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So, I'm really proud of my fantasy "invisible longboat" design, but the damn thing was invisible right up until our adventurers are too distracted to bother to look at it. Plus, I couldn't get anything else to come out right today, so, you get this.

The flying mast can be raised or lowered a the pivot point of the main mast. The booms all fold up tight against the flying mast when the sails are furled - as they likely were right before the attack. The flying mast also pivots around the main mast so she can catch wind from any direction.

The "lanterns" at her fore and aft are actually magical crystals that project an invisibility spell around her, causing the ship and all those aboard to be invisible. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much for her wake or oar splash, which is the weird V and splashings Albus saw earlier.

Also, I found my old GM dice the other day, so for this round of combat, I'm using real dice, rather then a random number generator. Just sayin'.

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Quickly regaining his balance, Sir Albus swings his morningstar in a mighty arc towards the Berserkeress. She may be female, but let's face it - this is combat and that axe looked MIGHTY sharp. Besides, her actions threaten the duchess, who is certainly a lady, and thus lawfully under his chivalrous protection!

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To hit: 1d20+5=21 vs AC 12
Damage: 1d8+1=2

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The spiked steel head of his weapon clips her on the shoulder, throwing the bear off balance. The wicked spikes rip her hide open in a painful flesh wound, causing the berserker to gasp and shudder in a mixture of pain, rage and battle-pleasure. A spatter of blood trails Albus's weapon's tip from the follow-through.

As she stumbles back, her eyes seem to glow even brighter, a hideous insane laugh bubbling from her throat. Maddened with battle lust, she doesn't even see Mekie's whip lashing out from the side, spiraling around her ankle.

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To hit: 1d20+5=20 vs AC 10

Opposed touch-attack check for trip:

Mekie(dex): 1d20+4=9
vs
Berserkeress(str): 1d20+5=8

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Mekie twists her body and gives a quick, short jerk, and the bear's leg shoots out to the side from underneath her. Her eyes go wide, shock replacing rage as she finds herself face-planting on the deck, giving Albus plenty of time to retrieve his shield...or be a bit less then chivalrous.

As the bear yanks the whip from her ankle and scrambles to her feet, there is a general clamor and the sound of various parties scaling the side of the ship, amidst much cursing.

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2 more full rounds of combat for those yet to reach the deck.

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Although many of the passengers seem curious about the countess' shriek, nobody seems to know quite what is going on yet. A confused milling around of passengers who don't seem THAT inclined to listen to Whault almost slow him down, but while the various high born may not be sensible enough to listen, most of them are sensible enough to get out of the way of someone obviously trained for combat...

As Whault heads for the deck, he is joined by Na'Nfr, who, while quicker, took a moment to make sure his black lacquered death-mask is firmly in place.

Marissa's route is more circumspect, but less crowded, as she makes her way from the captain's library towards the hubbub