this boat. Looks like we'll be companions for a time." A shiver of positive energy rests on Jack.

Then he goes over to Kamatar leans his pole arm against the boat and touches his shoulder as well leaving the orc with the same shiver "Shoot anyone that comes down the ladder, easy enough. I can pick up the spear if anyone starts heading our way." He pulls his own more simple bow from his back, strings it, and nocks an arrow.

Jack nods to Ansel as he finishes turning the rowboat into a sniper's hide.  For his own part, he uses the rocky outcrop itself and lies prone upon the sand, making himself a much smaller target.  He cocks his crossbow and waits for a target to present itself.