”Most fair. But how can we tell what your territory is? It would be best for us to have a clear line so that we can limit future misunderstandings.”
"Or try talking first."
"Considerable clarity would be required for any peaceful dealings."
"This reef and the waters nearby... our tribe controlled more but that was before we left. A powerful hag took control of the leadership of the tribe, she might soon turn her attentions towards you. You did come from her island after all." The sahuagin smiles with too many teeth.
"Where is your tribe and the hag?"
"I'm less keen to tell you where our tribe is but the hag does not stay with them. At the center of the island it has it's tallest mountain, in an ancient building in the middle of a lake is where she stays. I would not go there without being prepared."
"How would your leadership view us settlers if we took care of the hag? Because so far she's left us alone. I wouldn't want to eliminate a potential threat only to have your people start attacking every settler who can't tell where your boundaries are."
"They would hate you, as is only right surface worlder but the water beneath the waves are deep and wide and you'd have shown yourself to be formidable. Potentially avoided if you stick to the island. As for the Hag, are you sure she has ignored you?"
"There will be fishing in the waters near the island and shipping to and from the colony. Do you intend to interfere with any of that?", Uzziah asks.
"As for the Hag, you raise a fair point. I have no intention of ignoring her."
"I mean if there's not too many, we've got better things to do..."
She definitely has no intention of not attacking those boats or your people if it's convenient to do so.
Heiek shakes his head in annoyance, and takes a look around the room their in to see if there's anything interesting.
"Our offer is very straightforward. You remain in your territory, and do not interfere with ours or our activities, and we will do the same. Since this has been made clear to you, you can also expect a stern response for *any* breaking of this agreement. The alternative is that we agree nothing and our people simply assume that your will be opportunistically hostile from now on and thus act appropriately. Now, will you accept or not?"
"Oh of course but it's not terribly relevant while the hag lives. Kill her to assure your safety."
Heiek can tell that the sahuagin's underwater crossbow and ranseur are both of fine quality and its necklace is unusual though made of coral it's been carved to depict clouds and wind and would likely fetch a good price too. Better equipped than the others you suspect she's the leader and may have more treasures hidden away in the other section of the ship.
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”Well, it would be stupid for you to try it. Especially after we deal with the hag. And I don’t think you are stupid.” Valera said with a knowing smile. ”Alright! Let’s go. May we meet under friendlier conditions next time.”
Late that day after journeying up the coast you come across the five-foot-wide cave in the tide-battered cliffs opens into a partially flooded grotto lined with glistening calcite columns and hanging moss.
"Let us enter and have a look."
”Ooh! It’s so mysterious! I love it.” Valera said with a smile. ”Yeah, let’s go explore.”
As they hike inland, Iraska seems sullen. He casts frequent glances back toward the ocean, clearly missing their time in the water.
Leaving Abiel to mind the entrance, Uzziah advances into the cave mouth.
A long serpentine shape uncoils as you move in. Slender spines and brightly colored frills stretch back from the human-like face of this massive water snake. Every motion of the serpent’s long form sets its brightly patterned scales and glistening fins to flashing like gems in the surf. "You will not explore my home uninvited humanoid!"
Further into it's lair near this creature you can see various small statues and trinkets.
You recognise this creature as a water naga. They are intelligent and skilled spellcasters.
Where many nagas claim particular lairs as their homes, water nagas typically have a number of retreats, migrating from one to the next with the changing of the seasons. These nagas keep elaborate summer and winter lairs, with several favored shelters positioned between these so they can make a circuit of familiar rivers and coasts throughout the year. Fiercely territorial when it comes to their lairs, water nagas typically attack any that intrude upon their sanctuaries, only bothering to question interlopers once such creatures have been weakened by poison, if at all.
As their yearly treks make many water nagas especially well traveled, those who live near the serpents’ lairs— usually lizardfolk, fey, and human tribes—often court the snake creatures’ good graces with offerings of rich local delicacies, hoping to learn of nearby lands and pass on their own stories to distant neighbors. Enjoying flattery, exciting tales, and the adoration of those they see as lesser creatures, most water nagas take pride in their roles as travelers. However, while rarely malicious, they quickly grow bored of repetitive, mundane anecdotes and often embellish the stories they’ve heard with their own fictions—caring little for the repercussions such misleading tales might cause for their listeners. The congeniality of some water nagas does not extend to the entire race, and many unwary souls, even those with only the best intentions, face these serpentine creatures’ deadly bite.
"Water naga," Heiek whispers to Uzziah and the others. "Dangerous, but can be willing to talk. Try and be nice--and respectful--and maybe we can exchange information."
Uzziah nods at Heiek and ceases advancing. He calls out towards the creature:
"Water naga, we did not know whom dwelled in this place. I am Uzziah and these are my companions from the nearby colony. We are exploring this island. May we speak with you?"
"You may, do not enter my lair unannounced again or I will not stay my hand." The naga peers at you "This colony must be new, I have not heard or seen any sign of it before."
”Indeed it is. May we ask what the boundaries of your lair are? That way we may ensure that neither we, nor any colonists, accidentally intrudes again.”
"This cave, my other lairs are far from here. Tell me how has your colony faired?"
”We’re doing great!” Valera beamed. ”We killed the octopus goblins, and beat up the shark people, and really just want to find some neighbors who are willing to play nice. Oh! We should start making a map. We can mark this cave down as a place where nobody is allowed to go. Anyways! You seem friendly enough. We heard there is a hag hiding out somewhere. Is this true? And if so do you have any information?”
She sounded authentic in her cheerfulness, and truly wasn’t judging the naga based on her race or choice of home.
"We have also made inroads with trading with the local locatah.", adds Uzziah.
"I haven't been able to get out as much as I usually do. I can't get to some of my other lairs due to a tribe of Sahuagin moving into the area a few years back and more recently some have made there presence known and took over another nearby lair of a wrecked ship. Smaller in number I think I could deal with them but they have some kind of mutated shark with them that is quite potent... I doubt they'd leave you alone for long and if you dealt with them I'd offer you a reward!"
"That sounds entirely reasonable. Do you know of other tribes in the region?"
Luck is on our side!
"A mutated shark? How big?"
"It is the same size as a great white but with red eyes and far more cunning. Sahuagin have a special relationship with sharks. The other tribes are of little concern with the sahuagin moving about."
"If you deal with the Sahuagin and their pet shark abomination at the wreck I would tell you more."
You recognise the description of this 'shark'. Feeders in the depths closely resemble ordinary sharks, but they are faster, stronger, and far more intelligent and malevolent. Feeders in the depths begin life as ordinary sharks, raised under the care of sahuagin priestesses. A would-be feeder feasts on the flesh of merfolk, sea elves, and other aquatic humanoids. As it dines on these sacrifices, the priestess chants blasphemous rituals, infusing the shark with malign power and the stolen intelligence of its victims. Over the course of 13 feedings over 13 midwinters, a new feeder in the depths arises.
A typical feeder in the depths is 24 feet long and weighs 5,500 pounds. The wounds inflicted by their bite are resistant to clotting even with magical healing and those bleeding near the shark bolster their own healing to near regeneration levels.
Heiek asks for directions to this shipwreck.
"That is fair. Please, point us in the direction."
It's probably not too big of a surprise that the directions to the shipwreck would lead you back to where you recently encountered the sahuagin.
"Finishing this matter should be our priority I think. Companions?"
"It makes sense because we are nearby, but how come we din't encounter this giant shark when we were there?
"Anyway, I'd like to camp for the night, first."
The naga gladly lets you go hoping to be rid of the sahuagin. Familiar with the terrain and forewarned of the giant shark you can consider how to approach it as you camp.
As you swim towards the wreck the sunlight refracts and dances across the waves above you. Soon you will have to face the Sahuagin and it's abominable shark ally.
”This is so exciting! As in, we all might die, but hopefully we won’t and they will, kind of exciting.” Valera said, pumping herself up for the battle to come.
A faint smile crosses Iraska's lips. "Anything is possible." He chants in druidic, then his form elongates. The dull gray of his shark hide blends with the water as he and Finn begin to swim circles in anticipation.
The sahuagin spots your approach and moves off to summon her ally.
Heiek
Iraska
Uzziah
Valera
Valto
Sahuagin
.
Knowing that others will get to the action ahead of him, Heiek uses his unfamiliar locathah fins to swim a fast as he can.
Iraska and Finn swim after Heiek, maintaining the defensive and offensive advantages of a school of sharks.
Uzziah swims confidently towards the impending battle.
Not being in range to do anything, Valera swam forward to be with her comrades. It really didn’t feel safe being alone.
Knowing that others will get to the action ahead of him, Heiek uses his unfamiliar locathah fins to swim a fast as he can.
Iraska and Finn swim after Heiek, maintaining the defensive and offensive advantages of a school of sharks.
Uzziah swims confidently towards the impending battle.
Not being in range to do anything, Valera swam forward to be with her comrades. It really didn’t feel safe being alone.
Valto casts mage armour and trails behind.
You see the horrific for of the shark start to come into view. The sahuagin sticks close to the hulk for cover.
Heiek
Iraska
Uzziah
Valera
Valto
Sahuagin
Iraska and Finn swim south, preparing for the behemoth shark to attack.