Privateers of Lssthp II [OOC]

[TriciaOso]

Recruitment Thread: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?662621-5E-Reptilian-Privateers-in-a-Homebrew-World
DNDBeyond: https://www.dndbeyond.com/campaigns/4879993
Wiki: https://pedicaboredde.obsidianportal.com/wikis/lssthp
Discord: https://discord.gg/9SgxBYCE
IC Thread: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?662951-Privateers-of-Lssthp-II-IC&p=25927384#post25927384
Maps: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1weniprtjYTtHUN1JI6ksIWHPE6gls8MCiLJ1e4iSuxE/edit?usp=sharing

You are privateers serving on the living ship White Cliff, sailing under a letter of marque from the rulers of Lssthp. The White Cliff is an ancient domesticated plesiosaur with a ship mounted on its back and shoulders, with a crew of thirty or so. You are among her officers.

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1182044254831382600/1182047079758057622/bcfda7b3-6c07-4395-a65a-4912bb1eb7d9.jpg?ex=658c80a1&is=657a0ba1&hm=17db891f286ce8f3fd9420532f8d43c8d3de781fd41eed7 e0a9b2a10adcaf5a3&=&format=webp&width=833&height=833

The military is the province of the white dragons and the merchant marine belongs to the greens; in the same way, most letters of marque are issued by black dragons, most privateer ships are owned by them, and most privateer captains are dragonborn of their households. The White Cliff is owned by the white dragon Niobrara and commanded by the white dragonborn Bendeguz Magyar. While most privateers sail under broad and general letters of marque, empowering them to hunt pirates and vikings or escort ships, the missions of the White Cliff tend to be more focused.

She's a hunter.

[TriciaOso]

The Crew

NPC Officers
Most white dragonborn of Lssthp end up serving in the navy. How Bendeguz Magyar (https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/114095535) wound up a privateer is more than a little bit of a mystery. She appeared almost as if full-grown, a competent and apparently experienced sailor and commander, but without a military record. Her bloodline within the Magyar family and the general household of the white dragon Niobrara are equally obscure, but this is less mysterious -- every family has cadet branches far from title and notoriety. How she persuaded Niobrara to set his rune to a letter of marque, and why she's so darn good at it, are the questions.

She has commanded the White Cliff for thirty years, having resurrected it from a naval decommission, and runs a tight but fair ship. It cannot be said she shows no favoritism along caste lines, but less than many captains; she values competence over birth or simple obedience. While not brilliant, she is shrewd and a good judge of both her crews and enemies. Like her ship and her master, she is a hunter at heart.

The previous first mate of the White Cliff was killed on the previous voyage, and was replaced on landfall by the paladin Cocytus Achelous. Unusually, he was brought on from outside and not promoted from within, which has caused some little resentment already during the re-stock and refit period. He seems to be an angry, driven young dragonborn, previously of the navy, who speaks often and bitterly of the difference in standards among the privateers. His relationship with Captain Magyar seems contentious, as well. The reason for his presence is not a secret -- it is known that the black dragon Tenebrous was killed by the illithid on an unauthorized mission to human lands, and with his downfall his dragonborn household is cast down and in disarray. Captain Achelous wants vengeance on the orc navy of the Kings Over The Sea, and the White Cliff is to be his instrument. He is not well-liked already.

Tegu is a burly lizardfolk who serves as quartermaster, purser and ship's cook. She is quiet and surly among the officers but garrulous and well-liked among the crew. She is often drunk and notoriously keeps a still of 'dragongut' liquor to supplement the ship's complement of grog, but not the point of disorder.

Navigating by the dancing stars of the Hic Sunt is a specialized trade. Cauda Unukalhai is undeniably a great navigator, which makes up for a lot of other qualities. Vague, superstitious and obsessed with the intricate and opaque astrology of Lssthp. She is a naga who trained under the Inkscale, a legendary cartographer.

PC Officers

Medical Officer Ttharg Krixkurx (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25922345&postcount=29)

Gunnery Officer Servius Calventius Pamphilius (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25923073&postcount=32)

Reconnaissance Officer Frrkkk (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25922236&postcount=28)

Ship's Keeper Kabett (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25921971&postcount=23)

Ship's Carpenter Nibum (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25923343&postcount=33)

NPC Crew

The non-commissioned crew of the White Cliff are mostly lizardfolk and kobolds, with a sprinkling of grung and dragonborn of no particular house. They are loyal and competent. There are about 20 of them.

[The Commander]

Ttharg's medical skill is matched only by the foulness of his language.

Ttharg is often grumpy and lackadaisical (partially due to the old salt imbibing a little more than his standard ration of grog per shift, and partially because of his age; being amongst the older members of the crew).

Despite this, he always shows the correct obedience to the Captain, and First Mate; but tends to be snappy with the ratings and curt with his fellow officers.

Aside from the Captain, who Ttharg owes his life to, Purser Tegu is probably the closest crew mate to a friend that Ttharg has. That may have something to do with Tegu's access to additional liquor, and her cooking skills; but regardless Ttharg prefers to spend his time with the burly lizardfolk.

The Captain wears a platinum ring (worth 50gp) that Ttharg can use to cast Warding Bond with her, if necessary.

[Dirty]

Awesome, looking forward to playing with you all!

[zylodrizzt]

Awesome, looking forward to playing with you all!

Same. Hopefully this game goes on for quite a while

Putting those rolls about relations to named crew into sheet

And now the discord server is down...

Wishing I could post as clean as j-h or the rest of yall

[J-H]

The discord server says there are no text channels or I have no access.

[TriciaOso]

Yes, I think discord is having an outage atm.

[The Commander]

If we need to claim a speech colour, then Ttharg will speak in "Bolded Teal".

[TriciaOso]

All right, unless conversations/interactions really take off, I'll give the thread until evening (I'm on US MST) and then move us forward to dinner!

As mentioned earlier, there will be an opportunity to purchase magic items before very long. Please let me know what kind of things you'd like to have the opportunity to buy (and your remaining gold!) so I can put together the catalog.

[J-H]

Servius Calventius Pamphilus shopping list, as requested:
*Tasha's spellbooks excluded currently. They're all nice, though. Not everyone uses/allows them.
Common
Clockwork Amulet
Uncommon
Ring of Water Walking
Wand of Magic Missile or War Mage +1
Brooch of Shielding
Cloak of Protection
Luckstone

Rare
Ring of Free Action
Wands: Binding, Fireballs, Lightning Bolt, Paralysis, War Mage +2
Bracers of Defense
Cloak of Displacement

Spell Scrolls
Anything he doesn't have? Also will need inks to copy with.

[zylodrizzt]

Not sure what good items that artificer would want.

Anyways.... is there a particular salute in this region?

[J-H]

Wands or All-purpose Tool +1 (for spells when you're not in melee), +1 shield/armor, Mariner's armor, adamantine armor, Trident of Fish command, Luckstone, Ring/Cloak of Protection?

[TriciaOso]

Not sure what good items that artificer would want.

Anyways.... is there a particular salute in this region?

No particular salute, my world-building isn't that granular.

[Infernally Clay]

I certainly wouldn't mind that Sentinel Shield I was eyeing before.

[TriciaOso]

I certainly wouldn't mind that Sentinel Shield I was eyeing before.

Certainly that.

[The Commander]

Ttharg Initiative = 16

Reporting in.

[TriciaOso]

INITIATIVE:

22 - Enemy Serpent
19 - Siduri
18 - Cauda
17 -Fork
16 - Ttharg
15 - Tegu / Scouts / Medics
10 - Nibum
8 - Kabett
4 - Servius
3 - 3 - Capt. Magyar / Cocytus / Carpenters / Gunners / White Cliff

SPECIAL ACTIONS:

Spells can be cast on the White Cliff's mount without having to touch the beast's skin; there's a reason it's called a living ship.

Kabett can use his action to command the White Cliff's mount to fight; otherwise Cauda will command it (losing her turn). Here's a statblock:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/2059697-ancient-sea-serpent
(bite or breath attack ONLY -- the ship is in the way of the other attacks)

The rest of you can each use your action to direct the actions up to 5 members of the crew for various purposes.

Servius can direct a salvo from the gunnery crew, giving some of them advantage on their attacks. Otherwise, the First Mate will command them (losing his turn). The number of crew aided is determined by an Arcana check.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/2560811-firenewt-warlock-of-imix

Fork can direct a melee attack from those trained as scouts, giving some of them advantage on their attacks. Otherwise, Tegu will command them (losing her turn). The number of crew aided is determined by an Insight check.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/313030-lizardfolk-scaleshield

Nobim can direct a repair action from those trained as carpenters, who will each attempt 2 repairs. Otherwise, no repairs will be attempted.
(+4 to the check, 1d6+2 repair on a success, DC increases as the ship takes damage)

Ttharg can direct a triage action from those trained as medics, which will stabilize injured/unconscious crew and get them out of danger. Otherwise, crew will be left where they fall.

The Captain can take a morale action, giving inspiration to up to three crew members, in place of her action.

Do those mechanics feel meaningful/equitable to you guys? It's homebrew, so I'm willing to tinker with it if you feel like you'll never use it / you got the short end of the stick.

MAP:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/games/4879993

[Infernally Clay]

Kabett got an 8 on initiative. Could have been better. :P

[J-H]

Servius init [roll0]

[zylodrizzt]

Middle of innit of 10.

[Dirty]

It's a 17 initiative for Fork.

[TriciaOso]

One more thing, crew -- feel free to take double movement on your first turn. No reason to spend a round getting on deck, and the bad guy got a surprise round and a second attack in anyway. Three unopposed actions while you guys climb stairs feels excessive.

[TriciaOso]

Hey y'all, wanted share something that came up on Discord here where everyone can see it --

Ttharg is the last person in the first 'group' of turns, but his player let us know on Discord that he's under the weather and people can jump ahead of him, which is why Servius went ahead. Ttharg will jump in when he's feeling up to it and we'll hold the end of the round until then.

The whole conversation made me realize I haven't communicated any expectations about initiative, so I wanted to post that also --

Commonly in PBP, you can post in any order and the DM resolves it in the right order, and that is more or less what I'm going for here. Since we have a lot of NPCs and are on a moving setting, things can change over a lot the course of a turn. That means it is helpful if we try to resolve in loose blocks of turns punctuated by periodic DM updates on NPC actions and changes, but obviously the more important thing is to keep the thread moving and work with each other's schedules.

I'm going to ahead and post for Tegu and the Scouts (holding the Medics for after Ttharg's turn) and we can move onto the second block of turns with Kabett and Nibum.

[TriciaOso]

Hey, first combat resolved! Just a light one to get into the shipboard combat rules and take the new characters out for a spin.

[TriciaOso]

Just to give everyone a vague idea of what's next -- I'm giving us a bit of space for any checks you want in the aftermath, and to discuss what happened and what comes next, as well as circle back to any questions for Siduri or the Captain. Once everyone's satisfied, we'll do a long rest, and on the following day we'll have our shopping opportunity before moving on to the next 'episode.' If you're finished with this scene, or don't plan to chime in, just let the rest of the group know here!

[The Commander]

Ttharg doesn't have much more to add. It would be up to others to point out this is the Broad Fin, and the natural repercussions of that. Ttharg's contribution would essentially be :shockedPickachuFace: and that's all.

[Dirty]

Wanted to post but things got away from me in the christmas aftermath. Gonna catch up and post tonight :smallcool:

[J-H]

Level up to 5:
+5hp (to 27)
+2 3rd level spells known: Fireball, Counterspell
2 3rd level slots, 1 extra spell preparable

Unprepared Shatter in favor of Fireball + Counterspell.

Shopping (started with 510):
Cloak of Protection 150
Luckstone 200
160gp in scribing components (4 levels of spells)
Free / paid by ship: Additional spell added of Water Breathing. It's a ritual, so with 10 minutes prep time, we can now explore the depths.

[The Commander]

Persuasion = 6 to purchase Goblin liquor. I guess it's going to be absolutely terrible :smallbiggrin:

[TriciaOso]

It looks like most of you have done what you wanted to do on the goblin ship; once Kabett makes his purchases (and incidentally, levels up to 5), we'll head onward to Baratano and the next episode!

[TriciaOso]

I put together a statblock for the ship: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zVPZvlz7IwxJkPQ9QaWG7mQYMtCn79kUYdHuoMtx4SY/edit?usp=sharing

[zylodrizzt]

Wands or All-purpose Tool +1 (for spells when you're not in melee), +1 shield/armor, Mariner's armor, adamantine armor, Trident of Fish command, Luckstone, Ring/Cloak of Protection?

Just wanted to say that this sorta stuff is cool. I'm not really picky and whatever I eventually get ill likely have a clever idea for. If there was a real specific item it would be the mizzim apparatus (unless im not able to attune to it). To be less specific I'd like some options or oppertunity to increase the offense or defense or even the utility (swim speed would be cool) of triceratool

[TriciaOso]

Just wanted to say that this sorta stuff is cool. I'm not really picky and whatever I eventually get ill likely have a clever idea for. If there was a real specific item it would be the mizzim apparatus (unless im not able to attune to it). To be less specific I'd like some options or oppertunity to increase the offense or defense or even the utility (swim speed would be cool) of triceratool

I don't see any reason why your Steel Defender shouldn't have a swim speed, honestly, other than being heavy. If you wanted to give it some Mariner's Armor that would do it.

[zylodrizzt]

In that case if he got that armor would he actually be able to make use of the ac (assuming it buffs)? And if we are allowing something like that what about enchanting it's attacks? I assume then it can make use of magical equipment with limitations like needing to speak for instance

[J-H]

Servius Initiative [roll0]

[The Commander]

Ttharg got a 10 for initiative

[zylodrizzt]

Nibum 3... aka last

[J-H]

Servius Dex save against ??
[roll0]

[The Commander]

17 initiative for Ttharg

[J-H]

Servius Init [roll0]

[Dirty]

20 total intitiative for Fork