The Maiden's Bounty

[Revenant]

“…And unmoored souls may drift on stranger tides
Than those men know of, and be overthrown
By winds that would not even stir a hair…” ~ Tim Powers, On Stranger Tides

The pirate ship to north was gone, blown away or sunk, or perhaps fled to safer waters, due to the storms that caused the wind and water to dance. The Maiden's Bounty along with the Corsair sailed into the edge of that storm and as it raged so did the battle on the deck of the Maiden as heavy rain fell soaking both defender and foe.

Water rolled over the deck as Dorian pulled himself back over the railing. The half-orc, his back at first turned to the knight of vale as he focused on trying to skewer Athan. But he whirled to face him as he heard Dorian's boots hit the deck once again as thunder rolled and lightning struck out in the sea behind the knight, outlining his form in light. His shadow fell across the half-orc and so to did Dawnfire. The half-orc had no further time to move as the knight called for blood for blood. And as the sword cleaved through his side, the blood payment was delivered. The half-orc fell back to the deck dead, as the rain filled his open eyes and then overflowed the sightless sockets and ran down his face like tears.

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Bryne both blades at the ready, prepares to meet the two pirates trying to flank her. In the front was a dwarven scalawag armed with a short sword so it seemed only fitting she struck out at him with her own. On the other a slovenly looking man armed with a longsword which Bryne tried to meet as they both attacked. Unfortunately both her attacks missed the two rogues. Though luckily neither of the rogues are able to penetrate Bryne's defenses.

Mave tries to hit the huge half-orc but the brute is faster than he looks and easily sidesteps her strike. Though she is equally adept and his staff misses striking her by but a hair.

Torvik focuses on the half-elf with the club and slices through his defenses with Volgundar. The man cries out staggering back so frightened by the attack that he tries to flee (free attack). The woman with the gaff hook turns to attack Bramsey delivering a minor cut while Bramsey's attack barely misses the woman

As the Shantyman undresses down to his birthday suit he shouts to Nis, "Cold or not, I'll warm ya up sweetie." He then leaps into the waters between the ships. Nis looks up to see LeCrux before her placing a hand on one shoulder as she says, "Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa," as a warmth spreads from her hand into Nis' body.

"Go with God and in good health," in Vagary.

The Mayfly sneers at Thena's words, "Are we having a tea party or fighting?" From the Corsair, the robed man now leaving his hiding spot shouts, "MAY LEAVE THEM! THEIR MAST IS RUINED. WE'LL BOTH SINK IF WE SAIL INTO THIS STORM." The Mayfly frowns and then shouts, "BACK TO THE SHIP MEN!" She backs away from Thena, "We will meet again soon."

Allies injured: Aeryn (unconscious), Bramsey (-1), Captain Lando (-3), Dorian (-9), Mave (-6), Niserie (-1), Vari (-3)

Dwarf Pirate attack vs. Bryne: [1d20]=4
Slovenly Pirate attack vs. Bryne: [1d20]=12
Hulking Half-Orc vs. Mave: [1d20]=13
Gaff Hook Woman vs. Bramsey: [1d20]=18
Gaff Hook Woman damage vs. Bramsey: [1d4]=1
Bramsey's attack vs. Gaff Hook Woman: [1d20]=13
LeCrux's Cure Light Wounds on Nis: [1d8]=7

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik takes the opportunity to attack the cowardly pirate. Duvan's Shortsword [1d20]=5 to hit, [1d6]=3 s/m dmg, [1d8]=6 lrg dmg curse you dice of humor! Missing his free attack the commander will turn back and aid Bramsey with the one wielding the hook.

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne attacks again.

Long Sword & Short Sword [1d20]=1 [1d20]=18 to hit [1d8]=5 [1d6]=5 damage
Natural 1.

[spanningtree]

Thena

As Mayfly backs up Thena presses forward with a strong swipe with Rover: For a crusader of Tempus the thick of combat is the party...


To hit: [1d20+2]=15+2=17 Damage:[1d8+3]=4+3=7

[tristenc]

Warm yourself in the underworld. Nis mutters to the enemy minstrel as he dives into the deep.

She turns and thanks the Sea-witch as the warmth of healing flows through her. I am in your debt.

Hearing the Mayfly sound retreat, Nis does her best to cut the head off their foe as she brings Seabhag to bear.

Nis fires at the Mayfly (if Mayfly is dead before her turn, or killed with the first arrow her remaining shots to to the robed man on the pirate ship)

======
Thac0 16
Nis LB vs Mayfly/ robed man [1d20]=12,[1d8]=5,[1d20]=1,[1d8]=1

Shot 1 hits AC 4 for 5 dmg
Shot 2 fumble!

Lol, shit. Seems I never roll so many 1s unless I'm firing into melee
At least it is only 1 dmg if it hits an ally, lol

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave hesitates trying to decide her next action. If the half-orc retreats she will let him and try to intercept the Mayfly, if she comes her way. If the half-orc remains she will attempt an attack. Well I guess that's an attack either way just depends on the target. So I'll go ahead and roll.

Attack [1d20]=11 Damage [1d8]=7

[Revenant]

Ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves, I mean pirates, and thenthere is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks. ~ William Shakespeare

The perils of storms are a sailor's bane. And that bane barreled down on the Maiden's Bounty and the Corsair.

Those that can, heed their mistress' order to return to ship, but some fight on as they make their way back. Torvik sees the cowardly half-elf flee and jump to his ship, while he turns to face his ward Bramsey and the female pirate still scuffling with Bramsey nicking the woman as she turns to flee. Bramsey seizes the opportunity to attack the fleeing woman and proves suprisingly adept with his dagger, dealing her a deep stab as she runs. Torvik also gets a free attack.

Bryne's longsword drops from her grasp as she fights the slovenly pirate, though her shortsword strikes true at the dwarf who then attempts to flee to his ship. With a laugh the slovenly pirate kicks her longsword which lies on the deck as he turns to run, and it starts to slide towards the rails and the sea below. Bryne has several options, let the sword go and it will fall into the sea. Strike one of the fleeing pirates with her shortsword. Or she can attempt to recover her sword and ignore the pirates. Recovering the weapon will require a Dex check.

Mave's hulking pirate with surprising spryness leaps over Mave who's attack misses and then runs and leaps onto the Corsair.

Thena, the fury of Tempus strikes out again at the Mayfly dealing her a deep slashing wound but the woman seems to be made of stern stuff as she turns to flee. Nis' arrowshots flying, the first hitting the fleeing woman who lets out a yell but keeps running with great skill through the carnage. The witch's second shot hits Thena where her breastplate meets her greaves dealing a minor injury. The robed man aboard the Corsair shouts, "SLEEP!" and points at Nis. Thena and Nis both have free shots at her, assuming Nis makes her save vs. Spells.

Allies injured: Aeryn (unconscious), Bramsey (-1), Captain Lando (-3), Dorian (-9), Mave (-6), Niserie (-1), Thena (-1), Vari (-3)

Female Pirate's attack vs. Bramsey: [1d20]=9
Bramsey's attack vs. Female Pirate: [1d20]=15
Bramsey's damage vs. Female Pirate: [1d4]=1
Bramsey's free attack vs. Fleeing Female Pirate: [1d20]=17
Bramsey's damage vs. Fleeing Female Pirate: [1d4]=3

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne lets the dwarf go and grabs for her long sword.

Dex check (17) [1d20]=19

She has a 17 Dex and can't make a Dex check to save her life.

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik free fumble is more like it... Duvan's Shortsword [1d20]=1 to hit, [1d6]=2 s/m dmg, [1d8]=8 lrg dmg

[tristenc]

[Elves are 90% immune to sleep magic but I rolled the save before I thought about it. The save was a nat 20 seems appropriate
Pity, could have used that crit for an arrow haha.]

Nis ignores the spell, her Elven blood refusing to be subdued as she delivers her parting shots to the Mayfly

=====
Nis save vs spell
Nis save vs spell [1d20]=20

Not sire if it was meant to be 1 or 2 shots so rolled both just in case. 2nd roll was low anyway

Thac0 16
Nis LB parting shots [1d20]=17,[1d8]=8,[1d20]=7,[1d8]=5

Shot 1 hits AC -1 for 8 dmg
Shot 2 hits AC 9 for 5 (prob miss even if available)

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave is somewhat relieved that her humongous opponent just jumped ship. Looking for further targets, if none remain she will offer her assistance to the Captain, seeing if there is anything she can do to help.

[Revenant]

“There was a feeling on the air like the eve of the end of the world.” ~ Billie-Jo Williams, The Book of Wrath

Fate is not smiling kindly on Bryne Valshire this day. She dashes after her longsword but the slippery deck makes keeping her balance precarious at best. She reaches out for the sword but it remains out of her grasp and slips over the railing into the churning seas below the ship.

Torvik takes a swing at the departing pirate woman armed with a gaff hook. She leaps across the span of the two ships and land with a thud on the Corsair. Unfortunately, Torvik's strike with Volgundar misses and the blade cuts into the decking of the ship, stuck for a moment in place, though he manages to work it free after several minutes. When done, he finds both Vari and Bramsey standing beside him.

A parting shot is sent and delivered to the retreating Mayfly. It looks as if she might make until Nis' arrow hits her square in the back. She falls to the deck unconscious and bloodied. Thena stands over her several moments, Rover at the ready to verify she is no further threat. The robed man shouts, "MAY, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, WE'LL BE BACK FOR YOU WHEN THE STORM QUELLS!" And then the Corsair starts to sail away, you catch a final view of the Shantyman's skinny bare ass clinging to a rope as he makes his way up from the sea, as it sails from the Maiden's Bounty and out of the edge of the storm headed south.

Captain Lando, still bleeding from the errant arrow Bryne shot, moves out about the deck shouting orders, "BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES. ANY LIVING ENEMIES ARE TO TAKEN TO THE BRIG AND ANY DEAD THROWN INTO THE SEA!" He then moves to the wheel and confers with his Master Kinchlow.

Jacinthe picks up the unconscious Aeryn and takes him below for further treatment out of the storm.

Athan, Dorian and Mave quickly move about the deck to make sure no other pirates remain aboard assisting the sailors with their tasks.

And winds howl and rain pours down like a flood as the storm intensifies.

[Rex]

Bryne

"I am no marine." She grumbles to herself as she helps the others inspect the ship for any hiding foes.

[spanningtree]

Thena

Jacinthe, please remove this arrow from my side please. She says as she begins to bind May. May, is it? Going to bind you for now, don’t worry Tempus will judge you later… but for now relax. We are not slavers nor takers of others property in exchange for life. If May exhibits signs of bleeding out Thena will apply her healing skill to stop.

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik "I hate lettin' foes live but ain't tha first time We've had ta do it ta live ta fight another day." the commander comments then starts to clearing the dead foes searching their bodies before having Vari and Bramsey help him toss them overboard.

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave will assist where needed but also talk to the captain about having a meeting when opportune. There is the matter of the prisoners and the adrift man that need to be dealt with. Wondering if it might be possible to dispel the runes cast upon the man. Evading pirates who will likely be able to track us due to the runes would be a high priority.

[Revenant]

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“Like one, that on a lonesome road
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And having once turned round walks on,
And turns no more his head;
Because he knows, a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread.” ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Bryne may not be much of a mariner but when it comes to ferreting out those who would hide from her, she doth excel. Between the ranger, Torvik and Vari, and tagalong Bramsey, they manage to herd the wounded and captured pirates to the ship's brig below, directed by Mistress LeCrux. Searching the bodies of the pirates, they find little of worth. Some cutlasses and daggers, but nothing exceptional just a little coin (2 gold, 34 silvers, and 58 coppers). Athan retrieves the half-orc's scimitar and offers it to Bryne as a replacement for her lost longsword. Afterwards, Dorian and Athan heft the great beast of a man over the railing and into a watery grave.

Jacinthe makes short work of the misfired arrow, removing from Thena's side without much pain, as she treats the wound, Thena in turn cares for the fallen Mayfly. She remains slowly regains consciousness due to her ministrations. Blinking up at Thena, she remarks, "Assassin or not, that is most kind of you. Unless you plan to bring me back from the brink only to send me there again." Seeing the pirate, has recovered somewhat, the Captain orders her below to the brig. Two of his sailors take the woman from from the crusader before either can say anything more, the captain remarking that if she wishes to speak further to the woman, then do with her safely behind bars. "We've more important things to take care of right now than interrogating a sea snake," Capt. Lando calls out as he moves to bark orders to his men as the storm continues to rage.

The captain also orders all non-crew below deck while they try to sail out of the storm. He tells Mave he will speak with her later, once they are in safer waters. All of the passengers including Mallorean go below deck to ride out the storm.

Wilwarin, who has not left her room since boarding, stares blankly gripping the side of her bunk. Once again she goes over in her mind, what occurred during her disappearance outside Lupre. *A frightful fiend,* she thinks. One who has hidden as their companion for so long. She hardly believed what she had been told in those dark dank caves outside Gull's Landing. But she knew the truth of it. An assassin walked amongst them.

[Rex]

Bryne

"Thanks Athan, I am in need of another weapon."

Bryne will examine the scimitar closely.

[McThunder]

Dorian watches the brute’s body vanish beneath the waves, the splash swallowed by the sea’s endless churn.
He stands for a moment at the rail, rain dripping from his brow, breath slowing as the battle’s heat begins to fade.

“Let the depths have him,” he mutters, voice low and final.

Turning back, he sheathes his blade with a heavy motion, his gaze sweeping over the wounded and captured now herded into the brig. Blood and salt sting his nose.

He closes his eyes, tilts his head toward the cloud-veiled sky, and speaks in a low, gravelled voice:

“Dawnfather… guide of the new day…”

A breath. The ache in his limbs sharp, but distant.

“You saw us through. Not without cost—but with purpose. For life spared, for strength given, I offer thanks.”

His eyes open, gaze fixed on the eastern horizon where morning will break—even if not yet.

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave goes to her room, to await a chance to speak with the captain and the others, and afterwards with her companions privately.