Oredion makes his way to what he figures is a tree line far enough from people. He smiles to himself painfully as he looks up at the moon feeling the changes begin.
Your skin prickles uncomfortably as your muscles begin to shift. The swampy smell of the forest invades your senses. It is stronger and more potent than before, all your nerves almost painfully heightened.
Walking in among the trees offers no solace from the moon shining overhead, bright on the leaves like silver blood. There is a pulse to the forest. A call. You can feel it in your breath and under your fur. Your skin.
Eyes glowing acrid green, you keel over and fall to your knees. A roar erupts from your body as your bones crack and shift, contorting and growing in size. Teeth grow, claws gouge the muddy ground. It's both painful and exhilarating. Agonizing and euphoric. Without Etny here, without anyone, the transformation comes swiftly. Dangerously.
(Make a wisdom saving throw)
(13+7)
You feel invigorated. You move through the woods like a whirlwind, both blinded and sensing all things at once. Your armor discarded, your axe left behind, your limbs beat against the earth. Against the trees. Eyes blazing.
Flashes of the bear you killed so many weeks past enters your mind. It is as if you're surrounded in a fog of memory. The beast roars angrily, the scars and gashes over its face and pelt stark and burning from years of fighting. It charges at you, jaws wide and claws extended. Stopping abruptly in front of you it bellows in your face, standing up to its full height.
But it doesn't strike.
The heavy breath billows out of its nose like hot steam. Challenging you. Threatening you, its slayer. Carrying on its spirit around your neck. In your veins. Tainted by the blood curse of the Were.
(Make another wisdom saving throw)
(9+7)
One of the claws of the monstrous animal suddenly strikes you in the face. You hear a howl in pain, something that doesn't sound like you... but you know it is. Your eyes glow brighter, fiercer.
(We're going to have a subconscious battle. No modifiers, only straight rolls on a d20. 1-10 is failure, varying degrees of how much... 11-20 is success, varying degrees of how much.
Your turn!)
(Both lolol sorry. This is a bit different. 1) Roll a d20, and depending on the result, 2) rp your response based on success/failure from the roll. You play Oredion, I play the bear.)
(We'll see how it goes, tentatively we'll try 5 hits to win)
(13.. let's see if I can do this right.)
Oredion feels pain course threw his face as he falters back. He runs to the side of the bear in a quickened angry state and as he runs by he slashes his claws against the bears stomach. Without waiting for the bears reaction Oredion, feeling in more control of his transformation, dodges behind a tree.
(19)
The beast howls in rage, turning with fiery eyes. It charges toward the tree, rears up at the last moment, and slams against it with all the force of a battering ram.
Its powerful claws burst through it, raining down splinters and heavy branches upon you both. It attempts to pin you down, a large claw against your throat squeezing your windpipe.
(17)
Oredions straightens his fingers/claws and stabs them into the bears side like a dagger. This creates enough of a reaction from the bear for Ore to pull his feet against his chest and kick out. Causing the bear to fly back from the force. Oredion stands up with a fire in his eyes and his mighty fists curled ready to beat the beast down.
(4)
The bear tumbles over roughly, its head slamming against the felled tree trunk. It groans in pain, scrambling to stand again and face you. Everything is spinning. Stumbling, it charges at you again and swipes a heavy paw, wanting to take your head off. It misses over the top as if it was seeing double.
Oredion starts to run towards the bear with intent to finish it, but trips over a log and slams his head into the tree beside the bear.
(Nat 1 description)
(19) Shaking the confusion from his head, the beast grunts loudly and spins around, sensing you beside him. He rakes his claws across your back drawing a hefty stream of blood, and clamps down on the back of your neck with his salivating maw.
(16)
Oredion roars in pain as he feels his back suddenly burn fiercely. A second roar escapes his mouth as the bear latches onto the back of his neck. Oredions eyes blaze as he feels his ferocity raise. His muscles bulge as he digs both of his claws into the bears cheeks and into the roof of his mouth. He pulls with all of his strength opening the bears mouth wide enough to back away. His claws let go of the bears face showing the hole hes created. A mix of blood, his and bears, pours out the bears face. Oredion clenches his hand enraged and uppercuts the bears jaw shut.
(8)
A loud crunch echoes as you make contact with his jaw. Broken teeth and blood rain down from his maw, the flesh shredded to ribbons and his mouth open. A horrid gurgling emits from his throat as he tries to breathe.
Stumbling back from the hit, the bear heavily pants against the side of a tree. It stumbles and stalks forward, ghoulish and in agony. Unable to use its teeth any longer it lumbers upright and slams its heavy paws down, just missing.
(14)
Oredion smiles as he let's his rage overcome him. He walks beside the bear and raises both of his hands above his head, then slam! His fists make connection with the back of the bears head with a deafening crunch that would lay most normal creatures out, but ore knows better as he steps back ready for this challenging beasts next fury of attacks.
(7)
The bear collapses to the ground, a tormented gurgle coming from deep in its chest. It struggles to stand... and fails. Muscles shuddering and giving way, it sinks to its stomach, huffing and whimpering. It bares its bloody teeth, still trying to act ferocious.
Its eyes meet yours. You can tell one more hit could snuff out his life, just like you were able to do in that forest outside of Etny's camp. Your subconscious feels stronger than ever, more in control and capable. Whatever fear or doubt that may have been there once now sinks away below the surface.
(19)
Oredion backs away from the bear confused. He thought the bear still had strength left to stand before him. He feels his rage dwindle away as he looks at the bear. He does not wish to kill the creature for a second time, but... he feels he must. After a moment's hesitation he walks over looking down at the bear his eyes showing his burden, his pain. Oredion bends down and calmly speaks in the beats ear.
"Thank you."
Oredion stands and with a final glance down lifts his foot and slams it down.
The bear closes its eyes in acceptance and you make contact.
The moments following are quiet. Absolute silence. Then a light begins to grow.
The beast's body dissolves into pale green energy, glowing and swirling. In wisps it fades, wrapping up around your body. Flowing into your gashes, your wounds. It soothes and heals, sealing up the fresh scars.
A voice echoes in your mind. Deep, like the earth.
"Honor the power I lend you."
Slowly the light curls up around your claws and arms, wrapping their way through your fur. It shines unbearably bright, then fades.
You hear your breathing again. You're back in the forest near Lamprey Bay, still large, transformed, and bathed in the light of the moon. All around you is a clearing, demolished trees and foliage as if a great battle took place.
Looking down, you see your arms are wrapped with pale green tattoos, tribal and intricate. They pulse with a faint light, not unlike your eyes.
(So................
1) You now have the ability to transform once into werebear form in between full moons. 2) You must still make a wisdom save to fully control it, but doing so 3) will grant you a +2 to all skills, attacks and damage. 4) You also cause enemies around you to roll against an instantaneous fear effect. 5) It lasts for one hour or until you dismiss it, at which point 6) you will be exhausted and have a -2 to your skills, attacks and damage until your next rest.
Over time (at future full moons) you will have additional chances to further perfect your power. It will do things like reduce the wisdom save DC, increase damage, reduce exhaustion, allow changing more often, etc. Each time you grow in power the tattoos will spread.)
(You can respond at this point, but also........
Make a perception check)
(18+7)
(Sorry moving things today, thanks for your patience)
The wind whistles through the trees, a low, somber howl making them tremble.
With your sharpened senses you hear. You smell. Something is moving out past the trees. Slippery, wet. The scent is briny, strong and fell.
Oredion crouches as he smells the air. The scent alerts him enough to investigate. He quietly makes his way towards... whatever it is.
(Investigation 11+6, 8 stealth.)
You pass quietly through the trees, pushing back towards town. The briny scent grows stronger.
In the clearing just past the trees, six toothy eel-folk jabber quietly in a strange language, angrily discussing amongst themselves. Piscine-like, they sport strangely patterned, rubbery skin covered in shell armor. Behind their necks are two pouches, inflating and deflating as they breathe, shimmering with electrical energy.
They point at the town with their strange weapons made of coral, intending an attack on the sleeping citizens. One in the front wearing somewhat heavier armor leans on his javelin, hissing out commands to his compatriots.
Oredion watches the creatures move towards the village and slowly walks the woods beside them trying to figure out as to what there doing. His eyes grow wide as he looks to the village and back to the armed creatures. He quickly gets down on all fours realizing what's about to happen. He takes advantage of his bear form and slowly walks out of the woods dragging his paws acting injured. He let's out a growl as he pretends to collapse to the ground in front of them.
(Deception 18+3)
The eelfolk stop, staring in surprise at the large beast laying injured in front of them. As still as statues, they start moving again, discussing quickly between themselves what should be done.
The leader walks up, his javelin drawn, ready to run it through the heart of the dying bear and get on with their mission.
Oredion listens carefully waiting for the creature to get close enough. As soon as he hears the creature dig his heels in to strike, he quickly rolls back towards the creature toppling it over and pinning it beneath him. His paws slam down upon the creatures chest with enough force to shatter a tree trunk. Oredion stands up transforming into his normal werebear form as he does so. He starts to speak in a gruff voice finally getting used to talking in his form.
"Why are you going to this village with intent to kill? Do not lie to me fools. I am in no mood to be played with. Tell me now or die."
Oredions maw opens reavealing his sharp teeth as he let's out a blood curling growl.
(Intimidation 8+6)
You feel his bones crunch beneath your strike. He inhales with a sharp pain, gasping for breath as the others draw their weapons on you in surprise. They hold back as their leader sputters, trying to respond.
His beady black eyes stare at yours, lips pulled back far in a very unhuman way as it shows off the multiple rows of fang-like teeth. The words are broken common. "Taking this island by force and blood! We have their bay, shall make them pay! Will devour and gorge ourselves on them, we will!"
With a sharp movement, the fish-like humanoid strikes you with his javelin, still clutched tightly in his webbed hand. (11 damage) it pierces your side and digs deep into the muscle there, at least as far as he can manage from this angle.
The other beasts hiss and lunge forward with their swords, making to cut you down off of their leader.
Oredion laughs as his eyes burst with a green flame and his glowing tattos return with there own blazing glow.
"I tried to warn you."
He grabs the spear out of his side with a grimace and quickly twirls it around making the point face down. He slams it into the creatures stomach. He quickly leans forward pushing his wait into the spear as he reaches down grabbing the creatures foot.
(17+5 attack against him with the spear.)
A smile forms as oredion quickly speaks.
"Mind if I use you real quick? Oh nevermind what will you care about soon anyways."
(Nat 20+5 strength to nunchukhu)
Oredions grip tightens on the beasts foot as he lifts him into the air. He can feel his muscles bulge from the weight of the creature as he starts to twirl it in the air above him. He strikes the first creature to get close enough with there own leaders body.
The body of the monster crashes into the first to get too close, the others looking on horrified. He's sent sprawling to the ground completely dazed and bleeding, his face and shoulder broken from the force of the bludgeoning. This was definitely the last thing they expected on a stealth mission such as this.
The others attempt to rally together to dive at you, hoping their swords connect. (12, 22, 7, 14 to hit, I assume only one of those does? xD 9 damage if so, a strike against whatever part of the body you choose)
Oredion turns quickly as the monsters all swing at him. Two of them barely miss. While the other two strike Oredions left arm slicing it deeply. A roar escapes Oredions maw as he feels the sharp pain. Blood runs down his arm quickly creating a small pool of blood on the ground. A green flame erupts from his eyes as he becomes enraged. He rushes at the ones who missed and slams his left shoulder into the first one and aims for the second ones throat with his claws.
(15+5 strength to hit the first one hard ig?, 13+8 athletics to pull off both? I'm not sure if I'm rolling the right things...)
The one you ran into stands no change against your massive bulk and muscle. He's sent tumbling over, off balance as it is from the missed strike of his sword. He rolls along the ground, groaning as he comes to a stop.
(16 tumble check to make sure he doesn't land on it by accident... rofl)
His compatriot is not so lucky. Your claws connect with his throat, shredding it like a freshly caught fish. His last sound is a gurgling cry, blood pouring out from the deep wounds. Within moments he falls to his knees, then to his face, dead.
The two that hit you with their swords back up, blood dripping from the blades. They glance at one another, worried and wondering what to do. Their attacks obviously did more harm than good, your rage like a massive storm at sea.
Their friend scrambles to his knees, attempting to stand and struggling to keep his balance. The remaining three back up further, breathing heavily and terrified.
They make to run.
Hoping to lose you in the long shadows of the trees cast by the full moon, they dart into the tall grasses like snakes... Sure that at least one of them can make it back alive.
Oredion furious at the weakness of these monsters screams after them with words sounding more like a booming roar.
"Get back here and die! You think you can run after what you had planned?"
Oredion runs to the leaders corpse and grabs the spear out of his lifeless frame. He turns quickly, steadys his aim and let's it fly in Hope's of hitting one running away. He then drops to his paws, reverting back into a bear, and begins his chase. He feels his cut open arm burn with every step ran. If not for his rage he would have given up pursuit and stuck by the town until dawn.
(12+7 perception to spot one,19 acrobatics to aim, 18+8 athletics to catch up, 13+6 investigation to find them)
You spot the one you struck with your shoulder trailing last behind the others. As he hits the cover of the taller grass the spear leaves your hand. Within moments you hear the THWACK of the impact, followed by the commotion of the body falling among the foliage.
Now a bear again, your nose and ears twitch with excitement from the hunt. The glow of your green eyes first lands on the eelfolk you felled, gasping for breath as the weapon has punctured a lung. He turns, hissing in terror, his lips pulled back far and showing every fang in his mouth. He slashes at you with a knife as you approach. (13 with disadvantage because prone)
Oredion easily sidesteps the knife and slashes down at the eelfolk before continuing his hunt. (16+5 to hit, then 4+3+4 for damage)
Your claws easily cut through his side, spilling out what little blood is left in him. He gurgles his last breaths as you make your way forth, following the footfalls of the monsters in front of you.
The sounds directly in front of you suddenly stop and as you approach, the eel lunges out at you with his spear extended forward, hoping to run you through. (Nat 20 attack, 14 damage).
Oredion growls in pain as the spear pierces his side.
"Why wont you all just die already!"
(11+5 to hit, 5,8,4 damage if it hits.)
Oredion twists sideways roaring from the pain and lunges forwards with his maw open and ready to rip the monster apart with his teeth.
The creature tumbles back, the spear practically yanked out of his hands by the charging bear. Ignoring the weapon in your side your teeth and claws find their purchase. Down your enemy goes, screaming as he fights in vain against your attack. The sounds are drowned out by the crashing waves of the sea.
(he's practically dead at this point, just a few hp left... lol xD one more left.... you are getting close to the water)
Oredion stands full height and stomps down once on the creatures chest to finish it. He looks out over the tall grass confused on where the creature may have gone. He remembers his nose is what lead him to this vile illfolk, maybe it will help him find the final enemy. He raises his snout in the air and inhales slowly threw his nostrils, smelling everything around him.
(11+7 Perception to find the final beast. / Sorry for the really, really late reply.)
You smell him down by the shore, followed by the faint sound of webbed feet scrambling over rocks.
(Make an athletics check to see if you can catch him.... high DC for this one cause he's almost in the water)
(15+8)
(.....that just barely makes it.. rofl... dc was 22)
You rush to the shore, your claws slipping on the loose rocks and pebbles. Ahead of you you see your prey, rushing with all his faculties to make it to the sea before you.
Oredion sprints out of the grass on all four legs and continues to chase the creature fleeing to water. Moments before it reaches the water, the hulking bear smashes into the back of it with momentous speed and tackles him to the ground. Oredion roars as he aims to bite the creatures neck and be rid of these monsters.
(13+5 to hit, 10 for damage if it hits.)
Your teeth rip into his neck and sever its spine, the fell creature. The sea foam rolls up and mixes with the blood, carrying it down along the rocks.
Your breathing and rage subside, slowly but surely as you back off of the corpse. Your body twitches and contorts, not nearly as painful as it used to feel. The moon sinks down below the treeline, freeing you from your curse for the time being.
Oredion laughs a bit as he realizes he saved a village he barely knows. He winces from the numerous cuts on his body as he bends down and starts to check the now dead creatures body. He stands back up with a groan and slowly starts to make his way back to the ship before he collapses of exhaustion.
(16+6 Investigation to check the eelfolk for anything usefull.)
At the time you check over the eelfolk bodies, you find many strange things. The chiefest of which is a shimmering, silver blade, curved inwards with a finely sharpened edge. The handle is made of a glistening obsidian with a depressable snakes’ head on the end.
(Dagger of Venom
Weapon (dagger), rare
You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon.
You can use an action to cause thick, black poison to coat the blade. The poison remains for 1 minute or until an attack using this weapon hits a creature. That creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 2d10 poison damage and become poisoned for 1 minute. The dagger can't be used this way again until the next dawn.)
Along their bodies you find armor made of shell; lightweight and pale, it runs along their torsos and down one arm. Aside from their sharpened, coral bladed weapons, they carried very little with them; obviously on a stealth mission to cause as much murder and chaos as possible.
On the last eel, you also find a small pouch made of fish scales. Inside are three vials of a deep purple, poisonous-looking liquid.
It feels like hardly any time has passed at all before your eyes fuzzily open. The bleak glow of dawn bleeds through the fog above, adding to the dismal feel of this whole salty, oily little island.
Not much invaded your dreams that night--your exhaustion was too great. Though your back aches from sleeping on the ground, your nose smells the aroma of fried fish. You're not sure how you feel about it given the fight with such slimy, fishy beasts you had the night before.
"Morning, grizzly bear."
You hear Etny's voice nearby and turning to look, you see her cooking with a small fire. She looks tired but happy to be with you. Gaare sleeps with a head under her wing, and the small owlbear sits beside her as he rips and tears the guts out of a still wriggling fish.
Oredion quickly sets up. He instantly regrets it feeling pain run threw him like a thunderbolt. He puts his hand on his head to steady himself.
"Mornin hun. You cooking fish?!"
Oredion feels his stomach churn a bit, but it quickly settles.
She laughs. "Yes, not much else here otherwise. Newten here caught them all himself."
The little owlbear fluffs up with pride as he horfs down the fish head and severed spine, the bones crunching against his sharp beak. He makes a little chirping trill afterward before gnawing on the tail.
Etny brings you a plate, sitting down at your side. The food looks decently made, better than what you'd find in town. "Joey knew exactly where you were. You were really cut up when we found you... he kept glowing strange colors. Red, blue, gold...."
"Gold? He may be my longest friend and companion, but that little salamander is still a mystery to me."
Oredion accepts the plate of food with hesitation and slowly starts to dig in. He comes to realize quickly that Ets cooking is top notch and actually makes himself another plate of the fish he so reluctantly didnt want. He looks to Etny and speaks between mouthfuls of food.
"I made progress last night Et... real progress. I fought the bear that turned me for the second time. He... he was strong, frightened..., but he felt kind when it was said and done. Then I ended running into some scaly eels who did this. Damn blighters were going to attack the town at night and slay everyone. None of them are alive now..."
Etny looks contemplative and leans against your shoulder. A strange movement crests the water in the distance and then sinks back below the waves.
"That was brave of you to face alone. The bear, the... the eels." Her brow furrows a bit. "That sounds terrifying. I wonder why they wanted to do something so horrible."
"You know.. I'm not to sure? Something about reclaiming what was theirs, I think?"
Oredions eyes watch as whatever it was returns beneath the depths. Hes not quite sure why, but he feels something off about this island.
The time passes and your body grows stronger again. The animals bask on the mildly warm rocks, enjoying what warm they can get from the weak sun, while Etny reapplies a salve she made to your scars.
"The other boats have moved on to the next island south of here. Atriox is no doubt dealing with the map I gave him... I hope it's still fairly accurate."
Kissing you on the top of the head, Etny hugs you. "What would you like to do now, my love? Should we leave, or?"
"I'm not sure Et... I feel these people might need help. I doubt the attempted attack last night was the last one, but I do wish to rejoin the others... What's your take on it?"
Oredion smiles comfortingly as he continues to look out over the matter, letting his mind wonder.
The huntress bites her lip in thought.
"I am torn on it. It is not our business, but at the same time... we might be able to offer help to these people. Though I'm not too sure how to stop such a large water monster."
Etny looks along the coastline and a chill runs down her arms. "There is something mysterious here. I can't quite put my finger on it."
Your dream suddenly returns to you--the one you had before facing the Bear last night.
Strange beasts, monsters, fire and smoke and water... deadly and torrential.
Etny wraps her arms around your shoulders from behind, resting her head atop yours. "If you have a plan and want to help these people, I will follow you anywhere."
Joey pops out from a bag nearby, stretching and yawning. He scampers up your lap and onto your arm, glowing a faint shimmer before nestling into your beard.
Oredion sighs as he pets Joey.
"Well I dont have a plan yet, but I must help them. I guess its decided, were staying. Do you know who all stayed behind with us? Maybe one of them could assist us in coming up with a plan to defeat the water creature."
Etny considers that. "Oxious has stayed behind. He seems interested in something about the magic of this area. Also many of the orcs--the ones you led into battle in Dragonshore. They're all currently stationed on the Clover."
Her lips quirk in a smile, remembering your amazing speeches to inspire and rouse them to fight to their fullest.
After packing up and returning to the ship, you see what you have to work with; the orcs are helping the sailors with prepping the ship, and the captain, Kai Aata the shark-sahuagin, watches over them with an imposing (albeit friendly) presence.
"'Allo lil frien' Pakehs! 'Prized we 'rived so safe offa ta kor waitap. A'solute nehur t'was!"
Kai's large laugh echoes from his chest, but not as large as his wide set of smiling teeth. Despite the very difficult accent his speaks with, you can tell he's trying to be friendly.
Oxious sits at the far edge of the deck, wearing more relaxed attire and looking out over the water with a telescope. Jotting down notes on a parchment, he looks back out at the sea.
Oredion smiles at sharks accents and tries to match his words with his own wild accent.
"Ah bloody ell lad! If ye ain't the shinest grin in the north blue ye can wreckon I'll be the shortest dwarf of the mountain!"
Oredion laughs as he pats the sharks back heartily before he moves on to see Oxious.
Oredion crouches as he comes out behind him and suddenly jumps up when directly behind him shouting.
"ROAR!"
(12 Stealth xd)
Oredion smiles at the sharks accent and decides to try and match his words with his own wild accent.
"Ah bloody ell lad! If ye ain't the shinest grin in the north blue ye can wreckon I'll be the shortest dwarf of the mountain!"
Oredion laughs as he pats the sharks back heartily before he moves on to see Oxious.
Oredion crouches as he comes out behind him and suddenly jumps up when directly behind him shouting.
"ROAR!"
The tiefling practically jumps out of his skin, scrambling into his shirt for his closest wand. When he sees who it is his eyes flutter in exasperation, dropping his hand and sinking back to his seat.
"Freaking ass," he shakes his head, not actually that upset but just shot with nerves. "Where the hell have you guys been? Nevermind, don't answer that."
He gives Etny and you a queer look. She chuckles a little, realizing you both appear quite tousled and messy as she brushes her hair back.
"Atriox mentioned something about a project here. Seemed to trust you a lot, obviously." Oxious rolls his shoulders and looks back through the spyglass. "You well enough for another fight?"
"Hell lad. I'm game for any sort of fight at this point. That's why I came to you friend. I've got a particular creature I'm not sure how to defeat with out a wizards insight such as yours."
Oredion chuckles and leans against the railing opposite of Oxious. He pulls his stein out of his travel bag and takes a small pull from it. He nearly puts it back away before continuing.
"While I was dealing with certain things last night... I came across a small band of eelfolk about to try an assinate the town at night. Little to say they failed, but it's what they said that's concerning me. I have reason to believe that a water elemental has plans on destroying this here town. I'd like to help them with there little problem if I'm able. Anyway you feel like helping? Scaredy goat."
Oxious scoffs. "Of course! If I cared otherwise I would not have stayed." He grumbles, the humorous poke throwing him off a little though he doesn't seem to really mind.
"Here," he says as he shoves the spyglass in your hands for you to use. "Out near the lighthouse, just there. Movement on the water, but only water. That's what attacked our boat."
While waiting for you to see, the tiefling continues. "One of the little creatures of Atriox's ripped something from it when it last attacked us. A bead of force--a volatile magic item that can explode and capture opponents for a given amount of time. Or blow holes in ships."
He grumbles a little. "Needless to say, they're used to augment magic spells to strengthen them. With the size of the thing, I suspect it has a few more inside of it. We beat it down enough and get those beads, it should disintegrate."
"Ah... I see. So what your telling me is I just need to hit it enough to find all of these beads?"
Oredion chuckles knowing it wont be that simple. It's never that simple.
"How do we lure it out of the water? We could put you over a fire. I know in town they have a few good spices?"
Oredion laughs and he hands the spy glass back to Oxious good naturedly.
The tiefling huffs. "It seems to like ships. Or at least to keep them away from... something in this area. We don't need any more bait than us and this boat."
With a snap, he collapses the spy glass down and pockets it in his belongings.
"Let's make headway then. I'll let the captain know."
As he stands and heads to Kai, Etny pats you on the back. She can't stop smiling. "You're in a very good mood today, Oredion-alann! I daresay that night did you well, despite everything that happened."
"Well you know what they say. A good fight always ends in a good night. Atleast that's what my mother always said."
Oredion continues on with his good mood and decides to follow Oxious. He feels relieved everything's working out quickly. Hes ready to finally rejoin the others and get this so far exciting adventure on way. For once he feels like he do something other then track goblins night and day.
You approach Kai and Oxious as they finish their conversation. The tiefling looks happy the captain at least understood what he was asking for, because he can't seem to figure out a word the shark says back to him. He gives you a funny look as he leaves back below deck to fetch his gear.
Kai laughs loudly, clapping you on the back. "Pard the wait frien'! Read' ta go? Wizars gettin' 'is mawaka fo' ta beastie! Kai Aata ain' gon' let tha' thing get away wit' takin' 'is precious Anaher."
He cracks his knuckles, ringing a bell as he adjusts the wheel of the ship. The crew jumps into action getting the sails ready and pulling anchor. Within moments you are heading back to open water, away from the brackish harbor.
As you sail out the sea begins to swell. The lighthouse is clearly visible a few miles out, situated on a steep, rocky island with a stone wall at the top. The whole island is only about 100 feet or so across; a very small presence for such an important feature of the bay.
As you get a little closer, you can see the single dock out front, about 40 feet long. You remember the rumors from town, however... No boats matching the description of the Jade Lion are docked, but you see a staircase leading up from the empty dock to the lighthouse. At the top, a gate is blowing and flapping wildly, ajar, like a broken gull’s wing.
A chilling mist rolls in and it begins to rain. The persistent glow of the lighthouse keeps you oriented, like a ghost in the pale sky.
“Now would be a fair time to sing, pick up the spirits, eh?” One of the pirates signals to the other sailors on deck and they all start laughing and sing-talking.
There was a young sailor
Who looked through the glass,
And spied a fair mermaid
With scales on her tail!
Where seagulls fly high
up over their nests
She combed the long hair
That hung over her shoulders...
The crew crowded around
four deep to the rail,
All eager to share
In a fine piece of view!"
They laugh crudely and Etny can't help but giggle at the ridiculous song. The humor of it is a little over her head, but she thinks their enthusiasm is catchy. Like Oxious she has her gear ready, bow oiled and strung and resting on her lap, ready for a fight.
Oredion smiles as he watches the sailors enjoying themselves. He cant help to feel this is the calm before the storm, but he pushes it out of his mind. He stands up and offers his hand to Etny as he starts to do a lite jig with his feet.
"Feel like a little shin dig before what's to come."
Oredion goofily does a spin, kicking his feet out as he does so, before offering his hand to Etny again.
The pirates and sailors laugh, as does Etny. She can't help but join you, dancing and spinning around you as you go.
"I'll have to oblige, Antrahtu! You're too persuasive for me to refuse."
The song continues for several rounds, getting more and more suggestively rude as it goes. It makes for a light-hearted journey indeed, and helps raise the spirits of the entire deck by the end of it.
"The captain knew he must
Use all his wits
Crying "Throw out a line.
We'll lasso her flippers!"
My good fellows,"
The captain then said,
Who’s strong and who’s willing
To get some them some---"
The music cuts short. Voices murmur together. "Wait… what is that?”
Around you, the murky water sloshes and churns vigorously like before. A small whirlpool forms off the side and Etny leaps to grab her bow. Oxious slowly withdraws a wand from his shirt, holding his breath as he waits.
The water swirls around the ship, slowly turning it from its course. Below you, you can see a great movement in the water--almost like a beastly snake made of salt and malice.
In an instant it erupts.
Aiming for the steering wheel on the ship, it tries to attack Kai Aata first--the captain, just struggling to keep the ship upright and turned properly against the force, is knocked back and away from the wheel--the wood of the helm cracks, and leering down among all of you is a gaping maw of saline teeth and eyes, roiling like a boil of water.
Oredions watches the creature carefully to see if there's any weak points, before blindly attacking.
(Perception 15+7)
You see it flicking back and forth, the beady eyes shimmering like black pearls in a skull. Along the length of its body in the churning water, you spot more of these strange rocks.
Oxious leaps up next to you, his wand triggered on the beast and coiling light yellow and pink energy around it in glowing chains. The air fills with the smell of fruity alcohol.
"There! Strike that, we can take this monster down!"
Oredion nods to Oxious as he rushes forwards, pulling out his axe as he does so. He jumps up and with both hands swings down on the clumps of stone in the elementals head.
"8+8 Athletics to reach the monsters head with my jump, 10+11 to hit, 2+2+8 damage if it hits)
Your axe just barely clips the monster, displacing the rocks and cracking one of its eyes. With a whirlpool of rage its face partially implodes, then explodes, sending ichor and water everywhere across the deck.
It turns to face you, two arrows lancing through its jaw as Etny lets loose a volley. Neither strike the rocks but take away a good chunk of its face with them. Leaving Kai Aata alone now, it coils around and heads right for you.
(23 to hit, 7 damage if so)
Oredion backs up quickly after getting slashed by the elementals coursing water. He feels his eyes start to glow as his rage starts. He watches as his weapon starts to glow green with electricity from his power. He quickly pulls out his shield with his left hand and takes a deep breath and concentrates on the elementals rocks on it's back, as he let's his axe fly.
(14+11 to hit, 3+8+8 damage if it does)
Your axe severs through its spine, breaking apart the water and sending it crashing down along the deck. The small orbs are knocked completely free and tink along the boards.
Oxious makes to grab at one (18) and manages to catch it in his fist. Etny scrambles toward the other (11) and just barely misses it.
The monster reconstitutes out of the ocean now, tendrils like a squid scrambling up on deck. It tries to grab a hold of the orcs and pirates as they slash and claw their way away from them, some being dragged toward the edge of the ship and others slammed against the mast.
One large tendril wraps up around the main mast and sail, cracking and pulling at it--meaning to break it down completely. The wood makes a loud noise as it's crunched, weakening and brittle. (nat 20)
Oredion turns around quickly and rushes the tentacles wrapped around the mast with his shield. As he does this he extends his right hand back and calls his axe back to him. It flies quickly to his hand and as soon as the handle touches his palm he swings down with means to sever the water tentacle.
(9+11 to hit)
Your axe cleaves through it and it snaps away like a broken rubber band, thrashing and convulsing along the deck as it dissolves back into salt water. The mast still creaks, but is still functional.
From behind you the monster tries to whelm--flooding the deck and sweeping up anyone it touches. Oxious scrambles away, remembering full well how it went last time, but several other orcs are not so lucky. They are sucked up into the frenzy of water, clawing and suffocating as they try to swim out of the monster's body.
(Make a Dexterity save to escape it in time! 🙂
(5 save throw...)
The water crashes down over your head, completely engulfing you. Now wrapped up in the bulk of the water elemental's body, you struggle to find an exit in the squirming mass. (10 damage)
(You can do whatever you'd like here or I can go again xD w/e you want bud)
Oredion chokes as he begins to struggle at holding his breath. His vision begins to fade as water enters his lungs. He suddenly feels his axe still in his hands and his eyes blaze with rage. The squirming he originally did stops long enough to grip his axe in both hands. He twists his body as he begins to swing his axe in a circle hoping to gain enough momentum to make a small whirlpool.
"18 +8 to spin my body fast enough to swirl the water inside the elemental and hopefully escape"
You manage to break the strong barrier between yourself and the fresh salty air outside, gasping as you crash to the deck again. Looking back you see the head rear up near you, hoping to strike .....
(...I legit rolled a nat 1 LOL)
It crashes into the wood, shattering one of the other rocks by accident. It bursts and implodes, sucking in the water with a slurping noise. The maw thrashes around, chomping and grasping trying to bite at you. Two more arrows sling through its head in an attempt to distract it.
It's bloodied at this point, what would you like to do?)
(9+7 Perception to see where the final stones are)
You scan over the body as it moves, writhing and sliding its way toward Etny who is up on the highest ground she can get to. Along the length of its core you see a spot that would likely be where a heart would, with two more stones spinning around together frantic with magic.
Oredion glares angrily as he watches the elemental close in on Etny. His eyes burst with a green flame as he rushes forwards, axe in hand screaming.
"Just die you damned water octopus!"
He looks to the spot where he sees the final stones and slams into the water with his shield hoping to disperse any of the water helping guard it. Simultaneously he swings his axe, that he was dragging against the ships deck tiredly, with as much force as he can muster into the final pieces of stone.
(13+11 to hit, 19 damage if it does)
The axe connects with the stones and they erupt with power, before imploding and pulling in everything around them. Within an instant you are yanked by your axe into the center of this strange, glowing orb.
The beast shutters and a roar escapes its throat like water being sucked down a drain. Eyes going dark, it convulses and vomits up green ichor all over the deck. The rest of its body dissipates into a stinking mist, a smell of rotting fish lingering in the air.
(it basically looks like you're in a giant dwarven hamster ball xD these were beads of force.... lol )
Oredion hesitates as he watches the beast evaporate. He takes a moment to look around before shouting.
"Is everyone ok? Any body up and able check on the wounded and see if anyone was swept overboard."
With that said Oredion goes over to check on Etny and Oxious
The sphere rolls forward with you, your voice reverberating around it as you speak. Etny looks surprised and covers her mouth to keep from laughing. The terror of the monster fades away as she comes down off the adrenaline rush.
Oxious is knelt over with his hands on his knees, breathing hard and soaking wet. But when he looks up it's with a smug, overconfident look. In his hand are clutched two more of the strange pearl rocks.
The ball dissolves around you, letting you move freely again. Oxious snorts. "Good work, dwarf. Aside from the damage to the ship, I think we're mostly all in one piece..."
Looking around you can see the other sailors and pirates helping pull people back onto the boat from out of the water. Everything has calmed, almost eerily so. There are a few injured and they're carried down below, but most of your men are still able bodied enough to keep the vessel moving.
Oredion chuckles as he Pat's Oxious on the back.
"You know, I didnt know you fancied swimming so much? It's as if your a goat to water..."
Oredion smiles brightly behind his hand as he walks away giggling and over to Etny.
"So how'd you fare lass. That was a hell of a thing to fight. Without mister goat over there, I think we'd all be seafood."
Oxious grumbles as he rolls his eyes. Straightening up, he clops past some snickering sailors to put the rocks somewhere safe.
Etny just grabs Ore in a big hug. "I was a little worried for you, Oredion-alann, but I knew you could handle it. I'm just glad I didn't get knocked in the head like last time." She looks embarrassed and laughs a little.
Kai Aata strains as he steers the ship over to the docks, the water sloshing up around the sides. Several sailors jump down into the water, helping to pull it forward and tie it to the mooring posts.
“Aye a bad'n it twas bu' we survived!" He locks the ship’s wheel and leaps out of the helm, checking over the Clover for damage. The sails flutter meekly with the wet breeze.
Etny follows you as you climb the slippery switchbacked stairs, past the broken gate. You approach the Skyhorn Lighthouse in all its glory. The blazing beam of light slowly spins 60 feet above you.
The lighthouse has two glass windows 40 feet off the ground that open onto the stairwell up above. At the very top where the lighthouse lamp is spinning are multiple windows on all sides, letting out the glowing light.
The damp stones are slick with rust colored algae, a few blocks chipped here and there. Approaching the building, you notice a large number of footprints in the mud, being washed away by the rain. The door seems scarred with deep gashes, and an oily slime is present on the handle of the door.
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