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Also keeping an eye on the creatures remains, he addresses Beckwood Roos, "It seems you should have spent more resources on making sure it stayed contained. I have no knowledge of whatever this aberration was but considering the absorption traits of oozes, it really could have wreaked havoc on the ship and the occupants on board. Why would you put the lives on this ship in this kind of danger and not notify anyone of it? Furthermore, how and where did you come by it? Are there any more contained in the remaining crates?"
With a slight amount of cold anger creeping into his voice, "If this thing broke out in Miramar or even back in Rodric's Cove, it could have been disastrous.
Turning to look up the stairs, "Roscoe, since you are close above deck, please call for the captain. Everyone else, stay alert."
"Do I have to do everything?" Roscoe says lazily as he sits down on the steps.
"Oh captain, my captain!" he calls up over his shoulder up the stairs but doesn't move.
"Well, it looks like we're having steak tonight, at least. Why don't you fill us in on this thing in the meantime," he says to Roos.
BECKWOOD ROOS' PLAN
"Well... I, uh..." he mumbles, embarrassed, when queried by Roscoe and Ezranadir. "I've been researching the regenerative properties of oozes and particularly, hungry fleshes, like this one."
Captain Antefalle comes down the companionway stairs just as Roos continues.
"After quite a bit of searching, I found a PERFECT candidate for transport to my laboratory in Nisroch. Small. Not yet an unmanageable size. I was going to isolate the strange regenerative qualities in the ooze’s flesh. I could make an elixir infused with this property to aid in the shaping of flesh itself."
Captain Antefalle looks about her hold. "You brought an ooze on MY SHIP?"
"It was immobilized, Captain! It was safe, I swear!" Roos says. "An ooze cannot be tranquilized with poison, so I created my own special substance! I call it 'oozeclot unguent.'"
He holds up a vial of slightly disgusting oily... stuff.
"If you apply it to the ground and then have an ooze come in contact with it, the ooze's outer body becomes rigid, like a shell. But I think I may have miscalculated the dosage required to keep this particular hungry flesh quiet. It was so small. But maybe 'small' doesn't equal a lessened metabolism. It wasn't supposed to wake up until it was safely in my laboratory!"
Antefalle looks at him.
"YOU BROUGHT AN OOZE
After hearing the word "regenerative" not once but twice, Frantino starts looking around for a shovel and the nearest porthole. After all, there are cattle here and their waste has to be removed at least daily, maybe twice a day.
He directs his questions at Roos. "Will there be any problems if we throw the remains overboard as quickly as possible? You've studied this specimen, do you think it's going to regenerate again? How does it react with salt water?"
After hearing the word "regenerative" not once but twice, Frantino starts looking around for a shovel and the nearest porthole. After all, there are cattle here and their waste has to be removed at least daily, maybe twice a day.
He directs his questions at Roos. "Will there be any problems if we throw the remains overboard as quickly as possible? You've studied this specimen, do you think it's going to regenerate again? How does it react with salt water?"
"It only regenerates if it has been pierced or slashed," Roos says, hastening to be helpful in the face of Captain Antefalle's anger. "And it would be moving again, I think, by now."
Roscoe almost nods off listening to the long explanation, but does manage a bored question.
"Where did you find that thing to research on anyway?" he asks.
Roscoe almost nods off listening to the long explanation, but does manage a bored question.
"Where did you find that thing to research on anyway?" he asks.
"North of Riddleport," he says. "Big underground complex. Mostly destroyed. But this was there. Some mercenaries found it and were talking about it in a local tavern."
Frantino will put Fury back in its sheath on his back, make sure his heavy flail is handy, and get to work with Doc shoveling the remains of the ooze overboard.
"North of Riddleport, huh?" Roscoe muses with only a small degree of interest.
"In case it comes up again, what was the place called?"
Ayita comes over to help...
Is it safe to touch? Some of these things use acid slime.
She takes a bit of the poor cow and puts it on the ooze.
Nothing happens to the cow parts. Except, they get bloody.
"North of Riddleport, huh?" Roscoe muses with only a small degree of interest.
"In case it comes up again, what was the place called?"
"The Black Catacombs," he says.
"Who's cows are these?"
Captain Antefalle looks around at the remaining cattle.
"Jorge Blenn's," she says. "But they're mine now. I bought 'em, as per usual, and will sell them at market in Magnimar. IF I HAVE ANY LEFT."
She glowers at Roos. She says, emphasizing each word with a stab of her finger, "You will stay in your cabin. You will not leave it. We will bring you food. We will bring you water. If the ship goes down, you do not have permission to leave your cabin. Best hope we don't sink."
"I'm so sorry," Roos says. "Please, please, use these to help anybody that is injured."
He hands Ayita a potion of cure moderate wounds, a potion of neutralize poison, and 3 doses of oozeclot unguent.
Elbows walks up to Roos and grabs him by the arm. "Let's go, dumbass."
Before Roos leaves, Ayita grabs his other arm a bit roughly.
Look at this rash! What did the thing do to me, and how is it cured?
(Assuming the attribute damage is still there, she wouldn't know if it would just improve on its own.)
"I'm so sorry. I don't know," he says, regretfully.
Did it have some disease or something? Doc?"Lemme take a looksee..." Hatfield examines whatever Ayta points out.
[dice=Heal]1d20+12 = 21
"Doc, you just took a look at Ayita's arm, do you think it'll heal on its own? Or can you do something to restore her to full health?"
Did it have some disease or something? Doc?"Lemme take a looksee..." Hatfield examines whatever Ayta points out.
[dice=Heal]1d20+12
Roscoe chuckles a bit at the admonition not to leave the ship if it sinks.
"Good one," he states flatly.
"We should divide up those potions and try not to use them now--if we don't need them yet," he muses. "Maybe a front-line guy should hang onto that healing potion."
Injury; save Fort DC 17; onset 1 minute; frequency 1/day; effect 1d2 Con and 1d2 Cha; cure 2 consecutive saves. Anyone who dies from tumor infestation turns into a hungry flesh 1d4 hours later. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Ayita tries her spellcasting... She casts:
"lesser restoration" on herself. If she can choose this, she tries to restore her con.
Nssir will help clear out the mess and take turns guarding Loos' door through the rest of the journey.
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Hatfield applies a medicated poultice to the diseased area.
"That's tha second worst tumor infestation I've seen! Let's see how far it done spread, Ayita. Hm. Good. Good. Seems ta be contained ta yer arm--fer now. I recommend a bit o' rest. Elevate yer legs. An' try not ta move yer arm. I'll check back on ye every hour at tha hour."
__________________________________________________
The following day--for Ayita's second save--Hatfield applies a fresh poultice and lances a couple of boils bubbling up from the infected flesh.
"Try not ta worry too much. I think ye might be past the worst part. Continue ta rest today. I'll keep checkin' in on ye throughout tha day."
The day dawns early and Ayita, unfortunately, can feel tumors growing in her arm. Doc's ministrations have helped some, she thinks.
Regardless of Ayita's efforts to stave off the tumor infestation, Doc continues to administer poultices and lances a few boils growing on her arm.
On the afternoon of the fourth day, Tyalee’s Whim approaches a notable coastal landmark: Windsong Abbey.
As the ship passes through a deep channel between the mainland and a small island, the arches and tall towers of the still-abandoned abbey itself are in full view, sunlight dancing on the stained glass of its windows. The sound of the wind blowing along the cliffs here is eerie and mournful, and Viralane uses this moment to recite verse by the beloved Varisian poet Eulac Kezalli, praising Windsong Abbey’s architecture.
It is clear that poetry is not her favored performance style, but her musical talents help her give a good rendition of Kezalli's verse.
An hour after sunset, the heroes are standing amidships, having just watched the sun go down over the ocean's horizon. Storm clouds gather to the west.
Audrahni begins a cautious tale of her past, of her attempt to have a statue of Saint Sazzleru constructed in Magnimar, and of how she uncovered corruption that went all the way up to the city’s justices.
"The sculptor I'd hired to design and construct the statue, an elven man named Ilsynor, was in truth a member of a cult of murderers called the Brotherhood of Seven," she says, "When I went to the city’s justices, I discovered to my horror that the man I’d contacted, Justice Ironbriar, was none other than the cult’s secret leader."
Ironbriar stymied her attempts to have the cultists exposed, then sent his assassins to murder the rest of Audrahni’s Ashavan allies.
"I must confess, overcome with grief and frustration that Ashava hadn’t protected my friends, I took vengeance. I engineered the collapse of the scaffolding around the partially built statue of Saint Sazzleru. The collapse killed Ilsynor, consigning him to an unblessed grave—a sin," Audrahni notes with sadness.
"It is so against the teachings of Ashava that immediately after I realized I’d committed a grievous error. Confirmation came the next time I attempted a spell in Her name. My miracles would never manifest after that. The gestures and words have, ever since, done nothing. Have called forth no divine magic. I had fallen from Ashava's grace."
"Ever since, Ashava has sent me dreams. Nightmares, really. Nightmares that Ilsynor’s spirit has been caught in the rubble, consigned forever to unlife as some sort of restless undead! I know it. I just know it."
Audrahni looks out at the horizon and the storm clouds backlit by the fading light of the sun.
[dice=Fort save]1d20+4+5
Ayita feels like the treatments from Doc are really helping, and thanks him again. She still feels like the tumors are still there though (she has to make 2 consecutive saves, right?) She casts 'lesser restoration' twice again.
[dice=lesser restoration]1d4 con
[dice=lesser restoration]1d4 cha
Your save prevents the dmg from occurring... today. You need to make a second save tomorrow to cure the disease forever.
So no need to use those spell slots today, since your save prevented the dmg for today.
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[dice=Fort save]1d20+4+5
Ayita feels like the treatments from Doc are really helping, and thanks him again. She still feels like the tumors are still there though (she has to make 2 consecutive saves, right?) She casts 'lesser restoration' twice again.
[dice=lesser restoration]1d4 con
[dice=lesser restoration]1d4 cha
Your save prevents the dmg from occurring... today. You need to make a second save tomorrow to cure the disease forever.
So no need to use those spell slots today, since your save prevented the dmg for today.
Frantino listens to his friend's story.
"When we arrive in Magnimar, I will do what I can to help you put Ilsynor's spirit to rest and make your relationship with Ashava right again."
[dice=Knowledge religion]1d20 + 10
Frantino listens to his friend's story.
"When we arrive in Magnimar, I will do what I can to help you put Ilsynor's spirit to rest and make your relationship with Ashava right again."
"I've been inspired by your heroism. Particularly by how all of you helped put Sir Roderic to rest," she responds, humbly. "Thank you for your offer, Frantino. Perhaps we can visit the site of the collapsed statue of Sazzleru and Ilsynor's grave to perform a short ritual to bless the site."
As the heroes begin to go below for the evening, Captain Antefalle shouts from the aft deck, "LOOKS LIKE A STORM WILL HIT AT SOME POINT TONIGHT! I MAY NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER!"
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Audrahni begins a cautious tale of her past, of her attempt to have a statue of Saint Sazzleru constructed in Magnimar, and of how she uncovered corruption that went all the way up to the city’s justices.
Hatfield tries to console Audrahni "We'll put things ta rights. We'll put his soul ta rest, an' help ye make amends."
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As the heroes begin to go below for the evening, Captain Antefalle shouts from the aft deck, "LOOKS LIKE A STORM WILL HIT AT SOME POINT TONIGHT! I MAY NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER!"
"Aw, shucks!"
Worried about how his friends might fare in a storm, Hatfield casts status on Roscoe (because he's small) and Ayita (because she hasn't fully recovered). He also makes sure to have Life Link on the party members.
"Sarenrae preserve us!"
An hour after midnight, you are awakened by the clanging of the ship's bell, calling for all hands on deck. As you roll out of your bunks, you realize the ship is being tossed about in rough waters. You can hear Beckwood Roos vomiting in his bunk and the cows are clomping this way and that, trying to stay upright as the ship is thrown about.
Topside, the full moon illuminates Captain Antefalle at the wheel, steering Tyalee’s Whim as best she can. Elbows is shouting directions to the crew and he immediately yells at you as you come on deck. The storm’s fury is frightening, with the ship listing and climbing dangerously with each whitecapped swell, while torrents of rain driven sideways by blasts of wind make visibility a challenge. The ship’s heaving, wet deck make movement a challenge, but the amount of rigging and railing help prevent anyone from being washed overboard.
shouts the Captain, pointing to the starboard quarter, where several sailors are trying to deploy a massive piece of canvas at the end of a long rope. One sailor is thrown to the deck and loses his grip on the sea anchor. It flaps uncontrollably in the gusting wind.
Eddi looks at you and shouts, As if to illustrate his point, the Whim suddenly leaps into the air and Captain Antefalle is THROWN into the air, only holding onto the wheel by a single hand, before being smashed back onto the deck. The sailor on the deck near her is thrown into the air, as well, and lost to sight as a massive wave washes foam across the rear deck.
Nasir is yells to Eddi. "Roger, First Mate!"
Nasir somehow manages to nimbly work his way across the deck to the anchor.
He quickly grabs it and attempts to throw it overboard. Unfortunately, the ship lists at the wrong time causing Nasir to slip and slam the anchor against the ship's railing.
Frantino leaps forward to help the crew, thankful that the wooden armor isn't as restrictive or heavy as the normal armor he wears.
Unfortunately, the deck proves too slippery for Frantino to move into position to help. He grips the railing as best he can, trying not to get washed overboard.
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Ayita jumps out of bed, switches the Hunter animal focus of Yazhi to "Frog - +4 to swim / jump" (just in case, lasts until switched on companion) and to "Bull -- +2 to strength" for herself, duration in minutes.
Ayita has acrobatics +13 so auto-succeeds; she gets Ter and Yazhi out of the hold but under some webbing; Ter grabs on. A. guidances herself too.
If she has time, she will then summon a dolphin to rescue the sailor, if possible...
If she has time, she will then summon a dolphin to rescue the sailor, if possible...
Summon Nature's Ally I
1 round to cast, 5 round duration
GENIUS!
Ayita helps the sailors deploy the sea anchor and the Whim immediately stops bucking and heaving so much. The waves continue to crash over the railing and onto the deck, however.
Ayita begins casting a spell, summoning aid for the lost sailor.
Elbows cries out,
Several sailors rush for the rigging, to clamber up. The Whim tosses just then and two of them go sliding to the deck. It looks painful.
and then, either
or
2nd Fort save: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 = 10
3rd Fort save: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 = 12
4th Fort save: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 4 = 18
DAY FIVE (assuming you survive storm): FAIL and and
DAY SIX: FAIL and and
DAY SEVEN: SUCCEED!
Ayita still needs a second consecutive successful save to get rid of the disease. That would be on DAY EIGHT.
Frantino resolves to be more helpful this time, waits a few seconds to dash to the mainsail, and barely manages to slide across the deck in time with the next roll.
Not enthused about climbing into the rigging, Frantino recalls the lessons Ayita has given him.
"You're doing a pretty good job," Roscoe says, his slothful spirit keeping him from being very engaged. He does manage to point where others should run--somewhat helpfully.
Over the railing of the ship Ayita can see a dolphin appear and begin racing to save the struggling crewman!
Just as Ayita is about to call attention to the man and perhaps throw him a line, a particularly powerful wave CRASHES over the Whim's deck! Everything goes white and black (if such a thing is possible), the moon masked by the frothing white and darkness covering everybody for a second or two.
As the water sloughs off, you can see a crewman being washed overboard, sucked by the water as cascades away.