"Are we all set for the expedition? On that topic, we've two ways to enter, the underwater passage or through the main entrance. Any preferences?"
"I say I do prefer main entrance, only due to my wings. Not so easy to flying in water.", ending off with a smile.
"Understood, but the water passage could give us the element of surprise, and perhaps succeed where the other expeditions did not."
"It depends, is Xaikon able to swim or not. If she isn't, then the main entrance is best."
Xaikon smiles, "Yes, I can swim. Just an average swimmer."
"I am not a good swimmer, it is too cold where I come from, but I do have a spell that helps me swim and climb."
"I'm strong so I have little problems swimming."
"Out of stealth reasons, swimming then? I, and i think you agree, prefer to get the drop on our enemies over them doing so with us."
”I don’t know how to swim,” Alvoise admits. ”But I should be able to suffer getting through this tunnel as long as I can breathe.”
"It seems we are all willing to try the tunnel. Does anyone know if there is a druid about who could give us all the boon to breathe water?"
"Time to get wet I guess," as she looks northward.
You ask around and find a druid named Khonnir who agrees to cast water breathing on you all free of charge when he learns of your mission. He follows you the area close to were the underwater passage is located and casts the spells when you are ready giving each of you the ability to breathe underwater for six hours.
”Thank you Khonnir,” Alvoise says, feeling the effects of the druid’s magic. He bends down and picks up a small stick. He hands it to the druid. ”Do you mind casting a light on this? I expect the tunnel to be fully dark, and we need to see.”
"What a convenience i can see in the dark."
Alvoise laughs, ”Well I need to see. I guess I shouldn’t have said ‘we.’ Are you volunteering to lead us with your superior eyes?”
"If the situation requires it, i would."
"It is not a problem says Khonnir casting light on the object.
She looks at Alvoise, speaking, "Think one of us needs to swim ahead to see if we can sneak in without being noticed with a light source amongst us. If there are watchman at end of tunnel, we will need to hide the light source, and one of us then lead those who can't see in the dark, like holding onto something of the guide. Of course if the watchman have a light source, closer to end of water I sure Alvoise and other will begin to be able to see out of the water and prepare to launch out of the water in a surprise attack. I am after all a hunter of the night, so natural fitting to go ahead."
"That would leave me and Xaikon to go first. You have all your possessions ready? If chances favor us we'll meet again swiftly."
"I think a number of use can sneak in the dark, and scout around.
and the better swimmers should be the first to check for a watchman"
Raskir volunteers to go with the advance party, using his darkvision to scout. He chants and calls on the spirits of fish and the wild lynx, giving him increased ability to swim and climb, and then allows his body to take its natural form, granting him darkvision and a claw-like grip. He stashes most of his gear including the crossbow under some bushes, but keeps his longspear, dagger, and sling.
Alvoise counts the people volunteering for the lightless scouting party. ”So it sounds like everyone is volunteering to swim in the dark but me. Staying up here while all of you face danger....hmmm.” He sticks the glowing stick into his pocket so only about an inch is showing. ”I think this will give me enough light to see with. Like a candle’s light. I’ll follow behind you, what, 50 or 60 feet? Does that sound like a good plan?”
You eventually decide on who goes first and someone dives in and finds the underwater passage a large crevasse in the side of the rock wall.
You enter and swim along (dc 10 swim check) but there is something in the water that makes you feel a bit ill. Fort save dc 14. If you fail you become sickened for a while (I will let you know).
The tunnel seems to go on for about 90 feet before it goes into a large open area were light shines down from above.
So far everyone managed to resist the toxin in the water.
You get out of the water were the light shines.
Dampness hangs in the air of this cave, condensing into heavy moisture on the slick, stone walls. The calm, dark waters wind around to the east up north, along a stony, soot-scarred beach. A five-foot-high ledge sporting several stalagmites rises to the east, beyond which a low-ceilinged cave beckons.
you notice a small stream of green sludge seeping out of a crack in the cavern wall and going into the water.
Raskir swims easily, aided by his spirit magic, but he is glad when he gets back to air due to something foul about the water. He looks at the sludge with distaste.
Numerian Fluids
Over the centuries, strange fluids have seeped from the
wreckage of Silver Mount and other crash sites. Engine
fluid, coolant, hydraulic fluids, and stranger substances
have mixed together, the chemicals further transformed
by the strange radiations of the ship’s drives. Fluids can be
found in pools or springs, or collected as they drip from
larger pieces of wreckage. Odd behavior in animal life or an
abundance of mutations can indicate a nearby source of
alien fluids. While many such fluids are no more magical
or marvelous than crude oil—and often highly poisonous
to humanoids—others have strange and sometimes
desirable effects on biological life.
Once out of the water, Xaikon looks about including upwards towards the light, flapping her wings to get them dry.
"That would have been a drier route for me to get into this cave."
She walks about slowly around the cave looking into the darkness to see where they should proceed to, and to hear for any activity ahead.
Ah yes I was getting to that. The light in this cave is coming from a colony of fire beetles in the room. Several of them hang on the walls and on the ceiling of this cavern. Thought they haven't reacted to you yet.
Val makes a swim to the rest of the group
Raskir studies the fire beetles, wondering if they will attack, and if they would be susceptible to his charm animal spell. But after a few moments he is ready to leave the water.
Charm animal doesn't work on insects.
Raskir is not very familiar with fire beetles but his knowledge of insects tells him that they will attack if they feel the nest is in danger.
Steeping careful on the small beach Xaikon looks around and spots a ledge she could fly up too that might lead somewhere.
Here is a visual of the area. You came from the south and it looks like the current continues up north as well.
"Don't threaten their nest and they should leave us alone."
"Agreed."
Jayla attempts a stealthy recon.
You try to climb the ledge?
Raskir, still feeling the increased dexterity in his limbs from the monkey fish spell, approaches the ledge, trying not to disturb the beetles, and begins a steady climb.
Your options are climb the ledge, fly up to it or keep swimming down the stream.
Xaikon nods and move to the southern side of the ledge. Looks up at the fire beetles to make sure she be as far as possible from them. She gives a quick flap to propel herself into the air, rising slowly until her head only sticks out above the flat surface of the ledge to see what is there.
Raskir moves up to the ledge and the beetles seems to notice him and grow more agitated moving down the walls to come down to the beach on each side.
Xaikon flies up a bit and sees 4 mounds of earth near the ledge and a tunnel that goes to another chamber. Seems the next is right at the top of the ledge.
"Oh boy, looks like someone disturbed the hive."