The makeshift bridge looks like it could hold you, although it is only wide enough for one person to cross at a time . The sewage isn't flowing very fast, and so crossing directly through it would be easy, if not pleasant.
Um, let's all cross and then Big C can take his shot at it... I'll call him from the other side.
As Hank falls into the muck, he remembers that Ma Trubbs always said Hank was nimble as a cat... a drunk cat with one eye and three legs.
Belliken lands face first in the muck and begins to vomit as he pulls himself up to the other side. He quickly starts casting prestidigitation to wipe all the grime off of himself.
Karthurg stops everyone before we get to the bridge and points to the ground. There are a few sets of wet footprints that originate on your side of the sewage and make their way back the way you came. There is also a trail of blood droplets along the tracks. I wonder what this is about. He studies the tracks to see if he can identify them at all.
If we still go across the bridge...
Karthurg is able to cross, even with his bulky armor.
To the north, there is a larger pool of water. Despite the fact that there is an inlet of sewage flowing in from the northwest, the surface of this pool appears to be perfectly smooth and calm.
Hank asks for some Prestidigitation, but as soon as he's spiffed up, he's gonna hop up on Cammy and follow Phedran. Cammy is deeply unhappy to be wading through mud and worse, but he's movin'.
Belliken cleans himself off immediately and offers to do the same to Hank, but then sees that Phedran has taken an interest in the sewage pond.
The next tunnel leads towards another larger area. As you move further up, all of you can feel a strange, unnatural energy in the air. In addition, a single ripple suddenly spreads out from the centre of the pool. As it closes back in, it forms a small peak of fetid water as another ripple begins to emerge. The bulge grows, and is now approaching five feet in height as it churns and rises, as if spurred on by some unseen force below the surface.
Karthurg pulls out his hammer. Best be prepared for what ever is approaching. I don't know much this that size underwater that doesn't want to eat us.
Phedran knows that this is a water elemental, although this one has become mixed up in all the waste and sewage.
Immune to: bleed, crits, flanking, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
It has limited control over water, and can form a powerful whirlpool.
It has no special DR or weaknesses.
Its attacks are more effective against opponents in the water, and less effective against those in land. As a result, water elementals often try to drag their foes into the water.
The water grows to a height of nearly eight feet, forming rough facial features and two pseudopod-like arms.
Initiative
"Hey there, yer wetness, we're just passin' by..." Hank tries to hail the creature--but his hand is on his faithful scimitar...
Belliken outstretches his hands towards the creature and lets out a blast of fire.
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Phedran grabs a vial of acid from his bandolier, and pleads with the otherworldly creature. "No harm need come to you, just let us pass without issue, and all can make it out of this in one piece!"
What are the chances this thing comprehends our common tongue? thinks the alchemist as the last words trickle from his mouth.
Karthurg readies his earth breaker. Do these fools think that this living water wants to be our friend?
Cammy sees Hank's friends readying for combat and positions himself where he can back them up.
The elemental doesn’t seem to understand Phedran, or if it does it makes no reply. It recoils from Belliken’s spell before moving south and swinging an arm at Cammy.
As it does so, Phedran’s vial of acid strikes it and it makes a strange, angry gurgling sound.
Hank ducks behind Cammy, drawing his scimitar and his trusty wand. But for now, he casts Guidance on Cam.
"Uh, bite it! I think!"
"MWWWOONK"
Cammy gets a mouthful of nasty water.
As if I've never had nasty liquids in my mouth before. Still, I must admit, well played, my soggy foe, but vengeance shall be mine, if the one with the hammer doesn't end you beforehand...
"MWONK..."
Karthurg hops into the water, I guess I was due for a bath! And swing his big hammer at the elemental!
Belliken backs up and takes a shot that the thing with his crossbow, remembering the wounds he took in the last large battle.
Hank casts Guidance, and Cammy goes for the CHOOOMP.
The elemental twists out of Karthurg's reach, but is unable to avoid Belliken's shot. Unfortunately, Cammy is still unable to hurt it.
It shifts and churns, adopting the form of a massive column, before crashing down on Cammy.
It slams down painfully, but quickly reforms itself into a octopus-like mass.
Leave the camel alone! Karthurg tries to swing the hammer again at the elemental, hoping to have better luck this swing.
Karthurg's hammer rips through it, and it attempts to reform itself before Phedran's acid is released into the water, and it makes a sound like a vast quantity of water being sucked into a whirlpool. Its form dissolves, leaving behind the reservoir, which now begins to flow normally.
We should be chargin' more for what we do, slopin' around in the sewers get all nasty like. Yikes what beastly thing that was!
Cammy nods respectfully towards Karthug and Phedran.
These folk are real warriors. I love Hank, but, it's good to have some muscle along...
The eastern tunnel splits in two. Drawing closer to it, you can all feel a strange, unsettling thrumming in the air. What sounds like shifting stone debris can be heard faintly from down the southern tunnel.
"Uh... anyone see what's making that racket?"
The rubble - along with the whole southern tunnel - is coated in a noticeable carpet of dust. Partially caught under the weight of the cave-in are two humanoid figures. A golden mist clings to their skin. The figures are twitching, causing some of the smaller stones to clatter about. A whisper, which sounds more as if it was forcibly pulled from the creature’s lungs than spoken, rasps forth. "Sssooooo… hunnngggryyyy…"
Hank rushes forward to dig out the buried people. He's simultaneously reaching into his snack sack. "Hells, do you need a hand? Also I have cookies, jerky, mixed nuts, half a sandwich, some candy..."
One of the figures' head snaps up as Hank approaches. Its eyes are glowing the same golden colour as the mist around it. Its skin is pallid and stretched over a thin frame. "Fffresshhh ffflesshhh!" The creatures begin scrabbling at the rocks pinning them in place, attempting to free themselves and devour the living creatures before them.
Hank's still not quite sure what to do. He doesn't have Knowledge: Religion.
"Uh, sure, looks like you could use some fresh flesh... I mean, a lil' tap does wonders, Karth'll tell ya."
He draws the Wand of Cure Light and tries to heal the poor wounded soul in front of him...
The ghoul screeches in anger, as Hank's wand seems to cause its skin to char and wither.
Karthurg moves up into the hallway behind Hank, Hank, friend, mind if we switch? Though, that is a nice trick! I thought that thing only healed me.
Oh great another resident of these here sewers up in arms at our presence. Seems we aren't welcome here at all fellows.
Belliken positions himself safely in the back and takes a shot with his crossbow at the one Hank tried to Heal.
"Uh, sure thing Karth! Just gotta wait 'till I get a chance to step back, then this one is all yours..."
Due to the crowded hallway, Belliken is unable to land a shot. However, the shower of acid produced by Phedran's vial showers over the ghouls, causing the closest one to collapse to the ground.
The other ghoul frees itself and clambers over the corpse in front of it, unhinging its jaw unnaturally wide and outstretching its talon-like fingers as it lunges at the nearest target.
It manages to rake its claws across Hank's chest, and he feels some sort of foul energy seep into the wound.
His joints seize up until he is no longer able to move.