Marnir spots another tunnel leading out from the frondy chamber, and points it out. "Maybe whatever the fishmen were guarding is in there?" he suggests. "These plant things don't look like they were worth guarding, so perhaps there's some proper treasure somewhere else."
Marnir starts swimming through the chamber, boarding axe at the ready just in case.
D8
Rusty shackles scavenged from a shipwreck hang from the wall of this small cave.
The sole occupant of this room is a locathah matriarch, a fishlike humanoid with crested fins and an orange coloration, shackled to the far wall. The matriarch is queen of a migratory locathah band that the sahuagin successfully raided. The sahuagin savagely removed the creature’s legs, crudely stitching them up with ragged scars, and carved crude tattoos into her scaly flesh before forcing her to lay eggs.
What are you doing now?
Markizio swims up to the poor creature and tries to see how it reacts to the kindness of the healing bestowed upon her.
"Can anyone talk to it? This is probably the devilfish doing? If we can't talk to it, we should just let her free."
Kung looks from the locathah's legs to his own peg-leg. His mind returns to early memories of struggling to learn how to use just the one; unable to wrap his head around what her struggle will look like with two, he swims out of the room, returning to gaze on the eggs.
"These fish bastards are even more depraved than I thought!" Marnir exclaims. "Should we free it? Is it dangerous?" he asks.
The Locathah matriarch is understandably very depressed and shell shocked, once you free her she gathers her eggs and escapes the tunnels.
You follow the tunnels further on and descend to a large chamber.
Reaching a scene of disgusting carnage.
D9
The water in this cavern is murky with the haze of fresh blood, and gobbets of flesh float in the water.
This is the Sahaguin dining hall and the Sahaugin here are currently in a feeding frenzy. They do not notice your arrival.
You have a round of complete surprise on the Sahaugin.
Feeding devilfish could be dangerous so Markizio made sure everyone was ready to attack before he swum in towards them.
----------
HP 46/51
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18
Conditions: shield so AC=23, shocking burst
Melee (+1 keen falcata): +8 = +1(magical) +4(base) +3(STR)
Melee Damage (+1 keen falcata): 1d8+4 = +1(weapon) +3 (str), 17-20, x3
4/6 arcane pool
Spell used: shield
As they swam through the tunnels, Kung's mind couldn't lay to rest the image of the locathah and her mutilated legs. Apparently unaware that he was even speaking, he mutters aloud: "Shark dumb. Dumber than Kung. Just want to eat; no hate; no mean. Fish-men make evil with egg-lady. Bad evil. Hurt.
As they round the corner and sight the sahaugin in their feeding frenzy, Kung's eyes go wild. His head almost immediately glances back at Marnir, as if to seek direction, but his purpose overwhelms him and his gaze fixes on the fish-men. "All die. ALL DIE!!!" he screams into the water as his peg leg begins churning, cavitating a stream of small bubbles into froth as he launches himself up along the ceiling of the underwater cavern so that he can then dive around Markizio's shoulder at the nearest sahaugin.
HP 65+12/65
AC 16, touch 9, flat-footed 13 (+6 armor, +3 dex, +1 natural, -2 rage, -2 charge)
CMD 20 (+5 BAB, +6 Str, +3 Dex, -2 rage, -2 charging)
Fort: +12, Ref: +11, Will: +7 (+2 rage)
Conditions: rage, charging
CMB: +13 (+5 BAB, +6 Str, +2 rage, +2 charging, -2 power attack)
Melee (+1 keen spear): +14 (+5 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -2 power attack, +2 rage, +2 charging)
Melee Damage (+1 keen spear): 1d8+18 (+9 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 rage)
12/13 rds Rage remaining
Marnir helps free the chained locathah, who seems to be grateful to be freed, then follows the tunnels even deeper. He overhears Kung's little chat to himself, but doesn't interrupt or disturb him. He's starting to hate these fishmen. I hope it doesn't make him lose control, he thinks.
The sight of the fishmen feeding, rending and ripping flesh with their teeth and claws, angers Marnir. Before they can react he starts his war chant, his low voice carrying into the chamber but unlikely to be noticed by the frenzied creatures.
Angered by what she has seen of the Sahaugin and their actions Ghilda swims to where she can harm the most of them.
Her fury turning the very water against the Sahaugin, killing the one wounded by Markizio and heavily wounding three others.
The Sahaugin respond with their customary savagery.
Sahaugin.
Red Attacks Markizio
Missing.
Yellow Attacks Ghilda
Missing.
Purple Attacks Ghilda
Missing.
Blue Moves to attack Ghilda opening himself to an AOO as he moves passed Yellow.
Ghilda
And he misses even more.
The party can now go again.
Jane frowns frustrated. Pulling out her dagger, she swims and attacks Red.
With the tunnel ahead of him jammed with bodies swirling in a savage melee, Marnir ducks beneath Ghilda ad joins in. His war chant continues as he drives his boarding axe towards the nearest fishman, trying to ignore the scraps of flesh hanging from its serrated jaws.
With a couple of fishmen down, Markizio continues to cut into them.
But fighting underwater continues to be skill yet to be mastered.
----------
HP 46/51
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18
Conditions: shield so AC=23, shocking burst
Melee (+1 keen falcata): +8 = +1(magical) +4(base) +3(STR)
Melee Damage (+1 keen falcata): 1d8+4 = +1(weapon) +3 (str), 17-20, x3
4/6 arcane pool
Spell used: shield
|
Ghilda stabs at the fish man (purple) with Brine's Sting. With a punishing strike, she severely wounds the Sahuagin, as massive damage from her magical rapier afflicts the monster.
----------
Round Two
HP 53/53
AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 16
Active conditions: Water Breathing
Melee (+1 Brine's Sting): +6 = +4(base) +1(STR) +1(weapon enhancement), 18-20, x2
On a successful hit that deals damage, the target must succeed at a DC 14 Fortitude save or take a –1 penalty on attack and damage rolls for 1 round as salty brine drips painfully onto the wound. A new saving throw must be made each time the weapon deals damage. On a successful critical hit against a creature with the aquatic or water subtype, the target takes an additional 3d6 points of damage as its flesh cracks and withers from dehydration as salt crystals form around the wound.
Melee Damage (+1 Brine's Sting): 1d6+4 = +1(weapon enhancement) +1(STR) +2(Weapon of Awe)
Ranged Touch (Icicle): +7
Ranged Touch Damage (Icicle): 1d6 + 3
7/7 Icicle; 4/5 Channel Positive Energy
Spells used: Water Breathing
Kung continues his relentless advance into the chamber filled with sahaugin and their meal of chum, which has now been abandoned and is starting to float throughout the space, bits of fish and flesh filling the underground cavern.
He swings another diving contortion, following the curve of the chamber's roof and then diving down at the sahaugin beyond Ghilda's shoulder.
HP 65+12/65
AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+6 armor, +3 dex, +1 natural, -2 rage)
CMD 22 (+5 BAB, +6 Str, +3 Dex, -2 rage)
Fort: +12, Ref: +11, Will: +7 (+2 rage)
Conditions: rage
CMB: +11 (+5 BAB, +6 Str, +2 rage, -2 power attack)
Melee (+1 keen spear): +12 (+5 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -2 power attack, +2 rage)
Melee Damage (+1 keen spear): 1d8+18 (+9 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 rage)
11/13 rds Rage remaining
With the death of the last of the fishmen the water grows still. Seaweed curtains drape exits from the chamber, hiding whatever might lie beyond. Marnir moves towards the nearest curtain and tries to peek through.
Markizio brings his falcata in front of him as he swims towards the captain and also peers behind the algae curtain.
"Anything down there?"
-----------
HP 46/51
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18
Conditions: shield so AC=23, shocking burst
Melee (+1 keen falcata): +8 = +1(magical) +4(base) +3(STR)
Melee Damage (+1 keen falcata): 1d8+4 = +1(weapon) +3 (str), 17-20, x3
4/6 arcane pool
Spell used: shield
D10
This dismal chamber serves as the quarters for the almost three dozen noncombatant members of the tribe, old or young sahuagin that are little more than slaves for the warrior caste.
They are weak and malnourished (the warriors take the lion’s share of the food) and make no attempt to fight.
What are you doing?
Markizio frowned, "I'm not a cold-blooded killer but I'm also concerned these fishmen may later attack us?"
He asked the others, "I say we leave them be after we intimidate them. What do you want to do?"
He looked at Kung, "I know you can't speak to them but go ahead and show them what will happen to them if they follow us."
"I said when we set out on the Drake that we wouldn't be murderers. I hate these fishmen as much as anybody, but I won't slaughter them. If they attack us, then so be it, but I'll not harm them while they're defenceless," Marnir says firmly, "and I'd rather not see any of you harm them either."
The Sahaugin are very easily convinced not to interfere. They are too weak to fight anyway and will stay out of your way.
Where to now?
Kung looked conflicted when Marnir commanded there to be no slaughter, but kept his opinion to himself. No fish-man good fish-man. All should die. Mercy only allows for fish-man babies later.
When Markizio suggests that the half-orc show off to keep them in line, Kung accepts, making an intimidating presence of himself with many waves and strikes of his spear and a gurgly growl or two.
When he is satisfied that they will not sabotage the party, he returns to the main chamber, investigating the algae covering another of the passages.
Marnir sees the consternation on Kung's face, which does nothing to assuage his concerns over his friends increasing hatred for the fishmen.
Glad that Kung holds back his violent impulses, Marnir follows the big man towards the next passageway.
The seaweed curtain guarding this room is thick and well maintained in comparison to the others you've seen. Whatever is in here is regarding as important it seems.
Kung You can see or hear nothing from this side of the curtain.
After Kung relays the information, Markizio whispered, "Let's get ready. This is either their treasure room, a place where they keep prisoners, or some important devilfish man."
He added, "Our water breathing capability is ticking so let's get this over with. You all ready to go in?"
Marnir grips his boarding axe tightly and nods. "Let's do it," he says quietly.
Stopping as Kung stops, Jane also looks around to see what has halted his progress. She then moves on and continues.
Opening the curtain reveals the largest and ugliest Sahaugin you've seen so far. She shrieks with fury as she sees you, her cry sounding through the caves!
Clearly aware of something miss she has been awaiting you, prepared to die guarding her charge.
The party can go first, with her size she would have to squeeze her way out of where she is now. Of more concern is the alarm her cries would be raising.
"What is that thing?!" Marnir exclaims, horrified by the sight of the fishthing in the cave. Her scream of alarm is sure to have alerted fishmen throughout the tunnels, and Marnir readies himself. He weaves protective energies across his body before starting his Ulfen war chant, the low sound reverberating from the stone walls. He takes a deep breath, a strange sensation underwater, before letting out a cry of "DRAKES, ATTACK,"
Don't kill that fish-man, but kill this fish-man. How he know the good ones from bad?
Feeling his captain's inspiration wash over him, Kung begins advancing on the uber-sahaugin. As he reaches the creature, Marnir's battle cry provides even more of a boost to the thrust of his spear. At least Kung get to kill this one!
HP 65+12/65
AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+6 armor, +3 dex, +1 natural, -2 inspired rage)
CMD: 23 (+5 BAB, +7 Str, +3 dex, -2 inspired rage)
Fort: +12, Ref: +11, Will: +7 (+2 inspired rage)
Conditions: inspired rage, battle cry
CMB: +12 (+5 BAB, +7 Str)
Melee (+1 keen spear): +14 (+5 BAB, +7 str, +1 enhancement, -2 power attack, +2 inspired rage, +1 battle cry)
Melee Damage (+1 keen spear): 1d8+16 (+7 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 inspired rage)
11/13 rds Rage remaining
Markizio silently agreed on two accounts. That was the ugliest and biggest devilfish they had ever seen and yes, it was time to attack.
He swam up with his blade out and struck at the grotesque creature.
--------
HP 54/59
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18
Conditions:shield so AC=23, shocking burst
Melee (+1 keen falcata): +9 = +1(magical) +5(base) +3(STR)
Melee Damage (+1 keen falcata): 1d8+4 = +1(weapon) +3 (str), 17-20, x3
6/6 arcane pool
Spell used: shield
|
|
Ghilda moves forward to get a clear line of sight on the beast. She casts Hold Person in attempt to shut the screeching up.
----------
Round One
- Move Action
- Standard Action - cast Hold Person DC 16
HP 53/53
AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 16
Active conditions: Water Breathing
Melee (+1 Brine's Sting): +6 = +4(base) +1(STR) +1(weapon enhancement), 18-20, x2
On a successful hit that deals damage, the target must succeed at a DC 14 Fortitude save or take a –1 penalty on attack and damage rolls for 1 round as salty brine drips painfully onto the wound. A new saving throw must be made each time the weapon deals damage. On a successful critical hit against a creature with the aquatic or water subtype, the target takes an additional 3d6 points of damage as its flesh cracks and withers from dehydration as salt crystals form around the wound.
Melee Damage (+1 Brine's Sting): 1d6+4 = +1(weapon enhancement) +1(STR) +2(Weapon of Awe)
Ranged Touch (Icicle): +7
Ranged Touch Damage (Icicle): 1d6 + 3
7/7 Icicle; 4/5 Channel Positive Energy
Spells used: Water Breathing; Hold Person
The Matron barely has time to blink before Kung's Spear is deeply lodged in her bulbous belly. While she is still looking at it in shock Markizio swims up as well, his slice ending her long loathsome existence.
Of more concern are the cries of alarm throughout the warren of caves as more Sahaugin react to the calls of their nursery guardian. You will soon have a lot of company!
Without a moment to waste, the magus pushes his way past the fat sahaugin, "Quick, I think a lot of them are coming thanks to this squealing pig."
He looked at the entrance, "I think our best bet is for two of us to hold the entrance. Maybe Kung and I at first and then you captain. The others that are not holding the entrance can attack ranged if possible or just heal up."
He looked back, "C'mon, we can do this."
-------------
Kung swims up to the seaweed curtain with confident strokes. He looks back to Markizio with a grin on his face as he hears the sounds of the approaching sahaugin. "Of course we do this. Kung happy to do this." He nods his head for his friend to approach, then pokes his head out to scan the main chamber.
You have 3 rounds to prepare for the onslaught.
Kung and Markizio' sudden onslaught ends the fight before it's begun, and the giant fishwoman dies more easily than expected. "Let's get set then, before more of these bastard fishmen throw themselves on our blades."
Jane moves into the center cavern and readies a new spell.
Kung and Markizio' sudden onslaught ends the fight before it's begun, and the giant fishwoman dies more easily than expected. "Let's get set then, before more of these bastard fishmen throw themselves on our blades."
Markizio chose his words carefully, "With all due respect Captain, a wider tunnel would dfeat the purpose of the bottleneck. There would be more devilfish men attacking at the same time, something that will work to their advantage."
He pointed to their cave , "This narrow tunnel will only allow two of us but also only two of them and we can switch out as needed. I think our weapons will take them quicker this way."
------
"Good point bosun," Marnir says, conceding the point. "Let's set up here then for now, and we can rotate in and out of the front line as needed. Does anyone want some magical protection before we get into the killing?"
"Good point bosun," Marnir says, conceding the point. "Let's set up here then for now, and we can rotate in and out of the front line as needed. Does anyone want some magical protection before we get into the killing?"
Glad that mild insubordination went well, Markizio let his captain know, "I'm glad you can handle a difference of opinion. I would have never dared that with my old captain. He used to throw people overboard when they disagreed with him."
Later, Markizio inspected his energized blade, "Save your spell captain; my magical shield is still good and it's proven an excellent protection against the fishmen."
---------------
HP 54/59
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18
Conditions:shield so AC=23, shocking burst
Melee (+1 keen falcata): +9 = +1(magical) +5(base) +3(STR)
Melee Damage (+1 keen falcata): 1d8+4 = +1(weapon) +3 (str), 17-20, x3
5/6 arcane pool
Spell used: shield
Shortly after you prepare the first wave arrives, there is great dismay as they see the bloated corpse of the Matron drifting lifeless at the top of the cave.
"Bloody hells, that's a lot of fishmen!" Marnir exclaims as the horde swims into view. He restarts his war chant, then readies to cast a protective spell over one of his comrades.
Markizio tries to peer through the water but only see fishmen, coming to attack.
With one last look at Kung, the magus invokes magic to provide himself with water breathing capability, unnecessary due to the potion, but more importantly, the ability to fight with his favorite weapon.
He tested the falcata and smiled as it sliced easily underwater.
"C'mon, let's get this over with!"
------------
critical?
HP 54/59
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18
Conditions:shield so AC=23, shocking burst, aquatic agility
Melee (+1 keen falcata): +9 = +1(magical) +5(base) +3(STR)
Melee Damage (+1 keen falcata): 1d8+4 = +1(weapon) +3 (str), 17-20, x3
4/6 arcane pool
Spell used: shield
In preparation for them coming, Jane will disguise herself a little to look like their dead friend, Then she will craft her new alchemy spell ghostly disguise and drink it. In an attempt to demoralize them.
As they arrive, Jane will float down from behind the body. "Run, Run while you can." she'll say in an creepy voice.