Your group awakens with the Dawn and Lubella’s prayers.
The elves are already looking better, albeit a bit dehydrated. The Hellknights vow to guard them. As you finish climbing down the well, Octavio approaches and makes a solemn request
”If we are successful, perhaps the Silver Ravens would
Be willing to support a mission to recover my team’s lost arms and armor of the Torrent. They will be much more effective as we undoubtedly will face increased resistance from the unjust government as the movement draws more attention to its activities. I am certain these elves will appreciate some weapons of their kin as they have lost everything as well. We owe you much for what you are doing for us and the city. So we are reluctant to ask any more than already provided. A second chance that we otherwise would not have had. “
Sidius nods, "That makes sense -- making you more effective, and blackening the eye of the dottari."
Talvek frowns at the request from Octavio. "I understand the logic, but your arms and armour are rather... conspicuous, I'd say. With your order outlawed, it would be very difficult for you to move about the city without the dottari descending upon you. So far, one of our strengths has been in evading notice and pursuit, but with something as recognizable as Hellknight armour I don't see how that will be possible."
Lubella responded to Ocatavio's request to recover the Order of the Torrent's equipment, "We can certainly look into that. We'd have to have a good idea of where your gear is being stored; at a guess I'd say in the holding house that we rescued your Armigers from. Our knowledge of the about is limited, so we'd have to figure out how to get in without mounting a full-scale assault.
"Jackdaw makes a good point: you'd have to be very careful about where you're seen in your Hellknight armor, once we retrieve it."
She wanted to help out the Order of the Torrent, but she could definitely understand Talvek's objection, and didn't want to commit the Silver Ravens to a hastily planned mission.
Octavio nods ”Those are fair points. Still, it remains a loss of honor to the team. But they will abide and continue to serve the cause either way. They owe that much. So what is the layout? Choke points? Areas to be explored? Exit strategy ? Any estimates on size and numbers of opposition? “
Lubella replied to Octavio, "We've only encountered a few scum so far: five or six at a time. The constructs guarding the prison were more difficult opponents actually. We haven't fully explored the tunnels since draining them. Our exit is up the well."
Octavio dons his helmet and nods.
”Your familiarity with the battlefield exceeds mine. Please proceed and I will contribute as best I can. “
You watch as the commander wears his heavy armor and wields his glaive with practiced precision.
"Your assistance is appreciated, Octavio. The faster we secure this place, the sooner we can turn our attention to other matters."
Talvek does a final check of his equipment, making sure that his various vials are within easy reach, and downing a few.
Lubella got ready, casting spells on herself and Octavio, and Talvek, and then using her wand.
"Why don't we explore the opening that the big fish came from?"
Looking to the east, the murky waters reveal a tunnel to a larger cavern.
The water is still 3-5' deep in the tunnel - so taller people can wade but Lubella finds herself in over her head (literally).
Once light is brought into the narrow tunnel...
Phosphorescent lichen covers the walls of this huge, flooded
cavern, giving it the eerie atmosphere of a cathedral devoted
to some watery god. To the north, a hand-carved circular
tunnel angles upward before curving to the east (and off the map).
You suspect the rounded tunnel leads up to city sewer levels. Nothing appears to be moving in the waters here.
Nothing particular about the lichens other than the bioluminescence. Look like they have grown here for many years.
Lubella swam ahead and looked around the chamber beyond. Once she was satisfied that the the area was free of enemies, she said to the others, "All clear. A tunnel at the end seems to lead upwards towards the city sewers. Let's go to the other large cavern to the west, and see where that leads."
Octavio listens to the report.
No sense going back to the sewers now. But later I will have my team investigate and fortify versus infiltration from above.
The Hellknight leader marches behind the halfling to the western chamber. The pair stop as the murky water grows deeper where the floor slopes downward to the west.
As the others catch up in the large cavern, all five of you perceive a swirling shadow below the water.
Then a shout commanded directly into your brains leaves you momentarily speechless.
The swirl in the water appears to be in the center of the room and you perceive the burning orange glow of eyes.
"Uh-oh..." Clearing his throat, Talvek speaks loudly. "That depends. If the skum of these caves are the kind who would conspire against the people of this city, then yes, we seek them. If they are peaceful and wish to be left alone, I'm sure we can come to an agreement."
Perhaps some of Lubella's relentless redemption drive has been rubbing off on him, or perhaps he is tired of fighting. An image of the emaciated elves held prisoner flashes through his mind, and his hand drifts towards the hilt of his rapier, anticipating violence.
"We seek to make Kintargo a better place for the common people. Talking is better than fighting," Lubella told the mysterious creature.
The water stirs and boils as the creature pulls out of the mirk and rises to almost to the ceiling.
Before you is a imposing figure with two pairs of large burning orange eyes. Ram horns seem at odds with the frills and fins more suitable for underwater movement.
The twisting tentacles at the creature's long arms writhe in anticipation.
You see before you a diabolical drowning devil...DC23 or higher to get more info
Octavio watches in awe as the creature speaks into his head. He grips his halberd with grim determination.
What...what is this creature before us?
Talvek's hand grips the hilt of his rapier. "That... is a devil."
It was clear to him that there could be no bargaining or agreement with this creature, but were the others ready to confront it? He glances sideways at the rest of the group, assessing.
Sidius says, "If it's a devil, it may be that it's bound here - it might be that we can find a mutually beneficial solution where it gets to go back to the Hells."
Lubella suspects only a holy or blessed weapon will do full damage to the creature
Lubella whispered to her allies, "It's a Drowning Devil; you need a holy or blessed weapon to do full damage to it."
Speaking aloud, it commands, in common.
I need your answer! Speak quickly!
Talvek frowns at Sidius's suggestion, but then takes a step forward to address the devil. "We do not seek to ally with the skum, at least not with the ones who kidnap and imprison people. Are you bound here? Do you wish to be free? If you swear not to harm this city or its inhabitants, then we can try to find a solution together."
He then waits, still poised to fight if it came to that.
”I am certainly not be bound here.
But am willing to listen to your offer if better than the Skum.
They have been less than reliable of late. “
.
He is trying to hide he already made a deal with the skum and his service here and not happy about it.
Lubella couldn't guess at the devil's motivations. She whispered to her friends, [b]"With this deep water, I'm not goin to be much help in a fight against this devil. We could retreat and get more supplies."[b/]
The immense creature spins as it emerges from the water halfway.
Speak your best offer. What business do you have here?
Sidius shrugs, "We don't know enough of your deal with the Skum to ensure any offer we make wouldn't be an insult. Perhaps you could tell us about that, first, so we don't waste our time if there's no agreement to be found?"
The creature snorts
”That would certainly take all of the fun out of the negotiating, would it not? Try me. “
I do not trust it or any of its kind.
Octavio states plainly, and looks from face to face and back to the creature, holding any further comments to see what manner of bargain is struck.
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Sidius looks at the Hellknight, his mind filling with questions, ...but... isn't that the *Hell* part of being a Hellknight?..., but he shrugs it off, "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize we were playing a game. I can think of many better ways to amuse ourselves, if that's what this is."
He says, "But, then, since we know it's more, let's be plain. What are you offering? Service? Days? Weeks? Or just information? It's literally impossible to place a value on an unknown."
Lubella told the devil, "I think we weed a chance to discuss this among ourselves; we'll come back later."
After they had retreated far enough to be out of earshot, she explained to her teammates, "I think we'll likely have to fight that devil. I'd like to buy a scroll or two first."
I sense hesitation in your willingness to strike a bargain to my benefit.
That...and I am tired of waiting on the skum to keep theirs.
Maybe a bit of motivation will provide the push you need.
Initiative:
With a sudden swirl of his tentacled arms, the waters boil and rise around those in the rear, filling the recently pumped halls will a wall of water 24' high and reaching the ceiling.
The devil dives beneath the murky waters.
=== Round 1 ===
(22) SHURSHOGOT (submerged)
(18) Lubella(), Octavio()
(12) Talvek(submerged), Arcos(submerged),Sidius(submerged)
Sidius, Arcos and Talvek find themselves lifted off their feet (swim checks needed to move), floating in a column of water. They can see an air pocket before them with Lubella and Octavio facing the devil's chamber.
I knew we could not trust him! To BATTLE!
Octavio flips down his visor and readies his halberd to strike anything within reach.
Lubellla stepped back, cast a spell to quicken her reflexes, and started her martial dance. "He certainly doesn't bargain in good faith!", she replied to Octavio.
Talvek sighs inwardly as he pulls a vial from his belt and, carefully uncorking it, sucks its contents. Almost immediately, a thin membrane grows between his fingers, making it easier for him to swim.
He then swims down and out of the column of water to stand by Lubella.
Sidius pushes down the panic of drowning in his mind, and rather than flailing blindly, he casts Alter Self, reassuming the form of a Boggard to cut through -- and breathe -- water...