Act 9 - Chimera Cove

[Muskrat]

Dreams shouts in alarm and then hastily grabs a length of rope and throws it to Torias. Once he has a hold of it, she uses it to help pull him toward the boat. She says to Lineos and Nate, "Why don't you stand on the other side of the boat to balance the weight as I pull Torias in?"

[Grimbold]

"Help!" Torias gasps, flailing wildly, reaching for the rope.

[Vardaen]

Dream's aim is true enough, she over tosses him and pull the rope back where he grabs hold moments before he sinks. Perhaps wearing his heavy armor was a poor idea. Yet, those in the boat are able to haul Torias in. He's wet, and cold, and no doubt is going to catch a cold after this. Everything is soggy and soaked, not something his scrolls like very much. Yet the danger is past for now, he won't drown. You struggle a bit more with the ship, but finally manage to get your catboat about as close to the middle of the bay as you can.

[Grimbold]

Torias waves over his equipment and clothing and it starts drying. "Ahh, better." Then he looks around. "Do we drop the symbol here?"

Action

"Mending" Cantrip

[Muskrat]

"I think so," says Dreams. "If not, we can try again elsewhere." She takes off her holy symbol of Lugus and attaches it to the silver line, then gradually lowers it into the water. "Let's see what happens now."

[Vardaen]

Dreams attached the symbol and lowers it down down down into the water. She speaks a prayer over the water to Lugus.

Almost immediately, the winds and waters calm. The spray gradually ceases and waves that were crashing against rocks now lap placidly against them. Although the fog remains, where gaps between the shore and the islands were once visible leading out to the open sea, now stone seawalls are visible, slowly rising. It quickly becomes clear that the seawalls only rise a short distance and thereafter it is the water level in the cove that starts to fall. More and more of the steep, rocky sides of the islands become visible, until the three islands appear as a single connected mass. The retreating water leaves the dock below the village’s boathouse lying in muck. The southwestern face of the largest island reveals a large cave mouth below the low-tide mark.

Once the water level stabilizes everyone but Lineos notices a ripple across the surface at the far side some distance away, but its growing closer, as if some large creature were swimming toward your little boat just under the surface at great speeds.

OOC

Once the seawalls have risen, the water level in the cove drops by 1 foot per round until it is 30 feet below its normal level.

Lineos failed his Perception Check DC 20 the rest of you made it

[ManWithDoor]

Nate quickly pulls out his firearm and primes the firing mechanism. He points with the tip towards the ripple moving closer to them. "I think we just pissed something right off!"

[Muskrat]

Dreams starts to make for the sails, then realizes that, with their poor sailing skills, they are unlikely to be able to outrace the creature. They will most likely have to fight it. She steps forward in the boat towards the approaching creature and tries to see if she can read its soul through the water.

Action

Detect Evil

[Grimbold]

Torias adjusts his glasses, readies his glintaxe and stares into the water grimly.

[Vardaen]

Everyone makes ready, Nate loads and levels his rifle, as Dreams reaches out with her powers whatever is coming isn't evil. Torias soaking wet adjusts his glasses and can see a great 8 tentacled beast coming, larger than the boat.

Barely visible under the water's surface you see a massive octopus, its 8 tentacles erupt from the sea around the
boat lashing out. But Nate and Torias...

Initiative

Round 1 Nate 24, Torias 12, Octopus 11, Dreams 10, Lineos 9


Some important terrain info:
Fighting in a small boat is difficult, even in calm waters. Anyone standing in a boat is effectively balancing, which means they are flat-footed unless they have at least 5 ranks in Balance or Profession (sailor). Anyone who takes damage while standing must make a DC 10 Balance check to remain standing. An alternative to the Balance checks is to fight while prone, although this carries the usual –4 penalty to melee attacks.

Map

Running out of Time, I will label the tentacles later: indicate their position relative to you

Hand of the Deep