CH. 05 - Castle Eastwatch

[Daos]

The pirate leads Kori upstairs, to the upper deck.  There are wounded being dragged away, and dead being tossed overboard.  A number of arrows stick out of the deck, and some sailors are trying to put out a small fire.  The pair then head up to the aftcastle.  There the captain and first mate stand.

The first mate is a human woman; petite with short hair, but with a big cigar sticking out of her mouth.  She didn't look dangerous, but Kori had seen firsthand how well she handled a blade.  The captain was a half-ogre woman with enough strength to rip a person in half--something else Kori had personally witnessed herself, unfortunately.

"Here she is, captain," the mate announces, gesturing to the mage.

The captain snorts, then points a meaty finger aft.  "That an elven ship?" she asks.

Kori can see the ship in the distance.  It looks like a Silvanesti cargo vessel, and a beautiful one at that, with a very organic appearance, as if it were grown instead of built.

"They got a wizard on board," the captain states.  "Shot at us with lightning.  Time for you to earn your keep here."

[GravityEmblem]

Kori squints at the ship. "I can't counter their spells unless we get closer. A distance of thirty feet, preferably less."

[Daos]

"Thirty feet?  Are you daft?" the first mate demands, drawing a dagger from her belt, that glistens dangerously in the sun.  "They threw lightning at us from over three hundred feet!"

[GravityEmblem]

Dec 4, 2020 17:01:14 GMT -8 Daos said:

"Thirty feet?  Are you daft?" the first mate demands, drawing a dagger from her belt, that glistens dangerously in the sun.  "They threw lightning at us from over three hundred feet!"

"Oh, can you detail the exact hand movements of the opposing wizard for me? Spells are relatively simple. Counterspells? Not so much. They're an intricate, tricky business, with too many steps and moving parts to be achieved properly at this range."

[Daos]

"Fine, if you can't counter their spells from this distance, then throw some of your own," the captain orders.  "Don't sink the ship, though, we want to get the riches on board first."

[GravityEmblem]

Kori nods and casts Phantasmal Force, forming the shape of a Chimera. She's seen it in illustrations, and has read several descriptions of it, but has never seen one in person: hopefully, someone on the other boat has, and will be able to communicate it poses no real danger.

[Daos]

"Now that's more like it!" the captain says, quite pleased.  "What a vicious looking beast!  Never seen anything like it before!"  She claps her hands in amusement.  "This is perfect, it can kill the crew but leave the ship intact.  Have it go attack them now!"

[GravityEmblem]

Kori nods and sends the illusion closer to to opposing ship.

[Daos]

Soundlessly, the chimera takes to the air and starts to fly toward the Sevenstar.  The captain watches with glee, looking forward to the carnage the creature will no doubt cause.  The first mate, however, watches skeptically.  She doesn't say anything, but seems a bit suspicious about the whole thing.

Meanwhile, Serinda looks out with her spyglass at the incoming pirate ship.  "E'li preserve us all!  What kind of Greygem beast is that?"  She turns to the others.  "They're sending some kind of beast at us!  I've never seen anything like it before!"

[GravityEmblem]

Kori bites her lip, contemplating whether or not to inform the captain it's an illusion. The mate seems to have an inkling, but not enough to go out and say it. Help me think this through? she transmits to Habbakuk. Reasons against: if I tell her, she's likely to get angry and presume I'm tricking her. Reasons against: she'll be even angrier if she figures out without me telling her. If I can convince her to use the chaos and confusion to get closer and attack, I can make my way to join those (presumably) non-pirates.

[Igordragonian]

Srill is panicked, but Hunner draw his new sword. 'Est Solarus oth Mithas!'
Prepared to slash at the beast, once it's close enough.

-----------------------

Intative?

zJmTIPSF1d10+5


Long sword speed is 5,, right?


Long Sword +1
tach017
1d20

Damage?

1d8+11d10+5·1d20·1d8+1

[HorizonsDream]

"A chimera?!" Ravarie says in surprise upon seeing the creature. She knew of them, but they were very rare. She wouldn't have expected to see one while on the water either. Was it defending its territory? Was it working with the pirate ship? It didn't make sense that it would work with the pirate ship unless that captain was really powerful.

|kgGESFH1d20 Save vs. Spell1d20

[Daos]

I doubt you're going to convince her of anything, not without magical assistance, Habbakuk replies.  Maybe a well worded Suggestion?

Meanwhile, over on the Sevenstar, Hunner takes a swipe at the flying creature with his sword, but despite its size, it seems remarkably faster than one might think.  Oddly, he felt no breeze when it flew by, nor any sound--the flapping of wings or anything else.

Ravarie suspects something is amiss with this creature.  None of this is adding up.  Staring at it carefully, she notices it flickers a bit, like a false image.

[GravityEmblem]

"I hate to upstage your unhappiness, captain, but the chimera is merely an illusion. More like to cause chaos and confusion than death and destruction. However," she says, subtly casting Suggestion. "Chaos and confusion may provide just the opportunity we need to board and wreck havoc. What do you say, captain?"

[Daos]

The captain seems furious at first, but then calms down upon hearing Kori's suggestion.  "Hmm...very well.  Keep at it."  She looks out toward her crew and announces, "Full speed ahead!  Prepare to board!"

=============

Captain makes a saving throw (1d20):  5, fail.
dHj_ktwo1d20
1d20