Rescue

We got off to a late start Wednesday, the first game session of "Miniatures Season" now that the basement is a bit drier and warmer.

The seas were fairly calm. Carson's Black Eyed Bill captained survivors from the Slippery Scythe, while Phil's De Vat of Can Bob led four crewmen from the Merry Maiden. Together, they sailed on a merchant ship to the edge of ogre-controlled waters, then took a native fishing longboat/outrigger from there. Under cover of darkness, they were able to approach the giant ogre vessel Shih and begin boarding her, a difficult task with her high sides and thick hull. Rivet, with the help of Foxbet, Tzor and Tonwads, used a corkscrew-like tool to make a hole big enough to reach in with a small pryhammer and peel planks open just above the waterline, then work his way in. Meanwhile, the rest of the party climbed a couple ropes 20' up and fought the two ogres who were on night watch, with Black Eyed Bill and Aiko leading the way. It was a difficult battle, with Felix falling from the boarding rope and drowning, Tzor being impaled by a greatspear and barely surviving, and De Vat of Can fighting valliantly to within an inch of his life. As the winds picked up, Black Eyed Bill cut mainstays and other rigging and with skill and luck, sent the boom across the deck, sweeping three of the tall ogres into the sea but sparing the shorter party members. When the deck was cleared of ogres, two of whom had come from below decks, the party joined up and fought a couple more ogres on the stairs leading to Rivet, who picked the brig lock and freed the party, then picked the lock to the "booty" room with Fergus' wand of lightning bolts, treasure and other belongings. Fergus and Black Eyed Bill killed the ogre captain in the process, and one of the party rogues (Nightsong or Fergus or Rivet, maybe a couple of them) slit the throats of the remaining sleeping ogres for the safety of the party. The total complement of the party and crew now numbers 20, including survivors from both ships, freed captives, and freed humanoid slaves of the ogres.