"No, not me."
"Well, tomorrow morning, I will for sure pray for miracles from Remember to handle the weather," opines the cleric. "Time to immerse myself in warm water now, though."
Since the group gets a good night's sleep before leaving Fort Rannick and they know that they'll be hustling to Turtleback Ferry the next day, Isabella strikes up a jaunty but staccato tune on the way. Something about the tune keeps feet up and spirits high during the lengthy slog through the mud.
By the time the group reaches the Turtle's Parlor, Isabella is well and truly done with keeping on the magical tune. Though the spell bolsters her to keep singing as long as she focuses on it, eight hours of walking concentration still isn't easy.
She gratefully accepts a mug of a local warm beverage to soothe her throat and nurses that for a while before she, too, decides that she'd best have a bath and a chance to clean her garments.
She heads for the baths just as Kizzy is getting out. Stifling a yawn, she says, "Kizzy, I'm a little worried about all this rain. It's going to come down the mountain and straight through the valley here. You or anyone know how to pilot a boat, just in case?"
"There are those who might believe that a Valdemar leaves his mother's breast straight into a life at the Rusty Dragon and the Pixie's Kitten. Not so. Noone sees the early mornings, fishing in the rain, the brutal cold of the end of season. Not sure that it makes me a fisher or a captain, but I logged the time. When my parents were taken from me, at least there was no talk that I hadn't earned my name."
Konrad pauses for just a moment, "My father used to say that a little tain was good fro the soul. As a child, I had always assumed he was speaking of the fish."
Studies his spellbooks.
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"There are those who might believe that a Valdemar leaves his mother's breast straight into a life at the Rusty Dragon and the Pixie's Kitten. Not so. Noone sees the early mornings, fishing in the rain, the brutal cold of the end of season. Not sure that it makes me a fisher or a captain, but I logged the time. When my parents were taken from me, at least there was no talk that I hadn't earned my name."
Konrad pauses for just a moment, "My father used to say that a little pain was good for the soul. As a child, I had always assumed he was speaking of the fish."
"The Pixie's Kitten?" says Isabella with a look of skepticism. "Trading one breast for another?"
"Anyway, if you can handle a boat, I have a feeling that skill might be useful," she says. "I'm still going to prepare some magic to deal with water hazards, just in case."
She plucks at her muddy clothing and says, "Speaking of water hazards, time to go immerse myself. Of course everything's going to get rained out tomorrow, but at least I can get rid of some of the ogre gore and road-mud. Kizzy already got cleaned up, you gonna do the same, Konrad?"
Kizzy will, as always offer Prestidigitation to clean anyone's gear that doesn't have the spell themselves.
Kizzy will, as always offer Prestidigitation to clean anyone's gear that doesn't have the spell themselves.
"Oh gosh Kizzy, I don't want to reduce you to a laundry-lady, but if you could use magic to clean my garments while I am in the bath, I would owe you in a significant way."
Runt take Kizzy up on the service, even though she was planning on ordering a bath. You never know what might happen and the two are not mutually exclusive.
The team settles in for the evening, bathing, dry clothes, soft beds, good food. After the last week of being wet all the time, sleeping on the ground, hard tack and jerky, and probably stinking to high heaven, this is wonderful. The night is uneventful even.
The following morning comes and everyone rises somewhat early in hopes of getting started for Ilsurian. You sit down for a quick breakfast of ham and eggs and then the bubble bursts. A man comes running in to the inn and spots you at your table. He comes toward your table in a rush and says, "Bobby ran for the sheriff but I thought I'd come get you. The town's flooding and Ms Ingles and some of the school children are stuck on a boat over by the school."
Good things can't last, but Isabella certainly makes sure to get the most out of a luxurious bath, a warm meal, and a good night's sleep indoors.
~~~~~~~~~~
"That's our cue," she says when the stranger bursts in. "Konrad? Time to put your boating skills to the test!"
"How bad is the flooding? Have any buildings collapsed?"
"You called it, Konrad."
Runt quickly fires off a few of her enhancement spells, including heroism, clay skin, false life, and, if the boat is close enough, heightened awareness.
You head out after dropping some prep spells. Outside it is total bedlam. This was a flashflood and a half as the waters of Claybottom lake are a mere 40' from the door of the inn and the west side of town is totally flooded. Because the ground was a gradual rise from west to east, the buildings furthest west are in deeper water. You don't know where the school is but you see a turtle shell boat, much smaller than the ferries, with a woman and four children straight down the street from you. The boat is nearly level with the roof and the surge of the water coming off the lake is pushing it agains the house so roughly the woman and children can't seem to get out of it. You estimate it's about 70-90 yards away.
While Runt casts a bunch of combat prep, Isabella casts communal water walk on the whole party.
Runt casts a summon monster and summons a Bralani azata, commanding it to "Save as many people as possible, starting with children in danger."
Casts fly on Forrest as he's the strongest to be able to carry people off the boat and moves back from the flood waters
"Let's try to coordinate this a little; can anyone else cast floating disk?" A disk of force appears in front of the man. "This will hold about 4 or 5 normal people, tightly, more children obviously. Should be able to cast several of them, and they will remain above the water no matter what. I will fly as well."
Konrad casts Fly on himself also.
"It would be my pleasure, my lady," the azata says bowing to Runt and then he turns to scan the area. Seeing the woman and children in the boat just before you he flies off to them. They seem taken aback so he takes a moment to calm them.
"It would be my pleasure, my lady," the azata says bowing to Runt and then he turns to scan the area. Seeing the woman and children in the boat just before you he flies off to them. They seem taken aback so he takes a moment to calm them.
Konrad flies after the Bralani, arriving in time to asist; "If you would, place them here in the disk, and I can fly back with them to the shore while you find others who are in peril."
With Z casting Fly on Forest, she casts haste on the assembled group, as speed will be of the essence.
Konrad arrives just behind the Bralani and begins to help calm the children and get them into his floating disc. Others can be seen on the rooftops particularly to the northwest where the flooding appears to have begun.
"Z, can you make me... uhh... bigger? I think I can pull a boat around
to pick up more people faster than I can carry them in my arms." Flying still felt weird, but he's flown a couple of times now. He floats up a few feet, looking out towards the boats still docked and not yet underwater. If he could untie one and drag it along behind him... but would that work? Can he pull things while flying? Only one way to find out.
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Casts some magic to enlarge Forest into the super sized version of himself.
Forest gets big, everyone is fast, the Bralani is out to the school kids with Konrad. Then Forest flies toward the pier to grab one of the ferries. The others standby to assist as the stranded are brought to shore. Other people in the town are working as well. They don't have the magic but many have personal boats those are being brought out along with lots of line. The rush of the water is such that it would be hard to row against so they are trying to rig up a way to toss lines to those on the buildings and have boats drawn in.
As if noting the strength of the current causes it to create havoc, a large black log slams into the teacher's boat with three kids remaining right after the Bralani takes off. Two of the kids are moving to Konrad to be airlifted out.
It is a very large snake, over 20' in length.
What initially looks like a log slamming into the teacher's boat looks like a large snake, 20' plus.
"I have a spell that can drop the water level in one area, where is the best place to deploy it?"
"I have an idea too. There is a boat over there and maybe I can use it to collect some of the stranded civilians."
Runt heads over to the small boat to the south of her. How accessible is it? Could she use her handy grapnel scroll to pull it towards her? It seems like it is right at the edge of the flood zone, assuming the dotted line is where the flood waters end.
Is it a rowboat? Maybe Runt uses the handy grapnel to move the boat? Maybe she pulls the boat to the civilians?
Runt heads to the boat to the south and steps out on the water. It is larger than at first she thought. It's a 20' fishing boat with a single mast in the middle. Although a single person could sail it, there would be no way to sail it up through the rushing waters but she does think she could pull it along.
Runt begins untying the boat.
"Thanks, Z." Forest zooms off through the air, heading for one of the docked turtle shell things.
Kizzy will move with Runt to help direct the ship.
Everyone heads out on their tasks. Forest grabs the ferry ropes and Runt grabs the rope for the fishing boat with Kizzy on board (heavy load for each; for Forest I think he is at 70' or 6 squares and Runt is at 50' or 4 squares). Isabella and Zherxikas provided spell support.
What does Konrad do when he sees the snake? No one else on the team notices it.
ROUND 2
Kuthona 28th, Early winter
0900, temperature 34, light rain outside
Group Effects: haste 9rds, water walk 900rds
Runt 87/87; magic vestment, heroism 900rds, heightened awareness 900rds, clayskin , false life
Bralani 98/98
Kizzy 52/62; -2 levels,
Zherxikas 54/54;
Forest 104/104; 90rds
Isabella 69/69; prayer 1rd;<<<
Konrad 90/90; fly 90rds<<<
Everything else
"Runt! Ask your friend to help with our new problem?"
Konrad trusts that the team will understand, as he pauses in midair and 5 missles of force fly from his hand towards the snake.
Runt has no idea what Konrad is talking about.
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Isabella notes Runt's confusion and says, "I'm not entirely sure, but he just cast some kind of spell and aimed it at something below him in the water."
The Bralani having helped three children and the teacher onto the disk had headed back to drop off his two little ones on dry ground. Konrad's missiles find purchase, the snake hisses and dives down. Then he hears all the people begin to scream, those trapped on buildings as well as those in town. It attracts everyone's attention. As you peer across the town you see the head of some prehistoric monster rearing up over the tops of houses and moving with the waters in amongst the buildings.
It is a Mother of Oblivion. he Mothers of Oblivion are favored servants of Lamashtu, embodiments of the goddess’s reign over beasts, monsters, and madness. Unholy augers of her will, all Mothers of Oblivion are meant to confound the works of the civilized world, spread fear of monsters and the wilds, and direct Lamashtu’s lesser servants in acts of depravity and bloodshed.
Immune death effects, mind-affecting effects, petrification, polymorph, and it has spell resistance.
SR 21, Resist acid 20, cold 20; and it has exceptional DR.
ROUND 3
Kuthona 28th, Early winter
0900, temperature 34, light rain outside
Group Effects: haste 8rds, water walk 899rds
Runt 87/87; magic vestment, heroism 899rds, heightened awareness 899rds, clayskin , false life<<<
Bralani 98/98<<<
Kizzy 52/62; -2 levels<<<
Zherxikas 54/54;<<<
Forest 104/104; 89rds<<<
Isabella 69/69;<<<
Konrad 90/90; fly 89rds<<<
Creatured moderately injured
Note: Runt is not burning his heightened awareness. She wants to be aware of what is going on around her rather than get good init.
Figuring the snake is the greater threat at the moment he commands the Bralani to attack it after casting mirror image on itself.
Seeing the creature, but not being all that close to it, Runt casts a Siritual Squire next to the Bralani after it closes and it will perform an aid action to protect the Bralani by adding to its AC.
Runt works on dragging the boat over this turn. What direction is the current flowing?
As he works to free one of the barges to drag along, Forest's attention is called by the screams from the trapped. Screams that sound more desperate and fearful than ones brought about by mere water. Looking up from his work, he sees something moving above the houses. It looks in some ways familiar, like a snake, but far too large. Without thinking - perhaps because the sheer colossalness of the monster has made his mind blank - Forest easily pushes off of the surface of the water on which he stood, streaking through the air towards Konrad and the creature. He draws his sword and shield but doubts the efficacy against what is by far the largest animal he has ever seen.
"Zherxikas!" Forest bellows, turning his head slightly back towards where the wizard and cleric are. "Zherxikas! Isabella! What is this thing?! Another evil snake?! This is the third one!" He hopes one of them can tell him what it is so he can kill it. "I have had it with these Folgrit f$+&in' snakes on this Folgrit f&#%in' plane!"
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Oh come on!!! A Mother of Oblivion, favored servant of Lamashtu! Kizzy screams hoping any of her friends can hear.
Forest is mildly concerned that Kizzy would know what this thing is. Where would an actress pick up that kind of information?
He does not know what Mothers of Oblivion or Lamashtu are, but he's going to find out if it can bleed.
Konrad knew this was a smart group and they'd get what he meant ... but he had NOT known that in sparing the townspeople fear of the snake, Lamashtu would come behind that effort and terrify everyone anyway. He also knew there wasn't really a god or goddess of giving people a break, but he would most certainly go to that church when it was founded.
His disk at capacity, he told his passangers to stay calm, and he headed for the shorline.
Water walks towards the group and casts magical missiles against the creatured.
Isabella suspects that fighting this thing is going to be a "sooner rather than later" proposition.
"I need to start calling down blessings for us! Do your best to form up if you're going to fight that behemoth!" she shouts out.
The Bralani whose arms are full with two children, flies the kids to the nearest dry land (full move) and sets them down. The squire appears next to the Bralani and then Runt moves. Isabella moves toward the Bralani and Konrad before casting bless (Bralani, Konrad, Zherxikas, Isabella affected)
ROUND 3
Kuthona 28th, Early winter
0900, temperature 34, light rain outside
Group Effects: haste 8rds, water walk 899rds
Runt 87/87; magic vestment, heroism 899rds, heightened awareness 899rds, clayskin , false life 11/11
Bralani 98/98; bless 90rds
Kizzy 52/62; -2 levels<<<
Zherxikas 54/54; bless 90rds
Forest 104/104; fly 89rds
Isabella 69/69; bless 90rds
Konrad 90/90; fly 89rds, bless 90rds
Creatured moderately injured
For its part, the monster surges through the water along the western edge of the town. It seems to be eyeing the church which seems to have several people in the upper level.
ROUND 4
Kuthona 28th, Early winter
0900, temperature 34, light rain outside
Group Effects: haste 8rds, water walk 899rds
Runt 87/87; magic vestment, heroism 899rds, heightened awareness 899rds, clayskin , false life 11/11<<<
Bralani 98/98; bless 90rds<<<
Kizzy 52/62; -2 levels<<<
Zherxikas 54/54; bless 90rds<<<
Forest 104/104; fly 89rds<<<
Isabella 69/69; bless 90rds<<<
Konrad 90/90; fly 89rds, bless 90rds<<<
Creatured moderately injured
ROUND 4
Kuthona 28th, Early winter
0900, temperature 34, light rain outside
Group Effects: haste 7rds, water walk 898rds
Runt 87/87; magic vestment, heroism 898rds, heightened awareness 899rds, clayskin , false life 11/11<<<
Bralani 98/98; bless 89rds<<<
Kizzy 52/62; -2 levels<<<
Zherxikas 54/54; bless 89rds<<<
Forest 104/104; fly 88rds<<<
Isabella 69/69; bless 89rds<<<
Konrad 90/90; fly 88rds, bless 89rds<<<
Creatured moderately injured
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Kizzy was trying to help Runt pull the boat. She will do this as much as possible and be ready to inspire competence when needed.