Way of the Wicked: Knot of Thorns [IC]

[H8teradio]

Imogen leans over the edge of her hammock

"You two are getting ahead of yourselves, this is part ONE of a two part boat ride. Help safely deliver cargo to the north coast of the lake..."

Imogen points up.

"...THEN get a ride to the south coast..."

Imogen points down, then holds up two fingers for emphasis.

"TWO parts. You're moving too fast unless you want to swim your way to Aldencross."

[Blackhawk101]

Thoughtfully Leonidas considers Imogen’s words.
“Aye. That makes sense. This mission is apt to more of a challenge then it first appeared.”

[TooterfishPopkn]

Scathe nods at Imogen.

"I agree. Our best bet is to plan a quiet ambush once we near Aldencross. It would be ideal if we could separate Odenkirk from the crew at the bugbear camp and take him out. Then one of us could pose as the Captain while the crew takes us to our final destination.

The rest of us can take turns posing as our fellow fray that assumes the role of Odenkirk, so no one seems unaccounted for.

This is of course idealistic. I'm not sure it will be so easy luring Odenkirk from the ship once we've reached our first destination."

[Ahus]

"I asked the Cardinal about taking them out once we delivered the cargo to the horde. He was quite explicit that we wait until we approach Aldencross."

[TooterfishPopkn]

Scathe sends a surprised look to Ved. Why didn't I think to ask that!? He thinks to himself.

"Ved, since you talked to the Cardinal, did he recommend waiting until the zero hour at Aldencross? Do you have any reason to believe a slow and calculated take-over of the ship is out of the question? We shouldn't fight the entire crew and captain unless we have to. If we do this right, we may even be able to keep the ship. That might please the Cardinal."

[lostsole31]

"Be careful not to overplan, even if this is our only time together for awhile," says Kel. "Broad strokes only, because what we learn during the voyage may inform us how to operate later."

[Blackhawk101]

“Aye, we wait …” Leonidas makes his way to the upper deck to observe the crew.

[Ahus]

"The Cardinal wants the ship removed, i.e. no link back to him. He also noted that we would likely not make Aldencross without the assistance of the crew, and so cautioned against our acting too promptly. We should continue to act the part of guards, possibly mildly ineffectively, until the last watch before Aldencross.
Then act as surreptitiouslyas possible to eliminate the crew and Captain. If we run across some opportunities to cull the crew's number without arising their suspicion then we can do so, but I agree overplanning at this point is folly. Also, I can maintain clandestine communication, if one way, with everyone. " Ved shares with the group.

[lostsole31]

THE JOURNEY NORTH

The first leg of the journey is placid and peaceful. Everyone has plenty of time to gain their sea-legs and get acclimated to shipboard life. The Frosthamar may be a fine ship but it is not a ship that caters to delicate sensibilities. It has no cabins and every PC must sleep under the bare wooden deck or even under the stars with the rest of the crew. There are no garderobes or chamber pots. The crew simply relieve themselves over the railing. The rations are hardtack and small beer, though Kargeld does stop a couple of times to hunt deer along the wilder part of the coasts.

It takes half a day to sail down the Varnyn River and out into the open ocean. The Frosthamar hugs the coast and from the ship you can see countless farming communities and fishing villages go by. More than a few fishermen wave at the Frosthamar. Kargeld is always sure to wave back. “Wouldn’t want ‘em to get suspicious, eh?” he says with a glower.

The Frosthamar is not swift so heavily-laden and averages about forty eight miles a day. It takes a week for the ship to pass along the settled coast of Talingarde passing the great city of Daveryn, the largest center of civilization along the western coast. Kargeld is quick to squash any talk of stopping there. “This is no pleasure cruise. Besides, I won’t get our cargo within a mile of a Talirean harbormaster.”

Leonidas will finally get Captain Odenkirk to show him a few things, as the captain is more knowledgeable about seamanship. Scathe, likewise, gets his most rudimentary training in seamanship, though he is in the way more than not. As far as the other sailors (there are 8 of them), they are all solid salts, but nothing exception, at least compared to Leonidas.

It is only when the ship gets into the far north just abound beyond the Watch Wall that the seas get dangerous.

---

In the meantime, the Nessian Knot works with each other, or in quiet meditation or reading what materials the Cardinal let you take with you to help for your training. Some of the things you learn about each other include...

Spoiler: OOC

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• Kel and Imogen are matched for agility and hand-eye coordination.
• Imogen, Kel, but especially the bird Kyr are your stealthiest members.
• Ved and Saiden have the strongest spell focus.
• Scathe has the best fortitude, followed by Saiden.
• Scathe, surprisingly, has a will as strong as Ved's.
• Overall, Imogen and Scathe have the sharpest senses.
• Kel and Leonidas seem to have the most combat experience and teach other others, rather than the "bruisers" Scathe or Saiden.
• Deceptive Skills run rampant. The best overall deceivers are Imogen, Leonidas, and Scathe. But Saiden is incredible for her ability to seem innocent, and Ved's understanding of logical arguments makes him lie very convincingly.
• Kel has a love of poison that affects her philosophy across several of her training forms and disciplines.
• While obviously not practiced, in a discussion about horses, it seems that the most knowledgeable equestrians are Ved and Leonidas. Kel doesn't have a clue, but is fascinated by riding a horse, listening intently. (She had some basic riding lessons at the manor.)
• Ved, followed by Leonidas, are the most capable at understanding a person's intentions.
• Surprisingly, Kel just edges out Ved in terms of understanding philosophy and theology, but Ved has far more training in undead identification.
• Ved and Leonidas are the most well-read regarding cosmology and the lands, worlds, and creatures beyond the veil of the mortal world.
• Leonidas and Kel are your toughest members, having significant body and stamina, but Saiden and Scathe come really close for not having as much combat experience as them.

Close to the Watch Wall, a single small patrol ship named “The Blade of St. Martius” spots the Frosthamar and sails towards her to investigate. Leonidas and Scathe spot it at the same time and call it to the captain.

Kargeld grimly pairs down their options, “She’s seen us, sure as damnation. And there is no way the ‘Frosthamar’ will outrun her loaded like this. One look at our cargo and they’ll know us for exactly what we are – weapon smugglers.”

Since the eagle-eyed PCs saw the patrol ship in time, Kargeld figures that they have about 10 minutes before the "...Martius" pulls alongside them.

What are your recommendations/ plan?

[Ahus]

Ved curses 🤬 seeing the ship set to intercept the Frosthammer. Then he tells the party, "Quickly take up appearances as agents of the crown, when they are in earshot hail them, and Leonidas, berate the Captain for leaving us unescorted for so long. Delay their boarding as long as possible, but do not fight them. When you can't delay any further, graciously invite the captain and first mate aboard to inspect our cargo and logs. When they come aboard to inspect the logs we will take them below and eliminate them out of sight of their crew. If possible Leonidas could impersonate the Captain sending a few sailors at a time over to their doom. In the confusion we take the ship.

Captain Odenkirk, I had intended to do this earlier in our voyage, but time got away from me. Let us go and make sure the logs and manifest are 'ready' for inspection..."

Ved moves toward, wherever the logs would be kept, beckoning Odenkirk to follow.

Spoiler: Crunch

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Linguistics +12 to forge a ships log and manifest that would legitimizethe cargo.
Granted now there is only a few minutes but I had intended to do this all along.

[H8teradio]

"It's not an ideal plan, but it is a plan. I'll standby for the signal to begin the attack. Where do you want me?"

Imogen will make sure her daggers are well hidden on her person and be ready for things to get interesting.

Spoiler: Bird Signal

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"Kyr, keep an eye out from above, let me know if anyone is trying to get away."

[Blackhawk101]

“Aye. Do as he says ya scurvy dogs!”
Leonidas will take the form of a captain in the Royal Navy. He then summons magical energy to cast a spell.

Spoiler: crunch

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Use intimidate
cast mage armor

[lostsole31]

Ved, I don't know if you missed the description of the knarr or not. There is no stateroom area on this type of ship. If you were to take the captain far forward or aft (meaning, not the long central storage area in the center) he will know what is up, so there's not really anyplace to go take him out of the way.

Next, with what materials will you attempt your forgery?

Saiden and Scathe, what do you do?

[TooterfishPopkn]

Seeing his options for hiding are limited aboard the ship, Scathe readies his disguise using his circlet. He loads a bolt in his crossbow and leaves it under the hide tarp, along with his sword and shield (sword unsheathed and shield placed handles/straps up at the ready) where the gear is kept and stands near it just outside the tarp. He grabs his dagger and attempts to hide it on his person. He looks to Odenkirk, "Captain, do you by chance have a spyglass? We need to get as much recon on that ship as we can before they arrive."

Spoiler: Action

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[roll]1d20+13[/roll] disguise check with circlet to pass off as low-ranking member of the royal navy.
(1d20+4)[15] sleight of hand check to hide dagger

[lostsole31]

Captain Odenkirk does not have a spyglass.

Saiden, any input?

[BananaPhone]

Saiden had been on deck when the alarm had been called. As the crew would no doubt notice, she was not wearing her armour. No sailor would. All it would take is to go overboard and that protective shell would become an expensive set of weights that would drag the person down to the crushing depths.

Instead, the tall, statuesque red-head was standing in her black breaches that were tucked into boots. She had a linen shirt that was open at the collar and a cotton waistcoat over it all. A pair of black leather gloves were at the end of her well-defined arms, and her loosely tied top-knot was fluttering gently in the wind like a flame.

The plan wasn't a bad one. It wasn't perfect, but imitating agents of the crown to deflect an inquisitive patrol was about the best route they had at the moment...short of just killing them all.

Though in a dark part of Saiden's mind, she wondered if there wasn't something to be gained from turning to out-right hostility. After all, thinning out Odenkirks crew would only make their ultimate goal easier...

"I'll do the talking," Saiden said out-loud. She activated the circlet on her head, and her image did not change that much...she was still herself, but now with a beautiful, blue cloak hanging from her shoulders and any mark of imprisonment hidden. Now she looked like a knight of Talingarde who was not wearing armour.

"I am Dame Montague," she gestured to herself, speaking to the group and the captain.

"You're Captain Munroe," she pointed to Leonidus after he assumed a captains guise.

"And you are my squires," she gestured to the rest of the party.

"We are on a reconnaissance and resupply mission to Aldencross. The Crown has heard disturbing tales of increased bugbear aggression in the area, and has dispatched us. They do not want to cause a public panic nor alert any potential organised bugbear leadership, and so they are doing things underhanded, so we don't have identifying papers in case we are captured. Right?"

[lostsole31]

Captain Odenkirk shakes his head. "I like his plan better," he thumbs to Ved. "Besides, I am the captain, no matter what the ruse, or you can get out at the next hunting stop. The rest of your plan is okay, though, and might make a good double-up."

Does anyone disagree with Captain Odenkirk ... to use both plans, but that he is still the captain (and not Leonidas)?

[H8teradio]

With a mild amount of sarcasm Imogen lets out a hardy.

"Aye aye Captainnnn...."

Keeping up the sarcastic demeanor she then turns to Saiden and gives an exaggerated bow.

"Dame Montague, always a pleasure."

Popping up from her bow Imogen will make herself look busy on deck sweeping or mopping the same spot over and over and try to get a read on the situation as it develops.

[BananaPhone]

"He's a captain in the Royal Talingarde Navy assigned to this mission. He is not captain of this transport vessel, that would be you," Saiden replied to Odenkirks proposition.

Saiden did look over to Leonidas and spoke quietly, "discard the uniform, however. We are supposed to be on a clandestine task," she winked.

Imogen then turned to Saiden and gives an exaggerated bow.

"Dame Montague, always a pleasure."

Saiden gave a little wave of her hand, "as you were, Squire" she returned with an equal tinge of amused sarcasm.

[Blackhawk101]

Leonidas will adjust his costume to a non descript traveler with a long sword.

[lostsole31]

Captain Odenkirk leads Ved to where his hammock is located, with a small box containing some basic writing implements. He shows him what his captain's license looks like, so Ved can see official type of paper, seal, etc. And there is no way Ved is going to be able to throw something together, no matter how good his calligraphy, for want of proper forging materials.

[TooterfishPopkn]

Scathe changes his disguise to nondescript sailing garb using the circlet.

[Ahus]

Ved crouches behind the gunwale of the ship next to the hammock and small chest. With a word and a wave of his hand an embossing die appears in his hand, another arcane phrase and he removes a crudely shaped inkwell from the cuff of his robe. Ved sets down to try to make official orders for the resupply of Aldencross on a page torn from his spellbook.

Spoiler: Crunch

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Cast Conjurer's toolbelt to create the embossing die / pens as needed 4 minutes per casting. Cast Prestidigitation to create inks that will disappear in an hour.


Also, spend 1 AP to swap Color Spray for Grease.

[lostsole31]

Ved, remember that you have to take out your spellbook (whump!), do your Quick Study, and then put spellbook away. It isn't just pay AP for auto-effect. Also, you have a crude inkwell, but it seems that your prestidigtation doesn't create any ink.

[Ahus]

"Crap" Ved curses, looking at the empty inkwell. He then paws through his pack and the mystical inks looking foe something that might work. "Well, that will not work."

[lostsole31]

Captain Odenkirk curses, annoyed, and goes back to stand by Lady Whatever-Her-Name is. He looks around as the St. Martius closes, calling his men to belay the sheets and drop anchor to receive the incoming ship.

Captain Odenkirk keeps looking around, very visibly counting his men and the Nessian Knot.

Finally, the St. Martius is in process of coming alongside and Captain Odenkirk whispers to Saiden, "Damn Monty-goo, where is that other red-headed woman?"

[BananaPhone]

Saiden perks an eyebrow at the captains sarcastic remark.

"where, where, where did she go?" she answered with a slow and sarcastic shrug, "a mystery for the ages."

As the other ship came about, Saiden moved and stood imperiously on the appropriate side of the Frosthammer in the position one would expect to receive guests.

When the other ship was a couple dozen yards away and within earshot, Saiden would raise her right gloved hand, "Hail!"

[lostsole31]

"Standby to receive Naval inspector!" comes the reply.

[lostsole31]

The Blade of St. Martius is smaller than the Frosthamar, a single masted fully-rigged pinnacle only thirteen feet long. There seem to be only about a dozen or so men on the patrol ship.

As they get even closer a man calls out, "Heave to in the name of the King!"

Kargeld and his men comply, having already anchored to allow the approaching ship to come aside.

The obvious captain and four armored sailors stand by him. Meanwhile, the remaining sailors on the Martius take up bows and get them ready in case of any funny business.

"I am Captain Sambryl of the Blade of St. Martius of the Royal Talinerean Navy. Request permission to come aboard."

Captain Odenkirk just nods and waves them forward, and the captain and his four men board the Frosthamar.

He looks around, noting some odd uniform/ costumes here. "I demand to speak to whomever is in charge."

Does a PC speak up, or do you leave it to the not very socially-finessed Captain Odenkirk?

[Blackhawk101]

Leonidas steps up to Captain Sambryl, crosses his arms and speaks to him sternly.
“Captain. My name is Montague. Why have you detained us?”

Spoiler: crunch

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use Leonidas’s presence lend weight to his question. Not aggressive but as an important man is being harassed by his lessors.