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Campaign Stormwreck Isle; Curse of Compass Rose (1-3)

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Part 3 - Curse of the Compass Rose
View attachment 357_Promontory.mp3

title.png

MAP:

THE STORY SO FAR:

THE QUEST:
  • The party seeks the wreck of the Compass Rose, a ship that went down decades ago and may be linked to the undead incursion.




THE LOCATION:

THE PARTY:
aimsorreh.png1000004899.jpg
moonsprout.png1000004901.jpg
short.png1000004905.jpg
nac.png1000004903.jpg
zesty.png1000004907.jpg

ITEM GLOSSARY:
ImageNameValue (per) copper.pngsilver.pnggold.pngWeight (per)Description
file-pVmgHgYEB9YKYx2GtAASY75F.png
Wind Spore Mushrooms
30 gold.png0.06 lbsA rare fungus with a unique magical property. When a creature squeezes a wind spore mushroom's cap, it releases a small cloud of spores. For 1 hour, the creature doesn't need to breathe, as the spores provide it with oxygen.
file-moYw6GogFv7wpuA90IyNwKTo.png
Obsidian Chunk
10 gold.png1 lbAn uncut opaque black gemstone.
file-D8FV3REG53vwt44CZPF5gFDU.png
Heart Cap Mushrooms
30 gold.png0.2 lbsThese mushrooms bear an unsettling resemblance to human hearts.
file-qdHIQqxCkWhZME6ymOpQj50s.png
Potion of Healing
50 gold.png0.5 lbsThis potion's red liquid glimmers when agitated. You regain 2d4+2 hit points when you drink this potion.
file-Wvp782vE4qJWR2QTy1tcpOXR.pngA Fine Lute
file-qUiTfpHVb3SLLXv10Ep2Xyya.pngBoots of ElvenkindWhile you wear these boots, your steps make no sound, regardless of the surface you are moving across. You also have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks that rely on moving silently.
file-EF5LK9mU1tyc9CrzMQNFhGQq.pngSpell Scroll of Command


THE STORY CONTINUES:
Having departed from Dragon's Rest for the second time, your band of adventurers slowly make their way down the mountain paths towards the shore where you first landed. The journey is uneventful and peaceful, a welcome contrast to the carnage the party has faced since arriving on the island. Songbirds flutter across the path ahead of you as they dart back and forth between bushes, hunting the insects they harbor. Your walk down to the water does not take more than a half hour however, so the ramble through nature is fleeting.

Returning to the beach where you had fought the zombies, the party find the scene just as you left it. The battered corpses of the drowned sailors lay immobile where they were slain, the putrid grey flesh not appealing to any scavengers and having been left untouched. Your group moves cautiously past the bodies, one by one each battling the anxiety that the monsters will spring up again and attack.


The five of you convene on the short wooden dock. There is an old fishing net dangling over the edge and trailing in the water, where it appears to be tangled within a clump of seaweed. Several short lengths of aging rope are knotted here and there around the thick posts, some having been cut free in haste rather than untied. A rowboat not dissimilar to the one you arrived in is tethered to the dock, and you see a pair of oars laying across the seats. The boat appears big enough for 4 medium sized passengers.

North of your position, you can see a long spur of sharp rocks jutting from the ocean waves, extending several miles out.​

INITIATIVE:
https://improvedinitiative.app/p/e88bk48y
 
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Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
As Aims' tries communicating with the devil bird, Zesty takes a different approach in trying to recall any information about the speciest that could help in the inevitable event this ends in bloodshed.

Zesty tries recalling information or history of the harpies that could be helpful.
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
We have our own song person. You could have a rap-off.

Whoa, bird people! I've never seen one of your kind before! This is great! Can I ask a few questions? I have a notebook somewhere here in my backpack....


Aims starts rummaging through his stuff, trying to find the notebook he never actually packed when he left the inn what seems like months ago now.

1711219073099.png
Harpy 1
(Ben)
|The Harpy responds in Common.

"SCrraee! Get off our wreck-KAW! I play with my food, not talk-KAWK to it!"|


1711219294961.png
Harpy 2
(Ben)
| "Reeeee! Make screams, not words!" |

 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
((Arcana is proficient and higher, I'll roll that.))

zesty-png.12023

Zesty Zapcrackle
@Jon
| You've spent a considerable portion of your time reading about the magical origins of monsters that inhabit the corners of the world. You recall a few passages relating to the fabled origins of Harpies and the powers they possess.

"Long ago, an elf wandering a forest heard birdsong so pure and wholesome that she was moved to tears. Following the music, she came upon a clearing where stood a handsome elf youth who had also paused to hear the bird's song. This was Fenmarel Mestarine, a reclusive elf god. His divine presence stole her heart as he fled, vanishing into the woods as if he was never there.

Though the elf searched the woods and called for her stranger, she found no sign of his passage. Driven to despair by her longing, she begged the gods to help her. Aerdrie Faenya, elf goddess of the sky, heard the elf's cries and was moved to her aid. She appeared as the bird whose song had entranced the outcast god, then taught that song of beauty and seduction to the elf.

When her singing failed to draw Fenmarel Mestarine to her side, the elf cursed the gods, invoking a dreadful power and transforming her into the first harpy. The curse worked its magic on the elf's spirit as well as her body, turning her desire for love into a hunger for flesh, even as her beautiful song continued to draw creatures to her deadly embrace."

Of primary note, you recall details of their luring song, truly the signature of the Harpy. To hear a harpy's song is to hear music more beautiful than anything else in the world. A traveler that succumbs to the entrancing effect of that singing is compelled to blunder toward its source. A harpy sometimes charms victims before it attacks, but a more effective use of its song is to lure prey over cliffs, into bogs and quicksand, or into deadly pits. Creatures trapped or incapacitated then become easy targets for the harpy's wrath. |

 

Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
Recounting the story of the first harpy in his head with great detail has left Zesty an uneasy feeling. He speaks low to the team with words of caution lest they cause great harm to the party without defense.

These creatures... beware their song. It is a foul magic that charms the mind. Zesty looks lightly at Moonsprout particularly. This is no ordinary mind trip either, halfling. These wretches can have you so enchanted that you hurl yourself off a cliff to your death seeking the source of their song. Listen not to their words and especially not their song, Zesty continues, returning gaze to the other three members as well. Best not go off on your own to fight either. Let us stick together. For I think we have our answer as to what led to the demise of the Compass Rose.

With those final words, Zesty clutches his crossbow and readies himself.

((@Ben - is it safe to assume based on what I've learned here that the harpies speak and understand Elvish?))
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
Recounting the story of the first harpy in his head with great detail has left Zesty an uneasy feeling. He speaks low to the team with words of caution lest they cause great harm to the party without defense.

These creatures... beware their song. It is a foul magic that charms the mind. Zesty looks lightly at Moonsprout particularly. This is no ordinary mind trip either, halfling. These wretches can have you so enchanted that you hurl yourself off a cliff to your death seeking the source of their song. Listen not to their words and especially not their song, Zesty continues, returning gaze to the other three members as well. Best not go off on your own to fight either. Let us stick together. For I think we have our answer as to what led to the demise of the Compass Rose.

With those final words, Zesty clutches his crossbow and readies himself.

((@Ben - is it safe to assume based on what I've learned here that the harpies speak and understand Elvish?))
((These, only common.))
 
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Aims frowns at the harpies' remarks.

No? I'm a barbarian by profession, half-orc by nature. I'm super proficient in screaming and roaring at everything in front of me! I'd definitely trade some quality roars for a couple questions. Any takers? They're very easy quick ones.
 
Aims gives a nice wide grin.

I see you're interested, yes? Perch your ears and listen to this.

Aims takes a solid wide stance, planting both his feet onto the deck of the boat. His arms hanging, but slightly stretch outwards from his body. He closes his eyes and imagines... He imagines a face. A cold, smooth, but slimy face, with jagged teeth adorning the gross looking mouth. The image of a slithering asshole emerges in his mind, jeering at Aims, taunting him, ridiculing him. Going even as far as flipping him off and slapping his scaly ass in his face. Fucking Carl. Gods damned fucking Carl is there. How dare he... How DARE HE!

The visual of Carl is making Aims' blood boil. He's showing red, he's starting to glow. It's all building up in side the sheer damn hatred for that sumbitch that would be better if Aims knew his soul was eternally tormented in the Hells. Having fucking enough, he grits his teeth, digs his fingers into his palms making a tight fist and
he stomps the deck of the boat and goes into RAGE.

GODS DAMN FUCKING CARL, RAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGHHHHHH!!!
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
Aims gives a nice wide grin.

I see you're interested, yes? Perch your ears and listen to this.

Aims takes a solid wide stance, planting both his feet onto the deck of the boat. His arms hanging, but slightly stretch outwards from his body. He closes his eyes and imagines... He imagines a face. A cold, smooth, but slimy face, with jagged teeth adorning the gross looking mouth. The image of a slithering asshole emerges in his mind, jeering at Aims, taunting him, ridiculing him. Going even as far as flipping him off and slapping his scaly ass in his face. Fucking Carl. Gods damned fucking Carl is there. How dare he... How DARE HE!

The visual of Carl is making Aims' blood boil. He's showing red, he's starting to glow. It's all building up in side the sheer damn hatred for that sumbitch that would be better if Aims knew his soul was eternally tormented in the Hells. Having fucking enough, he grits his teeth, digs his fingers into his palms making a tight fist and
he stomps the deck of the boat and goes into RAGE.

GODS DAMN FUCKING CARL, RAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGHHHHHH!!!

1711229469424.png
Harpy 1
(Ben)
| "Who the fuck-KAW is KAW-Carl? We CRAK-claimed this ship 3 months ago, its ours! You and the stinky grey ones can walk-KAWKAW into the ocean more!"
They bristle as you start smashing your feet around and getting ornery. |

Nac tries to see if the harpies can be reasoned with

((Insight check?))
((Sure, you can insight for their motive.

Seems more a matter of whether Aims goes all Karen on them, though. ))
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
Nac tries to glean the harpies intentions

nac-png.12021

Nac McWeeble
@Nae'blis
|You begin to read between the lines in the situation.

It seems clear that the piles of random gore littered around the ship weren't the work of the undead. The crows nest you first checked on visiting the ship, stuffed with material, must be the actual nest for these monsters, dropping the remains of their meals over the side to clatter below.

They stated they've only been here a few months. Not long enough to have caused the wreck of Compass Rose. However, that would align with the increase in shipwrecks in this area and the recurrence of zombies.

You assume the Harpies, with their enthralling songs, could be driving sailors to wreck upon the rocks here, feeding on the crews that willingly walk into the ocean to reach the melodys source.

This doesn't explain the zombies creation, but does explain an increase in corpses here.

The monsters don't seem eager to fight anyone well prepared, and each harpy seems to be keeping the other in it's sights. They do seem driven to defend their hunting ground though. |
 
After roaring and making a whole lot of noise, Aims opens his eyes and looks around at the harpies. He happens to also look past the side of the boat in the water. Even in Rage, he is suddenly spooked and goes slightly paler shade of green.

Ah hells no! WILL YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY?!

He walks over to a pile of random wood pieces and throws couple of them in the water. On the way back he punches the mast in the center.

Ugh... do you ever just have such a bad time after eating something, that they just keep coming back and back and back... It's rough man. I ain't no gnoll that can eat without repercussions, but I'm not one to start wasting good food either. Sniff...
 
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Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
Zesty seems eager to avoid a fight after nearly being eaten alive by a ghoul below deck. While he's had little success negotiating with creatures in the past, a flying creature can be harder for this group to manage, so instinctively, the artificer would rather avoid the fight. He addresses the crow's next harpy as the one at the fore of the ship doesn't seem eager to speak.

Harpy, our presence here is to discover the origin of both the fate of this ship as well as, hopefully, the source of the zombies that are becoming more frequent in the area. We need not come to blows. We do not wish to disturb your hunting grounds longer than need be, and we do not need to shed any blood on either side here.

We would simply like to investigate this ship, and, if you can proffer any information from your time here, things you may have seen that would be the reason there are so many zombies, we would welcome the ability to leave you be and be on our way as soon as possible.


Zesty tries to persuade the harpy's to not fight and offer information and in exchange the murder druid will leave them alive).
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
Zesty seems eager to avoid a fight after nearly being eaten alive by a ghoul below deck. While he's had little success negotiating with creatures in the past, a flying creature can be harder for this group to manage, so instinctively, the artificer would rather avoid the fight. He addresses the crow's next harpy as the one at the fore of the ship doesn't seem eager to speak.

Harpy, our presence here is to discover the origin of both the fate of this ship as well as, hopefully, the source of the zombies that are becoming more frequent in the area. We need not come to blows. We do not wish to disturb your hunting grounds longer than need be, and we do not need to shed any blood on either side here.

We would simply like to investigate this ship, and, if you can proffer any information from your time here, things you may have seen that would be the reason there are so many zombies, we would welcome the ability to leave you be and be on our way as soon as possible.


Zesty tries to persuade the harpy's to not fight and offer information and in exchange the murder druid will leave them alive).

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Harpy 1
(Ben)
| "The food we don't eat all of gets up and walks-KARKAR off in a few days. No clue-Oo why." the Harpy states, almost shrugging.

"Like-Kik-kik you should too." the gaunt bird-like monster tilts its head in jerky motions as it speaks. "The rotten ones bother us none, unlike-KREEE you." |


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Harpy 2
(Ben)
| "Food talks too much! BORING." the second monster speaks with punctuated clicks and whistles. "Screeeeee-screams are more fun!" |


dm-png.12024

Dungeon Master
(Ben)
| Both Harpies seem to be growing impatient, as you've not yet presented any real reason or offering as to why they should leave and not just eat you too. |

((Dragging this out a touch just to let @Smacktard interject if he wants))
 

Moonsprout Beandirt

Connoisseur of fine video games
This whole time, Moonsprout has been standing with his mouth agape.

Wow! Real harpies! I heard legends of your vocal range! As a musical man myself, I'm in, like, total awe of the power of your song. Consider me your number one fan. Sorry for not speaking up earlier, I'm, like, totally star-struck.

Moonsprout tries to charm the Harpies
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
This whole time, Moonsprout has been standing with his mouth agape.

Wow! Real harpies! I heard legends of your vocal range! As a musical man myself, I'm in, like, total awe of the power of your song. Consider me your number one fan. Sorry for not speaking up earlier, I'm, like, totally star-struck.

Moonsprout tries to charm the Harpies

1000005643.png
Harpy 1
(Ben)
| The first Harpy leans forward, it's large raptor eyes fixating on the halfling. "And what do you know of song, snack-KAWK sized one?" |


1000005644.png
Harpy 2
(Ben)
| The creature in the ballista bobs up and down excitedly."Want to hear ours? " |

 

Moonsprout Beandirt

Connoisseur of fine video games
Of COURSE! I'd love to hear your song! How about we take turns? I could be your warm-up act, y'know? Save the best for last. Lemme just consult with my band of merry men so we're all on tune, here.

Moonsprout gathers his companions around and whispers to them:
I don't very much wish to become lunch to these bird-chicks. I'll try to lull them to sleep with a performance, and if that doesn't work, I'll try to distract them while the rest of you formulate a plan.

Moonsprout takes out his birdpipes and plays a soft, slow tune that is mournful but relaxing.
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
Of COURSE! I'd love to hear your song! How about we take turns? I could be your warm-up act, y'know? Save the best for last. Lemme just consult with my band of merry men so we're all on tune, here.

Moonsprout gathers his companions around and whispers to them:
I don't very much wish to become lunch to these bird-chicks. I'll try to lull them to sleep with a performance, and if that doesn't work, I'll try to distract them while the rest of you formulate a plan.

Moonsprout takes out his birdpipes and plays a soft, slow tune that is mournful but relaxing.

moonsprout-png.12020

Moonsprout Beandirt
@Smacktard
|Your lilting melody begins to perk the Harpy's interest, but they spot the other party members beginning to plug their ears, and their distrust overtakes them.|


Short Order plugs his ears for the foreseeable future.

| You are deafened and incapacitated, as you cannot use your hands to take actions/reactions while they're plugging your ears. |


Ur'kokk plugs Zesty's ears so he can still use his hands.

zesty-png.12023

Zesty Zapcrackle
@Jon
|Ur'kokk has its shiny metal paws wedged into your ears, hugging your

Ur'kokk is incapacitated and cannot take actions/reactions. You are deafened. |


Aims is about had enough as the rage is making him thirst for blood. He's grinding his teeth and gripping his ax ever so slightly tighter by the second.

aimsorreh-png.12019

Aims'Orreh Mwuh'Bwadd
@Jawneh
|It has been over a minute since you threw your fit and raged. As you haven't dealt damage or taken any, your rage wears off.|


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Harpy 1
(Ben)
|"RAWK-Screw this talk-KAW-king!"

file-oN7gNMsMRQmfPHQbMZRCldqO.png

The Harpies attack. |

((You weren't giving any convincing alternative for them, or reason they should let you be. So they'll just try to kill you instead. :shrug ))



((@Smacktard is up first))
 
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OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
((So am I able to have him let go of my ears going to count as an action, or do I still get to move if he releases me?))
((This is the first real weird "have to work out the rules" situation, so I guess we staved that off for a while.

So, to put your fingers in your ears;
  • It will consume your action and take up the use of your hands to put your fingers in your ears. I'm representing this with "incapacitated" as it just means you can't take actions/reactions.
  • You could remove your fingers from your ears without it consuming your action.
  • In your case, if you're going to have Ur'kokk in your ears, you get to take your action and I'll assume still have free movement, as Ur'kokk is just clinging on you and not trying to fly in place.
  • If you've got your fingers in your ears, you will ignore anything that strictly requires you to hear it for it to have an effect. This of course immediately means you'll not be susceptible to the Harpy's song, but also that you won't hear anything anyone says/shouts in regard to directions, and it might have other implications depending on whether spells cast on you have a verbal component, etc.))
 

Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
((Sounds like I shoulda rolled to create earplugs. :link Seems like I have it a little easier than Alu does, but I need to weigh if the chip damage from Ur'kokk is worth risking being charmed. Ok. Thanks for the clarifications.))

As Moonsprout dashes out of sight into the cabin the group rested in, Zesty, with Ur'kokk clinging to his head like a dingleberry, moves slightly to the rear of the ship to get a clearer view of the Harpy. He disengages Ur'kokk from his head and the winged homunculus hovers back near the artificer's shoulder. Zesty lines up a bolus shot, attempting to ground the crow's nest harpy. Ur'kokk lines up a force strike against the Harpy after.

((Assuming this would be a 1d20+2 like with the zombies below deck? If not, let me know))

Zesty attempts a bolus shot on Harpy 1. Ur'kokk attmepts a Force Strike on Harpy 1.
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
((Sounds like I shoulda rolled to create earplugs. :link Seems like I have it a little easier than Alu does, but I need to weigh if the chip damage from Ur'kokk is worth risking being charmed. Ok. Thanks for the clarifications.))

As Moonsprout dashes out of sight into the cabin the group rested in, Zesty, with Ur'kokk clinging to his head like a dingleberry, moves slightly to the rear of the ship to get a clearer view of the Harpy. He disengages Ur'kokk from his head and the winged homunculus hovers back near the artificer's shoulder. Zesty lines up a bolus shot, attempting to ground the crow's nest harpy. Ur'kokk lines up a force strike against the Harpy after.

((Assuming this would be a 1d20+2 like with the zombies below deck? If not, let me know))

Zesty attempts a bolus shot on Harpy 1. Ur'kokk attmepts a Force Strike on Harpy 1.
((I should have clarified positioning, too... Harpy 1 is still in the crows nest. I know I dropped that whole "rawrk" scary looking picture but didn't mean to imply they'd moved yet. They landed further down on the initiative so don't actually get to move yet.

So that one is 50ft up on the mast. You MIGHT be able to hit it with the bolas, but I don't think Ur'kokk will reach that far and/or have an angle on it. If you bolas it it'd fall into the crows nest and not be target-able on the follow-up. Ur'kokk only reaches 30 ft.

1711312553147.png

Harpy 2 is up on the forecastle, but you don't have LOS on her either without going up the stairs or across the deck.

1711312602819.png

So you're going to have to reposition or try some other approach that'll hit Harpy 1 50 feet away.))
 

Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
((Hmm, can I bolus harpy 1 to essentially take it out of the battle for a couple turns with the bolus (I assume it'll have to roll some sort of save on its turn to break free), then move up the stairs close enough to Harpy 2 for Ur'kokk to hit it? This was keeps the rolls in place without too much needing to change))
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Tea Wrecks
((Hmm, can I bolus harpy 1 to essentially take it out of the battle for a couple turns with the bolus (I assume it'll have to roll some sort of save on its turn to break free), then move up the stairs close enough to Harpy 2 for Ur'kokk to hit it? This was keeps the rolls in place without too much needing to change))
((This is acceptable.))


zesty-png.12023

Zesty Zapcrackle
@Jon
| You hit the Harpy in the crows nest with the bolas and tangle its arms and wings. It falls backwards off the edge and out of sight.

Ur'kokk flies up and force strokes Harpy 2.

Harpy 2 takes 6 points of force damage. |


dm-png.12024

Dungeon Master
(Ben)
|Harpy 2 rises up on it's feathered haunches, and opens its beak. The most ethereal and enchanting chorus coalesces from her throat.

Harpy 2 uses Luring Song |

((Everyone who is not Deafened, so all but Alu, roll a WIS saving throw. @Jawneh, @Smacktard, @Jon, @Nae'blis. Ur'kokk ain't humanoid so doesn't need to roll.))

final1.png
 
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