Skeletal Ship

Log Info

• Title: Skeletal Ship
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Cryosanthia, Garrett, Ezil, Merek
• Place: A18: Port Alexandria, The Inmost Sea
• Time: Monday, February 03, 2020, 7:20 PM
• Summary: A skeletal wreackage has blown into Port Alexandria and is being stripped by goblins. Cryosanthia, Ezil, Garrett and Merek have heard the rumours that there is plunder to be had. Upon arrival, skeletons crawl up onto the pier and attack. They are easily defeated, but one of Merek's spells disturbs Cryosanthia and triggers her paranoia and phobia of wizards. This is resolved with some effort by the rest of the group, and they search the ship for anything left behind by the goblins, while its skeletal passengers mill beneath in the depths of the harbour.
• APL: 2.3 or less
• Encounter 1: 4 skeletons, CR 1.3; 2 Bloody Mudra Skeletons, CR 1

-=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A18: Port Alexandria, The Inmost Sea *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-

The Sea Walls of Alexandria have been called a Wonder of the World. So has its port. From here, one can see both--the walls, rising either side of the mighty Tornmawr River where it feeds into the Inner Sea, and the Port. A port of international envy, ships fill its waters in plenty, along with the Alexandrian Navy. To the south and all sides, the Inmost Sea stretches. To the North, the Sea Wall, and a great gate which leads to the shining city.

Overhead, flies the flag of the Phoenix. Atop the wall, massive artifice-lights shine out into the waters.

-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in order  -=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'7"     245 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female   A dashingly tall, lithe white lizardgirl with tattoos.        
Garrett      5'8"     160 Lb     Half-Elf          Male     A human in black leather, constantly wearing a hood
Ezil         5'11"    175 Lb     Human             Male     An armored man with dark skin, and grey-blonde hair.       
Merek        5'10"    215 Lb     Human             Male     A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes.                                
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

A cold wind blows from the west, driving charcoal clouds before it and blotting out the stars in isolated patches overhead. The air is clear and elsewhere the stars shine brightly.

These winds have blown in the skeletal remains of a pirate ship, it be only recently washed ashore. A small number of goblins be scurryin' about, lookin' fer salvage. Whatever flag it had possessed was long ago shredded by the sea. The ship itself had a sixty foot keel from tha looks of it, and some of tha wood an' metal parts may be salvageable. Thar be a mark of Rada along one of tha planks. Arrrr.

Rumour has spread throughout the gobber community, and beyond. There be plunder to be had!

A white sith-makar has rushed over after hearing the Fernwood Pub gossip. Ice Pirate Ahoy!

Garrett WAS going to rob a noble. One of the key traits of his crimes is how he goes in and out like a ghost. When the rumors come about treasure, he makes his way to the dock and he looks to Cryosanthia. He lowers the cloth which covers his face, revealing his face to the female sith. "Not a bad night when treasure comes sailing to you." He says with a smirk to the woman, hood hiding all but his face.

Ezil had heard the same gossip, heading this way to take a peek and see what all the word was about. Noticing Cryosanthia and a few others having arrived, he walks towards the white Sith-Makar with a smile. "I am not a man for boats, but... mystery and intrigue I guess." naming what drew him as he hooks thumbs in his swordbelt, and rocks on his toes to try and get a better glance of this 'pirate' vessel. As for Garrett, he gets an odd glance at this disguise, brow raised.

The white lizard jumps at Garrett's sudden appearance. "Didn't see you. Peace on your Nest, Garrett the Fashionable."

She looks critically at the skeletal wreck. The Goblins are in organized in a couple groups, swarming vigorously. There's a creaking noise, shouts, and one of the shattered masts falls and crushes the deck railings, falling into the sea. "Is it possible to make it even more broken? Do you think we're too late? Hello Ezil. Hmmm... "

Cryosanthia looks flips her wrist and points. Shots a pale blue ray that matches her eyes. It strikes the ship at the waterline, freezing a tiny shelf to it and spreading hoarfrost out from the point of impact. "... that could work..."

Garrett looks to the people and then to the ice. "I didnt know you were a mage." He says calmly as he looks to the ice. He begins to head out to the dock's edge. He then looks to Ezil and smiles. "So shall we get to work then?" He says raising the cloth to cover his face, leaving only his eyes seeable.

Ezil nods his head, furrowing a brow and looking then to Garret, realizing who the man is finally. He's used to those disguises, and now it's just Garrett. "I don't know what to think of it." stepping a bit closer as Garrett mentions going down. "What of you White-One?" he asks of her. "Can any of it really be of use?" looking around. "I do want to take a closer look." he admits with a child-like wonder.

"I'm a Speaker." Cryosanthia says, nodding to Ezil's suggestion and following Garrett to the dock's edge. The draft is deep here, to allow the larger ships. The water is dark, small waves lapping in the wind, darkness below. The white sith shakes her arms, limbering up her wrists, "This is something I wanted to try yesterday with Azog's machine."

A skeletal hand holding a broken scimitar appears on the dock. A skull, then the rest of it follows.

GAME: Ezil rolls initiative: 16 + 1 = 17 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls initiative: 16 + 3 = 19 GAME: Garrett rolls initiative: 3 + 3 = 6 GAME: Merek rolls initiative: 18 + 4 = 22

GAME: Initiative roll for Skeleton: 12 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 16

Merek has come about to watch and see what people are doing, blinking a bit when it looks like it's skeleton fighting, lifting his brow at pirate skeletons thoughtfully.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls ranged: (8)+4: 12

"Ah!" Cryosanthia was preparing, in mid-cast when the skeleton appears. Instinctively she points at it. The pale ray strikes the skull. Ice spreads from the eye sockets as the seawater freezes. Otherwise, the skeleton suffers no impairment.

From afar, Ezil would move to flank with Garret, and use his Longsword. I have a BAB over +1, lets me draw while moving. As for shield, he'd not grab at it. Danger would be imminent.

GAME: Ezil rolls 1d20+5: (19)+5: 24 (Threat)
GAME: Ezil rolls 1d20+5: (15)+5: 20 (crit confirmed)
GAME: Ezil rolls 2d8+6: (6)+6: 12

Ezil slides into the fray after Garrett, his sword coming with a swift draw, leaving his shield untouched. His arm flexes as he makes a fencer's move, slicing with it's tip, and then thrusting at an angle to score a blow in to the skeleton's ribs, sending it to pieces with his blow. This leaves him confused, expecting more resistance, but having felt the blow connect solidly.

The bones clatter on the dock and fall into the water. >splash<. There are further scraping noises from below. Three skeletal claws appear, stabbing the wood, the skeletons climbing up after.

Garrett draws the shortsword at his belt and looks as the skeletons begins rising. He moves to the edge of the dog and tries to stab downward at a skeleton. "Shoulda known someone would be guarding the treasure." He says as he looks to Cryosanthia.

GAME: Garrett rolls weapon2: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Garrett rolls 1d6: (6): 6

The strike is successful. Garrett's blade slices through the skull and collar bone of the skeleton as it hauls erect. It falls to pieces, the hip bones tumbling between the thief's feet.

GAME: Merek casts Blessing of Fervor. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17

Merek looks between the people fighting the skeletons, his white-black attire on him while he has a beltcape which shifts upon the hip, with a nod. A hand lifts up while he begins to chant then make a gesture, his moon pendant glowing while the blessing begins to empower his friends.

The glow of the blessing settles on the living combatants, while the wet skeletons turn. Mindless, unrelenting. They advance on Ezil, accidentally flanking him.

GAME: 3 Claw Skelly Pirates rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
GAME: 3 Claw Skelly Pirates rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: 3 Claw Skelly Pirates rolls 1d20+2: (20)+2: 22 (THREAT)
GAME: 3 Claw Skelly Pirates rolls 1d20+2+2: (5)+2+2: 9 (not-crit)
GAME: 3 Claw Skelly Pirates rolls 1d20+2+2: (2)+2+2: 6
GAME: 3 Claw Skelly Pirates rolls 1d4+2: (3)+2: 5

'Rrrrrrr'. Rattle. Creak. Woosh, whoosh, whoosh. SCRRRR. Their claws swipe through empty air, except one, raking across Ezil's back.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3+2: (18)+3+2: 23
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3+2: (18)+3+2: 23
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7

The white sith-makar leaps to her friend's assistance, glowing with the blessing. Her hands transform into dragonic claws. She slashes at its back, digging her clawtips into the vertibrae and ripping the spine apart. The skeleton falls into two piles of bones. She growls, "Rarrrr!"

GAME: Ezil rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9

Ezil winces at the blow that clatters down his back, turning and lashing out at one of the skeletons that had surprised him. The pain of the wound causes his blade to go wide, seeing it slip between rib and doing nothing. "That stings!"

GAME: Garrett rolls weapon2+2: (5)+5+2: 12

Garret moves to flank the skeleton and swings, only for the creature to block his sword and he grunts as he tries to ready himself for counter attack from the skeleton. He then looks to the others.

Across the nearby dock, more rusted short swords make an appearance. Skeletons haul themselves up. Larger than first ones, these seem more deliberately constructed. Each has four arms, and their bones are stained an odd brown-black with dark sigils craved in all of them. An oily trace washes off with the seawater, spreading across the planks.

GAME: Merek casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17
GAME: Merek rolls 7d6: (20): 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8

Merek looks to the skeletons as more come up from the dock. He then lifts a hand while he nods to the team, "You all can manage, I will keep this one off your flank," he says. Then he lifts a hand while he chants with a gesture, then lightning comes from fingers to shift all upon the skeleton flanking with Garrett. He's going to need a bit of calcium, because he's now a boneless skeleton!

GAME: 3 Claw Skelly Pirates rolls 1d20+2: (7)+2: 9
GAME: 3 Claw Skelly Pirates rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Ezil rolls 1d20+5: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Ezil rolls 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10

The white lizard girl almost jumps out of her skin as Merek's Lightning Bolt goes, landing several feet away from where she started in a wide, low, ready pose. She's staring a him. Everything else on the dock and ship is ignored. Her eyes have gone black. No, her pupils are so wide they look dark.

GAME: Ezil rolls 1d20+9: (4)+9: 13
GAME: Ezil rolls 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10

Ezil feels Merek's magic rip passed him, his focus first on the Skeleton that tries to move away. A quick thrust finishes it, as with a flash the other is incinerated by the Mage's spell. With them out of the way, he shifts to the Mudra's not knowing what the beast is, but charging it as it clearly intends to enter the fray. He scores a glancing blow, his blade biting flesh was he puts himself out there to help Garrett, the beast's target.

Flesh there is, on this necromantic creation, but it's thin strands of tendons and twisted meat, oozing, always oozing a dark blood that stains the bones. It's a skeleton formed from more than one creature, limbs attached in grotesque, unnatural ways giving it four arms. Ezil's strike hits home. The abomination brings up two of it's arms to block. They are sheared through, clattering to the deck. Undeterred, it swings its remaining blades at Garrett.

GAME: 2 Bloody Mudra Skeletons rolls 1d20+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: 2 Bloody Mudra Skeletons rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18
GAME: 2 Bloody Mudra Skeletons 1d6+1: (3)+1: 4

GAME: Garrett rolls weapon2+2+2: (17)+5+2+2: 26 GAME: Garrett rolls 1d6+1d6: (6)+(3): 9

Garrett moves to flank the skeleton and swings his sword to cut off it's head, cleaving off the skull and he looks to the others. He takes a breath and reaches for a hand crossbow at his him, but doesnt pull it out yet.

The blow connects. The skull flies. The skeleton collapses on the dock.

Ezil pants a bit with a sore shoulder, but the pain seems to subside after Merek's magic, looking to the man as he channels that positive energy with a smirk. "Mine requires a more... hands on approach." he muses, looking then to Garrett and Cryosanthia. "What was that?"

The waves quietly lap at the dock's pilon's. Gobber voices come from the skeletal ship. No more seem to be climbing up... for now.

Merek looks to the skeleton while the team manages to take them to the dock. He then looks to all of them, while he chants, calling upon cosmic flame from the positive energy plane, which begins to heal all of the people. The flame dances along then it finds a way back into the plane of energy. He does nod a bit to the staring Cryo. Then to Ezil and Garrett, "You all are alright?" he asks, the Theurge a bit thoughtful.

"Looks they were to invade or guard something." He says as he sheathes his sword and he looks to Cryosanthia. He then looks to Merek. "Thanks." He says as he pats himself down.

"What was that!" The white sith-makar echoes, backing away from Merek, tail sweeping behind her as she retreats. "I thought you were a Scribe, a Priest. Priests don't have Lightning! Are you a wizard? Is that how you can find me anywhere? Is that why you're interested in my tattoos? Is that why the other sith tell me 'ware Wizards' and look at you strangely? Are you stalking me?!"

Cryosanthia has backed right up to the edge of the dock. She looks for escape in the water below. Shadows and shapes move there. Too far to leap to shore...

Merek lifts up a brow to Cryo, while he watches the woman in thought, "I told you back when we met I was a sorcerer as well," he says, "Like you said you are," he adds. Then he nods to Ezil and people, while he looks back to the sith-makar, "And I've hardly found you everywhere, I see a lot of people fairly often."

Ezil looks between Merek and Cryo, confusion in his glance as he moves a few steps to put a hand on Cryosanthia's shoulder. "If I had felt darkness from Merek, I would of told you a long time ago, White-One." he tries to assure, looking to Merek with a shrug. He has no idea what this is about either. "I too have some blessing and small magics gifted to me." sighing as even as his wound was healed, he's tired.

Garrett moves quickly to stand between Merek and Cryosanthia. "It is okay." He says softly, trying to calm the dragonborn down. He looks to Merek. "I thought about becoming a wizard once upon a time, but I prefer to acquire things." He says softly.

"You can't trust wizards," Cryosanthia tells Garrett the Fashionable Thief. Who has never, ever, stolen from her.

Her head snaps between looking at Ezil and looking at Merek. "Small magics are not ancient tomes, cloistered in study for years, researching bloodlines. You... you resemble them too closely."

She's heard Ezil's words, what Merek had to say. The dock feels very small, growing smaller. She wants to flee, but there's nowhere.

Except a gangplank the gobbers have set up. She bounds onto it and into the boat.

"Oi! Watch yer tail!"

GAME: Merek rolls will: (7)+16: 23

"I am not a wizard, why can't people make that distinction, I know your people don't trust wizards, but I'm not one," Merek mentions then to Cryo while he lifts his brow while she boards a boat. "Besides, I don't think that's the what your folk don't like." He then looks to Ezil and to Garrett. "I thought people knew I was one, I generally tell people." He frowns a little in thought while he pulls his scarf up on him, with a little look towards the skies as well.

"Growing up, if you hoped to do magic then you had to do what house Arcanium said, or you wouldnt be allowed magic. It was too much work for little reward." Garrett explains as he watches cryosanthia jump in the boat. He then looks back to Merek. "Besides most crap sorcerers and wizards carry aint worth stealing...and you have to be crazy to steal from an artificer." He says calmly as he crosses his arms.

Ezil shrugs and looks at the group. "I don't much care what you are Merek. You're Merek to me." Yes, Ezil with such profound words! "I don't usually make distinctions based on what people can do, and why. It's their character and their methods to life I look at." he says with a sigh, sheathing his sword, and looking to Cryosanthia. "I am the All-Friend... and each person is unique and different to me."

A couple goblins disembark, climbing a makeshift ladder, crossing the improvised gangplank. They're carrying sacks. One of them shrugs off a backpack and sets it down. Legs unfold and the pack spreads out, transforming to a platform with legs. The sacks are thrown on it, a couple more are tossed from the boat. One gobber heads back, the other heads on, leading the walking cart. "Wot cher lookin' at? Tis law of the sea!"

"For once, the gobbers are making sense." Garrett says as he begins to climb into the boat, making it rock and he begins to groan. "Now I remember why I dont like boats." He says disdainfully as he begins to look through the packs the gobbers are dragging out.

Cryosanthia is... well maybe that's her looking through the cracked hull. Watching. Or a very solid ghost. "Ok..."

"I... expect lightning from blue sith, not black dragon blooded. It was a surprise, and certain things wizards do bother me greatly. So. You.. yeah, you didn't seem like one... til that."

"Well come see this." She finally invites.

"Well, I know something from every elemental, I am well trained when compared to most you've probably met," Merek admits, while he walks to the boat to look at what the gobbers have, "My apologies, I should've told you all I was planning to use magic either way." He nods a bit to Garrett as well as Ezil, then it's back to Cryo, "What did all of them find?" he asks.

GAME: Merek rolls perception: (6)+18: 24
GAME: Garrett rolls perception: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perception: (7)+0: 7
GAME: Ezil rolls perception: (4)+2: 6

Merek begins dispatching the skeletons, while he maneuvers about within the boat, taking the time to look in each place. He does look for old books that might still be alright in condition.

Begins to go about searching the ship. He sneaks past the skellies, relatively easily since they have no eyes or ears. When one blocks his way he lets Merek deal with it.

Garrett Begins to go about searching the ship. He sneaks past the skellies, relatively easily since they have no eyes or ears. When one blocks his way he lets Merek deal with it.

"Looks like they found a few things, chests and barrels. Most of it seems ruined." Cryo waves around. Right where everyone comes in has been picked clean. There might be an unexplored nook and cranny below, or under the ice water.

The white sith-makar follows the others, searches ineffectively. She has a wary eye on Merek so much it's hard for her to find anything. Also, at one point she gets distracted and tries to freeze an ice hull between two wooden spars.

Later, the brown-stained bones roll together and the skeleton reforms. Creaking, it stands. In a rote fashion it picks up the bones from the other skeletons and holds them to its frame. As it does, oily ribbons of flesh bind to it, and the new bone stains a blood brown. When the bones on the docks are collected, it falls over the side into the dark water.

soundtrack for the fight: Caravan Palace, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae_TI9xFdbs