After a brief walk the party reaches the home/workshop of one Horace Croon. The old man greets the party warmly, Hello my friends! Back to check on me to make sure I have not suffered any other misadventures, heh? What can I do for you on this fine day?
Thank Desna Vraxel did not kill him and steal Crazy Croon's things like he wanted to.
My friend. Good to see you again. I was very impressed and interested by the inventions you were working with underwater. We were moving at a very fast pace and I did not have much time to speak with you. If I remember correctly your work had to do with underwater exploration?
Using Alamin
Oh indeed, indeed! My work on the Glowfish is complete and soon I will sail to the Tern Rocks to dive beneath the waters so I can contemplate the existence of the deep. It's a marvelous time to be alive I say! Before only magic would take you where I intend to go. Now through the power of though, science, and invention a mere man will view splendorous sights amidst the heretofore murky depths of Lake Encarthon.
Thank Desna Vraxel did not kill him and steal Crazy Croon's things like he wanted to.
My friend. Good to see you again. I was very impressed and interested by the inventions you were working with underwater. We were moving at a very fast pace and I did not have much time to speak with you. If I remember correctly your work had to do with underwater exploration?
Using Alamin
[dice=diplomacy]1d20 + 18
Vraxel's watching you right now!
That sounds like a wonderful adventure. Would you like the company of four others to mark your stupendous and remarkable undertaking? I know all of us would be honored to join you on this Maiden voyage on the Glowfish undersea to look upon the bottom depths of Lake Encarthon. What do you think might be down there?
"It certainly sounds exciting and it might be good for you to have us along in case you run into anything dangerous."
Horace's eyes narrow somewhat and he looks the party over thoroughly. OK, what is it that you REALLY want? As I remember last time there was a halfling in your party, but now he's gone and in his place is a half-elf. Plus you were after some 'dark riders' or some such trouble. I owe you for saving me and that's for certain so if you want to venture in the Glowfish you are more than welcome, but with adventurer types I'd like to know if you are truly interested in a scientific exploration or should I be prepared to face some sinister doom at the bottom of the Lake. I don't think folks like you just take pleasure rides of any sort and the dangers of adventuring are why I opted for the dangers of invention instead. What's the truth of it then before this old man fulfills his debt?
"As you say, I just joined these fine adventurers, but I think you best be ready for that sinister doom you mention, maybe Randtam can tell you more."
"haha, I like this guy.", says Uuranx
You are right Master Croon. This is a more than scientific excursion for us. There is an evil that has afflicted Illmarsh and the surrounding areas for quite some time. Our understanding is the intense wickedness and evil is under Lake Encarthon.
If you will lead us on our journey it might certainly lead to obstacles that will attempt to stop us. Calling it sinister doom might be the correct terminology.
Speaking quietly with Croon
There may be some very bad things down there, but what about a temple or ancient civilization that might have been under this lake for eons? I, as you, would love to find New Discoveries no one else in the world has ever seen. Going to the depths of the lake is a new adventure for me and I relish this opportunity. I have learned through books, but now I know you learn through trial and error...or simply experience.
A wave of emotions pass over Croon's face as he listens to Randtam's words-So, that is where they are.... I have known for years that the 'Neighbors' were not the benign protectors that the priests told us. Ever since they took my youngest sister years ago I have looked for where the things that take our young girls live, but the priests are ever watchful and those that question to much disappear or have 'accidents'. If that is what you are after then I am your man until the end, but you must all be well prepared. The depths are dark and full of terrors. When you are ready we can make for my trawler at the docks and I will sail us to the Rocks. Then I will take you to their base and we will see what evil has stalked my home these long years.
He sets about gathering some items and throwing them in a finely made backpack. Any sense of the zany, adventurous inventor has disappeared; replaced by a grim sense of resolve as he preparing for the journey ahead.
We are all on board.
Croon takes the party down to Illmarsh's docks and his trawler the Isinglass. Atop the ship's deck sits a fish-shaped iron and brass construction 8 feet in diameter suspended above the deck by a thick chain hanging from a boom attached to the mast.
The party sets about helping Croon make the ship ready to sail and in short order Croon has a course charted towards the Tern Rocks. A steady rain begins to fall from the overcast sky, but the waters are calm, and Croon deftly sails the ship several leagues before the sight of a sharp rocky shore can be seen in the distance.
As the rocks near Croon maneuvers the Isinglass towards an outcropping of rock. The party can see the form of a man hanging limply from manacles, the surrounding water lapping at his face-he is clearly dead.
Croon shakes his head A bit barbaric I admit, but Illmarsh justice is firm and final. We don't get a lot of repeat offenders.
Croon anchors the Isinglass a few dozen yards away from the Tern Rocks.
You enter through an opening in the floor of the mouth and air will come to you by the hoses attached at the top. I'll stay aboard ship to lower you down and operate the air pump. There is a wire inside that will ring a bell up here. Pull it once you exit the ship so I know to stop the air pump. Pull it twice for me to resume pumping and three times to bring the ship back to the surface. Any questions?-he looks at the party excitedly; clearly he is anxious to put his invention to use.
"Anyone else see that mass of tentacles and what looks like matted hair emerging from the water far to port?"
"whhat? I didn't see anything."
Croon looks at Balator with concern on his face There are older and more sinister things in Encarthon than the neighbors; usually they don't come this close to shore. I wonder if whatever has been disrupting the normal rhythms of Illmarsh has brought something particularly nasty in towards the shore. Well, no help for it now. The good news is that I designed the Glowfish for just such types of situations. Can't go exploring the dark depths if you aren't ready for what lives in them. You four ready to go?
Uuranx-you, Balator, or I should take the helm, this ring, and a potion of waterbreathing and dive down along side Croon's craft.....just in case. I'd hate for us to all be crammed in that thing and some menace arise outside that we can't address. Do we have other equipment besides this that we could use?
Alamin shows the Ring of swimming; helm of underwater action; and a potion of water breathing.
Helm-The wearer of this helmet can see underwater. Drawing the small lenses in compartments on either side into position before the wearer's eyes activates the visual properties of the helm, allowing her to see five times farther than water and light conditions would allow for normal human vision. (Weeds, obstructions, and the like block vision in the usual manner.) If the command word is spoken, the helm of underwater action gives the wearer a 30-foot swim speed and creates a globe of air around the wearer's head and maintains it until the command word is spoken again, enabling her to breathe freely.
The ring adds +5 to swimming checks.
The potion has obvious powers.
Not sure what other assembled loot the party has to use for just such a circumstance.
"I think that Uuranx is the more deadly fighter if we are expecting an attack."
"I will go" cast shield, prot. from evil, mirror image before I don the helm.
I would suggest everyone look at their sheets and see if there is anything else of use.
Vraxel did not take the ring of swimming. He did have an elixir of swimming that can go to someone else in the group.
Alamin had the ring which she offered up.
You could use the elixir of swimming with the other potion of water breathing and the ring and send two down outside the submersible.
The helm coupled with a potion of water breathing would be enough for one.
Randtam will stay on the ship ready to summon some sea creatures. Then hope for the best.
Balator will take the extra gear and head outside the sub.
Alamin casts Heroism on Balator and Uuranx (+2 hit/saves/skills 90 minutes).
Sarenrae's light protect us as we enter these dark depths., she mutters entering Croon's contraption.
The submersible carrying Alamin and Randtam is gently lowered into the waters of the Lake. Croon cries out encouragingly I know you can do this. To free Illmarsh of this dread alliance is a noble task indeed! Plus think of all the amazing things you will get to see; maybe for the first time. Keep note Randtam, I will want a full reporting of you discoveries when you come back.
As it dips into the blue waters Balator and Uuranx prepare there magics before jumping into the cool waters, the chill at the surface a little startling at first but not unpleasant. They hold onto the side of the craft as it begins to descend.
Inside the Glowfish-The interior of the submersible is dark and cramped and soon grows almost intolerably hot and stuffy as it is lowered ever deeper. The windows go from light gray to dark gray to almost black as the depths cut off the light from the dull sky above. The metal shell groans and pops from the immense weight of the water pushing from all sides, but it seems to hold together. As the submersible descends, the dark water below gradually lightens again until it reveals an amazing and terrifying sight. On the muddy floor of the lake at the very base of the rocky islands rests a great dome of dully shining gray metal. Its construction makes Horace Croon’s wondrous invention seem clunky and primitive. Seams run up the dome’s sides to its apex, sprinkled with glowing lights whose dim blue radiance gives the entire scene an otherworldly appearance.
As the gauges on the small ship read 100 feet depth the pressure of the ocean begins to tell on Balataor and Uuranx.
[spoiler=Randtam]You get a sense of distance, even with the darkness, and your keen mind and skill at geometry makes you realize that you will have to swim from the Glowfish to the cave entrance where are bubbles escape.
The depth gauge now reads 200 feet; almost half way to the bottom of the Lake!
As the strange darkness closes in around the party from nowhere comes a purple, seven-armed octopoid monstrosity, the size of a small house, with hook-lined tentacles and cold, blue eyes; it attacks!
Action sequence: Uuranx, Balator, octopoid monstrosity, Alamin, Randtam
Balator/Uuranx will have to make the DC 15 FORT save every 4 rounds of combat.
Adjusting to the depths, Balator strikes at the monstrosity!
activate touch of rage1
attack with falchion
last attack with falchion
"Ugh, I don't like the water. Too much like a bath."
Balator lays two mighty cuts on the creature, but Uuranx is clearly out of his element and misses twice.
The creature responds as an electric eel interposes itself between Balator and the monstrous form and it assaults both Balator and Uuranx with a flurry of barbed tentacles!
On Balator:
On Uuranx:
Alamin summons a scimitar of holy force to attack the octopoid monstrosity!
And it connects with a nasty slash.
Balator nimbly evades his foes.
Strike with falchion
boo,
second strike
Randtam~bump
Summon IV
Superior summoning
Sorry forgot stats
AC 14 HP 30
Balator hacks into the giant electric eel, slicing it to shreds as Uuranx is able to land another slice on the octopoid. Randtam's sharks circle and snap ineffectually.
The massive sea creature ignores the sharks and focuses on the party members.
Three more electric eels appear in front of Balator:
Eel 1
Eel 2
Eel 3
On Uuranx:
The tentacle draws Uuranx for a savage bite!
DC 25 FORT save or take 1d6 STR damage. Check for 4 rounds; 1st save negates further checks.
Party action
some mirror image updates
first hit
second hit
first miss >24
second miss >24
all mirror images gone, just in time to take crit strike, lol.
Cast Haste +1 att/ +1 ac/ +1 will
-16hp
-1 str
Smarting from the eel's touch, Balator strikes back.
-10hp
Two sharks are defensive with Uuranx
Two sharks attack eels on Belator
Cast protection from evil in the most huge radius.
Alamin lashes out again with her force weapon
It connects once.
Alamin casts bless on the party: Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.
Uuranx's images are dispensed with as he casts haste and takes a nasty blow and bite. Balator cuts down one of the three eels facing him as Randtam casts a protective spell and urges his sharks on.
Two more eels appear in front of Balator (4 total) and join the attack.
Eel 1
Eel 2
Eel 3
Eel 4
Tentacles
Add 4 to your AC due to shark defense. If a tentacle would have hit your previous AC it hits a shark instead
Tentacles!
Balator unleashes elven curve blade exasperation on the ever increasing eels.
Sharks attack eels.
activate Touch of Rage 2
attack with falchion
or
last attack
Uunrax needs another FORT save to end the poison.
Balator and Randtam's sharks are able to finish off the summoned eels and the octopoid menace, severely wounded by Uuranx's strike, shoots out a cloud of deadly ink before jetting away to the safety of the dark depths.
Balator and Uuranx make DC 20 saves or become fatigued by the inky cloud.
***end of combat***
fatigued- "bah, stupid black water!"