Blood and Gold IC

[Bobthewizard]

Scrape Tabaxi Warlock AC: 13 HP: 45/45 Spell Slots: 2 / 2 Grasp of Deep: 4 / 4 PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Conditions: none Concentration: none Scrape is surprised that he is excited to get back to the sea. While he had never liked water in the past, he now frequently finds himself on the bow of the ship, watching the water spray along the sides, enjoying the salty air fly past his face. He hangs the hammocks in the captain's quarters so that one end can be untied and they can be stored out of the way during the day. While they sail, he spends his time learning as much as he can from the crew. He'll never learn navigation but he tries to learn the tasks of the ship. He tries his hand at rowing but is laughed out by the crew for his poor performance. He takes it well and they at least appreciate the effort. He does better topside at raising and lowering of the sails and learns how to trim them to make the most of the wind. He proves valuable at climbing the rigging to rescue fouled lines and sails. Throughout all of this, he encourages the crew at their jobs and tries to learn both the language of sailing and the language of the raiders. When he needs a break, he joins Sword in the crow's nest and watches the horizon. He feels at peace in a way he never thought he would while at sea.

Spoiler: OOC

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[Ramsus]

Captain Xyrryn Sapphirica Aquatic Half-Elf Bard AC: 13 HP: 52/52 PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Conditions: -- Concentration: -- The day after their arrival/shopping trip, Xyrryn goes back to Audrey and Mathar. The business part of the visit is asking Mathar, "I'm sure it's out of my ability to afford right now, but do you get any mithril here? I wear lighter armor and I've heard it's good for that. But do you think I could swim well in it?" The not business part is just spent chatting with the two, trying to make friends with them.

[Inmate XIII]

Following the map given to them by Arne, the party sails towards the fort and anchors themselves a little ways off the coast to pass the time. The night before the ambush, Xyrryn calls for silence and they slip into a small cove to the south of the fort under the cover of darkness.

Shortly after noon the next day, Sword spots the transport ship on the horizon and gives a silent signal. One of the crew scampers up the mast, then returns bearing news: you have approximately 90 minutes before the target is in position.

90 minutes to prepare and plan for the attack.

Spoiler: Info

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You’re moored 1km (~3000 ft) from the fort, and you’re hidden, for now. Unfortunately, your intel was incorrect: the fort has two guard boats and once you sail out of the cove, you’ll be in sight of the fort and they’ll send them both to attack you. The guardships are both keelboats that have been outfitted with a few extra pairs of oars and will likely be faster than other ships of their class.

The fort is a wooden stockade on an elevated cliff and has a garrison of an unknown size. You sighted multiple siege weapons on the rise and estimate that due to their height advantage they would be able to hit you if you got within 1,200 ft of the fort.

[Bobthewizard]

Scrape Tabaxi Warlock AC: 13 HP: 45/45 Spell Slots: 2 / 2 Grasp of Deep: 4 / 4 PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Conditions: none Concentration: none Scrape enjoyed the sailing down to the cove but is even more excited to get into combat. This is also a new feeling for him. He was never afraid of a fight but in the past he was more cautious. Fights made him nervous even when he was confident. Now he isn't necessarily confident of the outcome, but he wants to get going with the fight. When Sword spots the oncoming transport ship, Scrape finds the others officers to discuss our options. "We will have to fight all three ships at some point. Perhaps it is better not to fight them all at the same time. Maybe we could lure the guard ships out and fight them before the transport ship arrives. If we push out now and set sail to intercept the transport ship, we can either sail quickly to intercept that first, or sail slowly and let the guard ships catch us before the transport ship arrives, depending on how quickly the guard ships react. I think we should take the fights as far away from the fort as possible."

Spoiler: OOC

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[magnorun]

Gathered on deck with the rest of the officers, a wicked grin splits Pollock's beak as a gleam enters his eye. "Well, I say we strap a few lit torches to the barrels of oil we've got and launch em at the guard boats; don't think they'll be doing much fighting if they have to put out fires all over the deck, and even if we only hit one, that evens the odds."

[PartyOfRogues]

During the voyage
Fix the wand of fear and make it an arcane firearm

Spoiler: Arcane Firearm

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At 5th level, you know how to turn a wand, staff, or rod into an arcane firearm, a conduit for your destructive spells. When you finish a long rest, you can use woodcarver's tools to carve special sigils into a wand, staff, or rod and thereby turn it into your arcane firearm. The sigils disappear from the object if you later carve them on a different item. The sigils otherwise last indefinitely.
You can use your arcane firearm as a spellcasting focus for your artificer spells. When you cast an artificer spell through the firearm, roll a d8, and you gain a bonus to one of the spell's damage rolls equal to the number rolled.

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90 min. to attack
Cast Aid on melee PC’s (+5 HP and Max HP, 8 hour duration)
Do final checks on weapons, make sure there’s enough ammunition at hand

---

15 min. to attack
Create eldritch cannon

[Tycho42]

Sword watches the ship as it moves, delivering the signal before descending. He had been sharpening his sword, checking it for marks and polishing them up high in the crow’s nest before sighting the ship. After a while he descends, walking towards the meeting of other officers of the ship. He waits patiently, listening and nodding, in the end though his attention falls to the captain.

“Your steel waits to be drawn. Name your target.”

No matter the target, the simplicity of his statement yields the impression that no matter where he is sent, many, many will fall.

[Ramsus]

Captain Xyrryn Sapphirica Aquatic Half-Elf Bard AC: 13 HP: 52/52 (57/57) PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Conditions: Aid Concentration: -- "A good enough plan, but let's discuss a bit." Xyrryn replies. After a bit of discussion with the officers she summarizes, "Ok so like Scrape said we'll make it look like we plan to ram the transport to lure out the guard ships. When they get close enough we turn about, but stay out of range of the fort. Then we target the one to starboard with the mangonel and one of the ballista, and the one to port with the other ballista. Zhanan and Scrap light up the one to port when its gets in range and we improvise from there. When we're finished with the guard ships we turn about and ram then board the transport."

[Bobthewizard]

Scrape Tabaxi Warlock AC: 13 HP: 45/45 Spell Slots: 2 / 2 Grasp of Deep: 4 / 4 PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Conditions: none Concentration: none Scrape is getting excited for the fight. The thought of killing these Neverenders and throwing their bodies into the sea makes him happier than he thought it would. "Once we turn, we might get several chances to attack with each ballista and the mangonel. We should try to take out their steery things first so they can't turn back. Then we can ram the starboard one and set fire to the port one. Which way is port again? Left? Got it."

Spoiler: OOC

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[Inmate XIII]

Their plans carefully laid, the crew of Anskaar wait quietly, sails furrowed, activity on deck to a minimum, keeping the ship as low-profile as possible.

As the cargo ship rounds the coast, it drops its sails, the crew scrambling about the deck in a panic.

Spotted, Anskaar springs it’s trap. Opening sails to full and readying the oars, it catches an Eastern Wind and flies out of the bay. A stone flies from the mangonel and crashes against the transport’s side; once, than twice before Sword calls out again, pointing towards the fort.

The Neverens scrambled their defenses and launched the two guard boats which are rowing furiously towards Anskaar, spreading themselves out to try and hit it with a pincer attack. Xyrryn grins and swings Anskaar to the north, ordering the crew to drop half the sails and run the oars, making for the north.

Spoiler: Info

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The fort is 2000 ft. to the north, the guard boats are 1000 ft. to the north, 500 ft. apart from each other and rowing south. The target ship is 500 ft. to the southwest, stopped for the moment as the crew tries to get control of the ship after it’s sudden stop.

Xyrryn is currently at the helm, the other 4 party members may take primary control of Anskaar’s weapons if they like and the crew will assist them in reloading them between turns.

[magnorun]

Pollock, having never used or even seen a seige weapon, opts to let the crew handle the firing of one of the ballistae. Grabbing his bucket and a ladle as they wait to make their move, he circles around the deck, giving each man and woman a sip of Elven wine for what could well be their last drink, to both raise their morale and steady their nerves. His bucket empty, he makes his way to the bow of the ship, pulling a length of chain from his belt satchel as he stands at the point where the ram meets the deck, eager to be the first one to meet the Neveren in melee combat.

[Bobthewizard]

Scrape Tabaxi Warlock AC: 13 HP: 45/45 Spell Slots: 2 / 2 Grasp of Deep: 4 / 4 PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Conditions: none Concentration: none As the Anskaar turns towards the guardships, Scrape and Kappa start implementing their plan. "OK Kappa, I'll let you do it. Here cover yourself in some oil too. I could only find this 3 gallon waterskin so it will have to do. Use the knife in the tinderbox to cut the bag right over the helm. Then light yourself on fire and land in the oil. Then, yes, you can make yourself visible and tell them about Olhydra's plans for them. Good luck." Kappa gets into the bucket of the mangonel, grabs the waterskin in one hand, the tinderbox in the other, and turns invisible. The crew laughs at this crazy plan. Scrape turns to the crew of the mangonel, "OK let's load him up. Try to land him right on the ship. Let's do this quickly so we can get back to attacking the other ship. On 3. 1...2...Fire!" Kappa and the waterskin go flying through the air at the targeted ship. "OK, let's focus on the other one for now." The crew reloads the mangonel with proper ammunition and points it at the other guard ship.

Spoiler: OOC

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We will shoot Kappa at the ship to our port and see if this plan works.

Roll for the mangonel shot to see how close they get to the target. (1d20)[18]

I'll be using Voice of the Chainmaster to see and hear through Kappa while he does this, so I can dismiss him when he's done or if he gets in trouble.

[Ramsus]

Captain Xyrryn Sapphirica Aquatic Half-Elf Bard AC: 13 HP: 52/52 (57/57) PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Conditions: Aid Concentration: -- Xyrryn sails the ship closer to the guard ships until they're within the short ranges of both the ballista and mangonel. Once that's tries to maintain that distance for as long as feasible.

[PartyOfRogues]

After Scrape fires Kappa, Zahnan takes command over the mangonel, firing towards the starboard guard ship, once the ship reaches the short range of the mangonel he moves to the port ballista, staying until the Neveren attempt to get closer.

[Inmate XIII]

The three ships begin to close distance as Kappa is sent off into the sky and Anskaar begins to rain mangonel shots at the starboard keelboat. It misses three times before landing a solid hit on deck. The boats return each with a single ballista shot. One goes wide while the other sinks into Anskaar’s side.

Xyrryn spins the ship towards the starboard, heading towards shore to keep their foes at a bit of a distance.

Just then, Kappa implements his plan. He lights himself and lands on the deck of the portside guard boat and the effect is immediate. Bright flames leap into the air, closely followed by belching black smoke. He begins to give a speech, but much to his utter disappointment is ignored by the crew as they scramble around, looking for something, anything, to put out the fire.

[Bobthewizard]

Scrape Tabaxi Warlock AC: 13 HP: 45/45 Spell Slots: 2 / 2 Grasp of Deep: 4 / 4 PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Conditions: none Concentration: none

Kappa Imp Familiar AC: 13 HP: 10/10 Sting +5 1d4+3 Invulnerable: Fire, poison Resist: Cold, Nonmagical Invisibility, Devil's Sight Magic Resistance Rat, Raven, Spider Conditions: on fire

As Scrape continues to watch through Kappa's eyes, he asks the crew for help. "Wake me when we get within 300' of our target and I'll start knocking them off their ship."

Kappa gives his speech, "You will all die by flame, sword or drowning today. Olhydra will show you no mercy!" Disappointed that no one seems to care to hear about their imminent death, he then, still burning himself, turns invisible again and flies to the sails, grabbing onto them at about their mid-height in order to catch them on fire. He moves around the sails to set fire at frequent intervals. If the crew figures this out and tries to target Kappa, Scrape will dismiss him.

Once they are in range of the fire ship, Scrape stops using Kapa's senses. They are still connected telepathically so he tells Kappa, "Let me know if you see anything unusual. If you get in trouble, just tell me and I'll dismiss you."

He then starts casting Eldritch Blast at the crew of the fire ship, trying to disrupt them as much as possible.

Spoiler: OOC

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Scrape stops using Voice of the Chainmaster to see and hear through Kappa.

He starts shooting at the crew of the ship. Priorities are 1. Anyone who looks like thy might target Kappa 2. Anyone trying to fight the fire 3. Whoever is at the siege weapons 4. Whoever is at the helm 5. anyone else he might be able to knock all the way off.

I rolled in the OOC, using lance of lethargy on the first hit and repelling blast on each hit.

[Tycho42]

Sword squints from the side of the deck where he has been watching as the creature immolates itself and sets the ship on fire in the process. He rests his hand on the hilt of his blade, ready to make the running jump to board when needed.

“Impressive.”

[Inmate XIII]

The crew of the flaming guardboat begins to get more frantic as their sails begin to light fire. Using everything in their disposal to right the flames, they stomp it, cover it with wet blankets, even pour water directly on it Just as they seem to start turning the proverbial tide, two cracking bursts of energy streak across the deck, knocking a pair into the water. Ignoring their captain's attempts to rally them, they begin to abandon the burning boat, leaping into the water and swimming for shore.

The captain continues to scream t them, but is silenced by the sound of a ballista shot whizzing past his head and jumps in after them.

Undeterred by the rapid defeat of it's sister ship, the second guard boat loads up another shot and fires it into Anskaar's side.

[Ramsus]

Captain Xyrryn Sapphirica Aquatic Half-Elf Bard AC: 13 HP: 52/52 (57/57) PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Conditions: Aid Concentration: -- Xyrryn raises an eyebrow in surprise as the crew abandons ship on the first of the guard boats, but then shrugs. Their lack of morale (or maybe just keen intuition to know this is a fight they wouldn't have won anyway), was her crew's gain. As she whirls Anskaar about to line it up to pass close by and then swing around the remaining guard ship she calls out to those on deck, "Prepare for battle, we're going to close the guard ship and then ram the transport!" and the she begins singing a song to get the blood pumping. (Of course with the usual musical backup of Waverly, Salt, and Grimhild.) Spoiler: Song Show Obviously the lyrics would be a lot different but boy am I not going to spend hours searching for the perfect song every time.

[Bobthewizard]

Scrape Tabaxi Warlock AC: 13 HP: 45/45 Spell Slots: 2 / 2 Grasp of Deep: 4 / 4 PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Conditions: none Concentration: none

Kappa Imp Familiar AC: 13 HP: 10/10 Sting +5 1d4+3 Invulnerable: Fire, poison Resist: Cold, Nonmagical Invisibility, Devil's Sight Magic Resistance Rat, Raven, Spider Conditions: on fire

Seeing the crew jump off of Kappa's ship, Scrape turns his attention to the other guard ship, trying to knock the crew off that one as well.

Meanwhile, Kappa flies down to the helm and tries to guide his ship into its mate, hoping the flames will engulf them both. Since it was already heading in that direction, he's hoping to be able to direct it without any adjustments to the burning sails.

While he pilots the burning ship, he laughs maniacally, calling out to the crew of the other ship, "All who oppose Olhydra will die today! Fear for your very souls!" However, with the sails burnt away and no one left to use the oars, the boat slows and stops. Kappa sits at the helm of the ship, jumping up and down in anger, and cursing his inability to use his ship as a flaming projectile. He then tries to run around the deck to stop the sails from burning away. He curses his bad luck and yells again at the other guard ship. "This isn't the end! I will figure out how to burn your ship and send you to your grave!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Scrape starts shooting Eldritch Blasts at the crew of the ship. Priorities are 1. Whoever is at the helm 2. Whoever is at the siege weapons 3. anyone else he might be able to knock all the way off.

Lance of lethargy on the first hit, repelling blast on both.

(1d20+7)[17] to hit for (1d10+4)[6] damage

(1d20+7)[17] to hit for (1d10+4)[11] damage

[Inmate XIII]

As Xyrryn turns towards the remaining guard boat, they make a hard turn to starboard, trying to keep their distance. There's some activity on deck as they seem distracted by just how quickly their sister ship was defeated. Their confusion isn't helped by Scrape's Eldritch blasts; one knocks the helmsman from his perch, but he manages to keep himself from toppling overboard and one of his fellows takes his place. The second, aimed at the man behind the ballista misses, instead hitting the weapon itself to little effect.

They fire a third shot from their ballista that flies wide.

Spoiler: OOC

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The ships are now 90 ft. apart.

[PartyOfRogues]

As the two ships start closing the distance, Zahnan starts using magic to fling jars of oil at the enemy ship, targeting 2 at the ballista and 2 at the helm, his eldritch cannon starts firing at the captain of the ship, and the crew manning the ballista

Spoiler: Rolls

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Helm Catapults
(1d20+7)[23]
(4d8)[19]
(1d20+7)[13]
(4d8)[19]
Ballista Catapults
(1d20+7)[16]
(4d8)[21]
(1d20+7)[19]
(4d8)[16]

[Bobthewizard]

Scrape Tabaxi Warlock AC: 13 HP: 45/45 Spell Slots: 2 / 2 Grasp of Deep: 4 / 4 PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Conditions: none Concentration: none

Kappa Imp Familiar AC: 13 HP: 10/10 Sting +5 1d4+3 Invulnerable: Fire, poison Resist: Cold, Nonmagical Invisibility, Devil's Sight Magic Resistance Rat, Raven, Spider Conditions: on fire

Scrape looks at the 90' gap and the fact that we likely won't ram this guard ship with the transport ship still loose. He decides that helping Polluck and Sword get on board the guard ship is more important than blasting its crew right now, so he casts a spell, manipulating a small feather in his component pouch.

"Lumipad na hangin"

Polluck and Sword feel their feet lift off the deck and somehow know that they can control their speed, direction, and elevation without touching the ground.

Scrape calls out to them, "Polluck and Sword, you have 10 minutes. Enjoy your wings, Sword!"

Meanwhile, he dismisses Kappa from the burning wreckage. Kappa might need a few minutes to calm down after being thwarted from his plan to use the burning ship as a torpedo.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casts Fly on Polluck and Sword. 60' fly speed for each of them.

[Tycho42]

Sword needs no more encouragement than the words that held promise of something he has yearned for. He has heard of clansmen who have served dubious masters for the promise of magic like this...but this was freely given by a companion. He charges towars the guard boat, at the last second leaping forward, embracing the pull of Scrape’s magic as he flies.

It is glorious, and if he had less discipline, he would revel like a child learning to walk as he felt the ancient loss flare to life, as if he knew how right this was and how it had been taken. Discipline though, he did have. He turns slightly, flying in an arc directly towards the helm of the guard boat.

He lands in a spin, his blades coming out as he hits the deck. He lashes out at the nearest foe, announcing his presence with steel.

[magnorun]

A panic threatens to take hold of Pollock as his feet involuntarily leave the ground, but is quickly washed away on hearing Scrape's words. Following quickly behind Sword, he moves with haste towards the bow of the enemy vessle, and unleashes on the crew manning the ballista.

Spoiler: ooc

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Spend 1 Ki point as Bonus Action for Step of the Wind to double movement speed to 120ft, then make an Unarmed attack and Grapple at the sailor firing the ballista
Attack (1d20+8)[10] Damage (1d6+5)[6]
Grapple (1d20+11)[28]

[Inmate XIII]

Seeing the guard boat attempting to circle around them in turn, Xyrryn makes a hard turn to port, putting the wind at Anskaar’s back and sending it lurching towards the other ship.

A jar of oil flies out of Zahnan’s hand, crashing against the guard ship’s helm, splashing oil everywhere as his cannon roars, knocking the helmsman away.

Reveling in his sudden meeting with the sky, Sword drops onto the deck of the guard ship,with a slash of his longsword, cleaving deep into the nearest Neveren as he landed. Without stopping his motion, he spins around fully in place and lops the boor bastard’s head off with another swing.

Pollock lands on the ships deck hard, then stands to his full height and throws a punch at the nearest sailor that misses entirely, then spins around and grabs the sailor manning the ballista.

Spoiler: OOC

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The guard boast is now 45' away, heading south, perpendicular to Anskaar's path.

[Bobthewizard]

Scrape Tabaxi Warlock AC: 13 HP: 45/45 Spell Slots: 2 / 2 Grasp of Deep: 4 / 4 PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Conditions: none Concentration: none

Kappa Imp Familiar AC: 13 HP: 10/10 Sting +5 1d4+3 Invulnerable: Fire, poison Resist: Cold, Nonmagical Invisibility, Devil's Sight Magic Resistance Rat, Raven, Spider Conditions: dismissed

Scrape gets an immense amount of joy seeing Sword and Polluck fly over to the other ship. He leaves Kappa in his pocket dimension to cool off for a little longer, and instead tries to blast couple sailors off the guardship. After casting his spell, he ducks down behind the railing of our ship.

Spoiler: OOC

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Eldritch Blast x2. Repelling blast on both. Lance of lethargy on the first to hit.

Priorities are removing sailors from the weapons, then the helm, then any others threatening Sword and Polluck.

#1 (1d20+7)[14] for (1d10+4)[11] damage

#2 (1d20+7)[26] for (1d10+4)[11] damage

[Ramsus]

Captain Xyrryn Sapphirica Aquatic Half-Elf Bard AC: 13 HP: 52/52 (57/57) PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Conditions: Aid Concentration: -- As they finally get close enough, Xyrryn focuses her magic to make her song blast loudly around the ballista of the guard ship and those unfortunate enough to be standing near it. Spoiler: Song Show Shatter on ballista and nearby foes. 10-foot radius sphere. DC 16 Con save for half: (3d8)[17] thunder damage,

[PartyOfRogues]

As the Anskaar approaches the guard ship, Zahnan launches a small device, creating a blast of energy at the ship’s helm, he then commands the crew manning the ballistas to continue firing at the guard ship, and the mangonel to attempt to disable the transport’s sails

Spoiler: Rolls

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Shatter (DC 15 Con for half damage)
(3d8)[10]
Eldritch Cannon firing at any crew not in either Shatter radius
(1d20+7)[21]
(2d8)[16]
Ballistae
(1d20+6)[16]
(3d10)[18]
(1d20+6)[10]
(3d10)[11]
Mangonel
(1d20+5)[12]
(5d10)[27]

[magnorun]

"Who wants a ride, eh boys?" Pollock exclaims as he attempts to hit and grab another member of the ballista team, intending to drop them in the water.

Spoiler

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Attack to grab another sailor (1d20)[19] +11
If successful then Extra Attack to shove one prone (1d20)[7] +11
If successful then spending 1 Ki point on Patient Defense as Bonus Action to Dodge any attacks as he moves out of threatened space

If 1st grab fails, then Extra Attack to hit another sailor (1d20)[15] +8 for (1d6)[3] +5 damage
If it hits then Bonus Action to grapple a sailor (1d20)[13] +11
If successful then he moves and takes the AoO's

If both Attack and Extra Attack fail to land, spend 1 Ki point to Flurry of Blows on a sailor other than the grappled one (1d20)[3] +8 for (1d6)[1] +5 damage and (1d20)[1] +8 for (1d6)[2] +5 damage

If successful in grabbing another, he uses half of his movement to drop the sailors in the water (hopefully in a direction that won't get them run over by the boats) then uses the rest to come back for more of the ballista crew