Gregor continues to hold his position opposite Davor to allow some confusion to the strange creature as he strikes with the dagger. The dagger almost slips out of his hand though and he quickly shifts his grip to hold onto it.
Before the eyes of Gregor and Davor the transformation of the Woman continues. As her body elongates and her arms and legs turn into Hooves, while the long hair becomes a beautiful mane.
Stunned by this the men both miss their attacks. The seahorse in the meantime kicks out at Davor twice more and lands at least a glancing blow.
On the way to the surface Kerndrew is catching up to Shalissa trying to help her finding the right direction towards the surface.
Confused and lost in the middle of the waters, Shalissa loses the woman's transformation, while battles to find her way out of the currents and towards the surface. She removes the mask from her face as she feels it is making things more difficult.
The elf braces with desperation looking for air as her lungs start to deplete, trying to remember her best days in the Mordant Spire.
Frustrated at the miss Davor almost growls out some of his precious remaining air. The slams are hurting but he continues jabbing at the monster.
Davor leaves another cut across the Kelpies flank, who is bleeding frpom loads of wounds by now.
Meanwhile Shalissa finally finds the way upwards and follows Kerndrew to the surface.
Shalissa starts swimming up as fast as she can, almost desperately. Soon she starts to feel her breath failing, her head slowly fainting, but for now, she endures.
Father Kerndrew keeps pumping his legs rapidly, trying to catch up to Shalissa.
Gregor glanced across at Davor as he paddled to and fro maintaining his position. He slammed the dagger into the creature again.
By now Gregor and Davor are used to the new environment and the strikes are raining down on that strange creature. Bleeding from multiple smaller wounds she finally succumbs and drops dead to the sea floor.
The battle might be over, but Shalissa is still desperately trying to get up to the surface before her airt runs out completely.
If you fail you fall unconcious.
Shalissa swims up, she feels the pressure at her lungs and remembers the time as a child when she was scared of the water but her mother would throw her at the sea nevertheless.
And so she was forced to endure and survive on the waves. With a deep resounding gasp the elf emerges out to the sea surface. She grasps for air desperately, and when Father Kerndrew arrives she embraces him strongly, still with not enough gasp to talk. She hides her head in his shoulders while tears mix with the salt of sea.
"The..." she makes an effort to try speak "...they are... ...still... ...down..." it is painful but needed "...Davor... ...Gregor... ...a diver... ...monster... ...down... ...attacked..."
The creature slain, Gregor pauses to look around to get his bearings before heading to the surface to get some much needed air.
When the creature stops Davor sheaths his weapon. He searches the creature before turning upward. It had been a hard adversary.... If Gregor hadn't been able to get there to help Davor would likely be dead.
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Father Kerndrew tries to stay afloat in the unexpected embrace from Shalissa. He quickly returns her grasp--to comfort the elf--but immediately returns to his haphazard flailing and kicking to keep his head above water. "Don't... forget... to... swim!!!" he gasps out between the rolling waves on the surface.
Shalissa barely manages to reach the surface but then is able to swim to the boat.
Kerndrew is drawn out into the open sea, but with help of the boat the others are easily able to row to his help.
Making it back to the surface Davor glances around at the group. "As much as I hate to waste resources, I think we should use one of the potions of water breathing. Gregor should use it. Then he and I will swim back down. I'll keep watch while he searches for oysters with pearls. When I need to re-surface he can stay down watching until I come back down. There might not be any other dangers, but I wouldn't count on it!"
"Oh. And I'm hurt a little. Help me into the boat. I've got one Cure spell prepared. I can use the new wand unless anyone else has spells ready. ??"
Realizing her embrace is sinking poor Kerndrew, Shalissa releases herself to let him swim better and motivates him with the promise of the boat "Yes... ...let's... get back... ...to the boat"
Taming the waves herself, she makes it back to the boat where Kyra takes her hand and helps her up before the mate offers an oar to help Kerndrew and Davor make it back to the safety of the boat too.
Laying down in the deck for a while she nods to Davor. Once she has recovered her breath she agrees with him "Ye-yes let's better use those breath potions or we would never find that black one pearl"
She will channel to heal both Davor and herself.
Then finishes healing Davor.
Davor sighs with relief as the pain disappears. "Use both of them? I just figured Gregor could use one and gather the pearls while I watch. If something dangerous comes again I can take the second to help him. Gregor? What do you think?"
"Ah, that makes sense. Ok" Shalissa will try to help as much as possible "Once I am recovered, I might try once more" she do shiver though at the thought of coming back below these waters.
She casts guidance for both Gregor and Davor before they go down.
Gregor and Davor once more swim down, with Gregor looking for pearls.
Davor keeps his guard and now that he knows what to look for he is noticing various smaller and bigger bones, leavin a faint trail towards the East.
Seeing the trail to the east Davor focuses a bit extra attention that way. If/when they find the needed black pearl perhaps he would take the other potion and they both could check it out? The creature might have a lair and "trophies" of its kills?
Gregor looks at the trail of bones and back at Davor. He motions with his hand about the trail of bones and looks questioningly at Davor with a shrug.
Davor and Gregor follow the trail of Bones for a short while and easily find the Lair of the sea horse littered with fish and human bones.
On one of the skeletal hands you find a gold ring inset with a fiery opal.
detect Magic
Non magical
He tucks the hand (and ring) into a pouch, then motions back to the oyster beds. They still need the pearls.
Shalissa waits at the boat with Kerndrew and the other mates for the return of the two group scouts "I am getting a bit worried. They are talking a bit too long..." she looks at the buoys that tell they do not seem to be in trouble "Gregor is strong and resolved, but Davor..." she looks down waiting for news and envelopes herself in her cloak, still recovering the breath.
"I'm not sure if I can see them anymore. I trust them, though. They've got the potions, so should be fine as long as they need to stay down there."
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With the potion gregor is able to stay down there much longer and search the bank carefully to avoid the sharp cuts of the corals.
Still Davor has to swim up for air at least once more and return to Shalissa and Kerndrew, before finally the pair of them is successful and comes up with an extraordinary specimen of s ashiny black Pearl.
Very glad when Gregor finds the required black pearl Davor returns to the boat with him.
"Gregor found one! And we found the lair of the creature that attacked. There were bones, but also a ring. Shalissa, Can you check it for magic while we get aboard?"
"I wonder if they lose many divers to creatures like that thing? They might like hearing that it's dead...."
"Gregor!" Shalissa shouts when the ranger finally makes it out of the water. She helps both him and Davor into the boat before snatching the black pearl and admiring it on its splendor "It is magnificent. This shall be demonstration to the Tempest that we are serious on finding the lost city."
The elf takes the ring and scans it with detect magic "Just worth jewelry, but not magical. Maybe the divers know about it. Let's bring it to them and return the diving material before we find out about the remaining air test"
Gregor was releieved to finally find a black pearl and when he surfaced he swam towards the boat and held it up in victory, before stashing it again in order to climb up. I think thats enough swimming for 1 day. I feel quite water logged
Father Kerndrew looks at the extra pearls with interest, then looks longingly back in the water. "Those can probably buy some good weapons... and the armor I'm going to eventually need isn't cheap. Better tools help us all with this kind of life." He looks at Gregor with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure? How much water breathing is left? We could try to make some money with the time we have left, if you're up for it."
Davor considers Father Kerndrew's words. "Shalissa? I've not studied magic. Any idea how much would remain for the potion? I could continue standing guard if Gregor would be willing to search for more pearls? Wouldn't want to clear the bed completely though. It wouldn't be fair to the people that earn their livelihood here!"
Looking over the pearls Shalissa assumes them to be worth a few gp per pearl, so maybe not really worth the effort. If you want to make serious money you would need to find more black ones.
The ring on the other hand looks very valuable, how much so Shalissa has no idea.
"The pearls are worth just a few gold pieces. Probably not worth the risks and efforts" sentences Shalissa. She looks at the mates "Of course, it might be worth if you have few or nothing. But we have an expedition to prepare"
"I would better focus on dealing with Tempest before it becomes dark"
Gregor sat in the boat listening to the conversation. H e looked at them and said. Agreed. Im totally out of my element fighting underwater and wouldnt want to do it again unless needed.
Collecting your catch you quickly row back to the beach.
If you tell the fishermen about your encounter they are very happy to hear the creature is slain. They invite you to stay the evening with them for a seaffod banquet.
With the tide starting to rise again you decide to better hurry back to the Tempest and finish your first mission.
"Maybe you have some chance in the wilds after all. But are you also ready for the challenge of the Wind""
After you agree to face his next task he sends you on another mission
“The task of wind is a simple one. All Gozreh requires is a single complete feather from a humble stormbird. One such magnificent creature, named Chirok, lives but a day’s walk east. There, at the end of a peninsula, you’ll spot a lone promontory known as Gozreh’s Crest. The bird nests at the top of the cliff. Return when you have a feather.”
"It was a misleading aquatic beast..." Shalissa states as the group explains the divers about their encounter. She shivers "I thought it was one of you in trouble..."
She turns to Gregor and Davor "I owe you my life once more. Sorry for putting you into danger. I shall be more perceptive of the dangers..." she looks down embarassed.
The elf enjoys the seafood and even chants and sings a bit for them before the group decides it is time to go back to Tempest.
---
"Just test us and you will find out" Shallisa tells a bit more confident now that the group has tamed the waves "A feather... from a Stormbird?"
She looks at her companions "I think we shall be able to obtain the feather without the need to fight this time" she smiles.
Davor hears Shalissa's words but shakes his head. "Unless we somehow find a way to be immune to magic, enchantments can compel us to do much of anything. I'm glad to no longer be cleaning that wall.... But at least that b!@$h didn't compel me to fight my friends. All and none of us owe any life debt to each other. We are friends and more! Nothing more need be said!"
"A feather from a nest atop a cliff? But specifically a complete feather. We're likely to find mostly bits and pieces. Just hope there are no eggs or young in the nest."
"Shalissa, Have you any magic that could fool a bird if it happens by while we are near, or in the nest? An illusion perhaps?"
"If the bird has a name, perhaps it's intelligent. If we can converse with it, we may be able to convince it to give up a feather. Let's go see."
Shalissa is reassured by Davor's words "Thanks. You are certainly a good friend" the elf takes the half-orc to the center of the campfire inviting him to dance with the divers' music. She is happy Gregor and Davor are alive after this experience and celebrates highly.
---
"Stormbirds are large magical beasts. I do not think we will be able to talk with them as it can be done with other animals" she looks at Gregor at this point "What I can try to do is to calm him down to avoid combat. Actually..."
Shalissa smiles looking at Davor "Maybe we just need to entertain him while one of us sneaks to catch one of the feathers... I can create an area of silence around Davor to help him. It will also protect him from the Fearsome Shrieks they are know for..."
Orisons
light
detect magic
divine guidance
create water
Level 1 (5/day)
shocking grasp^
obscuring mist
sanctuary
shield of faith
summon monster I
Level 2 (4/day)
flame blade (electrical version)^
calm emotions
summon monster II
silence (Will 17)
Shortly after you set out, the sky darkens and it begins to rain heavily. As per Nkechi’s description, Gozreh’s Crest sits at the very edge of the peninsula, an ominously scarred chunk of dark granite worn into a steep, wave-like shape by centuries of wind and rain.
Its face catches the ocean, creating a natural wind tunnel that amplifies the wind and creates howling updrafts. These updrafts have become the favored spot of larger seabirds, which ride them high into the sky, where they hover above the sea watching for fish.
Severe winds with speeds averaging 40 mph or more build around the promontory, and the rain has only increased in the last few hours.
Looking for a way up the cliff you find the eastern face to be worn smooth by the onslaughting wind and water, but on the western face there might be some options.
Shalissa covers herself with the cloak, trying to protect her hair and face from the rain as good as possible "It is impossible to see anything with this curtain of rain..."
"It also means the bird is not going to see us come" looking at the cliff the elf frowns "I do not know how we could announce ourselves for parley... ideas?"
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"Try this another day?" Father Kerndrew suggests, only half-jesting. "Ugh, I'm not serious, but that climb looks dangerous," he concludes, beginning the process of stripping off his armor.
Was an armored warrior really the best choice for this part of the world, Iomedae? Surely you have servants better suited for this work...
Gregor stoicly crouched watching the storm and examining the cliffs. He scowled. I may be able to calm the Stormbird. But I am certain I wont speak its language. It likely speaks the tongue of air beings. This weather is particularly nasty to encounter a creature called a 'Stom' bird in.
enzi didnt like the rain, she say next to gregor grumbling as the rain matted don her fur and dripped onto her nose.
Davor looks at the proposed climb. With a shake of his head he turns to the others. "Unless we had access to a weather witch I think our only real option is to wait, at least for a little while. Climbing a wet surface is hard enough. But doing so in a down pour? Give it some time to let the heavy rain move on."
"Father? No disrespect intended, but I think you should stay down here. Pray for us of course. But climbing this will be hard enough without armor! I'll be leaving my pack and whatever else I won't need down here."
After several hours of waiting for the storm to end, the rain is still pouring down mercilessly.
Finally Davor is sick of the whole thing and starts looking for a route up the slope. Once he starts climbing he actually moves quite easily and after barely 15 minutes is on top of the cliff.
The stormbird’s giant nest is clearly visible. The imposing structure is easily 8 feet in diameter, woven from driftwood, seaweed, and other flotsam. Five melon-sized, pale bluish-yellow eggs sit within the nest.
Looking for a feather, Davor notices bits of feathers woven throughout its nest, but finding a complete one proves complicated.
Shalissa gives a few tries to climb, every time she quickly sliding down through the wet surface after her weak arms proof unable to grasp to the mountain.
"Davor, I fear we are on you and Gregor for this one..." with a concerned look, Shalissa puts her hand on the half-orc's shoulder and says a word of guidance "Please, take care, if it gets dangerous, come back fast, do not try to fight back alone"
She then will give verbal-ínstruction to help Gregor up if he tries to climb too.
Davor moves close to the nest slowly and carefully trying not to be noticed. He searches taking care not to touch anything close to an egg.