The party's attempts to find out information about Vuronu has caught the attention of Ministry agents, who have sent word out to privateers outside of the Casaran protectorate: “Capture the Captain of the Steadfast and return him to the capitol for the favor of the King, and a 5,000gp reward.” If The Steadfast is returned seaworthy as well, the reward multiplies ten-fold.
These events take place during first week's sailing once the territorial waters of the Casaran protectorate.
During a one or two day's outside the Casaran Archipelago, read:
During the main course you overhear - “Do you think those mealy-mouthed Ministry's finally given up on us, Captain?” - you know the windmage's small voice well by now…
Damien replies - “We're out of protectorate territorial waters, Cheech - Their ships are no more welcome here than we are. And we've got speed and a head start. We'll be safe enough I think.”
This is an encounter with three phases:
1) narrative combat in the form of a chase to the point of grappling, 2) tabletop skirmish (the boarding and attempt to capture Damien and the ship) 3) some (potential) political skill challenges at play during the climax negotiation.
We're borrowing heavily from “StormWrack” for the narrative combat model, so feel free to replace it with something else if you like.
Phase one is optional - The Steadfast is outclassed, speed wise, so they can't get away in a straight-up chase. In the interest of time, you can skip this phase and just
read this:
During the second watch on 7th day out from Casaran waters, the call goes out from the Crows nest: “Privateers!” and, for the next few hours, despite the best efforts of yourselves and the crew of the Steadfast's crew, the pursuing ship has closed to within 100 feet and looks to be preparing to board!
and skip to Phase 2.
If you're going to run this phase, ask the players for their positions during the second watch on the 7th day out from Casaran (no need to put them on the map yet, you just want to know if a player is in the crows nest. If so, roll passive perception check - no matter what they roll, they spot an approaching ship. The amount separating distance is based on the value of the check: Roll/2 * 100 + 200 feet.
If the nest is manned by an NPC, read:
Those on deck hear a clear yell from above - “Ship Ahoy - off the port bow!”
In this case the separating distance is 1000ft.
Continue:
The Bos'n blows a whistle to summon the captain to the deck. And bellows: “Nest! What do you spy? What are her colors?”
“She's flying a black-flag! A privateer!” comes from the nest [or the player].
“So much for being safe in hostile waters!”, Cookie grumbles.
We've included versions two different ship combat rules to help you resolve this chase:
Though it should be just possible for the crew to defeat the privateers - a boarding that ends with Captain Blythe captured is not devastating to the plot.