Smiling, "I'm game if you are."
It's difficult to track the creatures, but Rotgut the parrot is able to assist. As it turns out, the bird leads you to a giant wasp - which is quick to attack.
Resisting the urge to beat on the jungle with his estoc, Elek uses his harpoon hand to push the leaves and branches out of the way; following the brightly plumed bird as best as he can. Pushing aside an unusually large kite-shaped leave, Elek see's Rotgut shoot passed him being pursued by what seemed to be a giant wasp.
"Blast!" Cursing, he draws his estoc, 'I doubt if feinting will help much with this thing.' Watching the large bug near, Elek tells his cursed prosthetic, "Chéngwéi dàpào" As the brass and pewter arm cannon manifest he aims it at the big bug telling it "shèjí"
+
You hit the insect squarely in the side, and it immediately turns its attention to you.
Wasp: 7pts damage, 4pts NL damage
'About time!' Elek smiles as he finally hits something with the cannon. As the wounded angry giant wasp draws near, he tells his cursed prosthetic "huí dào yú chā shǒu." Dodging the wasps sting as the weapon shifts to the harpoon, he calls on the full destructive power of the curse and the wild magic of the fey witches. " Pòhuài lì, Kuángcháo, Tiānjiā fǎshù diǎn." thrusting the cursed harpoon at the monster.
For 1d6 rounds, all hostile creatures within medium range of the caster leave behind a glowing trail of destructive energy. Any creature that enters a square that has been occupied by an affected creature since the beginning of the previous turn of the caster takes damage equal to caster level of a type corresponding to the triggering effect. A creature may only take this damage once per turn.
Any creature affected by the effect catches on fire. Instead of fire damage, the target suffers damage according to the damage type of the effect.
Your attack has a strange effect on the giant insect. It's not quite dead, though - but another attack should do the trick.
Wasp: 30pts damage, 4pts NL damage
'Blast the stupid thing didn't go down.' Jerking the harpoon loose from the bugs abdomen, Elek dodges the stinger again. Raising the harpoon again, he repeats the command " Pòhuài lì, Kuángcháo, Tiānjiā fǎshù diǎn." thrusting the cursed harpoon at the monster again, asking "What does it take to kill this thing?"
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The ground directly beneath the space of the target or the target area receive the damage of the effect in addition to the normal targets.
You smite the flaming insect so hard the ground itself buckles. The wasp is unquestionably deceased.
Using a large leaf, Elek attempts to wipe the bug guts off of his harpoon hand. Looking down at the bug, he looks back at Rickety, "Why would this thing attack your man?"
Kicking the bugs imbedded carcass, "I'd at least have thought it would have taken the body for food."
Looking around for more bugs, he asks, "Would it be part of a hive or are they loners?" Smiling, "You landlubbers want to keep looking for more or ready to go back?"
"They're usually pretty solitary critters. Don't see them this close too often, so I'm guessin' the drought made it come coastward lookin' for water."
Raising an eyebrow at Rickey's answer, Elek asked, "Do we know what is causing the drought?" He shrugs, "I can make it rain, but I don't know if a couple days of rain would help or not."
"We get droughts from time to time, but this one's lasted a bit longer than usual. If you've got any weather magic, it would definitely help - although unless it can cover the entire region, it won't do much in the long term."
Nodding, "It won't be able t cover the whole area, but I Can do a little." Elek gestures back the way they came. "Let's return to your compound and I'll call up a storm." As they head back that way, he asks, "So tell me about this naga that you have the agreement with. Might it know what's causing the drought?"
"Sslariss? She lives a couple hours north of here near the river mouth. She doesn't like visitors, so if you're wanting to meet her, I'll need to send a message first."
Nodding, "I'll think about it, I've never met a naga." As they walk, the asks, "Do you think she'd know what's causing the drought?"
---------------
When Elek get's back to the tavern, he spends some time trying to gather more information, both about what might be going on around Rickety's Squibs and any other sea worthy tales.
"No idea, but if anyone knows, it would be her."
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The main topic of conversation is the mixup with Peggsworthy and the subsequent discovery of Rickety's dead watchman.
'If anyone would know, it would be her.' Nodding philosophically Elek, requests, "Yes I think I would like to speak with her could you arrange a meeting?"
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Hearing about the 'chatter' going on about Peggsworthy, Elek tells his crew to keep that under thier hats. Then eventually heads to bed.
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Waking a little late, Elek spends some time moving through the small town spreading the news about killing the giant wasp and looking around for the parrot, Rotgut.
Eventually making his way to Rickety, asking him. "Did you send a messenger to Sslariss? Do you have a guide who could take me to her den? Would it be wise to take a few crewmembers with me, or would she prefer only a few people?"
Rickety nods, "You can meet with her tomorrow. I'll provide a guide, and you can bring someone with you if you'd like, but she won't want more than that."
Nodding, Elek tells Rickety, "I'd like that. How long of a hike is it?"
Later that evening, Elek finds his first mate, approaching her. "Sandara, I'd like to ask a favor. I'm going to speak to Sslariss the Naga about the drought, would you join me? I'll be leaving shortly after dawn."
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Early that morning, Elek rises and double checks his ruck sack. Greeting Sandara at breakfast he eats a quick breakfast of eggs and toast, washing it down with warm goats milk. Once Rickety's guide shows up, Elek extends his hand, "I'm Captain Kardforgató and this is my first mate Quinn." Shifting the uncomfortable weight of the ruck sack, he tells his cursed prosthetic, "Chéngwéi dàpào." As the harpoon hand forms into the pewter and copper cannon Elek follows the guide into the jungle.
It's an unpleasant walk through the jungle, but not nearly as bad as your time on Bonewrack Isle. No ghouls or botflies, and the main hazard is the oppressive heat. Eventually, though, you arrive at Sslariss' lair.
SSLARISS
"Sslariss doesn't like two-legs. Why did you want to meet?"
'Doesn't like two legs, noted.' Keeping the cannon at his side, Elek wanted to stay as unthreatening as possible. "I am an associate of Rickety Squibs, the human who runs the small village. He said you were wise and might know the cause of the drought that the coastline has been experiencing. I have some small skill in weather, but I don't know if I can help. He recommended we talk to you and ask if you know what is causing the drought and if it can be fixed."
"My river hasss become fouled with something. I cannot drink its water. The local weather isss attuned to my emotionsss, so until thisss problem is fixed, there will be no rain."
'River has become fouled with something?'Looking toward Sandara, Elek turns back towards the Naga. "May we investigate it? My first mate may be able to discern the cause." Pausing for a moment, he asks, "Can you tell us anything about the 'fouling' is it a physical sensation or a magical sensation?"
"Physical. The water reeksss of decay. More than sssimple drowned carrion. Much fouler."
With little information to go on, you take the simplest route: following the river upstream and looking for the source of the foulness. After a few hours, you come to the base of a waterfall. Up above is a long-abandoned garrison.
'In the stories about a waterfall there is always a cave behind it, I wonder if we'll find one here.' Looking at the waterfall then the abandoned garrison above it. Elek, thinking aloud. "We'll check the garrison first. If we don't find anything, Well check the waterfall second." He gives a boyish smile, "Maybe there's a cave behind it and something has taken up residence there." Turning to Sandara, he tells her. "Don't be alarmed, I don't feel much like climbing, so I'm going to put a mantle on you that will permit you to fly in the wind I'm going to create."
Gesturing towards Sandara with the cursed cannon, "Dìmàn" Then repeats the word for himself "Dìmàn." Unconsciously spreading his arms he calls on the name of the wind "Fēng. As the wind begins to blow through his hair he offers Sandara his hand, "Shall we?" Holding his first mates hand in his, he tells the cursed prosthetic. " Fēi."
Riding the wind to the cliffs the waterfall is cascading over, Elek lands in a small clearing on the north side of the small fortress. Releasing Sandara's hand, he gestures with his cursed prosthetic as the wind begins to die down. "The 'mantle' will last a couple of hours, but to be able to use it I'll need to call up the wind again." He gestures towards the garrison. "Let's find out if whatever is polluting the water has taken up residence here." Drawing his estoc and holding the cursed cannon at the ready he begins to move towards the tower looking for an entrance.
You land in the clearing, and shortly thereafter, a pair of barnacle-encrusted undead shamble out of the garrison toward you and Sandara.
'That went better than I'd hoped.' Landing in the clearing Elek Releases Sandara's hand, drawing his estoc. Seeing the entrance of the garrison, he gestures with the estoc. "Looks like were going that direction." Taking point he heads towards the structure.
'That's not a good sign, but the Naga did say it reeked of death.' Seeing the barnacle encrusted undead, Elek raises the arm cannon. Pointing it at the first creature, he tells the prosthetic to fire. "shèjí" Speaking back over his shoulder to Sandara, "Do you have any idea what these are? and tell me you brought that boarding pike."
+
"They look like draugr: corpses of drowned sailors haunted by evil spirits." Sandara extends the boarding pike, keeping the closest undead from charging in. "I can channel Besmara's might to lay them to rest, but that will reduce my healing capabilities."
You wound the draugr Sandara pinned, but the other one charges in. You quickly learn these are quicker and more maneuverable than regular shamblers.
'Draugr?" "Drowned Sailors? Well I guess the least we can do is return them to the grave." Shaking his head as the one shambles forward, "No let's not waste our magic on the doormen if we don't have to," Telling the cursed cannon, "Biànchéng yú chā shǒu" Stepping to the side as the dead sailor charges forward, Keeping his own advice in mind he deicides to try a feint instead of the curses destructive touch. Feinting with the harpoon hand, slashing at the things face. He thrusts the estoc at its chest. Asking Sandara, 'Anything else you can tell me, like is it smart enough to bite on a feint?"
The draugr ignores your feint, but you behead it just the same. Sandara finishes off the one you'd wounded earlier. "Well, that was exciting," Sandara deadpans. [b]"It looks like the naga was being literal about the water being fouled."
'Looks like it didn't bite on the feint, so just straight up fight." Nodding his head in agreement with Sandara, "Yes, aparently quite literal." Telling the Harpoon "Chéngwéi dàpào." As he harpoon turns into the cannon, "I wonder how these sailors got here." Elek searches the bodies, looking for anything of value and anything that would provide more information, either about the sailors themselves or the best way to kill them.
Once done searching the two corpses, he gestures towards the abandoned garrison, "May as well check it out." He pauses looking at Sandara, "Do you have an easy way to create light?"
Sandara sets the tip of the boarding pike aglow as you push aside the vines blocking the entrance to the garrison. The interior is small - only a few rooms - and appears to be Chelish in style.
The vegetation in here is quite interesting, and you feel a strong urge to examine it more closely. After a few seconds, though, you notice yellow pollen filling the air. That can't be healthy to breathe.
Dropping off his pack outside the building, Elek moves slowly into the the old garrison. Gesturing towards some of the furniture, "Looks Chelaxian." As he moves through the room, he draws closer to the odd vegetation, turning to Sandara, he asks. "Curious, have you seen anything like this?"
'Well that can't be healthy' Seeing the Pollen fill the air, Elek raises his cursed arm cannon and swirls it gently, calling on the name of the wind "Fēng he stirs a gentle breeze causing the pollen to blow out the door they came in. Telling Sandara, "I'd rather not breath that if I don't have to."
As you blow away the pollen, one of the nearby plants starts to move. It tries to grab you with a long vine!
"Blast!" Telling the cursed cannon " huí dào yú chā shǒu!" as he dodges the vine. He shifts his footing and slashes at the vine with the Fey-forged harpoon, then leaning thrusts the Estoc at the base of the vine where it meets the stump.
You deal a fair bit of damage to the plant, and it reacts by unleashing a burst of spores directly in your face!
Holding his breath and squinting his eyes, Elek wipes his face with his right arm, then again slashes at the plants limb with the cursed harpoon hand while trying to thrust his estoc into the things vulnerable trunk.
You strike whatever organ keeps the plant alive, and it stops moving. The spores dissipate shortly thereafter.
Continuing your exploration, you find the rest of the garrison empty and long-abandoned - except in one room. There, you find a Small fey creature. "AAH! Another monster!" it yells in fear when it sees you.
'Another monster?' Raising an eyebrow at the creature, Elek looks from his drawn sword still dripping with the green goo of the tree thing to his gore crusted cursed harpoon hand. 'Hopefully not yet.' Shaking his head, "Not monsters, I am Captain Elek Kardforgató and this is my First Mate Sandara Quinn we were asked to remove the foulness that was poisoning the river." Placing the blade in the crook of his arm, wiping the blade off. "We killed the two undead outside." He sheaths the blade. "and the large vine thing that spewed the spores." Not sure if the creature would be able to sake his hand, he extends it towards her in greeting. "May I enquire as to your name and how you came to be trapped here?"
The fey looks skeptical. "You're pale and have a weird hand. And the other one's hair is red. That sounds like monsters to me. But you killed the shambles and the plant, so maybe you're not bad monsters. You can stay, but if you get mean, I'll stab you good!"
She gives you a regal curtsy. "I'm Princess Josselinoswell. I was hunting the monsters that are making the water cry because they're scary and mean. If you are on the same quest, I will ally with you. You slew the mindslaver, so you must be mighty in battle. You can be my royal knights! Together, we will slay the fearsome beast!"
'Well, I am pale and have a weird hand.' Rolling his eyes as the small fey works through why they get to stay, Elek pays attention as she continues with her introduction. Giving a polite bow. "An honor Princess Josselinswell, While Sandara's hair is red and I in fact am a little pale, I promise we are not monsters." He lifts the cursed harpoon hand. "And even though this is certainly cursed if you inspect it's magic you'll see it was fey crafted and in fact does not harm them as it would others."
He looks around the room the princess was in "While I relish working with you to end the creatures that are poisoning the water, I am unable to swear any oaths of fealty due to other commitments, But I would like to be your ally." Trying to sort out the buildings interior from what he viewed from the air, he asks the small fey. "So this beast what is it and more importantly where is it?"
Fey are ... odd ... in the best of circumstances, and this makes them almost impossible to get a definitive read on. This one appears to be telling the truth, but things could be completely different ten minutes from now. Or not.
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The princess gives your hand a glance-over. "Yes, we do good work, don't we? But the only curses I know are birds. Well, just one bird, but it's very angry. Is yours cursed like that? Oh, you can't swear oaths? That's okay. You can be a knight errant, then. That's more interesting, anyway. And she has red hair," the fey points at Sandara, "So she'll be a talking fox." She gives a decisive nod.
"Now we can begin our quest. Since the guardian has been slain, we can assault the beast in its lair. TO VICTORY!" She pulls a glowing rapier from the air and starts running out of the room - but pauses with a confused expression. "Can knights swim?"
'This creature is very different than Callistro, Mélusine and Rusalka. I wonder if it has to do with size.' Raising an eyebrow at the 'princess' he pauses. "I know a few curse words, but that's about it and some would call that swearing." Telling the cursed prosthetic, "Chéngwéi dàpào" As the harpoon hand turns into the brass and pewter arm cannon he redraws his estoc. Turning to Sandara, smiling. "So I'm a knight errant and you are a red haired fox."
He paused for a split second, thinking of saying more, but instead he just smiled wider. Nodding after the flippant fey. "Shall we?" As the princess paused, he answered. "Yes, we can swim but we don't hold our breath for a long time, so we must stay near the surface." Gestured towards her wings with the tip of his blade. "Do 'fey princess' swim?"
"Of course you can't hold your breath for a long time. You're not a fish!" Josselinoswell exclaims incredulously. "And it is not proper for a princess to swim. Wet dresses are heavy and undignified. I will walk on lily-pads, but you'll be too heavy for them. Enough talk; we'll be late!"
And with that, she exits the garrison, runs to the edge of the waterfall, and leaps off into the abyss.
'How was i supposed to know what she thought.' Elek looks at Sandara, rolling his eyes. As she explains 'the plan' Elek follows making a mental note to come back and pick up his pack then tells Sandara, "Let's fly back down." Concentrating on the wind he calls out the name of the wind "Fēng then keeping the breeze just strong enough to lift them off the ground flies down the direction the little fey went.
You angle your flight so you land on the bank of the river. The princess, meanwhile, gracefully floats down and lands on a large lily-pad that appears beneath her feet. She raises her rapier above her head, and crackling electricity arcs form a sort of canopy. "The monster lives inside the waterfall. Be careful you don't get wet!" After making sure you're coming, she steps beneath the curtain of water.
'Make sure you don't get wet?' Turning in looking at Sandara he asks, "How else are we to get through the waterfall?" Diving in to the water he instantly realizes his mistake feeling the shock of the little electrical rapier, Cursing his lack of foresight, he swims under the falls following the small fey creature.
Under the waterfall, you find a large cave. Inside are a half-dozen draugr. As you prepare yourselves for combat, the dust on the floor suddenly begins to whirl about, forming a miniature cyclone in the center of the chamber.
'So I wonder which is more of a threat, the undead or the miniature cyclone,' Telling Sandara, "I'll try and deal with the cyclone, if you want to channel energy to hit the undead." He looks aroound for the princess making sure he doesn't hit her with his own storm. Telling the cursed cannon "Fēng, Tiānjiā fǎshù diǎn!" Using some of his spell pool to keep it active so he doesn't have to focus on it. He pushes it against the other cyclone too dissipate it.
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You conjure winds of your own, and they swiftly overpower the cyclone, making the air still. As the dust falls, it coalesces into a BIPEDAL FIGURE that growls angrily at you.
"That's a dust wight!" Sandara yells. "Take it down! Me and the princess will handle the draugr."