Swimming down towards their sunken companions, sword in hand, Rhialla channels again this time focusing on searing the undead with holy power.
Swimming down towards her friends, Rhialla quickly casts a spell, reaching out to touch Sandara, a small pocket of breathable air surrounding her paralysed sister cleric's head before turning towards Rosie to help her.
Jaina doesn't stop throwing punches at the whale!
Ignoring Randall's plea to attack Percival instead, the Queen continues to puncture the Bard.
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Perhaps it was his thrashing about trying to come to Randall's aide, maybe his brief slip into unconciousness made him forget how to swim. Whaterver the reason the big Chelaxian moved nowhere and he cursed up a storm
$%^# you daughter of !@^$%, you turn around right now and fight me before I *&^% you up the !@&
He growled at her
Having had enough of being her personal punching bag, Randall slips past the tip of the Queen's harpoon and plunges his blade deep into her chest. With a grin of satisfaction he twist the blade as he withdraws it.
Surprised by the attack coming from behind the Whale roars in pain and turns to face the new threat. Trying to placate the gnawing hunger in his stomach, the beast attempts to eat Aaron. Fortunately for the Ranger Neela's magics prevent the Whale's jaws from closing on him.
Snatched from the jaws of doom, Aaron stabs at the humongous beast with Percival's pike. Thanks to the continued distractions provided by Jaina and Percival, the pike's point barely penetrates the Whale's blubberous hide.
Holding her sword in her teeth, Rhialla draws her dagger and begins sawing away at Rosie's bonds.
Jaina gives Neela a brief thumbs-up as her healing magic starts working on her (as wrong as it felt). She turns to the whale and keeps on punching!
Rhialla cuts the rope holding the weight to Rosie's ankles as the halfling begins to claw her way to the surface and blessed air.
Jaina's pugilistic prowess proves to be too much for the Whale as her 1-2 combination KO's the creature, causing it to slowly disappear below the waves.
The Queen lets loose a cry of anguish as her child begins to slip beneath the water's surface. Her face becomes a mask of rage as she turns away from Randall to glare at Jaina. Hefting her harpoon in her hands she prepares to let it fly at the Ifrit, which allows provides Randall the the opening he needs to stab at the grindylow queen. Randall's blade slips between her ribs and punctures her heart, causing the harpoon to fall from the Queen's dead hands before she can throw it at Jaina.
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Without hesistation he dives under to make sure they get their friend up and out of the water and out of harms way.
That.. could have went better.
He said glancing torwards 'his' cleric to ensure she was good before slipping down to grab the Grindylow queens carcass and haul it up for investigation.
With the fighting all over Randall dives down to rescue Sandara and Rosie, only to see Rosie swimming for the surface. Alarmed to see the rigid condition Sandara is in he relaxes a moment later when the paralysis passes.
Using his sword he cuts the silver ore that was weighing her down and holding her tight begins to swim for the surface. Once above water he presses her holy symbol, that he had found on the deck after she was kidnapped, into her hand and gives her a welcoming smile.
Giving Percy a wink and the "ok" sign, Rhialla swims to the surface, taking a deep breath as she breaks the surface.
While Percival examines the grindylow queen's body Randall will search the cavern for any other loot.
Jaina glares at the sinking corpses of the whale and devilfish.
"Yeah, that's why the wildlife here went extinct--ME." She pumps her fist in the air and laughs.
"Oh, Rosie? Sandara? How are you doing? Can you walk?"
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Percival chuckled at his fiery friends proclamation. It was hard to argue with her after all.
When we get back to the ships if this island doesnt have a name perhaps we can name it after you eh Jaina?
He said in jest, as he searched, they did have a few other worries of course, like getting that water and getting back to the ship, but all in all things were looking up even if he was certainly more hurt than he would like.
Dont suppose the goddess has granted you anymore healing beautiful? I cant imagine there are more of the fecund little squidgob snots running about.
He questioned Rhialla, though it did occur to him perhaps Sandara might have a little juice in that department as well.
"When we get back to the ships if this island doesn't have a name perhaps we can name it after you eh Jaina?"
"Sure. Mad B%@~% Island it is then."
Percival finds on the Queen's body a potion vial, a wand, and a harpoon seemingly carved from the tusk of a narwhal. also tied around her waist is a lobster pot which, when opened, reveals a set of flensing tools made from various blades. Most notable among these are two finely crafted daggers, a high quality silver dagger, a rusting wrought iron sickle, and a bone blade carved with the scrimshaw of an octopus on the handle.
Meanwhile Randall's search of the cave turns up several interesting items as well. Chief among these are a shark's jawbone carved with scrimshaw images of a vast octopus eating whales and containing a dozen silver and gold rings hammered into it, a huge hooked tooth from some colossal sea creature with a seaweed plugged cavity containing five saltwater pearls, and a whale's skull with what appears to be arcane writing and formulae carved upon it.
Diving down to the bottom Randall examines the remains of the lacedons, one of which has a large tattoo of a five-pointed star being eaten by a whale on its ashen skinned body.
You identify the tattoo as the symbol of the Majestrix Malus, a
scouting arm of the imperial navy of Cheliax.
Randall discovers that the manacles used to lash the ghouls to the cavern floor are of exceptional quality and workmanship although there is nothing of note or worth on the bodies themselves. Nearby lies 10 silver ingots tied together into two groups of five which were used to weight Sandara and Rosie down and hasten their descent to the bottom.
Littered across the cavern floor are various gold and silver coins along with 5 light crossbow bolts which seem to somehow survived being immersed in the saltwater, a tarnished silver spear whose shaft was not so fortunate, and a pair of iron bracelets which are also mysteriously untouched by rust.
Once they are all together, Rhialla calls forth the healing power of her goddess, the slightly heady power washing over her companions.
A signature grin crossing her features she turns her full attention to Percy, placing a hand on his chest as she leans into him, more healing power flowing into the burly fighter.
"Feeling better?"
Neela examines the hefty object, turning it around and around before discovering that it is a scroll of some sort, a "skull scroll" if you will with the following spells engraved on it alter self, black tentacles, blur, color spray, daylight, enlarge person, hypnotism, slow, touch of idiocy, and vampiric touch. The Witches eye take on an eerie glow as she casts another spell and begin examining the other items found in the cavern.
+1 light crossbow bolts
Bracers of Armor +2
Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds
Wand of Summon Nature's Ally II 11 charges
Vindictive Harpoon:
+1 returning harpoon (Pirates of the Inner Sea 18) is made from the jagged, scrimshaw-carved tusk of a narwhal attached to a 50-foot length of woven sinew. Unlike most thrown weapons, a vindictive harpoon functions as well underwater as on land, and its wielder takes no penalties on attack rolls underwater.
Having successfully identified the first three items Neela becomes stymied by the last two, turning the wand and the harpoon over and over before finally giving up on them.
Randall picks up the harpoon and wand and, after casting his spell, begins to examine them as well.
"Well, they're beyond me too." he says with a sheepish grin "Oh and before I forget" he reaches into his pack and pulls out Sandara's tricorne hat and hands it to her "We found this on one of those octogoblins. I'd wash it thoroughly before I wore it again if I were you.."
Sandara accepts the hat from Randall and looks wistfully at the weather beaten leather hat, gently caressing the embossed holy symbol of Besmara on the brim before tossing it to Rhialla "From one priestess to another" she tells her "Thanks for coming to get us. I'm not sure any of the others would've bothered." Rhialla catches the hat as Sandara explains that once a day, by mentioning a certain word, the hat will expand into a longboat, complete with two pairs of oars and a sail, with enough room for up to 12 people for 8 hours after which time it reverts back into a hat whether you want it to or not.
Holding her recovered holy symbol she too calls upon the power of Besmara to heal everyone assembled.
Rosie, stammering out her thanks between gasps for air, tell Jaina that she'll be fine "A lot better off than I was, thank you." as she listens to your conversation about what to do next she interjects "I'd be careful were I you. Before we were taken I overheard a couple of Plugg's toadies talking about how they couldn't wait to get rid of you before they reached Rickety's place"
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He smiled at the buxom cleric sneaking in a quick kiss.
"With you to look out after me how can I not feel better. Almost being swallowed by some monstrosity certainly...puts a damper on things, but lets get back to those water barrels and our ship."
He finished watching as Rosie confided the bad but almost expected news to them. He was quiet and pensive for a moment but glanced to the shipwreckee Aaron.
"Well you heard the Miss Rosie, odds are there with be a bit of a fight on our hands perhaps when we return to the boat Aaron, Your welcome to stay here i suppose but the offer to come with us stands.I dont think they will be expecting us to come packing with our two friends here, plus you, they might just change their minds."
He gave the man back his cutlass and took back the boarding pike.The two clerics magics had him feeling right as rain and he was almost looking forward to taking a tooth or two from Scourge's mouth. Plugg would be an added bonus.
Your travels back to the fort are uneventful as you fill up the barrels with fresh water. Trekking down the escarpment, through the forest, and across the swamp (especially the ruined bridge where you encountered the frogs) carrying the heavy barrels proves more difficult than you thought but you eventually arrive back at the abandoned village just as the tide starts to rise.
After loading the launch you row out to the ship. The backbreaking exertion proves worth it as you arrive at The Man's Promise as the rising water lifts the ship free of the reef it had become lodged upon. You and the crew hold your breath as the ship slowly floats free of the rocks only to release it in a sigh of relief as the repairs seem to hold.
The crew lowers down some rope to secure the water barrels with and hauls them up before sending down ropes for you to climb up with. Once you are aboard you are greeted by your friends who are happy to see you again, amazed that Sandara and Rosie are still alive, and shocked to see Aaron with you. The celebration is short lived however as you spy Scourge and Plugg stalking across the deck, followed by some of the other crew members.
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Jaina cracks her knuckles as Scourge & Plugg approach.
"Surprised to see us? Sorry to disappoint you."
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Not in the mood Cap'n. That isle is a cursed wreck of things that want to eat you from ghouls to those damnable squidgoblins to mosquitoes the size of my fist. We got the water though. Im racking out now.
He growled sounding irritible and tired. He started to head torwards the bunks under the deck though his fists were flexing.
Only a couple of steps behind Percy, Rhialla looks over as Scourge and Plugg, giving both men a tip of her new hat and a nod.
Plugg splutters at Percival's rank insubordination before barking out "Stand where you are, Mister. We are not finished here. Not only did you waste precious time, time which could have been spent repairing the ship, by trying to rescue your friends but you bring some other wayward vagabond along with you like this is some charity ship. The lot of you have been causing nothing but trouble with the disciplined running of this ship and of the Wormwood and I'll be having none of that!" With that he reaches out to grab Aaron and physically toss him off the ship, but before he can do that Aaron steps back and draws his cutlass. Plugg sneers "Oh is that how it's going to be? Very well then." he shouts to those around him as he pulls his own cutlass.
Neela begins the melee by reaching out with her magics to foul Plugg's attacks.
Rosie tumbles past Randall towards Fipps Chumlet. She comes up a the big man's feet with her handaxe in hand and swings at the obese brute. Having drawn first blood she flashes a wicked grin.
Percival decides to forgo using his pike on the crowded deck and decides instead to punch Plugg in his smug face. Unfortunately he telegraphs his punch and Plugg easily sidesteps it before assuming a defensive stance and riposting with his cutlass while attempting to slash Percival with his cat-o'-nine tails.
With Plugg shouting "Get them, you big oaf!' Owlbear seems confused by the order until his eyes meet Jaina's across the deck. Determination on his face he turns to face one of the Rahadoumi sailors standing behind him and rushes him, forcing him over the rail and into the sea below.
Scourge steps from behind Plugg and unfurls his whip. With a snap of his wrist the leather whip arcs out at Percival, missing the big Chelaxian by a wide margin.
Conchobar watches the fight unfold, seeming to weigh his options, before seeing Rosie enter the fray. His mind made up he begins to sing. His voice, a surprising baritone, carries across the deck lifting the spirits of you and your allies.
Sandara moves across the deck, drawing her rapier as she goes, to join Rosie against Fipps. She drives her weapon deep into the man's belly before removing it with a twist.
Crimson gives Jaina a quick hug around the waist before dashing across the deck to engage Tam Tate, the surly dwarf, before he can strike at the young deckhand Jack Scrimshaw. His attack catches the dwarf unawares allowing Crimson to strike a devastating blow.
A maniacal gleam appears in her eyes as the fight breaks out. She briefly returns Crimson's hug before leaping into action, racing straight for the architect of everyone's misery--Plugg.
She leaps at him, aiming a punch right at his smug face!
Her fist connects with a resounding *CRUNCH!*
"By the gods, I've been wanting to do that for AGES!" She crows, her eyes burning with equal measures of rage and glee!
Randall attempts to tumble past Percival and attack Scourge but stumbles instead of tumbles allowing both Scourge and Plugg a chance to attack him as he goes by. Fortunately his staggering steps cause both attackers to mistime their strokes and miss their mark.
Coming to his feet with a "Tada" finish, like he meant to do that Randall swings at Scourge. "I promised myself that one day I'd gut you and use your own guts to lash you with. I think, no I know, I'm going to look forward to that." he tells the bosun as his sword cuts the man.
The Rahadoumi sailors seem confused and unsure by the sudden eruption of violence but as Owlbear pushes one of them over the side they seem to decide to take action. The one closest to Owlbear draws his sword and takes a hesitant swing at the towering man.
Another steps up to aid his fellow countryman against Owlbear. Having more success against him than his compatriot.
One of the remaining sailors removes his crossbow and spans and loads it while taking aim at Tilly Brackett across the deck. Meanwhile the fourth sailor draws his sword and rushes to attack young Jack.
Fipps drops to his knees, begging for mercy "Please, I ain't got nothing against you. I ain't got nothing against anyone. I was just following orders, please don't kill me."
"Slippery" Syl looks to Randall and says in her maniacal singsong voice "Oh, lover, it should have been me instead of your little priestess whore. We would've had such fun together" before stabbing him with her dagger.
With a muttered "Traitor" Maheem steps up to Owlbear, placing him between himself and the Rahadoumi. Even with the added distraction Maheem's stroke fails to strike Owlbear.
"You always were a sucker for anything in a skirt" Tam growls at Crimson, turning his face an ever brighter shade of red. Having scored his point Tam smashes at Crimson with his warhammer.
Jack Scrimshaw seems bewildered as the fighting begins but once he's attacked by the foreign sailor he reacts quickly enough, drawing his carving knife to protect himself.
Tilly Brackett steps up to meet Arietta both with their swords drawn. Arietta is joined by Jaundiced Japes as both swing at Tilly.
Before she can even swing her sword Tilly is brutally hit by both Japes and Arietta. Staggering back a step or two she manages the strength to slash the half-orc with her cutlass before falling to the deck unconscious.
Rhialla's eyes narrow as Tilly falls. Scanning the chaos of the deck she locks eyes on the crossbow wielder looking in that direction. With an effort of will she pushes at his mind, coaxing him to kill one of the enemy sailors.
"Keep your grubby little hands off me, you son of a b+$&$" Aaron growls as he takes a step back from Plugg. He whisks his sword from it's sheath and steps up to strike at Plugg, but the now Captain anticipates the move and deftly dodges the swing.
Top of Round #2:
With Plugg under the effects of her magic Neela turns her attention toward Scourge, weaving her hex magic around the bosun to turn his fate.
Scourge detecting her magic smiles, his gold teeth showing, at the Witch
Rosie, disgusted by the Fipps pleading, swings at the kneeling man's neck but at the last second changes her stroke so that he is only struck by the flat of the blade, but the force of the blow is still enough to drop the fat man like a sack of potatoes.
Scourge confronted by Randall drops his whip and draws a handaxe from his belt. "Better men than you have tried and I'm still here" he tells Randall as he swings his axe.
Plugg wipes the blood away from what is definitely a broken nose as he glares at Jaina You're going to pay for that, b+$%*. I'm going to fly your flayed skin from the mast as my ensign when I'm finished with you."
Surrounded by enemies Owlbear looks at his blood dripping from the blade of the Rahadoumi sailor before drawing his club. In a fit of rage he swings his club, intent on crushing the man's skull, but he swings wildly and the sailor is easily able to duck underneath the clumsy attack.
Conchobar looks around the deck, still weighing his options before taking a small five foot step to the right and targeting Arietta with a spell. The young woman covers her mouth as she tries unsuccessfully to stifle a giggle, then another. Soon she collapses to the deck in a fit of hysterical laughter.
With Fipps down for the count, Sandara steps over to confront Syl. "Keep your hands off him, he's mine you psycho b+$%%."
"Shut your yap, Narwhal, or I'm going to shove that beak of your's clean through the back of your skull." Crimson growls a the dwarf. So saying he jambs his sword up under the dwarf's ribcage and as he withdraws the blade the dwarf slumps to the deck, dying.
Jaina takes the cutlass blow and draws her crab-claw quarterstaff. "Made this from a crab who had the same idea."
She swings the improbable weapon...
"Oh, a cat fight over me? Ladies, please...do continue" Randall quips as he tries to stab Scourge with his short sword to no avail ""Hold still, you slippery bastard, I'm trying to kill you!"
Syl cocks her head in a bird like manner "Oh, sweetie. There'd be nothing left once I finished with him" she tells Sandara before slashing at her with her dagger.
Maheem continues his attack against Owlbear "You always were too stupid for your own good." he tells the big man.
"Thanks, Mr. Percival." Jack says to Percival as his pike drops the sailor threatening him. Making a salute with his knife the young boy skips back out of harms way.
Jaundiced Japes five foot steps up to Percival, avoiding the wicked point of his pike, to attack with his cutlass.
Arietta's convulsive laughter slowly stop as she manages to get a hold of herself. She begins to get up from the deck only to be impaled by a wicked stab from Percival's pike. As she slides off the point of the weapon she falls to the deck, lifeless.
The two Rahadoumi sailors gang up on Owlbear, both thrusting with their swords. However only the one directly across from Maheem manages to actually land a glancing blow.
The remaining sailor, his original target down, turns to face Rhialla. As their eyes meet he feels a compulsion to shoot his crossbow into his crewmates back. Shaking off this feeling he points his crossbow at Rhialla and lets fly shouting, in a heavily accented voice, "Die, witch!"
Shaking her head and giving the crossbowman a look of disdain, Rhialla laughs as the shot misses her hand flicking out towards the sailor sending a deadly sliver of ice right into his chest. "You first!"
Aaron continues to press his attacks against Plugg, this time scoring a hit across the man's chest.
Top of Round #3:
Having failed to influence Scourge's fate, Neela decides to take a different tack and concentrates on improving Jaina's odds in her combat with Plugg.
Rosie attempts to vault over Fipp's unconscious body to attack Syl but her foot catches on the big man and she ends up cartwheeling out of control alongside the unhinged murderess. Fortunately she is too involved with Sandara to take advantage of the mistake. although Rosie takes advantage of that distraction to slice Syl with her axe.