As we walk, I ponder Rain’s question for a moment before answering.
”Historically, the Rahadoumi are aligned to a rigid system of conduct – theoretically. That code of conduct is governed by strict laws and how things are operated. But it’s a sodding sham.”
”Bottom line is – if you’re on the top – if you’re a boss, a chief, or a noble – you’re someone important. If you’re not – you’re nothing.”
”Now, my hunch is that when the sailors got on our ship and we bested their officer, their instincts told ‘em that we were superior – by virtue of our success.”
”Since we won that fight, it’s kind o’ like… might makes right, if you understand me? Like – we are superior because we dominated them in the fight so we must be better.”
”When we were assigned this ship – the commander of our vessel put Plugg in charge of this. If we take those two separate elements of the Rahadoum folk and mix ‘em together – I reckon the answer is obvious,” I say nodding to myself.
Then I glance at the others and continue.
”Basically, they follow the dominant or most powerful figure. In their culture the most powerful person can have them killed on a whim. Harrigan led us – he’s therefore the most dominant. By his word Plugg is now given superiority over us – which makes Plugg the most senior and important person on our ship.”
”So I reckon they may hate Plugg, they may loathe him – they may wish he was dead – but I don’t see them turning on Plugg. If they did do that, they’d be killed – rightly so – by Plugg. And if we turned on Plugg ourselves, they gotta expect that Plugg – being our boss – is the most powerful. So if we fight him – we lose, Plugg wins.”
”And if they back us – not Plugg – and Plugg wins out… then he may torture them before he executes them out of hand for their determination to go against him.”
I double check the priming on my pistol – thinking of options.
”The way I see it – when we draw on Plugg – they’ll back him to the death; because even if they hate him right now, they’re likely to be more scared of reciprocity.”
”Anyhow – it’s a sure bet they think we’re naught but gutless on account of trying be all friendly.”
”You don’t kiss someone’s ass unless you want something out of them, right? Well, if you’re stronger then them – and you want it – you take it. But the only reason to be kissing ass is because you’re too weak to take it – so you have to be tricky.”
I wave my hand to forestall the inevitable.
”Hell – I know that no one was kissing ass, but being sincere. But so what? If you lived your life without gods, in a system where the strong rule and the weak are slaves… and a bunch of folk suddenly treat you all nice right after besting you in a fight… you gotta figure they’re at least thinking – What’s the game here? – or something like that.”
”Anyhow – my point is – I think they’ll back Plugg in a fight. And I think that as soon as we kill Plugg – they may do another surrender move with us. So if you want – we can try to take them out nice and easy – magic or wounding them – once they come around… if they live – they’ll likely go back to treating us like their boss. I say good – I say we use that until we get into a port.”
”I don’t give a good gods damn about persuading them to be our mates – they’ll likely think it’s a trick, and then we’ll not know about them. Nay – I say we treat ‘em square, sail into a port – and then tell them to get off the ship and go their own way. They can sign on to another ship – if they want, so no worries there.”
”But yeah – I figure the short answer is – they’ll fight to the death; until we kill Plugg – then they’ll surrender and look for the new “boss man” – as it were; so they know who to follow as the new leader.”
I glance at Rain and Jiro, shaking my head about the barrels.
”I don’t see why we lug anything anywhere. I already said it before – if we want to give them water barrels filled with water – then no worries – we do that with the magic. Then we refill the barrels each morning with magic again – Plugg's not even going to notice, and after he drinks it the first time, I reckon he's not going to care either way. But hell - if he does – then we kill ‘em – but the way I figure it – we got to kill him direct anyhow.”
I jut my chin at the large, lumpish haversack.
”We come lugging that back on board – he’ll likely want to search it. It’s not pocket sized you know. He’ll take what he wants from it – not to mention the sack. As soon as he sees us with extra stuff – he’ll figure it’s either a plot against him – or loot. Either way, he’ll take it all.”
”So we fight him, I say, as soon as we get back. Because if we don’t fight him – we just go back to being his bloody slaves.”
”But that don’t suit me none. Hell - if it were up to me, I’d put a bullet in his bloody brainpan and dump the corpse for the sharks… nah; that ain’t right… what’d a shark ever to have to suffer chomping on his greasy hide,” I add with a grim chuckle.
”Course – there are other methods… we got them potions of invisibility, eh?”
”We could move out on the boat – while Valeros and Sko swim underwater till we get up close to the ship. Then they go around - drink the potions – then flank ‘em while invisible.”
”Or when we find our mates – we give them the potions. Plugg won’t notice something’s up when we all come back and they hop up on the ship with us – he won’t even notice them there, until he’s already dead.”
’Anyhow – that’s just a thought. I ain’t much for tactics– I’ll leave all that to you.” I add; then I consider our next move – especially with the folk that took our friends.
I strain my gaze to the coast - eager to go after these aquatic creatures and destroy them - as well as getting back our friends. That's my primary concern, now; we got to save our mates.
And to do that - we got kill them who took our mates - kill 'em dead, and be done with them neat as neat.
Damn straight! Now, enough of all the jibber jabber… Right now it’s clobbering time!
Seijiro sort of shakes himself slightly and, in doing so, takes his true form, which resembles his human form in stature, but he is covered by a ruddy coat of fur and his features take on their vulpine appearance.
"This is my true form, but as I said, I can look like anyone I wish, and it lasts until I change again. Like this," he says as he takes on the stature and appearance of Plugg. "Don't kill me." He breaks into a peal of laughter. Unfortunately, his clothing and belongings don't change, only his physical form. He shakes himself and turns back to the human form you've known him as all along - that of a red-haired teenage Tian human.
"That was unpleasant, wasn't it? Did it look as bad as it felt?" He chuckles and blushes.
"It wasn't so much a matter of privacy, just never seemed the right moment to change back, and I didn't want Plugg and his cronies to know what I could do. And to be honest, until recently, I could only take this form and my fox form... Turning into others is something new, even for me."
"I was thinking of turning into one of the lesser cronies to attempt to make nice with the Rahadoumi, not Plugg or Scourge. I can cobble something together I'm sure to duplicate the clothing of one of their followers, but not of the officers, I have no way to make such a disguise with what we have on hand, I'm sure."
"Aye, our first priority is to deal with the Grindylow and recover Ratline and Sandara. I like your idea of using the invisibility potions and giving them to Ratline and Sandara and catching Plugg unaware once we row back and board The Man's Promise. Clever tactic."
Rain falls silent again, pondering on the other pieces of information Flynn had given her.
"You seem to have a good grasp of the Rahadoumi culture, Flynn, and so I believe you when you say they will follow the strongest - the victors. I would rather we did not kill all of them outrightly if they fight for Plugg when we attack. We need experienced arms to sail our ship. Best we use magic or simply wound them during the fight."
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Under her breath, Rain exclaims, "You are one of the fox folk, a Kitsune. I have heard stories of you, through the faraway sailors who came into Tempest Cay."
And to allay the youth's concern regarding his appearance, "Not that I would seek to look upon Plugg's ugly face, but you did a fine version of him and that fills me with hope."
"You've... heard of us? Not so many people in the west know of the kitsune." He gives Rain a little bow. "Hope? Perhaps this ability of mine can be useful then? I pray so. Just let me know what you want me to do when the time comes." He gives Rain his characteristic grin, the mirth reaching his eyes for the first time in a long while.
"I have heard stories passed along and, for the most part, I believed them fantastic tales for I had never seen one of the fox folk, not until today. Thank you for entrusting me with the truth."
The red-haired youth's smile touched his eyes now. Truth and trust often lightened a heart.
"Disguise is a cunning tool and your ability is certainly useful, Jiro."
Rain contemplates quietly before continuing,
"Cunning, trickery and strategy, these will aid us in removing Plugg and Scourge and stripping them of their ill-gotten power. We need to think like them if we are to overturn them for good." There is an intense glint in her turquoise eyes -- a set determination.
"Now, Jiro, the spyglass you managed to dissemble and take from the stockade? Let us take another look at those Grindylows."
Seijiro takes the spyglass back out of the haversack and sets it gently on the wall and trains it back toward where the grindylows were frolicking earlier. Once he has them in sight, he holds the spyglass steady and steps back slightly so Rain can see.
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I would have to agree with Flynn on this one. Why worry about the water and subterfuge? Once we get back with Sandara and Ratline, just mutiny then on the grounds that Plugg and Scourge abandoned two crew members to their fate. We found them, rescued them and now are taking over the ship. Hell we can be prepped and ready to go in the boat on the way back. Once everyone is on board Rain gives the signal and we attack just Plugg and Scourge. Ignore the rest if we can and cut the head off the beast. The rest will fall in line once they are leaderless.
Seijiro nods in response to Variel's words. "What you say has merit, Variel-san, and it sounds like a good idea to me, but I think for this to work, we ALL have to be in agreement and have a plan in place. I kind of liked the idea of making Ratline and Sandara invisible as we approach, so they don't know we have additional help... but how long do those potions last for? Is it long enough to bring such a plan to fruition?"
Looking through the spyglass at the enclosed cove, you don't see the grindylows anymore. They must have submerged.
Seijiro hmmmphs in frustration and shows Rain the cove through the spyglass. "The grindylows aren't there anymore, but that is where they were. We need to get down there right quick before they have a chance to get too far away. Maybe they can still be tracked to wherever they went." He puts the spyglass away after Rain (and anyone else who wants to look) has gotten a good look at the cove and the pathway to get there.
I nod in appreciation for Variel’s support on the idea.
”Righto!” I say, nodding my head enthusiastically.
Realizing that we have at least a mile or so to reach the beach; I know that we have a few moments to plan on the road.
”Ma’am,” I say to Rain ”Maybe we ought to re-arrange the marching order on the way down to the beach? I mean – if we’re trekking that way anyhow – the thing of it is – the east side had at least two traps to guard the approach. Maybe the west side will, too.”
”Just a suggestion, but maybe we keep the one with the best eye for traps on point – and follow him up about ten to fifteen feet back with a healer. If our pointman misses a trap, and gets pinched – that’ll keep us from all getting hit, and the healer can rush up to take care of things before they get ugly.”
I consider the issue with Plugg and his folk – those loyal to him, at any rate.
”I think our real issue is for sure Plugg, aye – but also his boy Scourge. But yeah; once they’re dead – I think them remaining will see the light fast and join us.”
”But like I said – if it was me – I’d take any that surrendered after the fight, and have them help sail the ship proper, until we reach this “Blood Cove” place; but then we just cut 'em lose. I think they'd be a liability to us if we kept them around.”
”From all the hash we’ve gone over, I reckon that when we get there, we’ll likely find more than few other folk like us – sailor’s who got experience, and may be looking for a good berth.”
”If that happens, we may be able to hire a somewhat decent crew of trusties that’d be willing to back us up. We do what we need to for us “refit” this ship, as it were – and while that’s going on, as I reckon it may take a few days at least – we sort of shop around, looking for a new way to make coin.”
”Now I know I said privateering seemed good – but I also know that not everyone be agreeable to it. That's fair, as it’s got it’s ups and downs. Hell, I reckoned that at the least we’d be allowed to “do business” legal-like with the citizenry of Sargava, or whoever we got the letters from, without them drawing swords and calling the troops if we sailed in just to trade.”
”On the other hand – that’d mean we’d have to pay for the privateering license – which probably ain’t cheap – and turn over cuts of loot from “military expeditions” to the government, if we go in.”
”I’m no idealist – I admit I’m not to keen on turning over anything I sweated for to another that didn’t earn it – but, well… truth to tell I figured it would be nice to sail into at least one civilized port and treated with a little respect; though we don’t have to do much, if any, business there.”
”But I’m also a realist, in a lot of ways. Even if we got the ship fixed up good all in a day– and got a new crew – we don’t got the brass or need to go racing to Sargava, or anywhere else, for a long time, I reckon. Maybe at least a year – maybe more. Though I reckon it’s something worth considering in the long run – I mean to say – respectability with some of the local nations, that is. But yeah – that’s a long way from the here and now.”
I consider how to phrase my next words a bit, then continue.
”Right – so regarding the “here and now” – what I’m clear on is that we got some nice loot on us we found recent-like – and there’s likely more on the ship; if we take it.”
”But that ain’t much; not by a long shot. So once we do what we need to with Plugg and his scum – I reckon the question is: what next? I mean – assuming we all feel like sailing together after this hash – anyone got an idea on a way of making a decent living? I figure we may hear a decent rumor or two at this port town we’re headed for… but I’m open for ideas, if any of you got some on another plan after this little caper.”
”And before anyone says “Yeah, I want to be a bloody pirate” – well, for the gods' sake – I say stow that talk just a bit,” I add a little sourly.
”I’ll do that, I reckon – and back them who leads such plans, too – but I’ll tell you now – before I sign on to that job, as it were, I got a few conditions for me doing any work like that.”
”First is – I don’t mind a little pilfering of folk – but I ain’t eager to be hunting certain types. I mean, we don’t need to be attacking fishing schooners, or squeezing protection money from native villages – though we could, I guess… I mean; I’d rather not even attack any from my country – it don’t feel right – but at the least, I think it’s fair to say that if we attack any; let's try to avoid innocent working lads who're just scraping by, and none of this lording over folks our swag if we sail into a fishing town - you know, no need to treat 'em like dirt, as if we're some syndicate on account that we got arms and power, and they don't."
"Also, if we capture any folk on another ship, we don’t need to be killing them out of hand, if they surrender – or mutilating none, or torturing none, you know? Yeah; we might got to do that for certain folk for certain reasons, on rare occasions, but I don’t want to be acting like Plugg or even Harrigan – butchering folk and tossing ‘em over the side for amusement.”
”That ain’t right – and I reckon it’s bad for morale.”
I think those points are reasonable, and doubt any will disagree. But my suggestion, though I know has some merit, may not be easily acceptable... So I think moment as I try to phrase it.
”And if it matters much – I’d rather we pay coin to any that ships under us – I mean to say – I don’t want no pressed men. At the least – they’re more likely to mutiny as they’d be unpredictable – and we’d not know they’re caliber as sailors before we pinched them.”
I glance at the others as we walk.
”Hell – does that seem reasonable – those parts? I mean the no unneeded cruelty to our own folk – if we got to kill ‘em for crimes – hang ‘em and be done with it. Lash ‘em for a punishment if needed – but none of this torture business – excepting for maybe a few folk who really need it,” my eyes glancing down the western coast, scanning for those who took or friends, knowing that hard questioning may have to be used ”but I don’t mean our own folk, or even them that we capture in a raid, if it can be helped.”
”And as for payment? Hell – an average sailor can make about fifteen gold a week – a good one can make a little over twenty. That ain’t much – plus food and berth… If we take on about ten to fifteen lads to help us sail; hell – that’s about maybe 900 to 1,000 gold a month for the full lot. Not too much, if we take a good haul every month or so. And if we pay ‘em more… that’ll only be because they’re good sailors. Better sailors mean we got a better crew… I reckon we can do it, though I’d rather have more money… but even so; a group of trusty sailors who know their job seems a lot better than a group of pressed folk who may turn on you at the drop of a hat.”
”Well,” I say to the others as I begin our descent ”What do you all say – that seem reasonable?”
As I wait for their thoughts and answers, my mind tacks course back to Plugg – and how to deal with him. And it also considers the threats in front of us… and what to do next…
Hell lad, one thing a time. Best to do now is done – you let your thoughts our for them to consider. Next thing; give the others time to chew it over – but your main new “plan” needs to be own how to deal with them at the beach, next.
Looking through the spyglass at the enclosed cove, you don't see the grindylows anymore. They must have submerged.
I take a glance at Dhaavan, knowing that he likely had a very narrow shave, so to speak, but I make sure to tell everyone.
”Oh yeah – everyone be careful… I reckon that the lads back there became undead on account of that they were bit by other undead types… it’s one way it can spread – if it ain’t taken care of proper.”
”So watch it if you see any more undead – give ‘em a wide berth, and don’t get too close – one bite may be the only one you need to turn you.”
Sko's nose has been pressed up against the corpses neck and his head still felt a bit woozy. Turning to Variel, "That was foul but nothing that a few minutes a fresh air won't cure."
Sko's a bit startled to see Seijiro's transformation but he tries not to show it. "I've never heard of kitsune before but I have heard tales of people who could shapeshift that weren't were creatures. Fascinating."
"Flynn's plan seems sound to me. I agree that there isn't much need to keep up the pretense of following Plugg. It will just be harder the longer we wait and we may never have an opportunity like this again."
"You've... heard of us? Not so many people in the west know of the kitsune." He gives Rain a little bow. "Hope? Perhaps this ability of mine can be useful then? I pray so. Just let me know what you want me to do when the time comes." He gives Rain his characteristic grin, the mirth reaching his eyes for the first time in a long while.
My eyes open in surprise - I resolve to take some notes on this interesting development, having never heard of "kitsune" - but I don't want to ask many questions right now... When we're safe and away, and a cool drink and hot meal between us - I intend to find out anything that the young is willing to share. For now, though; I'm ready for some action; and I want to get my comrades back, safe and sound.
The trip down is considerably more difficult than the path up as you are now following the ridge down through heavy forest without the benefit of a path. It takes you about 2 hours to get down having had to climb down a few smalle 10' to 15' cliffs and such. No one was harmed and you are able to get down without incident. Coming around a bend the forest abruptly vanishes and you see the southern portion of the island laid out before you. You are on a slope heading down to the cliff face that runs the length of the eastern shore and meets with the sea in white spray 100' below. Making your way down the rocky hill you see the mast of the ship Jack spotted a short distance off shore on the reef. The ship is submerged with the exception of the main mast.
But your eyes are drawn to the large hole in the cliff that you are approaching. Once you get near, you crouch low behind some rocks and get your first look at what you think may be the Grindylows lair. The cove is about 40' across and ranges between 40 and 80 feet deep around the rim. the section you are on is about 60' you would say down to the churning dark water below. The cove is roughly cylindrical in shape with a 10' by 10' hole in the southern portion of it on the waterline. The hole looks something like this.
You do not see any sign of the Grindylows.
"If we're going to rescue them, we've got to get down there. We could probably climb down. The sides look rough so there are probably plenty of handholds, though they will probably be slick with water, at least near the bottom. Maybe we could go around to where the climb is a little shorter. We'll probably need to assist Dhaavan, and anyone else who isn't a good climber. Maybe use some rope? The other option is cliff-diving, but I'm no diver and would rather risk the climb."
Seijiro grows quiet and waits for others to state their opinions and maybe other options he hasn't considered.
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Responding to Flynn on the pirate issue but open for all for discussion...
Well Flynn, the way I look at it is we all have different backgrounds and something we hold dear. If we start all clammering that we can't make a living off of these people because you don't want to attack these ships, and Rain says we can't go after these ships, and Jiro suggests that it wouldn't be right to go after this group, well, soon we don't have anyone to make a profit off of. Granted I have no background that I know of so that may factor in but everyone is fair game to me.
As for paying the crew, well a portion of whatever we take is their payment. This way if they want more they work harder and get a larger share. If they don't work then they don't get paid as much. That incentive alone should work rather than the cat. Otherwise we get a crew that sits there doing much of nothing and still gets paid for it. I could be wrong about this and if the others disagree with me then I have no trouble going with the group, just seems like we might be getting over our heads with this wages thing.
Your last point I agree with though. No killing of crew or dismemberment. No rape allowed period, by anyone anywhere. I don't care if others have an issue with this I will not allow it. Stealing and earning money is a piece of cake, murder and rape is not something that belongs on any ship I'll be on willingly.
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At the Grindylows hole...
Well Jiro, like you suggest, the best plan may be to go where it's a bit less of a climb and have one of us go in with a rope. That one checks to make sure that everything is okay and then have everyone follow. Either way it looks like it is going to be a swim once we get down there. I figure we have someone who is good at swimming head down first being lowered by rope. Perhaps Sko . Once the coast is clear then others go in until there is only one left. If the water is deep enough they can dive in otherwise they will have to climb down. Once down those that can't swim as well gets paired with someone who can swim. Perhaps Sko first with Valeros behind him. Then comes Flynn, Rain and either Jiro or Dhaavan. I should be able to lower Dhaavan or jiro by myself as either one doesn't look too heavy. Then I will chance the climb or dive. I haven't been much help yet besides swinging the sword so I will volunteer for this. This is something I can do. Unless someone else wants to make the climb at the end who is still strong enough to lower Dhaavan or Jiro. This way the strong swimmers are at the bottom to help those get into water.
No matter what happens, Variel will take his Spellbook and scrolls out and shove them into scroll case capping them with the wax. Using prestidigitation to melt the wax and keep everything water tight...hopefully. Once this is done he will place them both in the handy haversack as well to hopefully keep them dry....again hopefully.
Seijiro will climb down in whatever order is decided as best.
When he gets to the bottom, he will draw his weapons in preparation for any grindylow attacks that might occur while others are still climbing. He is very wary of the waters being dangerous here.
Hearing Variel's comments, I shrug.
"Well, I guess talking about the business on how to run a ship, pay for crew, and all that can maybe wait a bit - I said my piece on what I want to do, and not want to do - but yeah; we don't have much time to talk about that now; once our mates our free, and Plugg dead, and the ship ours - we can has that out, I reckon."
I glance at the sky, rubbing the back of my chin absently.
Hmm.... we awoke at dawn - roughly six in the morning this time of year... Although I have a strong hunch that dawn came later. Anyhow, we got our business done and legged it up to that stockade - that took us roughly three bloody hours to walk up a hill... I remember we got there no later than noon - less, I think. Than it must have taken us a whole hour to sack the place... putting it one o'clock - then two more hours to walk down here... putting it three o'clock... even so; for some reason I think this tide will rise around two bells in the first dog watch...
"Reckon on that we got to get our business done quick-smart - only got about two hours before that tide climbs."
I glance down into the water, frowning a little.
"On top of it - who knows what the turf down there is like? Can we get a dry piece of land to stand on inside, or not? Besides - it may be guarded, if it really is this grindy lair... "
"Trick is - if it's guarded, how would we know?"
I turn to Sko -
"Sko lad - can you turn into a shark and search it out a bit? Even if they see you, they'll just figure you're a shark; naught more than that."
I move around the lip of the cliff, until I am now only about 40 feet from the waters beneath me - to get a better look; searching the terrain for threats - trying to gauge how deep the water is - and if anything is lurking beneath the surface.
Then I turn to Jiro.
"Jiro-san - you said you can take other faces? Can you look like a fish? I don't mean you have fish powers - can breathe underwater and all that - but if you look like a fish, or a turtle, or something like that - you may be able to scout out a bit, too."
"And in a pinch - we could give a potion of invisibility to Variel - he knows how to hold his breath long, I reckon."
"As for me - I don't see no place to stand there... Maybe those that ain't great at swimming can wait up here a piece, until we get the signal; then come on down to check it out. If it turns out to be trouble - well... we'll come down as fast as we can. But if we all get down there's naught to stand on - folk like Dhaavan - and me - will have a hard time fighting in the water."
"Well - how does that plan grab any of you? Does sending scouts quick and quiet seem like a good plan, or not?" I ask, staring at the waters below.
"Seeing as everyone's worried about my swimming, or ineptitude at it, if i could use the ring for a little boost so I don't go sinking, and you don't have to worry so much about me? And as a rule, I avoid fighting myself, using my eagles and dolphins so I ain't too worried. Pluss i thinked i worked out a way to hide myself, took a litel taste of the potion, not enough to use it, I should have a pretty little vanishing act ready for Plugg too."
"I agree about sending a lookout. Jiro, u think you can make the climb? Jack can fly, and Sko or Valeros are our best swimmers, so if they took the low road in the water?"
Jack's Perception
"Jack can fly in, and Jiro's Light trick can illuminate the area while the rest what go down stay in the darkness. It alerts the Grindylow that we're there, but we'll likely be found anyway. I'll jsut need someone to tie off a rope, and such so i can get lowered down, cause there's no way I can climb that."
Watching Variel dive in, I sigh; disappointed that we couldn't have sent scouts in first.
"Come here, lad - I'll lower you in," I tell Dhaavan, then give him a hand lowering him into the water below.
"So after yea lower me down yea get into the water, I'll follow yea along the way, so when we get down there, Yea take point. Yer eyes 're better a came than me anyways. Oh, and thanks for lower'n me down, eh." Dhaavan says with a nod.
Anyone protest Dhaavan getting the ring of swimming?
Dhaavan will tread water till the others are down and bring up the rear.
You all get down without incident.
Rain manages to expertly keep afloat in all the churning water. She waits to assist any mate who climbs down after her, keeping a watchful eye on the water and her descending mates.
Seijiro struggles a bit in the water but manages to just stay afloat once he gets down the cliff.
I manage to stay afloat in the churning water.
+2(aid) = 10
(Dunking under)/(Struggling with the aid of Variel) in the churning waters, Dhaavan manages to get his head above the churning waves.
As you all make your way into the cave the water level gets more manageable and you are able to stand though the water is about waist high and the currents are strong as water flows in and out. As you walk in the tunnel to the west drops underwater and is surging and moving. You suspect that the tunnel heads out to the ocean.
The other tunnel heads off into darkness.
As you head into the tunnels you begin to see signs of the Grindylows. The tunnels are littered with partially eaten bones sucked clean of flesh. The grindylows decorate these bones with strange scrimshaw, and tie them together with sinew to create revolting “sculptures” resembling
lurking horrors and twisted sea creatures from the depths, the product of sadistic and almost alien minds. Seaweed clings to the floor and makes it difficult to slog through the water.
"Dammit, it's too bloody dark in here. Valeros, Variel, you got any light magic? All i can do is conjure a candle, and that ain't gonna do much good aside from givin' away our position. I figure these beasties can probably see in the dark anyways, right Rain? So light really don't give any disadvantages in terms of stealth unless any o' us can see in the dark..."
"I think maybe we aught re-shuffel a little?" Dhaavan suggests when they get into the cavern. "Jiro, you been deadly when you get into the mix. If yea were near the front yea'd be able to get around, behind enemies and cut 'em up like yea do. Yer a tough one Sko, and while Rain and Variel hit hard, yea think yea'd be good to take point and Rain can follow wit' Jiro and her pike to stab from behind yea?"
To rain he asks, "Yea figured out how ta make it extend like the officer did? cause if yea were back in the middle o' the group yea could make it spring out and hit sommat from either side, we'll dodge out o her way."
"Flynn, Yea mind keepin an eye on Me and Valeros, make sure nothin interrupts my summoning? Plus that magic sword o' yers sheads light so we'll have some light here in back so we don't get ambushed, yeah?"
** Proposed swimming order omitted **
Ninja'd
Sko Variel
Jiro Rain
Dhaavan Valeros
Flynn
We can use Light spells on an item in the front, and one in the middle, then Flynn has his sword which glows.
Sko has the HP to take a few surprise attacks, some self-healing, and abilities to make him more combat ready and pretty devastating plus a decent perception, so he makes a good front-liner. Variel has low-light vision and is a pretty heavy hitter, so he makes sense to have him up front. Jack Thrush has Low-light and +11 perception and will double move into being a tattoo if a fight starts so he can be up front with the others.
Rain's reach weapon lets her attack from behind other fighters, and since she can't take 5' steps through difficult terrain, if someone closes on her she's unable to use her best weapon. So if she has someone like sko to screen for her she's at a huge advantage.
Jiro needs to flank for his major damage, so him being behind the tank makes sense so he can get into flanking position easier. Valeros has his commands for range and burning hands for up close, and flynn can protect us casters while Daavan summons flanking buddies for everyone!
”Personally I think that Valeros or Sko should have point – roughly 15 feet in front of the party. If Sko is in his shark form, he can likely smell threats in the water – and probably see well in the water; and Valeros can move around real well in the water.”
”But in any case, Sko can heal – and Valeros can heal – I’d just assume not have our two healers standing right next to each other, and all the way up on the front line. If these tunnels twist and turn, I don’t fancy having a lad come up on me from behind me when I got no cover, and no healing to back me – sorry. I’m not doing that,” I say flatly.
”I can all the way in the back, if you want, but I’d prefer to be next to Valeros in the back."
"Valeros can heal the party if we get hit from behind - but he's not much of a fighter. Sko is - so yeah - I say staying back with Valeros is a good thing, with Dhaavan and Jiro-san in front of us for protection – Variel and Rain can be in the front – and we keep Sko before them, in shark form. Hell, if anyone sees him on point, they’ll think it’s a shark – and they may ignore him – but they won’t ignore Rain and Variel.”
”Besides, low-light vision aside – I’m reckoning a shark can smell blood in the water – that’d be a handy ability to use.”
As we are about to set out, Dhaavan moves up abit to wee where we'll be going, and as the water becomes more shallow, he says, "Don't think a shark can make it through here. Looks like it gets too shallow. But I seen him do a partial-shark transformation thing, what may help, but i dunno about that kind of nature magic, so i ain't gonna make suggestions for it. But personally i think it's more tactically sound ta have Valeros in back. He's tosses some pretty handy magics both close like that steam blast what near cooked the reefclaw for us, and his commands."
Who's got the bow, btw?