Maddie's fingers keep moving in a cyclic pattern, working and firing off another barrage of magic.
Fergus arrives on the scene and tries to use his axe to hack the ooze.
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The monk's new abilities are impressive, causing her fist to erupt in a simmering flame. However, the weight from the creature is too much, as she struggles to keep herself upright to land a direct attack. Borgol and Fergus both rush forward to strike the creature, but the dwarf is not as successful than his ranger friend. Flik cast's a spell which marks the creature but has little affect, while Maddie sticks to basics and lays on some more damage.
As Remy regains her focus, her strike lands true. The flame from her punch burns some of the creature as it retreats for a moment. It lets the monk go briefly, before lurching forward again.
It fails to hold onto Remy, but not before dealing a powerful strike.
Round 3
Cows - 3/4 remaining!
! Adv. Variant Hungry Flesh (-57 lethal, +5 regen)
@ Remy -30 lethal
@ Borgol
@ Alustria - MAY ACT TWICE
@ Maddie
@ Flik
@ FergusEveryone may act!
Bloodied but unbowed, Remy focuses her ki as she unleashes a flurry of flaming punches!
Alustria begins casting a summoning spell from her perch - something that won’t have to worry about tumors, as it’s a magical creature! `action 1`
A large gorilla appears and attacks, trying to slam the blob with its massive fists!
Seeing Remy’s fire stopping the creature’s regeneration, Alustria gives a caw of triumph! Then she flies behind Remy and taps her with her beak.
Maddie reaches into her well of more intuitive magic, punching the ooze from afar.
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Only Remy's first attack is able to land, dealing huge damage on the creature. Maddie's has very little affect on the ooze, which retaliates back onto the monk.
Round 3
Cows - 3/4 remaining!! Adv. Variant Hungry Flesh (-78 lethal, +5 regen)
@ Remy -27 lethal
@ Borgol - MAY ACT TWICE
@ Alustria
@ Maddie
@ Flik - MAY ACT TWICE
@ Fergus - MAY ACT TWICEEveryone may act!
Remy glances over her shoulder to thank Alustria, only to see an eagle where a half-elf should be? Since when could she do that? she wonders, but the distraction costs her as the hungry flesh slams into her again. Gritting her teeth, she focuses her ki to preserve her draconic flames as she attacks again, landing another blow!
Flik keeps performing, and he walks up behind Remy to provide some healing.
"Dangerous cargo!"
The summoned ape pounds its chest before laying into the horrible ooze-thing!
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The summoned ape, does it's best to pummel the creature, but its Remy's flaming fists' which put the ooze down. The flames stop its regeneration, and the stench of burning flesh fills the air as its tumours' bubble and pop - as the creature explodes in all directions, covering those within touch range in gore.
Captain Sursha and her sailors run down to take in the horrid scene. "What in the nine hells is going on down here?"
Beckwood Roos emerges from his cabin and blanches with horror as he realizes what has happened. "No! My specimen!" He looks at you sheepishly. "I don't understand. The oozeclot unguent should have kept it immobilized and inert. This... I never meant for this to happen..."
Remy fights the urge to vomit as the feature showers her with blood, pus, and worse fluids. The slime covers her from head to toe—yet another outfit ruined.
She glares at Roos. ”Well, it happened, whether you meant it or not! You are lucky we were here to stop it before it hurt anybody else besides that poor cow. You should have told us you were bringing such a dangerous creature aboard!”
The monk gags as the stench assaults her nostrils. ”Ugh. Captain, have you a tub where I might wash this stuff off of me.”
”I’m sure it was an honest mistake. Sometimes precautions fail us. And indeed, it is fortunate we were here!”
Alustria conjures water to help rinse the goo from Remy.
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Sursha nods at Remy, and you can see she is doing her best to hold back the vomit. She looks at the mess inside the hold, disappointment washes over her. "Yes, of course my dear. You can use the basin in my quarters to wash yourself off. It isn't much, but it's the most I can offer. Thank you, we were lucky you were close by, or perhaps we would haev lost more than just one cow."
Beckwood looks worryingly around the ship, at all of the disappointed and frightened faces, and then to Sursha, shame evident on his face. "Captain, I... I am truly sorry for the damage that I have caused, both to your ship and to my reputation. We are lucky these brave men and women were on hand to defeat my specimen before it could do more harm. I will accept any punishment you deem fit."
Sursha still looks angry, but Beckwood's humble demeanor seems to have taken some of the wind out of her sails, so to speak. "Very well. You'll be confined to your quarters for the remainder of the journey, under guard and without access to any of your alchemical equipment. When the ship arrives in Magnimar, you'll be turned over to the city for justice for the crimes of reckless endangerment and transport of dangerous monsters."
From her doorway, judges the captains decision, "Captain, if i may, who knows what this man is capable of, perhaps we should see to that he is dealt in a more, direct way? He is obviously too dangerous to keep on the ship."
The man on trial, looks even smaller as he hunches down for a bow. "Please believe me when I say I had no intention of hurting anybody. Whatever you do, please, don't do anything rash. We are all people here just to get by. I am sorry, what can i do to prove myself?"
All eyes fall on the party, as if the final decision rests with you.
Remy nods at Alustria in thanks for the water, though it is a stopgap solution at best. When the issue of Beckwood's punishment comes up, the monk says, "I believe the captain's judgment is sound. Let Mister Roos face the justices of Magnimar. If you all would excuse me?"
She slips away and head's to the captain's quarters, where she removes her soiled clothes and vigorously washes the putrid gore off from her hair and body.
Borgol shakes his head, "Seems it's his gear, and not himself, which is the danger here. I say let the magistrates handle it. Of course, if Mister Roos causes any additional trouble, then that's a whole different kettle of fish."
"Yes, an innocent enough mistake, though dangerous. He should pay for the cow, of course!"
Fergus nods in agreement.
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The small man bows even deeper, "Thank you! Thank you for your mercy. Please, take these as a sign of my gratitude."
The pale man hands you a potion of cure moderate wounds, a potion of neutralize poison, and three doses of oozeclot unguent.
A single dose of oozeclot unguent can be applied to a 5-foot-square surface, whereupon it remains potent for 24 hours or until an ooze comes in contact with it. An ooze that crawls onto a surface treated with oozeclot unguent must succeed at a DC 15 Fortitude save or become immobile as its amorphous body grows rigid. As long as it is thus affected, the ooze can take no physical actions. Any amount of damage causes the hardened shell surrounding the ooze to crack, allowing the creature to slither out and resume attacks; otherwise it remains immobile for an extended period of time. An ooze of CR 3 or less is immobile for 1 week, while an ooze of CR 4 to CR 6 remains immobile for only 1d6 days. A CR 7 to CR 11 ooze is rendered immobile only for 1d6 rounds, and it can attempt a new saving throw at the end of each round to end the effect early. Oozes of CR 12 or higher are immune to the effects of oozeclot unguent entirely.
He is then escorted to his room. The door closes, and slowly the crew of the ship begin helping the rest of you calm down the animals, and clean the ship. Eddie commands a few sailors to help out, "Arrrr, come on ya fool, what are ya waiting for! Those cows don't bite! Come on - help these hero's out, will you?"
…
Remy finds herself in very nice quarters, elegantly decorated by someone who has been on the sea for a long time. The washing stand is simple, but more than you expected. You get, what feels like 10 minutes of privacy, before you hear a knock on the door. "Um, Remy, are you finished?" The door to the cabin swings open as the captain steps inside, and swiftly overts her eyes, "My apologies, I thought you would have been finishing up by now." She caught you at the end of your bathing, "I was just checking up to see if you needed anything. It's the least I can do. Thank you for securing the hold of my ship."
…
In the halls of the ship, Corla manages to find a few movements to escape the glare of her mistress. She finds Fergus and pinches him on the shirt, "That was...that was really brave of you, mister dwarf!" She blushes slightly.
…
Eventually, night falls, and the clouds move closer. An hour after midnight, Sursha's fears come true. First it begins to drizzle, then rain in sheets. Howling wind blows across the deck, and thunder rumbles overhead. Things quickly intensify, and before long, the storm hits with full force!
The ringing of the ship's bell awakens those of you who are asleep. The rough waters toss Tyalee's Whim about. Topside, Captain Sursha is at the wheel, steering the ship as best she can. "Elbows" Eddi directs the crew to tasks, immediately including you as you emerge on deck. The storm's fury is frightening, with the ship listing and climbing dangerously with each white capped swell, while torrents of rain driven sideways by blasts of wind make visibility a challenge. The ship's heaving, wet deck make movement difficult, but the amount of rigging and railing help prevent anyone from being washed overboard.
"We need more stability! Drop the sea anchor!" Eddi shouts. Indeed, several sailors are struggling to deploy the heavy anchor.
Remy gasps in surprise when Captain Sursha barges into the room. She blushes and instinctively crosses her arms to cover her breasts in a very feminine move. "Oh! I'm sorry, the water was just so warm, I must have lost track of time. I'll be finished in a moment."
The monk stands and reaches for a towel, drying off the excess water before wrapping it around her body. "You are welcome. My friends and I are heroes. Fighting monsters and protecting people are what we do. Besides, you have been gracious enough to offer us transport on your ship. I am happy to repay that kindness."
Remy gestures to the pile of ruined clothing by the tub. "Might I trouble you to borrow an outfit? I seem to have an annoying habit of destroying any clothes I wear." She smiles at the captain and gives the half-elf an appraising look, cocking her head slightly. "And maybe after I have dressed, we could share a drink? I would enjoy hearing more about your adventures at sea."
***
Despite the rocking of the ship, Remy easily keeps her balance, her monk training paying off. Seeing the sailors struggling to drop the anchor, she shouts above the storm, "I'm on it!" She rushes to assist them, the muscles in her arms bulging as she hefts the heavy anchor and throws it overboard!
Borgol starts his way forward, then slips on the wet deck.
Fergus' normal earthen-tone complexion turns a deep crimson. It was nothing Miss Corla, really it was nothing. He then flashes a smile. Perhaps some day I might perform a deed worthy of a Bard's song!
Fergus rushes to get to the rigging, but in his haste, he slips on a wet spot on the deck and falls on rump! I hope Miss Corla didn't see that! He muses.
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Fergus and Borgol struggle to maneuver around the wet and rocking ship, but Remy moves carefully and quickly to get to the group of sailors struggling with the anchor to help then secure it.
Another huge gust of wind fills the sails, rocking Tyalee's Whim. "Close call with the anchor!" Eddi shouts. "We need to trim the mainsail, right now!"
"I'll get the ropes!"
Rather than fighting her way through the wind and rain, Alustria prays to Sarenrae for her friends’ success, then summons a small Air Elemental to assist them!
Seeing Flik deftly handling the mainsail, Remy stays by Eddi, ready to help the bosun with anything else he might need.
Maddie, worried about her friend, runs up to the monk, "Here! Be careful, okay?" she says, then taps Remy on her arm with a feather, and she suddenly feels buoyed upwards, as gravity relinquishes its hold on her.
Then, to further aid the crew, Maddie works to slow time around the entire ship, weaving her spell that it left only a handful unaffected.
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Flik moves towards the mainsail, as another gust of wind knocks the ship in the opposite direction. Just in time, the small air elemental summoned by Alustria catches the smaller gnome and helps him from getting knocked down. Flik has read enough books to know how the mainsail is connected to the mast, and masterfully trims it down to stop the pressure from the wind. Remy waits patiently by the half-orc shouting commands, while Maddie casts a few spells on the crew!
"Great work, master gnome!" Eddi shouts as he makes it back to the deck. "Now, we need to …look out!!!"
The sailors shout in alarm as a powerful swell rises up and crashes over the ship's deck. It threatens to knock you off your feet, but worse, Eddi trips and the water starts to sweep him away!
Remy feels a sense of wonder as she floats in the air thanks to Maddie's spell. The monk has little time to enjoy the sensation of flight before Eddi is nearly swept away. "Eddi!" she shouts, swooping after the half-orc. She reaches out and grabs him by the leg just moments before he would fallen overboard! "I've got you!"
Borgol gets back to his feet to rush toward the Bosun, reaching out to grab him and help Remy pull him back aboard. "Let's all stay on the boat.."
Maddie nearly keeps her footing in the powerful wave, but her grip slips at the last second.
"Eeeek! Remy!" she calls out.
Even as the water rushes over the ship, Alustria is able to grab hold of some railing and keep from being swept over!
The elemental tries to assist the child-mage, but can’t get a grip!
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Remy holds on to Eddi, dangling him precariously over the ship's railing for several moments, then the rest of the team finally catches up and helps pull him back aboard. Sursha finally manages to right Tyalee's Whim, and Eddi gasps in relief. "Thanks, you guys! If you hadn't caught me, I'd have been a goner!" the bosun says, warmly smiling to his rescuers.
You work with the sailors for a while longer to make sure the ship stays secure, but it seems the worst of the storm has passed. Fortunately, it is short-lived, and at dawn the sun rises to a clear day. Yet evidence of the storm's swift violence is everywhere, including significant damage to Tyalee's Whim. As sailors quickly work to make repairs to the rigging and sails under Eddi's supervision, Sursha stands on the aft deck and calls you over.
"I think the rudder may have been damaged during the storm last night. Could one of you check it out? The waters are calm, but I spotted several sharks earlier. They seem to have lost interest in the ship for now, though. You've got a good window of opportunity to dive down and inspect the rudder."
"Go ahead and lower me down!"
Flik isn't much of a swimmer, but he can make out okay in calm water. He ties a rope around himself and asks for some help to get into position.
Remy asks to borrow a spear from one of the sailors, then takes a deep breath and swims down alongside Flik to keep him safe.
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Flik jumps into the water, as Remy ties some rope to herself and him. The rope will act as a safety measure, in case the currents decide to pick up again. The rest of the team waits patiently on the side of the Tyalee's Whim, as their friends go into the water.
Only a few seconds pass after some of you swim down under the ship does it become clear why the sharks have lost interest in Tyalee's Whim - a much larger predator lurks in the depths! Those onboard the ship still can see a gigantic, prehistoric fish cut through the water, its head like a snapping turtle, complete with sharp, tooth-like plates. Those under the ship spot the 25-foot-long beast heading right towards them, jaws spread wide enough to swallow them whole!
Round 1@ Remy
@ Borgol
@ Alustria
@ Maddie
@ Flik! Dunkleosteus
Fergus
Everyone acts before the fish, except for Fergus!
Bubbles escape Remy’s lips as she sees the monstrous fish. She gestures for Flik to go back to the ship, then follows her own advice.
She falters at first before kicking her way to the surface, dragging the gnome along if necessary. ”Help! Get us out of here!” she shouts at the others. ”Pull the rope!”
Borgol winces at the size of the immense thing, "Don't suppose anyone's hiding a ballista in their pocket?" he asks as he puts both hands on the rope, "If you've not got a big weapon or magic, then by the gods, help me pull!" He's about to give the rope a tug when a thought occurs to him, and he whispers a quick prayer to the Stag God, filling himself with divine power that doubles his size. Should be able to pull twice as fast now, he thinks and begins heaving on the rope, hand over hand.
Flik coughs and sputters in the water, and tries to make for the ship.
Thanking Gozreh, Besmara, and whatever other deities are handy, he starts trying to climb the rope, bracing his feet against the side of the ship.
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Remy sees the shadow of the enormous fish close the distance with immense speed, and for a moment, freak out and lets some water into her lungs. After a second, she concentrates and swims to the top, calling for help, and watching as Flik is having similar trouble catching the rope.
The giant prehistoric fish comes swimming up to the monk, with it's maw wide open. Before she can even blink, the teeth come down around her smaller body as she is swallowed whole.
-
Inside the belly of the beast, Remy stands knee high in a collection of bile and sea-water, mixed with the fish's last meal. The acid eats away at her fine skin, and the muscle lining the stomach is tough and hardy.
The rest of you watch, as for a moment, the fish emerges from the water engulfing Remy. Out of the water, you can see the layers of muscle and flesh adorning the strong body of this ancient creature. There are audible gasps across the ship, as the sailors hold their breaths and throw some ropes overboard to help those in the water.
Round 2@ Fergus
@ Remy -33 lethal (swallowed Whole, damage next round)
@ Borgol
@ Alustria - MAY ACT TWICE
@ Maddie - MAY ACT TWICE
@ Flik! Dunkleosteus (swallowed whole)
Everyone may act!
Remy screams as the monstrous fish’s teeth stab into her sides. Before she knows what is happening, she slides down the beast’s gullet! Its stomach is dark and cloying, and her skin bubbles as the acid goes to work. She cries in agony. ”No! I will not die here!”
Focusing through the pain, she shapes her hands into claws and calls on her full dra panic fury to try to rip a hole in the fish to escape!
Alustria summons a shark! It appears in the water to do battle with the dunkleosteus!
Round 2- The shark materializes and attacks!
”Keep it at the surface if you can!” The Druid starts casting another spell!
Maddie, worried for her friends, casts two magic missiles to hopefully add more damage to the creature.
Flik thrashes around in the water, trying his bests to climb the rope.
Together, Fergus and Borgol use their combined strength to pull the gnome out of the water, without provoking a bite from the giant fish.
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The magic missiles slam into the fish, further wounding it as it turns around and vanishes into the deep water - choosing to seek out easier prey.
With the danger gone, you are able to assess the damage to the rudder, which is quite significant. One of the Whim's sailors climbs into the water and is able to effect temporary repairs with a half hour's work, but it's a stopgap solution at best. "No help for it," Sursha says. "We'll need to go to the closest port so we can fix the damage. I hope you don't mind a little detour to Sandpoint!"
With a modicum of mobility restored, Tyalee's Whim makes for the Lost Coast just visible on the horizon. It takes most of the rest of the day for the crippled ship to reach Sandpoint, after which the crew manages to ease it into the town's harbor and dock at the Sandpoint shipyard. Sandpoint's harbormaster, a foul-mouthed but fair Keleshite woman named Jhalevia Stensin, speaks to the captain, and payment exchanges hands. Tyalee's Whim will be seaworthy in less than 12 hours with the captain's payment for overnight repairs.
With this news, Sursha allows all aboard Tyalee's Whim overnight shore leave (with the exception of Beckwood Roos and two unlucky sailors chosen to stay on board and make sure the man stays in his cabin). As the announcement is made, Viralane turns towards you with a smile. "Oh, it's been ages since I've been back to Sandpoint! You simply must dine with me at my favorite tavern, a place called Cracktooth's. I know its proprietor, and I can promise wonderful entertainment and good food for us all!"
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Remy gestures to the pile of ruined clothing by the tub. "Might I trouble you to borrow an outfit? I seem to have an annoying habit of destroying any clothes I wear." She smiles at the captain and gives the half-elf an appraising look, cocking her head slightly. "And maybe after I have dressed, we could share a drink? I would enjoy hearing more about your adventures at sea."
Remy spares the fish’s life, focusing instead on getting out of the water before another aquatic predator attempts to make a meal out of her. She clambers onto the deck and falls to her knees, breathing heavily. Hair wild, eyes wide, clothes soggy and torn, skin bruised and burnt, she looks quite the fright. ”That... was an experience I would rather not repeat,” she says shakily. ”Captain Sursha, I fear I must trouble you for another bath...”
***
Later, once she has recovered from nearly dying, Remy stands on the prow of the ship as they pull into the familiar town of Sandpoint. Mixed emotions war on her face.
”This is my hometown. I have not been back for years. I have friends and family here, but none would recognize me looking like this. And if they did, what would I say to them? How could I tell my mother and father that their son is no longer their son?” Remy sighs and lowers her eyes. ”No, this is not a happy homecoming. Best to keep my head down till we depart.”
She will glumly accompany the others to Cracktooth’s.