Aella tries her best but she cannot escape the clutches of the tentacle… and when Heirang moves in to attempt to grab it, it simply slides out of the way – dragging the stricken paladin with it… Lorne, flicking his rapier gracefully, tries his hardest to attract the attention of the gruesome appendage – but to no avail.
Robert smiles back at the man, and even as the echo of his last shot is still heard, he has already finished reloading and takes aim, this time at the one grasping Aella.
Having trouble Harry? Lorne? Watch, and I'll show you why I prefer lead to magic.
Robert's pistol cuts a small hole in the tentacle which, for a moment, looks ready to drop Aella... but the wound is not quite severe enough to make it relax its grip...
...and then the tentacle squeezes...
Crashing through the lighthouse as Aella is lifted from the ground, the tentacles focus upon the grappled paladin...
Harry yells up at the tentacle holding the paladin in midair, "'Ey! Down here!" He frantically waves his arms as he intones another spell, sending another bolt of acid at the tentacle.
"Yes, Robert, we are clearly having trouble! Now stop lecturing and throw more hot lead into these things!"
The blast of acid from Heirang, accurately thrown and hideously corrosive, is enough to cause the tentacle grappling Aella to go limp; slumping to the floor, it relaxes its grip upon the paladin…
…and then, rushing forwards, Lorne attempts to stab at another of the tentacles – once more his blade merely bends as it strikes the thick hide of the monstrosity…
"Blast these slippery seaweed fungus!!!" she yowls as she tries to slash it good and proper
Aella let out a wheeze as she was finally freed from the beast's grip.
"I thank you... for the assistance...friends!"
Once recovered, her relief turned to anger.
"You'll pay for that, fiend!"
She planted her feet and stabbed at the closest monstrosity, aiming to pierce it first, then slash down its length second.
Kit’Arr’s claws are savagely accurate… and brutal; the tentacle that she rends with her claws goes limp… The floor of the lighthouse is becoming slick with seawater and seaweed brought in by the tentacles… and Aella stumbles as she tries to regain her feet – when she does plant her feet, she cannot get quite enough power into her blows – her sword twice glances off the tentacle’s hide…
Meanwhile Robert is struggling to find a position where it is safe to fire… the crowd within the lighthouse is still surging towards the ladder and, on two separate occasions, Robert is jostled before he can take his aim…
Two more tentacles crash through the windows as the lighhouse creaks and groans against the constant assault… and start plucking fishermen from the ladder as they try to climb towards safety…
…and the third tentacle sweeps across the floor, trying to knock Robert to the floor…
"Always pleasure, my damsel in distress!" she winks, then goes for another tentacle, one holding one of the towns folk!
Unwilling to use his Cold Blast here and risk killing one of the villagers, Harry elects to send a ray of freezing cold at the tentacle attacking Robert.
It's not a lecture Lorne. My lectures would most likely last much longer. It was simply a comment on how my fighting skills seem to be above yours. Robert jests idly as he easily jumps over the tentacle's clumsy swing.
And in that brief second that he is airborne, Robert points his gun down at the tentacle below him, and fires.
And then he lands, already pullin out his powder horn and reloading.
Kit’Arr’s claws once more slash through the thick skin of the tentacle – a thick, dark blood oozes from the wound… but, moving sluggishly now, the tentacle still has a curled grip around the screaming fisherman… Heirang, trying to find a target that will minimise collateral damage, chooses the tentacle attacking Robert as the target for his arcane ice… but somehow, the tentacle moves clear before anything beyond a light frost forms across it – and, as it moves away, Robert shoots – wounding, but not stopping it…
Lorne moves to assist Kit'Arr, hoping to finish off the injured tentacle and free the fisherman. "Lay on, friends! This beast can't have too many more arms!"
Aella struggles to turn her frustration into something usable.
She attacks, swinging her sword from side to side in a wild slash and...
Lets herself revel in the ensuing splatter of corrupted blood.
Moving quickly to assist Kit’Arr, Lorne drives his rapier deep into the savage wound already raked by the catfolk’s dreadful claws… the tentacle quivers for a final time before slumping to the floor and releasing a relieved looking fisherman. Aella, now firmly planted, swings her sword with devastating power… completely severing the tentacle that had swung at Robert – blood pools in a viscous black circle around the monstrous limb.
…there is a scream that is lost in the noise of the storm as the remaining tentacle pulls the villager that it is holding through the destroyed window and out to sea. For a moment, everything is deathly quiet… the villagefolk still clambering up the ladder and to perceived safety… before a third and final groan echoes through the structure of the lighthouse as something beneath the waves crashes against it. Wood cracks and masonry falls… and for a moment it seems that all is lost… before the thing beneath the waves moves off…
…and, almost as quickly as it rose, the unnaturally high tide starts to subside.
Kit will be staying up high till she knows she can touch the ground without getting too wet
"Going for a swim is one thing, but when the pool comes for you, count me out!"
Harry shudders briefly as he realizes just how close they came todeath here. He nods in response to Kit'Arr. "Aye, especially if the Kraken lurks in that pool!"
As his spell effects wear off he looks over to the bottom of the lighthouse where the pieces of the tentacle still twitches slightly. Peering more closely at it he sends a tiny ray of frost into the edge of it and chips it off with his club.
Holding the piece of the tentacle up to the others he nods grimly, "It looks like we have discovered th' culprit behind th' disappearances."
With the exhilaration of battle seeping away, the reality of the situation finally bit into Aella. Her posture relaxes, but her countenance turns sorrowful. People had died today, and they had died because she had been too slow; too weak.
Pathetic, Aella. You must try harder. You must be stronger.
Eager to wash away her guilt, the paladin hurries about the lighthouse in search of anyone particularly injured.
4/8 uses of Lay on Hands left.
With the exhilaration of battle seeping away, the reality of the situation finally bit into Aella. Her posture relaxes, but her countenance turns sorrowful.
"Oi, that sad look doesn't fit your pretty face! You are still here, the people here are still here because of what we, you, did, so stop feeling sorry for yourself, and let's go get the thing that caused all this!"
Aella struggles at first, but the girls words are a weight off her shoulders, however small.
"Thank you, Kit. All these years and it's still just as hard... you'd think a girl would learn..."
She places a hand on Kit'Arr's shoulder and gives an overly-enthusiastic smile.
"Ever need a soft shoulder to cry on, well, i have to remove my armour first, but you get the idea" she winks back
"Now let's get this sorted out. We may have fresh seafood to eat soon enough"
"I do not... cry! But aye, I agree, let us help these poor people the best we can."
"Would you two get a room?" Lorne says with a weary laugh. Preferably one with a sizable peep-hole? he almost adds. "Everyone, check in! Are we all still alive?"
Other than Marcus, the bloody fool?
Lorne then looks around for any authority figures, especially any priests who might be able to help with any injuries.
-Posted with Wayfinder
After the sudden disappearance of the attacker, Robert spins Onyx in his hand before slamming it in his holster, cowboy style.
He then process to aproach the old man he had saved earlier and offers him a hand to pull him up, albeit a little roughly.
The lighthouse groans for one final time as a wave crashes against the compromised walls… and finally all is quiet. As the villagefolk begin to count the cost of the attack – one person (plus Marcus) plucked from the lighthouse and taken who knows where… and one villager crushed and broken by one of the tentacles – the lighthouse keeper, who appears to have inherited the role of village spokesperson after the disappearance (death?) of Constable Gavendi, thanks the group for what they have done, ”If you had not been here… it would have been a very different outcome I am sure. It is time we spoke properly… away from the others”
And so, whilst the other villagers begin to make their way back into the night – back to their homes, Gervus Barhandin leads Aella and the rest of the group up the ladder, to the very top of the lighthouse, ”I fear we have been a little circumspect with you… but, after what you have done for us, I will entrust you with what I am going to tell you”.
Beckoning out to sea, towards the unseen island out there in the gulf, ”The island of Nal-Kashel was once an Azlanti outpost… and this village represents the very last of the ancestors from those times. Gerlach, and others amongst us, are gillmen… as they grow older, the call of the sea becomes too strong and they return to the waves. This has been the way for generations… but now, digging for the lost knowledge of our past, Gerlach has stirred up ancient powers on the island – enough to drive him mad they say and to raise beasts such as you witnessed… If Blackcove is to survive, someone must go out to the island and stop Gerlach”, for a moment Gervus seems unsure about himself, ”…I can offer a reward if that would convince you? There is little hope for us now… please say you will help us”.
"Gillmen... hah. I heard of those. Well. I'll help." she jumps down to join the rest
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Harry nods in understanding. Gillmen...aye that does clear things up some. And if this Gerlach did indeed awaken something...then he needs ta be stopped.
"Ye had me when he raised that Kraken ta serve 'im. I am in."
Lorne smiles broadly and lays a hand on Gervus' shoulder. "Thank you for your honesty. I won't speak for the rest of my fellows, but the chance to delve an Azlanti ruin is reward enough! I have spent my life plumbing the wonders of the past. If I can do that while helping you people at the same time, well..."
It might make up for past transgressions?
"In any case, it sounds as if we must head for this Nal-Kashel sooner rather than later. We don't want to risk that tentacled monstrosity coming back for seconds, do we?"
He looks out the window where Marcus was pulled out. "Robert? Aella? With Marcus gone, I suppose you lot are in charge of what we do next. What say you? Shall we turn our collective talents toward saving Blackcove? We worked pretty well together, I would say."
Aella nods her head, determined.
"Aye, Mr. Richter, you have the truth of it. Though I have no direct connection to the laws of this land, we paladin's do hold some sway, particularly when it comes to small court. Help these folk with me, and I promise you, on my honour, that I will do all within my power to argue on your behalf once we do finally make it to our original destination."
Upon finishing, she takes a deep breath, realizes the over-formality of her speech, and attempts to hide her sudden fluster. She coughs, and half-turns away to compose herself.
"Yes, well...," she addresses Gervus "Could we request a boat or two to make it to the island? Would you also recommend a guide, or is it wiser to brave these perils without one who might prove a hindrance when it comes to battle?" her speech does not hint at disdain for the people around her, only logic.
”Us Blackcove folk don’t like to talk about our heritage around strangers… people like your Asmodean friend don’t take too kindly to things that are different – and we keep to ourselves… or, at least, we used to be able to. Living our lives with the song of the sea in our ears has kept this community alive…”, Gervus tries to reassure the group that it is not the fact that the villagers have gillman heritage that is the problem – and that it is the actions of Gerlach that have brought the horror upon Blackcove.
And, as the friends agree to his request, talk turns to resting, ”Please, stay here in the lighthouse with me… despite what just happened, it really is the safest place in the village” and the matter of getting to the island, ”Of course we must arrange a boat… and a guide for you. Let me talk with a few of the fishermen and see who is willing to row out to Nal-Kashel”.
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A peaceful night settles over the cove, and to the soft noise of lapping waves, the group sleep soundly... come the morning, a broad shouldered fellow introducing himself as Estian, ushers the rested group down to his boat... and out into the sea...
The journey over the seas is choppy and lasts about 2 hours before the island comes into clear view. The island materializes ahead as imposing cliffs lift weed- choked ruins far above the frothing sea. Miraculously, the broken tops of several towers orbit the island in slow, lazy ellipses, some plunging into the ocean before emerging aloft again.
A huge blanket of floating jellyfish lurk just below the gray waters as Estian croaks a rough sea shanty under his breath. He sniffs the salty air and nods toward the jellyfish bloom, his wide mouth breaking into a toothy grin, “That’s a bad place to be right now, surely, I’d say!”
She puts her paw to her forehead and groans
"You had to go and say that... didn't you..."
She looks at the Paladin
"You better make sure I don't fall in"
Harry stares at the island his jaw hanging open in amazement. Och, I never seen anything like this before!
"Aye, but that is whar we needs ta go." He replies gruffly. Turning to the new leader Lorne, he adds "Well, what be th' plan here?"
"Astounding," the rogue archaeologist says in admiration of the island and its orbiting towers. "What force or mechanism causes those structures to move in such a way, I wonder? There must be some power source somewhere on the island- oh, it's fascinating!"
To Harry, he says: "I suggest we make landfall and have a look around those ruins. The towers dipping into the water suggests to me that this island might have wonders that run deep- we should be on the lookout for some sort of passageway that leads beneath the surface."
He does his best to ignore Estian's poorly-timed remark, instead focusing on his excitement at the prospect of exploring this mysterious island.
Aella places a hand upon Kit's wrist and smiles.
"If you fall, I'll catch you. Promise."
Upon further sight of the ominous island, her reassuring hand turns into a worried grip. She turns to Estian.
"Are there any dangers we should know about? Such as those... uhh, things? What are they?"
The paladin quirks an eyebrow at Lorne's embullience.
"Don't get too excited, Mr. Richter. We are here on a mission, remember?"
She grins a toothy grin. Then back to business
"Yup! No need to lose our tails. Things might go crazy any minute. We need to be ready..."
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Estian laughs and resumes his singing; pulling hard on the oars, he moves the boat faster through the jellyfish bloom...
...and then, slowing his pace, he stops singing, "Do you hear that? Can you hear the waves singing to us? Such a beautiful sound... so wonderful..."
"So...", Estian never finishes his sentence... he doubles over with a gurgling cough and starts wailing... and then, standing up in the boat - letting the oars slip - Estian undergoes a rapid and horrifying transformation... from a normal-looking human into something else... Changed into a hunchbacked, green-skinned humanoid with a wide, frog-like head but a mouth more akin to that of a toothy fish, he croaks something in an unintelligible garble and starts to viciously rock the boat...
Harry, caught by the fascinating sight of the jellyfish swimming under the water, fails to note the man's startling tarnsformation. His reflexes are quick and he manages to stay in the boat.
I suspect this be what happened ta Gerlach earlier!
While he could try casting a spell here, he decides to take a more direct approach here, as he grabs his belaying pin and swings it clumsily at the 'guide'.
Although Robert fails to catch sight of the transformation before it is complete, ha reacts quickly to the situation, his sea legs holdin him steady on board the ship.
Robert will leap to his feet quickly and close the few steps between him an the guide. He will then proced to Sparta kick him as hard as he possibly can off the boat
"Estian, you fool!" Lorne shouts. Seeing what Robert is planning, Lorne will also attempt to knock the man off the boat.
Aella was paying little attention at the time, more focused on their destination, so she didn't realize what their guide was up to until it was too late. Regardless, her first instinct is to keep her promise.
She yanks on the girl's arm, hoping to use herself as an anchor for Kit to stabilize herself on. However, she was not in the clear just yet.
Aella's focus on her friend left her too little time to save herself. She tumbles into the water, and immediately struggles to stay afloat.
For not the first time in her life, Aella cursed the weight of her armour, and merely hoped that her friends might deal with the new threat quickly so as to save her fool life.