"Yea, I don't think these ones are going anywhere soon."
"Well, then, let's check the other eye first and then talk about rescuing that locathah."
Kal nods and follows the others over to the other cave.
As soon as Luthor steps foot within the other eye he snaps a tripwire and something large and heavy flies towards him.
After the spiked log trap slams into Luthor it hangs there lifelessly, allowing the party entrance into the cavern. This space is small and empty. A small hive of bees buzzes about in the corner.
Kal rushes forward after a brief pause to make sure there's not another log ready to come crashing down. "Luthor, are you okay?"
Luthor's breath is knocked out of him and he is knocked down. He puts his hand up to his chest that is now bleeding profusely and tries to get his breath back. He can't speak but he nods his head as he draws and hands his wand to Kal to heal him.
Once Luthor is more or less whole, Bjorkus helps him up.
"Well that narrows down where the treasure is..."
"It would seem that we should've stuck with our first guess." Once they're back in the other cave, he looks around at the others. "We've got four potions that'll let you breathe water, and I can help one of you swim more smoothly, I think... will that be enough?"
"Ha ha. Real funny. What we have should be enough. Use your spell on Opal, the rest of use should be fine." Luthor says once he catches his breath. Before they dive in, Luthor again casts on himself.
"It'll have to be", the minotaur rumbles as he takes one of the potions.
"Bottom's up!"
Luthor takes one of the potions as well and downs it.
Chubwart downs his potion.
"Let's get that booty and teach the fisheses a lesson!"
Kal glances over at Chubwart as if to verify the instruction, but nods. After frowning for a moment, he adds, "There's something else."
He pauses, hesitating, but finally shrugs and resumes. "I'm not sure how to explain it, but I felt a tug while I was down there... to be more a part of the water. A pull to... to change, somehow." He shrugs again, helplessly. "I'm sorry I can't be more specific. I just felt it best to warn you all."
"Another evil water spirit? You going to be okay?"
Kal chuckles, if a bit nervously. "It doesn't feel like an evil water-spirit... but really, I'm not sure. Come on, let's go."
He slips into the water and waits for the goblin's response.
"Alright, just tell us if you're not." Luthor jumps in after Kal.
"Oh, by the way, what's our plan? Locathah first, or the strange creature, or something in between?"
"Kill the beast and its guards first, we can rescue the locathah after."
The minotaur slipped into the water and looked back.
”Hold onto my arm Moonbeam”, the minotaur says as he hold up a massive furry limb for Opal. ”I’ll tow you along.”
"Sounds good. Try to move quietly when we go past the other rooms, then... keep in mind only Opal and I will be able to speak to one another."
"Yea, quietly. I'm good at that."
The goblin objects.
"NOOOOO. Make Chubwart swim. That way I can stabses."
***
The party descends into the cold dark water and makes their way through the tunnels. They slowly pass the captive locathah that pays them little mind and soon come to the corner where the sahaugin nursery is. The shadow of its hulking matron is visible from the hall.
"Aye aye, Captain!" says Kal, glancing over at Luthor with a helpless expression. He casts slipstream on the goblin.
Opal uses the wand of Web to seal the matron in her chamber.
The grinding of Luthor’s metal armor reverberates through the water catching the matron’s attention.
With a hiss she turns towards the party but she’s surprised to see a wall of sticky webbing blocking the way.
She says something in a watery tongue from behind the webbing.
Ignoring the trapped matron for now, the party swims further south towards the room guarded by the turtle creature.
"Eh, she's just telling us to stay away from her eggs."
Luthor swims along, making a little less noise than normal.
Movement can be heard inside the chamber ahead and a voice calls out.
The little goblin furiously swims forward and stabs one of the guards.
The guard doesn't even have time to be surprised as Chubwart’s dagger is driven into his chest and he goes limp.
The turtle-creature bites at Chubs and brings its claws to bear.
Opal tries flinging some lightening at the turtle thing.
Luthor swims up to the turtle creature and tries to defend Chubs.
Opal recognizes this creature as a Tojanida a native to the elemental plane of water. Despite its appearance it’s quite intelligent. It’s strong, fights well in the dark, and can spit out a cloud of ink to obscure itself.
Opal's ray arcs through the water with surprising accuracy and shocks the turtle thing.
The surviving sahaugin jabs at Luthor with his trident.
Kal swims forward.
Bjorkus swims toward the battle with Opal hanging off of one arm.
Chubwart swims into a flank with Luthor taking an AOO.
The turtle-thing snaps at Chubwart as he swims past.
And then roars in pain as the goblin buries his dagger in its back.
The turtle-thing slips its attention between the little green monster that’s hurting it and the one distracting it.
Opal sends a ray of lightening at the Tojanida.
Opal's arc of lightning zaps it again and the beast glares at the sorceress.
Luthor tries to headbutt the tojanida.
The turtle-thing's head snaps back in surprise.
The sahaugin attacks Luthor again.
Chubs stay of the creature he is flanking!