The currents do not cease as the Pathfinders steer their swan boat into the cave. If anything, they are rougher: the same powerful force now operating within a smaller space. The cave sports several small coves into which the Pathfinders can steer to find a moment's respite from the current. The light here is dim, but not dark thanks to glowing algae that grows along the damp walls. The water is 20 ft deep.
As soon as you pass within the cave entrance, your boat is jostled from below.
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Though Iddo spends most of the cruise inspecting the bioluminescent algae and its reflections in the water and on the cavern walls, his reflexes are apparently not impeded as he quickly squats into the boat, grabbing on tightly both to his seat and to his hat. As soon as the boat settles down, he looks out at his allies who couldn't grab on in time.
"Hey, get back in here! I, uhm, know that wasn't the most interesting story, but you didn't have to jump ship to escape it!"
Mejinago, Papa Òxọ́lé, and Jyrrar all fall into the water. Cynan nearly does, but at the last second wraps himself around the railing.
Iddo and Vari manage to steady themselves on board and are safe!
Anyone in the water can tell something is down in the water with them. They see flashes of scales. The creature bumps into each of you, but it doesn't seem to be attacking - at least not at the moment.
While Mejinago and Papa Òxọ́lé are too confused and can't see through the water clearly, Jyrrar recognizes the creature! It's has a large horse-like torso with the body of a fish. A hippocampus! He notices its wearing some sort of harness or saddle. It doesn't seem to be attacking but seems confused, panicked, and exhausted.
Iddo carefully watches the hippocampus swim around. Then he sees it. A rider still attached, hooked by one scale leg! The rider is unconscious and bleeding from several lacerations and a serious head wound. The hippocampus and rider might've been stuck in the currents and were dashed against the cave walls by the currents.
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You cause webs to grow between the target’s fingers and its feet to transform into flippers, granting a swim speed of 30 feet along with the standard +8 bonus on Swim checks and the ability to take 10 even if distracted or endangered. You can also use the run action while swimming, provided you swim in a straight line. This transformation causes any boots or gloves the target is wearing to meld into its form (although magic items with a continuous effect continue to function). This spell does not grant the target any ability to breathe water.
Mejinago slowly swims over to the hippocampus. The creature occasionally bumps into him and gives him a few warning bites, but these 'bites' don't seem to be malicious (and don't cause any damage). Mejinago reaches out to the unconscious rider with the wand and immediately his wounds start to heal.
While Mejinago heals the rider, both Papa Òxọ́lé and Jyrrar climb back on the boat with the help of Vari, Iddo, and Cynan.
After a few seconds, the rider inhales deeply as he's gasping for air. Immediately the hippocampus relaxes sensing its rider is now out of danger. The rider looks at Mejinago, "Thank you for that, good lad. My name is Nalu. You saved me.". He and his mount swim over to Mejinago and help him to get back on the boat (if he wants to that is).
Nalu is a triton - a blue scaled man with two scaly finned legs. He jumps off the hippocampus, detaches the saddlebags, and swims over to the boat. Hanging off the side, he hands the saddlebags in thanks. "Kelp here is exhausted. But here, take my bags as a thank you."
Inside is a masterwork trident, an underwater light crossbow with 20 bolts, two potions of cure light wounds, four potion sponges, a compass, a signal whistle, and a carved obsidian figurine worth 30 gp.
Nalu hangs on to the side of the boat, looking expectantly at the Pathfinders.
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"Wow, thanks!" Vari exclaims as she takes the bag and begins examining its contents. "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh," she continues, her enthusiasm falling. "This all looks like stuff for fighting underwater. I hope we don't need to use it!"
Returning her attention to the triton, she asks a question. "What do you know about this grotto?" She motions to all the shipwrecks. "Something seems to be drawing ships here, and I don't think it's just the current, do you?"
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Making his way back on the boat, Mejinago poured out water from his boots and tried to dry his socks before he started to make some hand gestures. After a few moments he started to dry himself starting at his hair on his head, working his way down until he was dry.
"Thank you for the items Nalu. If I might ask, what happened to you?" he inquired of the triton.
Once things start to wrap up and Nalu (or us) get ready to leave. "If your travels take you to Razmiran, please stop by Rasmir's temple in Thronestep and let them know of your salvation from possible death. he said.
"I was on a diplomatic visit to another undersea community. I underestimated the currents' strength. The current caught us and pulled us in." He feels the side of his head. "I fear I was dashed against the rock, but I don't entirely remember. I must return to my people and tell them of this phenomenon." He answers Mejinago.
"Kelp here () and I didn't notice much before I passed out. Not sure what's further in the cave. Likely more wreckage and debris."
Nalu watches the Pathfinders fight discuss who wants his items and sighs. "I'm tired and exhausted. Kelp is even more so. Do you have any more questions? I would like to retreat to a safer place to rest, if you are done."
Although sheltered from the outside winds, the waters grows more turbulent as you travel inward.
Jyrrar takes control of the ship and manages to steer it forward! He inches the boat closer to the end of the little cove. Only a little bit further...
Mejinago takes control of the ship and manages to move it forward safely.After navigating the flooded tunnel, the Pathfinders arrive at an outcropping of sand and rock that rises about 2 feet above the water's surface.
The wind is fierce in the flooded tunnel, which terminates at a peninsula of sand and rock where the waves lash at the ground with stinging force. At the center of the underground island, a blue-green dragon with seahorse-like fronds and frills stands defiantly beside a rip in reality that hovers half-submerged next to the island. The water churns to a feverish cone-shaped tempest, drawing into its chaotic dance anything that floats, swims, or flies. Debris creates a pile of flotsam at the back of the cave similar to the mounds of broken ships outside the cave mouth. "Ah," the dragon says, "you've passed the Trial of the Tempest, and so you've been judged fit to serve me. Welcome, dear mortals. You may set down your arms and kneel before your new master."
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Hopping off the boat onto shore, the kitsune made his way forward.
"Let's see if we can work out some agreement but I will have to say that my loyalty is already taken, so I can not offer you what I can not give." Mejinago said. "Now since you can fly, you can make your way in and out of here but I suspect that you would not want to, or could, carry each of us out and we would make poor company having to subsist on fish or other creatures of the sea. So why stay here?" he asked.
Vari knows this is a medium sized brine dragon. These LN dragons have a nasty acidic breath and can communicate with fish at will. It has an effect of swirling waves around their head.
And initially, the dragon is annoyed that no one is swearing fealty. "I am the Tempest Monarch. Ruler of Air and Sea. You may call me 'monarch' or 'my ruler'.". The dragon scoffs at the Pathfinders. "You are not the first nor are you the last to pass the Trial. They are on the island, carrying out my will. You will meet them soon."
Then Mejinago starts question it. "Why stay here? This anomaly of course. It appears to be a tangle of the Planes of Air and Water. Catastrophic elemental events can sometimes cause these ripples, like folds in a draped cloth. They often fade on their own, in time. I am researching how to keep this one open permanently, so that its power may serve me."
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"Sorry to burst your bubble but are not as big as you are pretending to be. What is really going on?" Mejinago asked with a frown. "At some point, something will enter and they will take your kingdom away from your dead body. Now, I am not knowledgeable on nature and such, maybe you can explain to the others what is occurring then they might be able to help piece things together"