Jack is able to grab on to Sandara, and holds her tight, ready to pull back up.
Rush casts his spell, catching Jack in mid-jump, then immediately shimmers away into invisibility. Tap's diddy, meanwhile, bolsters the group against what none could doubt is the upper management here in this network of caverns.
Kerruk's frog comes to life, and it grabs on to the large, rubbery-skinned form of the Whale. The beast roars as it's bitten, and its massive metabolism struggles to stave off the effects of the frog's bite.
The queen looks around her cavern with newfound concern. Moments later, she'd been firm and confident in her envisioned foregone conclusion to this battle against pirates - like many dozens she'd killed before. Now, though, these pirates act against her expectations, even with bravery, inspiration, or sheer insanity.
She raises a slim wand, and utters a few guttural words while pointing at the water. Instantly, a fairly large octopus appears, and dives down towards Jack. It assaults him with its bite and its tentacles.
The massive grindylow ignores Jack for now, intent instead upon the source of his pain. He lashes out at the frog with its toothy maw, intent on devouring the little amphibian.
It devours the little creature in one bite...it doesn't even chew before swallowing.
This does not look good.
Jack shoves the octopus and attempts to skewer it with deadly steel.
Tap moves up a few feet, then fires off two arrows at the queen before continuing his song.
Take that, evil witch.
Brooding leech
Drooling beech
Take that, evil witch.
Rush will pull out the crowd favorite, summon monster II, calling forth another elemental and putting it between the queen and the whale (where the yellow arrow is now) (I know it'll be in flanking, but she's a caster so I want more AoO's on her if she tries to cast not from the wand). Rush then immediately yells at the elemental in Auran.
Listen, I'm sorry I called you back already. I know you were pretty upset last time. But just look at the size of that thing. I need you to smash it and then I won't call you back for like a week. I promise.
and
Belliott rushes at the queen, his power strikes somewhat hampered by the slick rocks and shallow waters at the pool's edge. Nonetheless, he slams his axe home into the queen, cutting deep into her upper arm and shoulder. Her shoulder dips unnaturally, as if her collarbone were broken - should a grindylow have a similar bone structure.
The queen cries out, and the great grindylow in the pool seems to burst into a frenzy, churning the waters around it.
Jack skewers the octopus, and the thing emits an odd squeal - made even more odd for its being underwater.
Rush's elemental attacks the large beast, but the aquatic nature of the great beast forces the elemental's attack to go awry. The great grindylow snarls at the attack, as if fearing the sparking little creature's unnatural attack.
Kerruk purses his lips rather crossly. I've naught that can affect such powerful beasts...except...
Baring his teeth in a bloodthirsty grin, he fixes his gaze upon the 'queen' then curls his lip in a sneer.
The queen leans back from Belliott slightly and utters the words to a spell.
Unfortunately for her, she's distracted by the terrible wound Belliott gave her, and her spell fizzes out uselessly. She takes a slight step back and away from Belliott, edging around the back side of the cavern.
Tap's arrows whiz by around the melee between Belliott and the queen. Alas, his adjustment for the proximity of Belliott throws off the shots.
The massive grindylow roars and bites at the elemental
The elemental easily slips aside, and the great maw chomps down on only air.
You may well want to retreat! Taptap grunts. Belliott is a darn big boy.
Encumbered by Sandara and entangled by the octopus, Jack struggles to keep above the water. Twice his head sinks below, swallowing salty water. However, reaching deep in himself for the will to live and thrive, and perhaps by the desire to impress Sandara, whose warm body Jack cannot ignore even in the present circumstance, Jack manages not to drown, for alittle while mroe.
(derring-do, charmed life)
I really should work on my stroke when encumbered... Jack thinks.
Belliott roars, lost in his own bloodlust and the thrill of battle. He takes a step towards the queen, swinging his massive axe as he steps. The huge blade comes across in a sweeping blow. The axe clangs into the wall of the cavern where the queen had just vacated, missing its mark by mere inches.
Jack manages to hold onto his blade as the octopus kicks, and also manages to keep his hold on Sandara in the churning waters.
Taptap again fires two shots at the queen grindylow, taking care to not hit Belliot's whirling form. His first shot flew true, but he was not sure if it struck. The second deflected off of Belliott's buckle. I hope he didn't notice.
Tap continues his bardic performance
Tap turns to Kerruk and to where the invisible Rush still stood, presumably.
Might I suggest that Rush goes in after Rosie? I'll lay down covering fire.
Rush speaks near Tap's shoulder as he moves closer. Normally I'd say that it sounds like a great idea. Except for one important thing. I am arguably the worst swimmer you will ever meet. Instead, let me suggest another option... At that, Tap feels a touch on his shoulder as Rush casts Magic Weapon on him. Just go ahead and fill the bad guys with lots of holes.
Also, the elemental attacks Whale.
and
Thanks Tap murmurs, and lets loose two arrows at the queen.
Jack's attack proves to be ineffectual due to the natural resistance of the water around him, and the octopus still maintains its hold on him.
Rush's elemental surges forth to swat at the massively bloated form of the great grindylow, but the slippery skin forces it to fall aside, its attack missing its mark.
Tap lets fly, and his first arrow slams into the queen. She cries out and slips to the ground, her body a mess of dark blood and terrible wounds.
I'll do it Kerruk hisses curtly and, suiting words to deeds, he dives into the water in search of the wounded Rosie. By the stars this is a murky cesspit he curses as he swims, searching hither and thither for Rosie, cutting through the water like a dolphin in clear tropical seas.
Kerruk is immediately disheartened by the fact that there's a thick red cloud of blood flowing through the seawater as he gets further down.
Kerruk seizes on a moment of clarity, squinting through the mingled water and blood. Suppressing an urge to vomit as he sees Rosie's grisly demise, he flips over and courses towards the surface of the pool. Plugg. Scourge. Another mark against you. But Rosie shall be avenged. Now, and later.
Seething with rage, he rises behind the octopus that is wrestling Jack and Sandara.
Kerruk rises up with a great howl and thrusts at the octopus from behind.
Although he succeeds in striking the creature, his spear thrust does not strike deep, thwarted somewhat by the creature's rubbery form and Kerruk's own lack of physical power.
Belliott. Stop dawdling! Finish her is she looks like she is moving Taptap grumps
Kerruk stabs the small creature, but with a glancing blow that quickly slides off of the flesh.
The queen slips into unconsciousness, Tap's arrow having taken the last of the energy from her body.
The massive whale, seeing the damage done to what one could presume was a direct relative...mother perhaps...flies into a rage. It roars, and heaves its bulk out of the water, ignoring its proximity to Jack and Kerruk - those who could attack its flank as it rushes away.
The creature rushes out to within ten feet of Tap - its apparent target, and reaches forth to bite, extending the flapping skin of its neck as it does.
The octopus hesitates for a moment, as its summoner seems to have lost concentration. Nonetheless, survival instinct spurs it on, and the creature lashes out at Kerruk with bite and grabbing tentacles
The whale grabs Tap with its huge mouth and, much to Tap's disgust, clamps on and begins to pull him in deeper into its gullet.
The octopus misses its mark with its bite, but its tentacles wrap around Kerruk's shoulders, holding him tight.
oomph..
Tap wriggles hard, with the intent to escape and run out of range past the opening into safety.
Run. We got Sandara, get out of here!
Run, then I'll kill him, shoot off his ear.
Run, Run, Run, I'll shoot his rear
Yep let's get out of here
belliott moves to retreat
Freed from the tentacles of the octopus, Jack quickly looses Sandara's bonds, and begins pulling her to the relative safety of his companions.
Jack is careful to look for any traps or hidden dangers, but doesn't see much more than his own rascally good looks reflecting back at him in the pool's depths.
Rush sees this and moves over, wand in hand (not that you can see that), and uses it on Sandra.
Get well pass the entry. That beast has reach!
Kerruk wriggles and squirms in an unschooled manner as he tries to break the octopus' grip.
Damn!
Rush moves forward as he sees Jack struggling to get to what would pass for the shore - the outer, rocky outcropping about the pool. Once Jack lays Sandara down, Rush quickly gives her some healing, and her eyes flash open as she spits out water.
Belliott rushes past, towards Tap, and the massive eyes of the Whale track the big man runs past. Were his mouth not currently attempting to devour Taptap, it would probably lean out to take a bite at the passing barbarian.
Belliott's brash action at least draws the beast's ire from Jack and Sandara, as the two struggle towards the cave entrance.
Tap, free of the creature's grasp, dives back towards the entrance.
Kerruk, not so lucky, struggles in vain against the octopus. The little creature maintains its hold with its tentacles, and reaches in to bite at its captive again. This time, with an advantage as it holds Kerruk tight, it bites deeply into his flesh. Kerruk feels nausea in his veins after the bite, and his body temperature seems to increase.
Kerruk clenches his teeth as a wave of pain and weariness suddenly swamps him, but as soon as it comes, it passes.
I could use some help here!
Kerruk, you were always a greasy kind of fellow Tap tries to grin at his friend through the tentacles.
Tap casts his bow over to Jack to use.
greasy greasy, escape the squeezy! Tap cast grease onto Kerruk.
It is coming my friend. You're the last one in.. Poor Rosie.
Jack grins. Ye gods! My wish has been granted before it came to my lips!
Jack quickly notches an arrow, pulls back, and lets loose an arrow at the octopus, not waiting to think how long its been since he's done this, or what might happen if he misses his mark and strikes Kerruk instead ...
The shot goes wide and slaps against the cavern wall, breaking its point.
Now give the bow back you oaf.
I forgot to have the lightning elemental attack earlier, so it is going to go after the Whale again.
and
And gets a good solid hit for high damage. Rush shouts out, Good job Sparky
Kerruk resists the after-effects of the octopus bite, thought his blood still flows from the wound. Jack's arrow misses rather impressively, and the swashbuckler hangs his head as he offers the weapon back to Tap.
Tap's spell takes immediate effect, and Kerruk's new slippery nature proves troublesome for the octopus.
The great Whale roars out its frustration and searches about for an enemy, even as its blubbery hide is slammed and set sparking with electricity. It sees Kerruk, and roars as it leans down for a bite.
Wriggle free Kerruk!!!
Rush will use the wand on Kerruk now, trying to save his few reaming spells.
and then little Sparky attacks for the last time before disappearing.
and
Thank you Sparky. Does anyone else need healing?
Kerruk attempts to escape the grapple, now well coated as he is.
He escapes! He immediately begins kicking away from the octopus, and towards the rocky "shore" of the pool.
The octopus, undeterred, swims towards Kerruk and once again attempts to grab and bite it's potential prey.
Its tentacles and teeth just slip off of the now very slippery Kerruk.
The massive grindylow roars in rage and pain and lashes out at the closest thing to it - Kerruk. It easily covers the gap between them with its reach and leans down to attempt to swallow its prey whole.
He wraps Kerruk in his massive maw and begins to bite down, immediately putting crushing weight on Kerruk's torso.