Privateers of Lssthp II [IC]

[TriciaOso]

The first officer on deck is Cauda, which is no one's preferred situation, but those who see only a vaguely smiling bohemian would be surprised...

She takes a deep breath, and as she does, the chaotic folds and fringes of skin around her head expand up and back, and a blaze of lights move under her skin, forming a constellation on the flaring cobra hood. "BEAT TO QUARTERS," she screams. "ALL HANDS ON THE EGG-SUCKING DECK."

Another sea serpent has attacked the White Cliff; shreds of harness and scraps of wood and iron hang from its body, the remains of another living ship. Gigantic coils of muscled, sea-reeking flesh are looped three times over the ship, one over each of the raised decks and a third running amidships. This one looks the most dangerous, as it is pressed tight against the splintering mainmast. A solitary grung, high in the crow's nest bleats pathetically. At the stern, the two raging sea monsters snap at each other ineffectually.

Professor Atropae emerges from the door behind her, eyes wide. "What is it -- Where -- In the Calm??" Focusing: "What do we do?"

Drawing a shining bow from thin air, Cauda fires two bolts of light into the nearest rope of flesh, the one amidships; one scorches into the scales, while another deflects off. The attacker screams, then snaps its head down and eats a lizardfolk sailor off the stern in one bite.

The professor swallows and follows her lead, launching a series of attacks into the nearby coil. "It's loosening!" she yells. I think it's loosening!" And indeed, the sea monster shifts its coils uncomfortably, trying to move the burn away from the pummeling fists of the librarian monk.

Spoiler: Summary

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https://www.dndbeyond.com/games/4879993

Enemy attacks with adv (surprise) - hits and constricts White Cliff
Enemy attacks again with adv (restrained), hits
White Cliff hits Enemy with a legendary action
Cauda takes starry archer form; misses second coil with attack action, hits with BA
Enemy takes Legendary Action and kills one Scout
Siduri attacks four times, misses with 1, hits 3 against second coil
Damage to middle coil causes Enemy to loosen grapple - White Cliff is still grappled but no longer restrained

Enemy Serpent:
HP lost: 34 head / 0 first loop / 21 second loop / 0 third loop
AC: 17 + 2 for partial cover (doesn't apply to White Cliff)
Crew: 5 gunner, 4 scouts, 5 carpenters, 5 medics

White Cliff:
Mount HP: 141 / 170
Ship: 71 / 130 (damage threshold 15)

22 - Enemy Serpent
19 - Siduri
18 - Cauda
17 -Fork
16 - Ttharg
15 - Tegu / 4 Scouts / 5 Medics
10 - Nibum
8 - Kabett
4 - Servius
3 - Capt. Magyar / Cocytus / 5 Carpenters / 5 Gunners / White Cliff

SPECIAL ACTIONS:

Spells can be cast on the White Cliff's mount without having to touch the beast's skin; there's a reason it's called a living ship.

Kabett can use his action to command the White Cliff's mount to fight; otherwise Cauda will command it (losing her turn). Here's a statblock:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/2...nt-sea-serpent
(bite or breath attack ONLY -- the ship is in the way of the other attacks)

The rest of you can each use your action to direct the actions up to 5 members of the crew for various purposes.

Servius can direct a salvo from the gunnery crew, giving some of them advantage on their attacks. Otherwise, the First Mate will command them (losing his turn). The number of crew aided is determined by an Arcana check.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/2...arlock-of-imix

Fork can direct a melee attack from those trained as scouts, giving some of them advantage on their attacks. Otherwise, Tegu will command them (losing her turn). The number of crew aided is determined by an Insight check.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/3...lk-scaleshield

Nobim can direct a repair action from those trained as carpenters, who will each attempt 2 repairs. Otherwise, no repairs will be attempted.
(+4 to the check, 1d6+2 repair on a success, DC increases as the ship takes damage)

Ttharg can direct a triage action from those trained as medics, which will stabilize injured/unconscious crew and get them out of danger. Otherwise, crew will be left where they fall.

The Captain can take a morale action, giving inspiration to up to three crew members, in place of her action.