Day 46A: Pirates Attack!

[Iron Dragoon]

Session Start: Tue Jan 27 11:55:11 2015
Session Ident: #dunes
* Now talking in #dunes
* Topic is 'Ithea(36)>Antenora(32)>Lief(27)>Hound of Gluttony=Muirfinn(16) '
* Set by Kotono on Thu Jan 15 20:04:43
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> ---
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> Another day of rest comes. In the middle of the 'night', the party's slumber is disrupted. Kamhoff comes below decks, "All your asses, out of bed now!" he shouts, "Get on top as soon as you can get your shit together!"
* Lucy immediately has a clairvoyance sensor placed above the ship and peers through it with one eye as she calmly dresses herself.
<Moore> Moore groggily puts his things on and will head up to the top deck in a sluggish manner.
* Veren rolls out of bed, applies a use of Prestidigitation to clean himself and his clothes, shrugs on his pack and heads up.
<Pepo> Pepo doesn't have any shit to get together so he just rouses himself from one of his many furtive sleeping spots and runs up top to see what's happening.
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> The party rushes upstairs - barring Lucy who uses magic to keep up. Above you can see the cerulean barrier shines bright. Past them are dozens of ships, each blocked by the barrier. Rocky's on the deck, watching with a calm, detached air, "It seems that they're on the early end of our predictions, at best. It's good you all cleared that forest like an avalanche."
* Lucy is luckily spared the puns he is no doubt saying, and so prepares properly. And on reflection brings her axe along as well.
<Veren > "Well. What's the plan? If they can't get past it, do we just wait until they leave?"
<Lucy> "Ah, weren't you going to try and entrap some of them inside the barrier, to deal with these pirates in detail?" she asks curiously, coming on deck.
<Moore> "They don't strike me as the type who would just give up and go home." Moore says.
<Pepo> Even if the barrier is a nice change from the more golden light he usually sees, Pepo at least enjoys the view. It does seem like it'll burn out sooner or later and then the pirates will just sail in, though.
<Veren > "Well, I'm assuming if they can't  get in, we can't get out. So how do we help in fighting them off?"
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> "Indeed," Rocky remarks, "Unfortunately, we were surprised by how fast they came and the decision was to play it defensively," Rocky explains, "Also the numbers are higher than expected. It's troubling, but we still have a stone in play that can cause an avalanche." Chuckling warmly now, "There's one little way to get in and out with magic. Well hidden, of course. Tell me, would you like to take
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> a shot at raiding one of their ships?"
<Lucy> "Certainly!"
* Veren nods.
<Pepo> 'There's a lot more than one ship out there,' Pepo observes to Lucy, Veren, and Moore.
<Moore> "I'd really prefer to keep things peaceful, but... Maybe if we go over there we can better understand their motivations." Moore says. "But, please, let's not fight them if we can avoid it, or if we can't, please don't kill them unnecessarily."
<Lucy> "But all we need is to be lucky with one, and take a captive. If we know what they're after or, even better, who may be on their side here...."
<Moore> Moore nods to Lucy. "That may be the least violent way."
<Pepo> It all sounds very wishy washy to Pepo. 'What if we instead use the ship to start attacking other ships?'
<Lucy> "Why not do both?"
<Moore> "I'm really not comfortable just attacking them for the sake of attacking them." Moore says.
<Lucy> "They are here to kill everyone," Lucy reminds Moore. "After they killed everyone on Rossalund."
<Pepo> 'I don't even care, but if you're going to defend this city at least do it right,' Pepo says.
<Lucy> "Mister Rocky," Lucy voices, "can you be more specific about this hole in the shield, and how one might cross it back and forth?"
<Veren > "We're going to have to go out there either way. I suggest trying to draw one ship away to secure a prisoner and transfer him to Kamhoff to return here to Rocky. We can assume the disguises of the pirates and wait for a final decision on whether or not to attack?"
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> "It's a tiny hole, that when used properly, can allow teleportation through." Rocky explains, "Our desires are to get a decent prisoner for information and send a ship to the bottom. Send a message that they're outclassed and should leave."
<Lucy> "Why not send Mister Lost over?"
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> Rocky's face goes quiet at that, "Let's just say that stone is gathering moss on another hill.  Many stones are, as a matter of fact. You aren't the only party in play."
<Lucy> "Just so long as his aim doesn't accidentally slip~"
<Veren > "If we do this for you, what can you do to help insure our success?"
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> "As far as killing goes," Moore gets a look, "That's up to all of you. The goal is to sink it, but if you care enough to try and save them," he wobbles a hand back and forth. "I wish you well. If you can hold a ship while things happen and take it in afterwards, that could be quite useful as well."
* Lucy looks mildly incredulous.
* Veren looks dubious at the prospect of sailing out to capture a single ship out of an army of pirates with unclear support as well.
<Pepo> If only Pepo had the physical ability to laugh. It'd almost be worth taking human form for it.
<Moore> "Well, either way, we have to actually get over there and see what kind of situation we're in." Moore says. "So I suppose we may as well go for it."
<Lucy> "Would there be any special signals, Mister Rocky? To sign for retreat, or that the city is being infiltrated?"
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> "Yes. If red fireworks come up from the city, retreat. If purple fireworks come up, we're being compromised. If blue fireworks come up, we've won." Rocky explains, "Well, any other questions? We have about 5 minutes before things kick off."
<Lucy> "Mmm. Only one! How are we being teleported over? I could manage, but the others...."
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> "I'm taking care of it, I drew that lot," Rocky explains, "Speaking of, your escape plan if you need it. The scroll's keyed to the passage through, so it'll get you back. Don't lose it or you'll be like a stone tossed in a lake - going right to the bottom."
<Lucy> "In that case, how about we go on ahead of time?"
<Veren > "Can Moore use the scroll? His invisibility makes him perfect for ensuring an escape."
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> "If he can manage it," The scroll is presented to Moore. "We're going to hit them all at once - tipping off one ship early could spread an alert."
<Moore> Moore will take it and look at it! OOC: Can he tell if he can use it or not?
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> OOC: With a UMD check, you could.
<Moore> Moore nods. "I can handle this."
<Ko-VileSorceryPanic> "Then gather round, for in a few minutes it's go time," Rocky says. OOC: Anything else to ask/do or are the four of you ready?
* Lucy casts her spells in preparation....
* Veren readies his dagger.
<Lucy> OOC: Greater Mage Armor via Shadow Conjuration, Shield modified by Lesser Rod of Extend Spell, FIREBALL! via Spellpool.
<Moore> OOC: Nothing here. Moore will just turn invisible the moment they get on the boat.
<Pepo> Pepo is always prepared.
<Kotono> OOC: Okay. Veren?
<Veren > OOC: Only possible thing I could do is apply poison, and as we're not trying to kill people, that's a bit counterproductive.
<Kotono> OOC: Okay.
<Kotono> A few minutes pass before Rocky says, "And off you go! Be ready and good luck!"
<Kotono> In a moment, reality shifts. Suddenly you stand on a lightskimmer ship. black-veiled pirates all around. You're right in the middle and surrounded on all sides by off-guard, surprised pirates. OOC: One action here, y'all. How are you gonna handle this?
<Veren > OOC: How many pirates can we see?
* Lucy seeks out the strongest-looking pirate and smiles at him brightly!
<Lucy> OOC: Charm Monster Will DC25 please
<Pepo> OOC: are any in obvious command positions or manning ship to ship weapons? Otherwise strongest looking dude.
<Kotono> OOC: Just too hard to see in the time you have. Lots around. About a dozen at least on a super-quick glance, Veren.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+7
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 21 > 12 [d20=14]
<Pepo> Pepo immediately goes into hiding until he can discriminate his targets better.
<Pepo> roll 1d20+34 hide in plain sight
<Serith> Pepo roll for Serith < 51 > 12 [d20=17]
<Lucy> 'We'll make the best of friends!' Lucy's voice sounds cheerfully in her pirate's head. 'Now let's protect each other!'
<Moore> Moore is just going to stay invisible, or turn invisible.
<Veren > OOC: I will take the Terror Mask out of my pack and put it on.
<Kotono> OOC: Okay.
<Kotono> The biggest pirate is one in chain armor. He glowers, a strange humanoid with no arms - just bands of force that hold a shield and mace. His skin is pale white, like snow untouched by anything. His voice is a loud bark, "At ease!" he says, "These are friends." The other pirates watch, but follow the order.
<Lucy> 'And he is ours!' Lucy informs her own allies, making her way over to him while taking a look around. "You're here early," she comments out loud.
<Pepo> Pepo takes the chance to find out who's manning the biggest ship-board weaponry, and also tries to see if any nearby vessels are under attack from a certain hero.
<Moore> Moore simply stays invisible for the time being.
<Kotono> "A gentleman is never late or early - he arrives when he needs to," The pirate says gruffly, "And now we're here." Meanwhile, Pepo can see that several metal tubes line the sides of the ship. Alchemical fire can be seen burning within them, and odder things yet. The other ships - one suddenly bursts into flames, while meteors rain from the empty sky on another. Cries of alarm go out, "Captain,
<Kotono> other ships are under attack!":
<Lucy> "Where is the command ship?" Lucy whispers in her friend's ear, now right by his side.
<Pepo> Pepo proceeds to dominate a pair of helpful humanoid looking gunners!
<Pepo> roll 1d100 6+ wild surge
<Serith> Pepo roll for Serith < 66 > 12 [d100=66]
<Pepo> OOC: Augmented 2pp, 1 hour duration, 2 targets.
<Pepo> OOC: DC 23 will
<Kotono> roll 1d20+3
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 8 > 12 [d20=5]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+4
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 > 12 [d20=11]
<Kotono> A few of them are dominated, just as Pepo wishes. Meanwhile, her new friend murmurs, "Back a ways, unseen and hidden," he gestures. Meanwhile, most of the crew is now looking out at the carnage, appearing on ship after ship.
<Pepo> 'Attack the nearest vessels with the best weapons available,' Pepo orders the pair, trusting them to know their job. 'Lucy, ensure your new friend approves the attack I have just ordered,' he asks his fellow mind controller.
<Moore> Moore takes a look around on the deck for anything that might be of any use -- books, plans, or anything of that nature.
<Lucy> "That ship had been compromised," Lucy whispers again, calculating the distance from the directions she receives from her friend. She looks over port and then starboard, before trying to spot the dominated humans and gesture in the right direction.
<Lucy> roll 1d20+21 perception!
<Serith> Lucy roll for Serith < 36 > 12 [d20=15]
<Lucy> 'How far out that way?' she meanwhile asks him in his mind, to avoid the chaos of shouts and confusion on the deck. 'Any way to tell it apart?'
<Kotono> Moore doesn't see anything - however, he does see a door that likely leads to the captain's cabin, as well as stairs going below decks.
<Pepo> 'The nearest two,' Pepo elaborates. 'On either side.'
<Moore> Moore casts a quick Message spell as to not be overheard to Lucy and to Veren. "I'm going to check the captain's cabin." Moore then flies in that direction to go investigate!
<Kotono> OOC: Let me get you into #evil then, Moore. Meanwhile, line coming.
* Veren keeps an eye on the crew, looking for signs of rebellion as he moves to get ready for the attack.
<Kotono> Chaos begins to erupt. A few pirates cry out, while the captain orders, "Fire there," he demands, Lucy pointing out the right ones. Shots begin to fire as cries echo out!  A ship nearby on the other side shudders, as a massive fist slams in from above it, a magical construct that snaps the ship in two. Veren can see several crew members are starting to react, looking about with alarm, a couple
<Kotono> starting to draw weapons.
* Veren yells out to the alarmed crew.
<Veren > "They've been taken! We need to stop them before they turn on everyone! They could break the fleet apart!"
<Kotono> OOC: Bluff check.
<Veren > OOC: Lucy wanted to join in or something. Want me to hold until that's figured out?
<Kotono> OOC: Sure, if Lucy has something in mind.
<Lucy> "Treachery!" Lucy cries out, as her eyes widen and she channels a powerful fireball way beyond its usual range at another of the pirate ships further down. "We've been betrayed!" She does her part to look as shocked as these people must feel, while her voice in her friend's head suggests, 'The command ship must be in danger, too! It's too exposed! We have to offer aid!'
<Lucy> roll 9d6 enlargened, ref DC24
<Serith> Lucy roll for Serith < 33 > 12 [d6=6,1,4,1,4,3,6,4,4]
<Lucy> roll 1d20+23 let's bluff together!
<Serith> Lucy roll for Serith < 29 > 12 [d20=6]
<Veren > roll 1d20+19+2 Bluff/Inspiration
<Serith> Veren roll for Serith < 31 > 12 [d20=10]
<Lucy> 'I'm having my friend take us to the command ship, which is hidden further out at sea,' Lucy thinks to Pepo and Veren.
<Pepo> 'Good idea. I will try and defend this ship from reprisal,' Pepo says, alert for any incoming projectiles!
<Kotono> The fireball flies, another ship bursting into flame. Got it! Meanwhile the crew seems to calm some at that - as suddenly, back in the direction the captain pointed, there is a bright wink of blue energy and twisting air.
<Lucy> "They must have come under attack!" Lucy exclaims in dismay. "We must hurry before all is lost!"
<Kotono> "It's no good," The captain barks, "That...that was the fall back signal! The commanders have vanished and it's time for a fighting retreat!"
<Pepo> Pepo figures the nearest ships have been shot up enough so he orders his gunners to switch to new targets.
* Lucy gnashes her teeth. "A loss! I can't believe it!" Her eyes seek out the remaining ships for targets, in particular ships that need only a slight amount of damage to cripple so they won't be able to sail away on their own power and could be taken by the city soon after.
<Kotono> The shooters do so. Great bursts of flaming alchemist's fire are sent flying, setting ships ablaze. It seems to be a panic as all the ships you can see are destroyed or in visible distress. Finding one like that isn't hard for Lucy.
* Lucy picks off the gunners with magic missiles, while finding another couple likewise and pointing them out to her friend.
<Kotono> More are shot, as panic erupts. The crew seems confused, shocked, but going along with it. A few seem merely resigned, but none seem interested in throwing away their lives. OOC: Y'all have things under control for now, so the 64k question is...now what?
<Lucy> Since they have it in the bag, Lucy tries to coordinate things with Pepo and cripple as many ships as she thinks they can manage before proposing to the captain that they play possum amongst the wrecks and wait for their chance to launch a counter attack on the city's forces!
> OOC: If everything is under control here and doesn't seem like there's going to be combat, I suppose I'll go check on Moore.
<Pepo> Pepo relays targeting directions from Lucy to the gunners but doesn't bother expending any of his own power on direct attacks.
<Kotono> While most ships sink, a handful don't. As this goes on and things are secured, suddenly Aria appears on deck. She looks around and nods in approval, "I see things are secure here," she says, as meanwhile Moore returns to the party.
<Lucy> "Miss Aria!" Lucy calls out, pleasantly surprised.
<Moore> Moore sends a Message to Lucy and to Veren again. "I found a key. There's a locked chest in the captain's cabin that it doesn't work on. I think there are some things in the chest and I'm also curious about the key. Miss Lucy, could you ask your new friend what it opens, maybe?"
* Veren nods to Aria, but keeps watch on the crew.
<Lucy> 'Maybe later?' Lucy thinks to Moore. 'It's not the best of times, and can surely wait?'
<Pepo> Pepo drifts over to Lucy and Aria on the assumption they're leaving soon, but remains hidden. 'I am by your left leg, in case we have to leave in a hurry,' he informs Lucy.
<Moore> Moore nods, though he stays invisible.
* Lucy signals acknowledgement back, keeping her attention divided between the captain and Aria.
<Veren > "I can try to open the chest. Where is it?"
<Kotono> "Very good," Aria murmurs, "Can you explain to them that they're beaten and being taken prisoner without this turning to violence?" Aria softly asks, in a whisper.
<Moore> Moore tugs slightly at Veren's clothing in the correct direction.
<Lucy> "Is there anything we must secure or destroy, in case the ship suffers too much damage and is in danger of being boarded?" Lucy asks her newest friend just as quietly, looking about.
* Veren follows the tugging.
<Kotono> OOC: #evil, you two.
<Kotono> He shakes his head, "Everything's locked up good below decks," he says.
<Lucy> 'Anything useful is locked up below,' Lucy relays to Veren and Moore... hopefully. She nods, and then gives him a sad look. "That's good, at least. All is lost, I'm afraid. Unless we surrender quietly, everyone will die for nothing. For leaders who abandoned us at the first sign of treachery and ran!"
<Kotono> OOC: Charisma check here, +5 bonus, Lucy.
<Lucy> roll 1d20+16
<Serith> Lucy roll for Serith < 31 > 12 [d20=15]
<Kotono> The captain grunts, "Agreed. Men!" he calls, "It's time to accept the inevitable and law down our arms!" At this, there is a bustle - but most obey, looking confused, shocked or resigned. More are going towards the last now.
* Lucy looks quite resigned herself.
Session Close: Tue Jan 27 14:44:26 2015