Pursuit of the Pirates - Journal 18

Session 18 - 10/27/2024
***the story so far***
 
~~After failing to capture Willow's assailant, the Hrosan Templars wait for our hero's at the river docks. How will they manage to salvage the sting operation now that they have sprung the trap early?~~
 
I hop out of the water, losing my Hunter Shark form, clearly battered from the bites.
We trudge on back to the dock, small Blubby in a pot, and we come across a group of Hrosan Templars, who are NOT happy to see us.
As our boat gets pulled back into the docks, the Hrosan Templars (the guards of the city) are very displeased with us, and remark that we ruined their sting operation.
Willow presents small, potted Blubby to the Templars, who are displeased. The guards wander off to go check our words, and we sneak away to locate Karl Avsikter to return our capture of Blubby.
We locate the district where Karl Avsikter presides, rushing through the city, and are greeted by a secretary, who insists we take a number and wait our turn. This is not feasible.
Willow manages to convince the secretary that we're here for "special needs (not safe for work)". We burst through the door, and show Karl Avsikter our small, potted, Blubby. Avsikter is surprised, and we explain the nature of the shrinking spell, frantically trying to figure out what to do before the spell runs out in 15 minutes.
Karl Avsikter takes the potted Blubby, and tosses it into a trapdoor compartment of her desk, a black void, seemingly endless.
Karl Avsikter thanks us for our efforts, and hands us each a ticket for one (1) free potion recipe at the Potion Maker's Society shop, in Enchanter's Row. We make a detour over to the Inn, where Willow calmly gathers her things, and then we continue on to the Potion Maker's Society shop.
There's fumes of every single color coming out of the chimeys that poke out of the roof. We enter into the workshop area. We walk up to the desk, and talk to the administrative people.
I hand my ticket over to the Potion Masters, and learn the POTION RECIPE for Dark Veil. I also relinquish 5 silver to gain a Potioner's Kit. I buy off Roger's free ticket for 1 silver, and then learn the POTION RECIPE for Choke Dust.
I strike up a conversation with the Potion Masters on how to learn how to make potions. I learn about the various processes, including:

finding/gaining free vouchers

experimenting (8 items, will give 1 random potion+recipe), and

synthesizing (make an INT saving throw, based on result you will either learn how to make the item, or fail to.

We travel to the Hrosan Temple to meet up with the Hrosan guards. Roger exchanges pleasantries with the Bardagi Guards.
We descend into the basement of the Temple to meet with the Hrosan Templars. We find ourselves in an open cell room, a makeshift armory, one Templar scribbling out a map of the general region. The Hrosan Templars inform us that they've fixed up the boat we've commandered, and demand we assist with striking the pirates before they can flee.
We take some time to craft items, and then depart down the river on the repaired boat, looking for the pirates. I take Roger's masterclass on how to drive this boat.
A little after we journey down this river, Roger and I spot a ship sporting the flag of the Pirates, as we prepare to engage the Pirates.
< BEGIN BATTLE 21 - EZLEKH PIRATES ON THE FRIDA RIVER>

We angle our boat so the cannons aim at the Pirate ship.

We fire off a few cannons.

The Pirate Captain (on the boat we first rammed), shouts loudly, inspiring the Swashbucklers around him. They all pull out their handguns, and fire off at the front of our boat.

The Ezlekhian Envoy rubs her hand across her Scythe, who activates an Enchantment, magically summoning a Fire Elemental.

The second Pirate Ship takes aim at us, more than aware that the first Pirate Ship is in the way, as they adjust to hit our ship.

The Fire Elemental throws a Fiery Whip at both Diaga and Paladin Lohk,

I touch my skin, casting Barkskin, as I run at the Fire Elemental, Wild Shaping into a Polar Bear.

Willow casts Shatter on the center of the first ship's Pirate Captain.

The Ezlekhian Envoy is pulled into the water, drowning, the Fire Elemental dissipating into the air.

The first ship's crew attacks once more.

Diaga and I flank the Swashbuckler, and I manage to land a hit with my Claws. The Swashbuckler's armor seems to absorb some of the blow.

Roger casts Eldritch Blast, hitting himself in the process.

The second ship fires its cannons, hitting us in the process.

The second ship adjusts its cannons.

The captain dives into the water and activates Chainsaw Legs, ripping through Paladin Tru and Willow Ulgen in the process.

The Swashbuckler tosses a can of Whale Diesel on himself, Diaga, and Harvoni, and then hucks a Firebomb, lighting the area. The Swashbuckler does major damage, but dies in the process.

The other Swashbuckler tosses a second Firebomb at Diaga and I.

I resume my form as a Polar Bear, and flank the second Swashbuckler with Diaga. I deal 28 damage with my Bite and Claws. The Swashbuckler's armor seems to absorb some of the blow.

Willow casts Thunder Wave, knocking both the Pirate Captain and Paladin Tru back 10 feet. Roger manages to catch Paladin Tru and swing him back onboard, preventing Paladin Tru from falling into the water. The Pirate Captain, on the other hand, falls straight into the water.

Diaga wails on the Goblin Swashbuckler, killing him in the process.

The second ship re-aims its cannons.

Diaga hops onto my Polar Bear back, as I swim across the river, closing the distance between the first and second Pirate ships.

Diaga launches off my back, using Psionic Wings to fly directly at the Second Captain.

Diaga absolutely wrecks the Second Captain off the ship.

Our party advances closer to the second ship, a portion of the river still separating the two Pirate ships.

Willow casts Fire Bolt on the second ship's Ezlekhian Envoy, dealing fire damage, but getting Hellishly Rebuked in the process.

The Pirate Captain climbs back up on the boat, and aims a Blunderbuss at Diaga - his aim is poor, and he misses all his shots.

The Ezlekhian Envoy moves to the center of the boat, and fires a Gust of Wind at both Diaga and the Pirate Captain.

The Envoy tosses Time-out Juice at Diaga, who gets sucked up into themselves, and goes POOF.

The two Swashbucklers fire cannons at my Polar Bear self - they deal 33 damage.

The Pirate Captain turns the ship downriver.

Willow casts Shatter on the back of the Pirate Ship, rendering it immobile as it coasts down the river. The wheel splinters and shatters apart, rendering the steering of the ship moot.

I swim back to the first Pirate ship, as we regroup and prepare to chase after the adrift second Pirate Ship.

A Short Rest Occurs ---

As we crash into the beach, the Pirates are ready and expecting us.

Three Warforged Hunters rush our boat, but rather than board it, surround the boat in a large area of Razor Wire, limiting our options.

I cast Entangle on the three Warforged Hunters, trapping them close to the boat and their Razor Wire, and then huck a Firebomb at the two standing close.

Willow casts Hypnotic Pattern at the Pirate Captain and 3 Swashbucklers flanking us, rendering 2 of the Swashbucklers Incapacitated and Charmed, breaking up the pack.

Roger steps forward and casts Hex, followed by Eldritch Blast, striking the Entangled Warforged Hunter with 2 bolts.

The Ezlekhian Envoy casts Fireball, but is Counterspelled by Roger.

Willow gets hit by Handguns from the Swashbuckler and Pirate Captain, which invoke a vulnerability to Force Damage.

The Fire Elemental spews Flaming Spit at Diaga, who dodges the first mucky fire but gets hit by the second Spit.

Willow consumes Medicinal Tincture Lvl 2, removing her vulnerability to Force Damage.

Willow then casts Raulothim's Psychic Lance on the Pirate Captain, which is SUPER effective against the Captain, dealing 136 damage, as the Captain's brain explodes in a cloud of sparkly glitter.

I step around the corner and cast Ice Knife at one of the Entangled Warforged Hunters, who manages to pass the Dexterity of the Cold, but still takes a minor amount of bludgeoning damage.

Roger compels his Paladin friends to storm the beach, flanking another Warforged Hunter. Roger manages to crit with his Greatsword, dealing 33 Slashing/Lightning damage, splitting him from balls to brain; Roger then advances towards the Ezlekhian Envoy.

Diaga Psyonically flies over Roger to land behind the Envoy, and smacks her in the back of the head, dealing a modest amount of damage, but becomes the recipient of the Envoy's Hellish Rebuke.

Paladin Tru engages with the Fire Elemental, taking a little bit of heat, and casts Divine Favor to smack the Elemental with a War Pick, singeing its fiery form.

Paladin Lohk casts Scorching Ray on one of the Entangled Warforged Hunters, burning it to a crisp.

The Pirates resume their assault.

The Envoy attempts to cast Banishment on Roger. It fails. She then drinks a potion of Phantom Form.

One of the Swashbucklers runs up, chucks a can of Whale Diesel, and then a Firebomb. My pants get singed a little bit, but Willow falls down.

Another Swashbuckler takes aim at me, landing a few shots off the handgun.

A second Swashbuckler takes aim at me, landing a bronze shot, rendering me vulnerable to Force Damage.

I take Fire Damage. It hurts.

I drag Willow's body out of the Flames, and give Willow a Healing Potion Lvl 1. I then cast Call Lighting, covering the Pirates, and strike the Inspired Swashbuckler.

Willow casts Healing Word on herself.

Diaga casts Smoke Blanket around the Ezlekhian Envoy, and then attacking the Envoy with a mace.

Roger compels the Paladins to flank the remaining Warforged Hunter, finishing him.

<STUFF HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN THE SHOWER>
< END BATTLE 21 - EZLEKH PIRATES ON THE FRIDA RIVER>
Having beaten the Pirates and saved Heilagur of the wretched crew, we proceed to loot the Pirates of their gear.
 
 
<<WRAP UP>>
As we finish looting the Pirates, our party sets up camp, and takes a short rest.
As we wake up, we investigate a carving that depicts a central Rune, with three circles outward, one circle on the Northern direction, one circle on the Southeast direction, and one circle on the Southwest direction.
 
Willow and I investigate the Northern campsite, which is clearly been trashed intentionally. We find a note, that has a hastily scribbled note.
There's a note regarding Wizards and a Runic password.
"The runes were supposed to be solved by "cook your poisonous drink" " ?
RIDDLE TIME LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOO
There's a large BOOM that emanates from the Southwest edge of the beach. I go and investigate the Southwest campsite. I happen on to Roger and the two Paladins, and spot Roger scooping something shiny up.
I make it to the Southwestern camp. There are disheveled tents, with a wet campfire. I inspect what used to be the fire. There's bits of paper in the ashes. It is most definitely paper. I try to figure out the writing on the paper, and it reads:
F
Willow and I embark to the Pirate ship to search for additional clues.
In the captain's cabin, there's a small journal on the desk.
Inside, there's a description on why the Pirates are here. Flipping through it, they seem to be very far from home. Their native town is Chertaminè, a backwaters farming town. The Pirates were hired by the Ezlekhi specifically to loot any and all shipments of Fantasma crystals within Vomethdna. Most importantly, the captain's journal contains some grumbling about Ezlekh mages, requiring sigil locks for any precious cargo, passageways need to be covered with sigils, and grumbles about how its too much magic.
As I descend into the cargo hold via ladder, one of the rungs slips out, and I stop myself from falling. Before the Pirates left, they rigged a trap at the bottom of the ladder. It seems to be a bunch of pulleys connected to a few oil barrels, rigged to knock over the lamp nearby. The lamp is currently lit. I jump down to the bottom of the ship, and take some damage. Willow Shapes some water into the Cargo Hold. It appears that the only trap that was set was to set the hold on fire.
In the back of the cargo hold, there's a few boxes with the same kind of sigil lock, that look very similar to the cave wall.
I return to the Northern camp, keen on searching for "poisonous drink". I find an unknown bottle, with a similar sigil lock. On the Southeast circle, there appears to be a Cold rune.
I go back to the Cargo Hold, and input Fire/Poison/Cold into the chest sigil locks. WE LOOT!
I go back to the Northern camp, and input the sigil lock on the potion bottle.
Feeling satisfied, I return to the wall carving, and carve in the Fire/Poison/Cold runes.
As the wall crumbles away, we're greeted by a Pirate Commander and Shuudanchi Handler.
< BEGIN BATTLE 22 - THE SIGIL HOLE IN THE CAVE>

Willow locks eyes onto the Pirate Commander, and casts Fire Bolt directly onto the man's face.

The Pirate Commander whips out an Energized Charming Electric Rifle, and shoots Willow for 5 damage.

Feeling Bardically Inspired, I sling a 3rd LvL Ice Knife at the Pirate Commander. The shot misses, and the Pirate stays warm.

Willow fires off a second Fire Bolt.

Diaga rushes the Pirate Commander, swings, and greatly misses.

The Pirate Commander takes a Legendary Attack, and decks Diaga in the face.

Diaga does some weird psychic shit on the Pirate Commander.

Roger rounds the corner of the cave.

Willow and I become sticky, while Diaga, Roger, and the two Paladins press on.

While Sticky, I cast Barkskin on myself, and then transform into a Sticky, Giant Elk.

Roger, Paladin Tru, and Diaga flank the Pirate Commander, and knock the Commander Prone.

Roger attempts to Hex the Commander, and Disadvantages the Pirate Commander's STR.

Roger then swings on the Pirate Commander.

Willow uses Cloud of Daggers.

The Pirate Commander, being desperate, uses Vampire Fangs, Disarming Pulse, and fires everything its got.

The Shadow Spawn of Fury uses Dreadful Scream - I'm now Frightened (which, while being Sticky, is a weird combo)

The Shuudanchid Handler pops off with an Imbued Chilling Root Whip.

I am a scared Elk. I run away.

<MUST SHOWER NOW>

I attack the Shuudanchid Handler, landing a Crit, fully destroying the Handler's head, killing the mans.

< END BATTLE 22 - THE SIGIL HOLE IN THE CAVE>
Diaga and I expertly carve the Pirate Commander for his Arcsthetics. Diaga acquires the Vampire Fangs.
Diaga and I split the weapons - Diaga acquires a Warhammer, and I hand Willow the Charming Electric Rifle.
The Shuudanchid Handler's body fades away. What remains is a black box, covered in green goo.
Roger acquires a gemstone in a glass cage. He instructs the Paladins to pick up the case. Paladin Tru holds on to it.
Willow acquires a Journal. The Journal seems to be a documentation of Willow (????????), seemingly someone from Willow's homeland - it seems the Ulgen family has made an enemy.
Diaga acquires 3 Busted Warforged Power Cells.
Roger starts blowing out all the torches.