Lucius Cypher

Keratia: Story of the Surf, Tales of the Deep

As your crew begins their assault, you see one group of Sea Goblins quickly head into the lower decks of the merchant ship, something they seemed to have already been doing but now were doing with much greater haste. This left another group above deck who had scrambled, separating from one another and taking the elves as hostages. Not that it really mattered as you sent a bolt right into the shoulder of one of the sea goblins, who glared at you in annoyance. The rest of your crew followed suit, firing their crossbows at the assorted sea goblins. Tayang had them focus on the wounded one first, effectively going left to right.

The first shot from Derrick ended up actually striking the elf the sea goblin was using as a shield, the bolt piercing their chest as he screamed in pain. Oliver's bolt however had much better luck as the elf leaned forward in pain, which exposed the sea goblin's exposed neck and allowed him to send a bolt that shattered against the sea goblin's scale mail, but also caused the shrapnel to do some heavy damage against the sea goblin. That shot was followed up by Hector's bolt which went right into the eye of the sea goblin, causing him to fall. "Hooha! That one's mines!" He boasted, though Oliver shouted back at him. "Fuck off with that! I did the most damage! You see my shot? He was already bleeding dead!" Tayang roared at them to shut up as Johnathan's bolt was aimed at the next Sea Goblin, but ended up flying into the very much dead one instead. Tayang fired his arrow at the next sea goblin who managed to take the shot with his armor, this time the bolt deflecting rather than shattering. Fortunately Kulee's shot was much precise as it broke through a few of the mail pieces and went into the goblin's ribs.

Above, Hurrik focused his shot onto the sea goblin who seemed to be further back from the group. He guessed he must've been the leader and released two arrows. One ended up just hitting the mast, but the second one went into the goblin's arm. This caused the sea goblin to look up at Hurrik and curse at him. "Captain, I think that one is their leader!" Just as Hurrik said this, the sea goblin grabbed a nearby prisoner and went behind the mast, making it impossible for you or anyone else on your ship to get a clear line of sight on him, not helped by the prisoner being used as a physical shield as well. Regardless, the rest of your crew did their best to attack the enemy with Nyx sending a ray of frost to strike the wounded sea goblin, however her attack simply spurred him and his other two compatriots into action.

The ones with prisoners dragged them forward against the side of the ship, holding their bodies up so that if you tried to shoot at them, you risk shooting the prisoners as well. Not that it would matter, morally, but it did mean these sea goblins had partial cover from your ranged attacks on top of their armor. Additionally they took out wicked looking harpoons from their backs, hurling them at the ship. Fortunately thanks to previous training and drills, your mean knew to duck behind the cover of the ship's walls between shooting. Thus the harpoons failed to actually strike anyone, however you could see that these harpoons also had some sort of thin rope attached to them. If you had to guess if being impaled by one of these weren't made enough, these damnable sea creatures would've liked had tried to drag them into the waters as well. One harpoon was directed towards you, however you barely had to do anything as the spear landed solidly right in front of you.

"Get ready to volley again! Don't let any of those scaley bastards touch this ship!" Your first mate roars.

Rolls and Info

Talogan (28/28) = 21
Talogan's Pirates (Derrick 11/11) (Oliver 11/11) (Hector 11/11) (Johnathan 11/11) (Tayang 11/11) (Kulee 11/11) =
Talogan's Scout (Hurrik 21/21) = 5
Sea Goblin Sergeant 1 (25/33) = 5
Talogan's Deck Wizard (32/32) = 4
Sea Goblins 1 (A Dead) (B 9/16) (C 16/16) (D 16/16) = 2

Derrick's Crossbow vs Sea Goblin 1A = 15
Crossbow Damage to Elf Prisoner = 7

Oliver's Crossbow vs Sea Goblin 1A = Nat 20
Crit Crossbow = 10

Hector's Crossbow vs Sea Goblin 1A = 20
Crossbow Damage = 5

Sea Goblin 1A is down!

Johnathan's Crossbow vs Sea Goblin 1B = 5

Tayang's Crossbow vs Seagoblin 1B = 5

Kulee's Crossbow vs Seagoblin 1B = 15
Crossbow Damage = 6

Hurrik's Longbow vs Sea Goblin Sergeant = 5
Hurrik's Longbow vs Sea Goblin Sergeant = 20
Longbow Damage = 8

Nyx's Ray of Frost vs Sea Bolin 1B = 17
Frost Damage = 1

Seagoblin's 1B Harpoon vs Talogan = 13

Seagoblin's 1C Harpoon vs Hector = 10

Seagoblin's 1D Harpoon vs Tayang = 9

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

The lever was heavy indeed, taking a considerably amount of your strength to move it, but once it started to budge the rest of the momentum allowed you to pull it completely. You hear a loud bang on the other side of the wall, followed by a very familiar warcry. Sounded like Yorik. Hearing this, Buddy motioned for you to move as he chopped the lever's handle, ensuring that the trogs would have no way to operate this thing without repairing the lever handle. Shortfang loaded his crossbow with another bolt as he looked eagerly towards the staircase next to them. "Sounds like kobolds charging! Gate open! Let's go!" Pylia adjusted her armor which had gotten a bit disheveled due to combat. "I'm good for three spells, one low level and two high levels. I'll save them in case we need them though. Let's hurry, once we get our warriors past the walls those trogs can't attack them with the balistas!" Buddy smashed the lever just for good measure before pointing up towards the stairs, making his quick and silent recommendation clearly known as he took point and walked forward.

Rolls and Info

Pylia (20/24)
Buddy (26/31)
Sylvia (20/21)
Shortfang (23/28) | Syfr (1/1)

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Your kick was solid, buckling the trog's knee as Shortfang dropped his crossbow and ran towards Buddy. "Buddy! Shortfang behind you!" Using Buddy's massive body to as cover and as high ground, Shortfang climbed onto Buddy's shoulder's before jumping off of him to plunge his shortsword right into the wounded Trog's face. His blade went all the way down to the hilt, getting blood all over him and Buddy as he rolled away, drawing his Scimitar out to cut the other surviving trog in the back of his good knee. This caused the trog to fall to his kness which gave Pylia the chance to rush in and spike his head to the ground with her warclub, breaking bones and the stone floor in one blow. With that mighty blow, the this battle was finished. But there was still a war being waged above.

"We can't waste any time!" Pylia said with urgency. Without missing a beat Buddy went and followed Syfr, who indeed did find the level and naturally was not strong enough to shift it no matter how hard he pulled. Pylia followed Buddy while Shortfang gathered his items, but before he did he handed you his last healing potion. "You look bad boss! Be healthy!" Shortfang himself had a few cuts on him, but he didn't seem critically injured, whereas you had still bleeding, still sore wounds from where the Trog had clawed you up.

Rolls and Info

Pylia (20/24) = 16.2
Buddy (26/31) = 16.0
Trog 3 (A Dead) (B Dead) (C Dead) (D Dead) = 15
Sylvia (11/21) = 11
Shortfang (23/28) | Syfr (1/1) = 10

Shortfang's Shortsword vs Trog 3C = 14/17
Shortsword Damage = 7
Shortfang's Scimitar vs Trog 3D = 24/9
Scimitar Damage = 1

Trog 3C is dead!

Pylia's Warclub = 20
Warclub Damage = 10

Trog 3D is dead!

The battle is on, but the war rages on!

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

You take down the next trog with a cool off-hand backhand just as he was going for a bite. He was ready to swallow your head whole, but that just meant he left his jaw wide open as your fist smashed through his teeth and jaw, knocking him down for the counter. As for the other one he reeled back from your tonfa blow as you broke a few of his ribs. But before he could even react, Shortfang quickly power slide across the ground as Pylia moved forward, sending a crossbow bolt right into the wounded Trog's neck. The combined pain was just too much for him and as he struggled to maintain his balance, he quickly bleed out and died. As for Pylia she charged towards a trog that wasn't even expecting her, as he was going after Buddy, and she intercepted his face with her warclub. She swung upwards towards his chin causing the trog to flip twice in the air before landing on his neck, dead as can be. Buddy rushed in from behind her and quickly struck at the next trog coming, slashing across the beast's arm and stabbing him in the leg, doing a serious amount of damage.

However it was the trog's turn now and they were practically frothing at the mouth in some sort of bloodrage, attacking you and Buddy with reckless abandon. One trog managed to actually bite Buddy's head, digging into his face, however your staunch robot companion simply grabbed the trog by the throat and tossed him away, the monster's claws failing to find any purchase in his chassis. However it was during that moment that Buddy wouldn't have noticed the other Trog slipping past him to attack you. He snapped at you, which you were easily able to avoid thanks to the trog rearing his head back before you could strike him, however he lashed out with two rapid claw strikes which cut your forearm and leg. "Sylvia! Are you alright?" Pylia shouts as she looks ready to come aid you. Above, Syfr flew right past the group and towards the other end of the hall. "Shortfang send Syfr to switch! See if Syfr can pull, help allies!"

Rolls and Info

Trog 2 (A Dead) (B Dead) (C Dead) (D Dead) = 18
Pylia (20/24) = 16.2
Buddy (26/31) = 16.0
Trog 3 (A Dead) (B Dead) (C 2/13) (D 13/13) = 15
Sylvia (11/21) = 11
Shortfang (23/28) | Syfr (1/1) = 10
Trog 1 (A Dead) (B Dead) (C Dead) (D Dead) = 4

Trog 2D is defeated!

Shortfang's Hand Crossbow vs Trog 3A = 18/8
Crossbow Damage - 9

Trog 3A is defeated!

Pylia's Warclub vs Trog 3B = Nat 20
Crit Warclub = 15

Trog 3B is defeated!

Buddy's Urgrosh vs Trog 3C = 12
Urgrosh Damage = 6
Buddy's Urgrosh Stab vs Trog 3C = 12
Stab Damage = 5

Trog 3C Bite vs Buddy = Nat 20
Bite Damage = 7
Trog 3C Claw vs Buddy = 14
Trog 3C Claw vs Buddy = 7

Trog 3C Bite vs Sylvia = 11
Trog 3C Claw vs Buddy = 19
Claw Damage = 4
Trog 3C Claw vs Buddy = 22
Claw Damage = 3

Keratia: Story of the Surf, Tales of the Deep

Sure, just tell me now what you had in mind so I can handle that in my next post.

Keratia: Story of the Surf, Tales of the Deep

Yes on both counts. I’m in mobile right now so it’ll take me a bit to set up The Initiative count and such. Also for all intents and purposes, your crew will be controlled and commanded by your first mate (aka me) until you give them explicate orders.

Keratia: Story of the Surf, Tales of the Deep

Tayang nodded. "You heard the captain! Ready oil! Hurrik, have an arrow ready! Let's go you scurvy bastards!" The dwarf shouted as the men grabbed slings and flasks of oil. They were no alchemists fires, but they knew this tactic well enough. Flames will create further chaos and damage the morale of the enemies onboard, be it elf or koalinth, and with Hurrik's arrow the entire place would be set ablaze soon enough. "We're aiming for destruction men! We'll plunder it's riches when they've all be feeding the sharks! Steady!" Soon the ship would be within range. Thanks to fairly steady waters and careful manipulation by the helmsman, your ship was nearly side-by-side with the elven merchant vessel, with about twenty feet of clearance between them. "FIRE!" Your firstmate shouted as he and the other priates slung their oil flasks onto the enemy deck. Above Hurrik had two arrows of smoldering ash and embers, firing both once the flasks had struck the deck of the ship. The flames quickly spread towards ropes and other rigging that weren't entirely fire proof, though it seemed like the deck itself was carefully treated to minimize the spreading of flames. Still it achieved it's desire affect of creating a sense of chaos among the Koalinth as the sea goblins quickly picked up the many bound elven prisoners, using them as shields against your crew as they took cover from your next volley. "Grab your crossbows men! Leave non alive!"

Keratia: Story of the Surf, Tales of the Deep

One that's still redeemable? The only one you'll know of is by the name "Cannibal Katalmach", a man who has gained a thirty-miillion Gold Bounty for the destruction of the lands known as Aerta, which is now a wasteland filled with immortal undead and monstrosities who continuously try and escape their sealed off lands to destroy the world. How he pulled this off no one knows for certain, from consorting with demons to bringing back the dragons (Who have only recently been spotted these past two hundred years or so, but many remember their existence and sudden disappearance an odd 6000 years ago). Do note that this disaster happened roughly fifty odd years ago, and the effects of his actions still trouble the world today.

He's known as Cannibal Katalmach because what is certain is that he had the Royal Family of Aerta, both the King, Queen, his three mistresses, all seventeen princes, and twenty two princesses, each individually killed, cooked, and served around the world to each lord, king, emperor, etc, as a statement of revenge. Each one had their hearts removed and a cursed placed upon them so they could not be revived, not even by some of the worlds strongest clerics. It doesn't help that he had somehow managed to get these immaculately served corpses directly into the personal chambers of every nation's ruler somehow at the same time, bypassing magical and mundane defenses and security measures.

Naturally no one knows where he is, only that he was a pirate and he somehow managed to pull this off. Frankly most people don't even consider him real, though the things that he did certainly is true, and many nations do maintain the bounty for him. Many don't even know for certain who he is, if he's indeed a male, though many guess from his name that he may be an orc, of orcish decent, or at least grew up around orcs, which is somewhat sensible since the main lands closest to the Aerta Wastelands are orcish territories.

Keratia: Story of the Surf, Tales of the Deep

Yourt deck wizard did as commanded, sending a gust of wind that caused your vessel to skip the water faster towards the black smoke. As one of your men got ready to hoist the Colors, it wasn't long before you had a clear visual of what was ahead. A single ship, it appeared to be a small sized merchant vessel. You haven't seen those in a while, not since you started your piracy while the merchants were still out in swarms. There were no other boats however it seemed like the ship's masses were on fire, preventing them from catching any wind and effectively stranding them in the water. You could hear screaming in the distance but it hard to tell if it were war cries or pleas for mercy. Safe to say however that they were under no condition to really respond as your Colors were shown clear on this bright and sunny day.

Up on the crows nest your lookout seemed to have gotten a better eye of what's up there. "Captain! Sea goblins! I count eight of em!" You are familiar with sea goblins. Formally known as the Koalinth, they're basically aquatic hobgoblins. However not unusually, they do not worship Maglubiyet, quite the opposite actually. Koalinth are hobgoblins who have abandoned their traditional gods chosen to side with the likes of the Aboleth, krakens, and other sea monstrosities for power and safety, and their only kinship with other goblinoids is taking them alive to be brought to their underwater masters and brainwashed into more thralls. Suffice to say they are not your allies. They are however powerful enemies and adapt sea raiders. "We're almost upon them captain! Looks like they're bringing prisoners onto the deck, elves from the looks of it!" Your first mate, Tayang, looked over to you. "Orders, captain? We can sling some oil onto the deck, burn em out. Or would you rather that we just fill the space with arrows? We're ready for either!"

Keratia: Story of the Surf, Tales of the Deep

Your men scrambled to their battle stations. They donned their armor, grabbed their weapons, and got to their positions. Your regular men had their crossbows loaded and ready, with your first mate ready to Mark their target. Your watchman had his bow out in the crows nest and eyes on the smoke. Your deck wizard, along with the helmsman, stayed on the bridge. Thanks to being a gnome she had ample cover of arrows started flying. “Captain! Ought I blow us a wind in our sails? If we move quickly we ought to be able to catch up before this feeding frenzy is over!”