Chapter Three - The Voyage South

[Vardaen]

"Come nightfall we can plot a better course by the stars. For now we will have to make due and pray to Procan that the Nixie arrives at the Isle of Dread before her supplies run out. I know they are fine, I doubt they were even blown off course." He for the first time is starting to doubt the Nixie is really alright, but he simply can't allow that thought to come to him. "Tolin better keep up his end." He mutters something about Tolin and then turns back to work, he has to work, to keep his mind off Lavina.

"Okay you scurvy dogs, let's find land. I'm getting sick of the smell of this ship." He returns to his charts and to work.

[Trogdor]

This returns from the Sargasso.

[mackaber]

Aware of the fact that this might go awry Berek prepares for the worst first collecting all his valuable from his sea chest before making evacuation plans.

[Trogdor]

Slowly, but surely, the shore gets closer. But so too does the water in the well. Despite running the pumps constantly, with all hands - passengers included - taking their turns, and running a sail over the side to try and cover the hole, the water is still gaining. And the heavy seas don't help either. It's a godsend for Palan to have Berek and Wavedancer to help from the outside. But even that help is limited as they both have to avoid getting slammed into by a heaving ship.

Meanwhile, Daerith works to plan for the worst. The lifeboats are pulled out and supplied, his own gear loaded into one of them. The passengers are warned of what's likely to come - as if they hadn't figured it out already, and everyone grabs whatever they hold most dear and keeps it close to their person. There might even be talk of abandoning ship were it not for the storm, which would make it at least as dangerous to be in a small boat as in a sinking ship.

And all through this, Chanur navigates the storm expertly, bringing the Sea Wyvern closer and closer to shore. Through the night, he brings the ship in until it's twenty miles from shore, then fifteen, then ten. At this point, unfortunately, the ship rolls badly as it hits a wave in just the wrong way. Those on deck are not too badly off. But for those up in the tops, the motion is amplified several times. Anya barely holds on, her feet waving like a flag. But Mari is knocked clean off and into the water. Thankfully, Berek and Wavedancer are already in the water and so the slightly inaccurate cry of "man overboard!" is quickly attended and Mari is brought back to the ship safely, if a bit worse for wear.

From there it's a perilous slog, each cable's length forward taking a supreme effort of seamanship, pumping, and balance. Caught by wave and tide, the badly listing Sea Wyvern is driven toward the northern shore of the Isle of Dread. The primal vista looms larger before the crew and passengers through the driving rain, periodically lit by flashes of lightning. Cliffs can be seen - thankfully in the distance - and a long sandy shore backed by jungle. Alas, the safe harbor is still miles away.

Suddenly, the ship lurches again, perhaps having struck another reef, throwing everyone to the deck. The Sea Wyvern tilts crazily to the side, lurches one last time, and rolls. The cold dark sea rushes up to meet the passengers and crew, and in a cacophonous roar of wave and ruin, all goes dark...

Roll

Chanur's Prof(sailor) check (DC 15): 16; success
No aid another, because this assumes all hands on deck already

Chanur's Prof(sailor) check (DC 15): 23; success

Chanur's Prof(sailor) check (DC 15): 12; failure
Roll: everyone on deck must make DC 12 Acrobatics check or DC 15 Str check or be washed over the side. (I'll give you the roll that gives you the best chance)
Amella: Acrobatics auto success
Gaed: Acro 20; success
Mari: Acro 10; overboard
Anya: 23; success
Konrad: Acro 24; success
Berek: In the water already
Chanur: Acro auto success
Daerith: Acro auto success
Fin: Str 17; success
Wavedancer: In the water already

With two of you in the water and with Swim speeds and underwater breathing, it's easy to save one person. The real trick would have been if a bunch of people fell in. But you had some lucky rolls.

I'll let everyone make one last post about their last moments before the crash.

And BTW, everyone will go up to level 7 after this scene ends. So feel free to start updating character sheets. There won't be any more combat in this scene.

[Vardaen]

GM

Level 7! Wooot!

Daerith is racing from deck to deck, pulling on lines, using all his magical powers to try and keep things from getting terrible. The boats are ready and all his personal gear is tightly closed and secured on him; his cameo and sword the prime concern. "ROCKS!" He shouts but his voice is hardly heard over the crashing storm, the ship hits and even the nimble magus is thrown forward into the railing with a crash of splinters and body parts. He grabs hold of something at the last moment and remains on the deck as a crew man comes sliding towards him. He grabs the man and the two dangle over the side of the ship until the waves crash into both men and Daerith's grip fails him, "NOOOO!" Then another wave strikes the elf and all goes dark...

[Chanur]

Chanur grips the wheel until his knuckles turn white fighting the current and anticipating the waves to keep the ship on course. As the wave hits Chanur lurches side to side, but luckily keeps his balance thanks to years on the sea and having something to hold onto. As Mari gets flung over board the captain almost dives right in on reflex but catches himself remembering he must pilot the ship.

"Praise Procan and the Wyverns" The captain mutters as Mari is returned to the ship. Crawling towards shore The Captain thinks they just might make it when disaster strikes the ship starts tilting and making a strange noise, one he has never heard before...he knows the ship is going to go over. Just like that he crashes into the water not knowing which way is up and everything goes dark...

[veritas]

Fin is counseling other as best he can, leading prayers to the Storm Lord, and lending whatever help he is able as the storm reaches a crescendo and chaos ensues. His last thoughts before his consciousness fails him being that if this is the end, it's at least a fitting one.

[mackaber]

Berek the mad Manta ray is actually a pretty nice guy and swims by to save his crewmate from drowning in the wild sea.

OOC

Woot for level ups. I get all the goodies this time around. GTWF and Shield master along with +1 to saves and BAB must be nice.