Following the gnome's advice, Themolin hastily packs a few belongings and points out the crates of artwork that he offers as payment. Second bell and sunset quickly follow, providing the Pathfinders with a night for last minute preparations before the scheduled rendezvous at sunrise with Rolanna's Prayer on the edge of Shard Cove.
At two hours before sunrise, the party heads into the sewers with a selected number of "clients". The tunnels are narrow and cramped in places, making it difficult to get a raft through.
As before, the tunnel to Shard Cove leads to a thin stretch of beach. As the sun begins to rise, the shape of a shape can be seen in the distance, though its crew remains below deck in an effort to avoid drawing attention and to avoid detection from watchful eyes in the city towers.
The tide is high. The water is calm, pure, and forty feet deep.
Map is now revealed on Slides.
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Back at the inn, Montagne sits down to work out the specifics of the boarding, detailing it in a journal.
"I say we put the grumpy family on the raft, the rest on the boat, and either Themolin or Garrla comes with us on the ride home. Both should have no problem getting by our shifty guard at the docks." he suggests to the group.
"And maybe put together another raft if we can, just to make getting them to the boat quicker than a few trips."
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Miladistra tries her best to lug all of this heavy stuff back to the inn. Pa and Uncle were the lifters. She was good at arguing for low prices during the farmer's market.
Once they were back at the inn, Miladistra made sure to check in on Vurna. "Hey! You doin' any better? How's that rat bite? I can try to help ya with some medicine tonight. Jak is the better but he might be busy."
Once that's done, Miladistra goes to rest. She snores loudly, as usual.
The next morning, Miladista wakes up, eats some dried mushrooms and trail mix before heading out.
The sewers is smelly, but it's quieter than the city. And the salty smell of the beach is delightful.
"I'm not much of a swimmer. Not yet, anyway. I didn't get all of Mother's blood." She frowns. "I'll just stay by the beach."
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Zabu enjoys a night off. Just like the other nights. It's a good thing the dwarf inn keeper is not sticking around as he would have to buy more booze if he did.
The next morning, he pushes and shoves the raft through the tunnels. Fortunately, they are of sturdy construction as he is less than careful about it.
Once they get to the beach, he dumps the raft in the water and climbs aboard.
"Well? The boat's not getting any closer," he says, waiting, impatiently for others to get on, too.
Lirabelle attempts another raft:
The halfling's efforts bear fruit in the form of a second raft capable of holding four beings.
"I'm not much of a swimmer. Not yet, anyway. I didn't get all of Mother's blood." She frowns. "I'll just stay by the beach."
The water of Shard Cove is calm.
The Pathfinders help the Chaverlys and Flitch board rafts, then head out from shore.
Raft assignments can now be adjusted on Slides
As the party moves through the water, each of the party members spots the reddish hue of a shell moving through the water.
Creature now revealed on Slides
The creature swims toward the party, submerging deeper into the water.
Initiative Round One Cont'd
Red creature
Lirabelle
Zabu
Montagné
?
Miladistra
Jak
Initiative Round One Cont'd
Red creature
Lirabelle
Zabu
Montagné
?
Miladistra
Jak
"We're going to have seafood tonight, guys!" Zabu says as he starts paddling out toward the boat and whatever is swimming in the water.
The gnome rows furiously, but an oar slips from his hand and the raft begins to drift away from the other raft, pulling Montagné in tow.
He will stay aloneside the lead raft as he keeps an eye out.
Though the half-orc spots no threats, at least one is looming.
From a place hidden beneath the waters, a second, shelled monstrosity approaches the closest potential prey with limbs in the water.
Reaching out with a sizable claw, it attempts to strike at the nearest form within the water.
The claw squeezes the half-orc, injecting him with venom.
The vile substance has an instant effect.
The claw then begins to constrict around the Pathfinder.
Initiative Round One Cont'd
Red creature
Lirabelle
Zabu
Montagné -8 HP
Yellow creature
Miladistra
Jak
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"Oh, that's bad. We've walked right into infested waters! Er, swam." Mildistra recoils back. "I'm not an athlete or an acrobat, but they need our help. I'm gonna try to move this thing."
Miladistra puts every ounce of energy she can into the raft, and forward it goes. Once she's within 30 feet of the critter, she unleashes an Electric Arc at it.
"Oh, that's bad. We've walked right into infested waters! Er, swam." Mildistra recoils back. "I'm not an athlete or an acrobat, but they need our help. I'm gonna try to move this thing."
Miladistra puts every ounce of energy she can into the raft, and forward it goes.Once she's within 30 feet of the critter, she unleashes an Electric Arc at it.
Initiative Round One Cont'd
Red creature (undetected)
Lirabelle
Zabu
Montagné -8 HP (grabbed, enfeebled 1)
Yellow creature
Miladistra
Jak
As Miladistra prepares her crossbow, Jak's stone flies toward the sea creature , but fails to connect.
The other sea creature emerges from the depths and heads toward the nearest raft, hoping to grab a hold of any bite-sized limbs protruding from the raft.
Finding an opening beyond the halfling's shield, the claw injects its poison.
The champion fights off the invasive substance, even as the claw begins to clamp down on her.
Leveraging her shield, the Pathfinder avoids getting badly crushed.
Initiative Round Two Cont'd
Red creature
Lirabelle -9 HP
Zabu
Montagné -8 HP
Yellow creature
Miladistra
Jak
Lirabelle drives her blade deep between the shell plates of the creature , but her second thrust is deflected.
"I will require some assistance with this thing!" Montagne calls out as he starts to stab at the appendages, to get free.
The poison continues to ravage the half-orc's muscles.
Though the half-orc struggles in an attempt to get free, the claw of the sea creature holds fast. Nevertheless, the Pathfinder manages just barely to open a wound within the creature's shell. His second strike bounces harmlessly off the creature's thick carapace.
The gnome launches himself into the water, but his fangs cannot get through the shell of the sea creature .
Presented with multiple targets, the sea creature holds fast to the half-orc and attempts to snag the gnome with its other claw.
Failing to do so, it tries again.
Poison flows from a gland in its claw.
But, it has no effect on the gnome.
Initiative Round Two Cont'd
Red creature -10hp
Lirabelle -3 HP
Zabu -7 HP
Montagné -13 HP
Yellow creature -6 HP
Miladistra
Jak
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"Ah, this is bad. Pokes, I need yer help again!" Miladistra calls upon the power to Summon Fey and conjures Pokes the Sprite to attack the thing fighting Lirabelle.
Pokes pops up, a bit tired. Getting summoned all the time is tricky. She draws a tiny rapier and begins lunging at the yellow shelled creature.
Pokes appears and makes good on her given name, jabbing the shelled monstrosity
Initiative Round Two Cont'd
Red creature -10hp
Lirabelle -3 HP
Zabu -7 HP
Montagné -13 HP
Yellow creature -10 HP
Miladistra
Jak
The stone slung by the Pathfinder slams against the shell of the sea creature , causing a noticeable crack within its hard carapace.
The other sea creature holds fast to the halfling and attempts to clip Pokes with its other claw.
It injects venom its the fey.
The shelled aberration then clamps down on the captured fey.
But, the injured Pokes refuses to return to her native plane just yet..
Initiative Round Three Cont'd
Red creature -1 HP
Lirabelle -3 HP
Zabu -7 HP
Montagné -13 HP
Yellow creature -14 HP
Miladistra
Pokes -9 HP
Jak
Lashing out the clawed creature, Lirabelle fails to injure the aberration, but distracts it enough to allow the fey to fly free.
Initiative Round Three Cont'd
Red creature -10 HP
Lirabelle -3 HP
Zabu -7 HP
Montagné -13 HP
Yellow creature -14 HP
Miladistra
Pokes -5 HP
Jak
The sensate gnome spits out a piece of shell, before cracking open the claws that once held him fast. Zabu is suddenly awash in aroma that is delectably sweet. The trauma is too much for the creature and it expires in the water, allowing the wounded half-orc to slip from its dead grasp.
Initiative Round Three Cont'd
Red creature -10 HP
Lirabelle -3 HP
Zabu -7 HP
Montagné -13 HP
Yellow creature -28 HP
Miladistra
Pokes -5 HP
Jak
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Miladistra tries not to grimace as Pokes is injured, but she does smile as Lirabelle calls the sprite to be free.
And then they talk about eating seafood. Yuck.
"Thanks for helpin' Pokes. Everyone gangs up when they see a fairy pop up... Okay. One down. Pokes, keep up the pressure!" Miladistra tries to fire her crossbow at the... whatever it is. Crab? Lobster?
Whatever it is, she flings an Electric Arc at it, dealing electric damage.
It ain't easy being a sprite. But it sure is fun. Pokes sticks a tongue out before jabbing twice with a rapier.
With no one manning the oars, the raft moves ahead--but only briefly as it strikes something in the water. It is a massive, jagged crystal shard protruding just below the waves.
The impact halts the raft, but only manages to create a slight gouge in Lirabelle's creation.
Montagné's internal organs continue to fight off the venom coursing through his body.
Mirabelle's magic strikes the remaining sea creature .
The sea creature singes from the electricity. Pokes fails to land a jab on the nimble aberration as she tries to stave off the venom's effects.
Initiative Round Three Cont'd
Red creature -16 HP
Lirabelle -3 HP (grabbed)
Zabu -7 HP
Raft 1 -1 HP
Montagné -13 HP
Miladistra
Pokes -5 HP
Jak
Jak's stone strikes true, splitting the shell of the remaining creature and sending its carcass to the bottom.
With the threat of posed by aberrations concluded, the party is able to carefully navigate the waters and the submerged shards to deliver the "clients" to the waiting Rolanna's Prayer. Captain Remmith urges the party to finish the delivery and return to the city quickly as he is eager to get rapidly underway in order to avoid the patrol ships of the Runelord's forces.
Upon returning to the shore, the party is able to make its way through the tunnel and the sewers without incident.
Two more days remain before the papers provided by Valais Durant are set to expire. To complete your mission, you realize that you and the remaining refugees must make it aboard the Merry Mayfly at the docks of Xin-Edasseril and get the ship underway or else face near certain boarding.
The waters and environs around the dock are heavily watched both by patrol ships and sentries on land. With the check point located at the end of the dock, constricting potential boarders into a single-file line, it is evident that you have little choice but to somehow smuggle the remaining refugees out past the two guards stationed there.
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"If the big lug can be still enough, can you turn the pickle barrels into a crate? We can dump some hay from the stable on him and just load him up like cargo. He won't have to pass the checkpoint at all, then, just pass inspection," Zabu suggests.
"I don't suppose anybody's got a paralysis spell, do they?"
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"I suggest we get a night's rest before departing since we have the time. I would feel more comfortable if I was able to use my goddess' healing if things go south."
"As for the others, I'm not sure having them seem like merchants too is a good idea. Wouldn't so many merchants be suspicious. Perhaps having them perform helpers and contract muscles."
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"Well, he almost escaped our notice. I believe he will be fine. We can work on a disguise for those that may need it. Especially Garrla, so none of the other guards notice her." Montagne suggests as he looks over the remaining people to board.
"Our two dwarven clients in barrels, Seddothrum on a cart, and the other two helping us load up as workers. They just won't be leaving the boat after loading. I can deliver the message to our dirty guard to make sure he cooperates by looking the other way." he says working through possible plans before they sleep for the night.
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Zabu spends the time between getting people Rolanna's Prayer and their departure very helpfully drinking up all the alcohol in the house.
He also wanders around and critiques other people's work, though does nothing to help them.
In fact, the most helpful he is, is that, when the time comes he is actually calm and quiet while standing in the line. He brings up the rear, figuring he's got the best chance of getting through if things go sideways.
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Miladistra continues to help Verna with the Filth Fever. She also asks Jak for plenty of advice. Looks like the gods are good for somethin'.
When she's not helping with the escape plan, she goes to the marketplace to check out the town's wares, gossip with the citizens, and of course, purchase some rhubarb. There are variations in each region, or at least similarities.
And Zabu could stand to eat some vegetables. No, hopps and fermented grapes do not count!
Lirabelle manages to fashion a fine crate in which to conceal Seddothrum as well as reinforce Yuleg's cart to allow it to transport such a heavy load.
Montagné creates a disguise for Captain Astrid "Garrla" Kallade, that is rather startling in how unrecognizable it makes the member of the Emerald Guard. His other efforts on the two dwarves and the bureaucrat, however, clearly leaves something to be desired--giving Zabu plenty of facets to "critique".
Miladistra and Jak tend to Vurna, who appears to be recovering quite well. Whether the result of the lingering effects of the illness, of her jumpy nerves about the dangerous deception ahead, or of her sadness from being separated from the "dreamy" Varisian who departed on Rolanna's Prayer, young Vurna does display a few telltale signs of nausea. Fortunately, applying a few of the breathing techniques that Miladistra offers seems to help, causing the feeling to pass for the moment.
The half-elf, sadly, finds only one type of rhubarb being sold within the city and it remains overly fibrous despite its wilted state. Sadder still, she finds the citizens and merchants too dour or too frightened even for small talk. It is almost as if the city itself is as eager to be rid of the Pathfinders as the party is to depart its borders.
With their preparations complete and their travel papers hours away from expiring, the party heads toward the docks where The Merry Mayfly sits at the ready. There, the party is greeted by the smell of sea salt wafting in the wind and the busy sounds of the docks.
A single-filed line has formed before the checkpoint that bars entry to the boardwalk that leads to the ships nestled at the docks, including the The Merry Mayfly. Miladistra slips into the line, followed by Lirabelle, and the others as planned. Zabu brings up the rear.
"Present your papers." The demand, directed to Miladistra and accompanied by an open, expectant hand, comes from one of two Emerald Guards. The demanding guard is relatively young, most likely a recent recruit, clearly doing his best to put on a proper display for his superior--an older, half-elf that the party met upon first arriving in Xin-Edasseril, the one who is named Ellvard.
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This marketplace is terrible. Produce is messy and not one ounce of gossip! Miladistra sighs.
Oh well, at least Vurna seems like a good listener. "And that's right. Lots of liquids and lots ah rest. The sun don't wait for you, and neither will yer body." She also spends some time talking about Filtch. "You keep yer ears open. Make sure if he steals yer heart, you get his, too! Otherwise he'll throw it away as soon as he finds a juicy catch. We can't have that now, can we?"
Miladistra snores through both nights, happy she wasn't crab food.
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Another day passes, and she finds herself at the front of the inspection line. "Here you go, for me and mah associates." She hands the guard her papers. "Great day for a sale. We found this impressive statue just lyin' around. Owner saw us interested and began hagglin' with us right then and there. Now, where I'm from, you give a handshake first and then you start sellin', but she does this dance first and I'm thinkin', is this a custom here?"
Miladistra begins spinning a tale of how they bought Seddothorum the statue from an ornery maid. Hopefully she is so annoying they start to wave her party past.
"Dance?!" the guard looks up quizzically. "I suppose." he says to Miladistra as he waves the half-elf through. After a quick glance at Lirabelle's papers, he waves the halfling past the checkpoint as well.
As it comes Themolin's turn to head through the checkpoint, the bureaucrat grows clearly nervous. He turns to Montagné, whispering nervously.
"Th-those are m-members of the Em-Emerald G-Guard aren't they?" Themolin stutters, his voice growing louder along with his uncertainty. "Aren't they trained to sn-sniff out d-deception? Won't they rec-recognize m-me for sure? Wh-What if B-Barralbus had spoken t-to them? What if an alarm w-was s-sounded when he didn't show up f-for work? Or when I didn't show up for work? Do y-you think they'd t-take it easy on m-me if I j-just con-confessed now?"
Unless quelled, the nervous bureaucrat's actions and unanswered questions are almost certain to attract unwanted attention.