Campaign: Dominion of Adventure 28/9/2023

While the other Renegades decided to buy supplies and wait for Dorian to implement their plan to free the Bliss, Iivan harboured doubts that the Cleric would be able to break the magical chains trapping the ship to the docks and was keen to approach Billy directly and try to cut a deal (or some heads) instead. Reluctantly, Gunnar agreed to accompany the rogue, more concerned with keeping an eye on his companion than actually wanting to confront Billy on his home turf. The barbarian pulling his cloak up to hide his features as best he could and as they crossed the bridge he slipped away from Iivan and attempted to shadow him from a safe difference by blending into the crowds.

Arriving at The Hooded Thief Iivan noted that it appeared that many of the buildings close to Billy’s headquarters had been pulled down, presumably to ensure a clear field of view for anyone trying to approach the building…and no doubt a clear field of fire for any guards hidden in the upper windows should the need arise.

Striding confidently across what he could only think of as “the killing zone” Iivan failed to notice that Gunnar had slipped away and positioned himself further along the street to keep an eye on proceedings from a safe distance.

“We’re here about the boat” announced Iivan confidently as two large Orcs dressed in ill fitting suits moved to block his entrance

The pair of Orcs shared a puzzled look before grinning

“Are you off your head?” asked the first

“Or are you telling us there’s more of you hidden away somewhere?” added the second

“Ahhh, no I meant I’m here to see your boss about the boat” corrected Iivan realising he was alone

“Are you sure?” replied the first, signalling to his colleague, who made a great show of slowly pacing behind Iivan to check for anyone hiding behind the Drow

“Nope, all clear here Dork, he’s alone”

Across the square Gunnar peered out from under his cloak and watched as Iivan approached the two bouncers

“‘Ullo Gunnar” came a familiar voice from worrying close behind him

Turning slowly lest he startle the owner of the voice and earn a knife in the back Gunnar shifted to see Kagey and Peggs

“Lads” he offered by way of greeting to the two goblins grinning wicked toothed smiles at him

“You caused us no end of grief you bastard” said Peggsy, or possibly Kagey (it was often hard to tell the two apart, not helped by their long standing habit of speaking over each other and finishing each other’s sentences)

“Yeah, we’re right in the shit thanks to you”

Gunnar tried a grin “Sorry lads, what happened?”

“That fake fucking map you gave us happened”

“Did not go down well with the new boss”

“Almost got us killed”

“Why you here Orcsson?” added one of the pair curiously at the end of the quickfire tirade

“Keeping an eye on that one” he replied pointing to where Iivan was talking to the two Orcs

“Bugger that pansy bastard” spat one of the goblins

“He’ll be lucky to get out of that with all his fingers” added the other

“He’s more resourceful than you think” answered Gunnar, feeling it would be wise to remind the pair that he and his comrades were no easy pickings

“5 gold he loses a finger”

“Alright” said Gunnar keen to keep the goblins focused on matters unrelated to maps and his own standing in Billy’s eyes

Back at the Hooded Thief negotions were not going as smoothly as Iivan had hoped, and he was growing increasingly irritated that the Orc bouncers seemed happy for anyone else to wander in off the street

“If you gentleman would just let me pass…”

“Oh, we’re gentleman now Mork” said Dork in what he clearly believed to be a suitably foppish accent, complete with effeminately limp wristed gestures before cackling at his own wit

“What was it you wanted again Darky?” asked Mork jabbing his thick forefinger into Iivan’s chest

“I want to speak to Billy about the boat” he sighed, trying to keep his hand from slipping towards his blade

“What boat?” asked Dork

“It’s called the Bliss” replied Iivan through gritted teeth

“The Bliss? Well that’s not your boat now is it?”

“Or are you perchance legally representing Captain Neil and that bitch wife of his in this matter?” added Dork, clearly unwilling to abandon his affected gentlemanly mannersisms

“Yes, I am am here to speak on their behalf” replied Iivan, trying to grab on to the Orc’s comment like a drowning man might cling to a wooden barrel

“Ah, well that’s easy to resolve, isn’t it Dork?”

“Oh yes, very easy Mork”

“Why don’t you edumacate our distinguished guest” continued Mork, aping his fellows fancy talk while Iivan seethed silently

“Why, all you need to do is bring us a bag, wherein lay 55,000 gold pieces and your little boat will be free to leave port again” finished Dork with a flourish

Waching this unfold with interest Kagey and Peggs chuckled appreciatively at Dork and Mork’s subtlety and wit

“He’s gonna get killed at this rate” said one of them turning to Gunnar

“50 gold says he doesn’t” replied Gunnar on impulse

“Errr hang on” and the two goblins rummaged through their pockets for coin “how about 48?” came their answer, Gunnar nodded his acceptance.

“I don’t suppose you boys know where the wizard that cursed the Bliss lives do you?” he asked, wondering if the pair might be able to help with the Renegade’s problem after all

“Naaaa”

“That’s for the top brass to know”

“And we are not top brass”

“We are in fact” he paused to raise his hands as far apart as he could “..This far from the top fucking brass thanks to you and that poxy map”

“Sorry to hear that lads, you boys deserve better”

“Too right we do” replied Peggs an Kagey in unison

Gunnar nodded and turned back to watch Iivan and the Orcs

“I have a deal for your boss, not you” snapped Iivan, his patience reaching it’s limits

“Oooooo he’s too good to talk to the likes of us gentleman” answered Dork

“Alright, you hand over your guns and weapons and we’ll let you in to see the Boss” offered Mork

“I’m not handing over my guns” stated Iivan flatly

“No guns, no entry” answered Mork

“Look, we’ll keep em here nice and safe for you” added Dork, proffering a sack towards the rogue

“I’m not giving you my guns” repeated Iivan

“Don’t you trust us?” asked Mork

“No” came Iivan’s response

“I reckon he’s just chicken” cackled Dork

“Yeah” replied Mork and then the pair of them began flapping their heavily muscled arms and clucking in what they thought passed for a superb impression of a chicken

Sighing, Iivan turned and walked away from the pair, ignoring their poultry based taunting

Seeing this, a collective groan of dissappointment went up from the two watching Goblins, Gunnar smiled and held out his hand palm up and waited while they handed over his winnings.

“Thanks lads” and Gunnar flipped them a salute before turning to rendevous with Iivan, a sound made his pause and turn back – almost bumping into the two goblins who were following him

“Lads?” he said raising an eyebrow in question

“We’re coming with you”

“Be good to get back to the sea”

“And you owe us for the map”

Gunnar paused, reflecting on how much trouble they could cause alone on a ship full of Renegades out on the ocean, and then reflected with some concern that he’d enjoyed their chaotic company and that actually having some experienced sailors along on the coming voyage might be useful.

“Alright, let’s go” he replied and led them back towards Iivan.

The Drow was not in the best of moods and seemed less than enthralled with the idea of the two goblins joining them, but let it pass after another of his customary tirades about the stench of goblinoids and halfies polluting the air – which did nothing to dampen the spirits of Peggs and Kagey as they all made their way back to the Bliss.

Meanwhile back onboard the Bliss Sylas was leaning against the gunwhale of the Bliss staring at the Legion troops loading supplies onto the imposing warship berthed at the neighbouring dock

“We should take that boat” he commented to Gregg

“We have a boat” replied the druid, slapping his hands against the timber of the Bliss

“That is better boat” insisted Sylas nodding towards the Legion’s vessel

Before they could continue their discussion Iivan and Gunnar appeared, along with two smaller figures. On boarding Gunnar introduced the pair formally as old ship mates and, despite the sceptical looks from his fellow Renegades that they were joining their crew for the voyage. The two goblins immediately made themselves at home and began to prepare the ship for departure with a surprising efficiency and skill, though the more sensitve listeners might have been dismayed at the words to many of their impromptu sea shantys. The rest of the Renegades made plans for what they might face when they enacted Dorian’s plan and what to do if he coudn’t remove the cursed chains, Gunnar took a moment to feed his newly aquired parrots reasoning that he had little to offer on matters of magic and if the magic didn’t work then there’d be plenty of work for his sword if they had to pursuade Billy to allow the ship to depart.

After a rest the Renegades gathered on the main deck of the Bliss, Navarro and Hamlet delivered speeches to inspire them and the crew for the challenges ahead before Dorian made their way to the mast and placed their hands on the stout timber. Closing their eyes they began to mumble a pray to Helm and channel divine magic into the Bliss.

“It’s working!” called Gregg as he saw magic flash and arc from one of the chains, breaking one of the huge iron links and watching as the broken heavy chain crashed into the harbour water, throwing up gouts of water and spray

A muted cheer went up from the Renegades, but Dorian kept their eyes closed and continued to focus on the magic, which seemed to twist and recoil from their attempts to break it

“I think they know what we’re doing” called Dorian in warning, recognising the tell tale trace of an arcane alarm on the enchantment infusing the chains that would alert the spell caster who had placed the magical curse on the Bliss

A shrill whistling noise drew the other’s attention to a a nearby rooftop, a thin trail of smoke crossed the sky before exploding into a dazzling shower of red sparks

“Ah, fireworks to celebrate our maiden voyage” called out Navarro approvingly

“I don’t think so” muttered Iivan, pointing across the harbour and the far headland, where he had spotted three dark shapes approaching rapidly.

Shouting and the sounds of frantic activity carried to them from the Legion’s warship as it made ready to pull away from the dock – it seemed they too had spotted the incoming airships rushing across the waves toward’s the harbour in tight formation…

Eyes glinting at the prospect of battle Navarro put his horn to his lips and sounded a challenge that echoed around the docks while Gunnar moved to try and shield Dorian with his dwarven sheild and his own bulk. Eyeing the rapidly diminishing distance between the Bliss and the incoming airships Gregg reached out and cast a spell, hitting the lead vessel.

Turning to Gregg Sylas shouted “Now THAT is a better ship!” pointing to the larger of the three airships

“So?” asked Gregg with a puzzled look

“So, I go get it for us yes” answered Sylas as he hopped over the side of the ship and began jogging down the pier they were moored against. Iivan hot on his heels but moving supernaturally fast thanks to his magic boots, Hamlet crouched and took cover while Dorian continued to wrestle with the magic trapping them – shattering another of the chains.

Navarro discarded his horn and aimed his divine spear at the lead ship, focusing Helm’s power and launching a powerful beam of magic to strike the largest of the attacking airship, Gunnar hunkered down as best he could and continued to try and shield Dorian from any attack as the airships swooped in, the two smaller airships slowed and hovered over the adjacent piers before disgorging squads of heavily armoured dwarven warriors. The larger airship blasted at the Bliss with it’s turret mounted cannon, the explosion rocking the Bliss and injuring most of those on board before it too settled lower to deploy a large group of Dwarven warriors. A rippling crash sounded as the Legion ship fired a broadside into the largest airship, using that as cover Sylas sprinted forward along the pier. As he ran he cast a spell and teleported onto the airship looming above him, reappearring atop the flying vessel he grinned and eyed the closest of the crew drawing his blade, before his momentum carried him further and his eyes widened in fear as he realised he’d miscalculated and skidded across the airship’s deck and plummeted into the sea below with a massive splash. Seeing his back up fail in his plans to capture “a better ship” Gregg focuses on the ranks of Dwarves rushing down the pier towards him and summoned a gale from the still air with his magic, the powerful gust pressing the Dwarves back and forcing two of them off the end of the pier and into the sea, where their heavy armour dragged them down into the depths to drown. Back on the Bliss Hamlet poked his head above the railings long enough to launch a fireball at a team of Dwarves who seemed to be setting up some kind of grapple cannon, seeing this Iivan sprinted forward and blasted the front ranks of the Dwarves facing Gregg at point blank range with his wide mouthed blunderbuss.

“Push them back!” called Navarro as he leapt onto the pier and charged the massed ranks of Dwarves on the docks, stabbing at their ranks with his spear, seeing that he wasn’t helping Dorian Gunnar bellowed in rage and charged after the paladin hacking at the the Dwarves in the front line alongside Navarro. A crash announced the Legion ship had unleashed another broadside against the Dwarven airship before it swung it’s turret toward the Bliss again and blasted the ship, sending Hamlet slumping to the deck bleeding and dazed, Dorian shrugged off the pain and continued to focus on breaking the curse as Neil, captain of the Bliss crawled slowly across the burning deck to reach Hamlet’s immobile form. The Dwarves to their right flank fired their grapple cannons and the heavy iron hooks thudded into the Bliss’ flanks as their comrades on the docks levelled their guns and fired a rippling volley at the Renegades attacking them. Reeling and bleeding heavily after the volley Gregg morphed into a lumbering Owl Bear. Neil reached Hamlet and poured a potion into the battered warlock’s mouth, spluttering he regained his senses and staggered to the side of the ship and launched another fireball at the Dwarves grappling them, killing three of them in an incandescant explosion. Beneath the battle Sylas watched the dwarves falling slowly around him, drowning as they hadn’t recieved Gregg’s water breathing magic, the fighter trudged through the thick mud in search of a way to clamber back up to the docks and rejoin the fight. With Gunnar, Gregg and Navarro holding the main Dwarven force at bay Iivan dashed back towards the harbour, and scrambled up a wall to find a better spot to snipe at the second boarding party firing from the Bliss’ left.

Navarro, seeing the damage being inflicted on the Bliss by the largest of the air ships dashed forward, teleporting up onto the airship and reappeared on the large turret cannon, and using his momentum to slide along the barrel in a shower of sparks began attacking the hapless Dwarf manning the gun turret. Below him on the docks Gunnar threw himself at the ranked Dwarves facing him, hoping to push some of them back into the sea, but their stout legs held firm and the barbarian was held in place, though the buffetting winds from Gregg’s spell did manage to force one of their ranks into the sea with a despairing cry before the waves swallowed him. Navarro ducked instinctively as the Legion ship fired at the airship he was now boarding, a crackle of rifle fire sounded below him as the Dwarves split their fire between Gunnar and the giant Owl Bear, the bullets thudding into the creature’s hide and forcing Gregg to resume his human form. Hearing the muffled sounds of combat still raging Sylas clambered up the stone steps, his head rising slowly above the water as he eyed the group of Dwarves pouring fire into the Bliss ahead of him. Hamlet, launched a barrage of eldritch blasts at the Dwarves but was still reeling from his wounds and was unable to find a target. Behind him Dorian focused on the mast but used some of their magic to heal both themselves and the Bliss as best they could. Iivan, crouched and took careful aim at one of the Dwarven gunnars, letting his breath out slowly he squeezed his finger gently onto the trigger and fired, moving slightly to his side to see past the obscuring smoke from his gun’s muzzle he cursed as he saw his target was still standing.

Navarro continued to attack the terrified Dwarven gunner on the airship, below him Gunnar gritted his teeth and heaved at the press of bodies in front of him – this time the barbarian’s feet found purchase on the docks and was able to shove two more of the Dwarves into the sea where the weight of their armour dragged them down to a watery grave. The Legion ship’s cannons roared again, crashing into the largest of the airships – it’s captain threw his wheel over to try and evade and throw Navarro from his decks but the Paladin was able to grab a stanchion and hang on grimly as the craft rolled in the air. The remaining Dwarves by the Bliss fired at Gunnar and Gregg, and on the further pier the Dwarves had spotted Sylas charging along the dock towards them and turned hurridly to fire a volley at the dripping figure. Seeing this Gregg shifted his magical sirocco to batter the dwarves attacking Sylas and then summoned a magical tidal wave to deluge the Dwarves facing him, sweeping another three of them off the docks and into the sea’s cold embrace. Sylas unleashed a magical explosion of sound on the group he was charging – shattering ear drums and throwing them into disarray. Hamlet recovered his wits enough to blast the remaining Dwarves by the grappling cannon, killing the last of them and driving off the small gunship that had been holding station above them. Dorian called out in triumph as another of the magical chains split and fell into the sea. Iivan fired again from his rooftop perch, hitting two of the Dwarves facing Sylas and nodded in statisfaction as he began to reload.

On the larger Dwarven airship Navarro finally killed the Gunnar, he turned to fix the Dwarven sky Captain with a dark stare and in perfectly accented Dwarvish uttered

“Stay in the clouds little birdy” and spat on the deck before scampering to the edge and leaping off, vanishing in mid air as he teleported to the dock, reappearing alongside the Dwarves fighting Sylas – skidding along the wet cobbles he caught Sylas’s eye and then thrust backwards with his spear, narrowly missing one of the Dwarves before recovering his lunge with a flourish and spinning to face them. With the immediate threat to the Bliss washed away by druidic magic Gunnar turned his attention to the remaining gunship, sprinting along the dock he threw himself at the craft, slamming into it’s hull and began to grimly haul himself onto it’s deck. The pilot immediately began to shift the vessel wildly, finally managing to throw Gunnar off – the barbarian landed on the docks, rolled and came up sprinting towards Navarro and Sylas. The Legion landed another broadside on the larger airship, which now listed heavily to one side as smoke began to pour from it’s battered hull. With it’s turret inoperative and troops destroyed the captain of the airship signalled to his fellows and then pulled the vessel’s bow around and fled from the battle. The gunship above Gunnar sped off to follow the lead airship, abandoning the few remaining Dwarves left stranded on the docks.

Looking around him, the Dwarven leader saw Sylas rushing to join Navarro to his left and Gunnar and Iivan pushing from the right flank. Sighing he bellowed a harsh command in Dwarvish to his men then stepped off the dock to be swallowed by the waves. His troops, followed his lead without wavering, taking their equipment with them.

“What the-” began Sylas in shock as he watched their few remaining foes kill themselves

“They died with whatever passes for honour among their House, leave them” said Navarro, who felt a grudging respect for their sacrifice.

The Renegades returned to the Bliss, which by now was drifting away from the docks free of the curse thanks to Dorian’s efforts. Panting Gunnar clambered aboard

“Is everyone ok? Did my parrots make it?”

Kagey and Peggs turned to him with guilty looks and tried their best to wipe blood and feathers from their lips “Don’t think they made it” they offered in unison.