Gameplay - Chapter 1 - The River Queen

Darthon's blade does not appreciably damage the creature. As to his escape attempt, stay tuned...

... he is currently gripped by a claw and must make a Strong test to break free. So roll against your Strong -1. If you succeed, you break free and your successful Acrobatics test gets you out of the way without the usual Free Attack from breaking away from melee. If you fail, you don't move away.

The creature holds on, and snatches at Darthon with the second claw. Darthon now needs to make a test vs Defense -3.

The second claw fails to gain purchase, but the salamander is slowly dragging you toward the railing (for dramatic purposes only, no real movement).

The party may all act, in any order is fine (strict initiative would be in order of Quick high to low, but for PBP, I like to be more flexible.)

Fenya's spear jabs ineffectually at the creature, but Kverula's tusk scores past the chitin armor. (2 net damage).

The creature's cumulative wounds seem to be verging on catastrophic.

Starting to panic because the beast wouldn't let go and he already saw himself taking an unwelcome plunge into the dark waters, Darthon once more stabbed at the thing, trying to finish it off "Will you die already!".

Darthon's frantic attacks swing wide, leaving only Eferneya to save their companion.

Efereneya's swing, perhaps trying to hit it too hard, glances off the creature harmlessly.

The creature, nearly overwhelmed, attempts to dine and dash with its prize. One defense roll and one Strong roll from Darthon, please.

The creature grabs a two-claw hold onto Darthon and pulls him to the side of the boat....(Darthon takes 3=5-2 damage, and is being pulled away toward a watery fate.)

Fenya's attack misses and Eferneya's attack hits but doesn't get past it's armor.

Kverula also gets an Free Attack. The crew have all been roused by the loud shouts and combat, and have weapons to hand as they circle the creature, but let's see if the sow can get the killshot...

The battle boar bashes the battered amphibian, it's pointed tusks penetrating just barely enough to rout out the salamander's last Toughness point like a bloody truffle.

The salamander collapses into unconsciousness, shudders, and dies.

With some teamwork, you're able to free Darthon from the vice-like claws. He his sorely wounded, and requires treatment.

Ogval and the other members of The River Maiden first tend to Darthon's wounds, applying a Herbal Cure which restores 1d6 point of Toughness (Darthon to roll) under Arelo's novice use of the Medicus ability. They are overjoyed to see his life signs normalize, and treat him and you all, especially heroic Kverula, as heroes for the remainder of the journey. Ogval, to the cheers of his crew, offers you free passage on The River Maiden forever that it remains under their command.

Darthon, when finally upright, is able to identify what remains of the creature using Beast Lore. It is known as a Sly River Hunter and while rare, there are stories of such creatures attaching themselves to the keels of river vessels, attacking at night and feasting on its prey while in the water - in the water, they are much more fearsome foes.

After a few days, when Darthon is just about recovered (assume Toughness returned to full), a wooden pallisade comes into view. Ogval announces that is your destination, and they expertly moor The River Maiden up to the simple pier.

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The adventure will continue in a few days in Chapter 2, but feel free to post further on this thread. I'll lock it when we're ready to move on.