Chapter 9: A Primitive Sea

[Ken]

Belarin takes an instant to consider his options: assist Adamant or grab the item before it floats out of reach? In light of the kraken's monstrous size, he quickly reaches a decision.

I may be able to kill two birds -- and I don't like birds. If a blast of fey power won't dissuade this beast, perhaps something else can.... Get ready, Histra, he thinks through the communication ring.

He takes a moment to venomously mark the nearly ghoul with a magically infused curse, then he swims toward the shadowy rod, noticing with some alarm that his own cloak of shadows seems to be reaching toward the device like a long-lost lover. He grabs the necromantic object, fully expecting a new wave of soul-chilling energy to flow across him. I have it! Magnificent device -- it's a candle and it's lit, under the water! Shadows are dancing around it. Histra, how do I use it? Can I command the undead?

____________________________________
Minor: Curse lacedon #2.
Move: Athletics check (1d20+3=18) = Success. Belarin swims 3 squares to the device.
Minor: Grab the floating item.
Free: Talk to Histra. If certain words or symbols are visible on the rod's exterior, Belarin includes that in his description. Update: I revised Belarin's comment to reflect the item's actual appearance as Jeff described below. Yes, I can be anal.

Belarin still has concealment from Shadow Walk.
If lacedon #2 or #4 is slain, Belarin immediately teleports 5 squares north.

[Brian]

Condign is running out of breath. His lungs ache, burn; his vision darkens along the periphery. The cold of the deep sea seems to leech the strength from his muscles. If they don't get rid of these lacedon soon . . . .

After mouthing some vaguely fishy words of encouragement to Hras'Ka, Condign brings his blade around, the keen edge slicing through the water. Even though he misses, he hopes to draw the lacedon off and let the others kill it.

___________________

Movement Action: None
Minor Action: Use Inspiring Word on Hras'Ka*
Standard Action: Brash Assault on lacedon. Shorak gets the opportunity attack with combat advantage should the lacedon attack Condign.

Attack Roll vs AC: (1d20+11=21)

*I went back and checked every power Condign had used since the first battle. At one point, I'd tried to use my second Inspiring Word on Kal, but that got changed when he didn't almost die. So I had the second one all along. Sadly, only our fishy ally is within range.

[Jeff]

Round 6 continues

13 = Condign
12 = Belarin
7 = Kal

_______________

Hras'Ka casts Condign a curious, sidelong glance when he gesticulates. The tiefling doesn't smile, but his body language alone suggests camaraderie and courage. Condign has had to do this before among Ghaash'kala orcs who did not speak his language. The motions do seem to give the sahuagin a measure of stability.

Then Condign throws a seemingly faulty attack against the lacedon in front of me, goading it. It takes the bait like the fish-thing it is, and even manages to draw several bloody lines across the tiefling's arm. But the creature's own defenses open, and Shorak immediately sends a crossbow bolt slashing over Condign's shoulder and straight into the creature's chest. It hisses, clearly weakened.

• Conding uses inspiring words on Hras'Ka. Hras'Ka is no longer bloodied.
• Condign's brash assault misses lacedon #4.
• Lacedon #4's opportunity attack vs. Condign's AC: 20 + 2 (combat advantage) +2 (aquatic) = 24 (hit) / 13 damage to Condign
• Condign is bloodied.
• Shorak's opportunity attack opportunity attack vs. lacedon #4: (1d20+9=24) +2 (combat advantage) = 26 (hit) / damage (1d6+4=7) + sneak attack (2d8=10) / 17 damage to lacedon #4
• Lacedon #4 is bloodied.

Belarin kicks his way over closer to the kraken, keenly aware of its proximity—and its burning magenta eyes which light the dark. Never before has he faced such a large enemy, and one as powerful as the legends say, surely more powerful than a vampire lord.

Just before Belarin grabs the mysterious device, he sees it's no rod at all—but a candle. Black, lusterless wax—and remarkably, it's lit. The flame is pale and violet, very faint and gives off no heat. And, of course, is still burning when fully immersed in water for a year and with no obvious melted wax.

The moment Belarin grasps the candle, he feels the expected chill. A numbness that encloses his hand and shoots down his arm. He feels a sensation like none he's ever known before—a coldness of shadow more like the touch of death than the touch of a glacier. He shivers. At the same time, he feels a curious sense of exposure he can't quite explain...like a thousand baleful souls staring at him. At the same time, shadows shroud him as if he'd used his own magic to obscure his form.

And then he hears Histra. Her voice is intense, but there's a calmness to it which helps to center him. Belarin, listen closely. Hold still and repeat these words: "Arathyr chalargun, Nethluarak lesstran. I claim the right of names." Speak it now. For a chilling moment, Belarin wonders if Histra realizes he's immersed in water and may not be able to speak properly.

Kal stabs at his lacedon and scours it with electricity instead of a blade! This one doesn't look like it can take much more punishment, but it's still a serious threat.

And not a moment to waste. The third surviving lacedon—the one first flung away by the kraken—is swimming back into view, still intent on living flesh and obviously not wishing to engage the aberrant beast.

• Belarin takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Belarin's Athletics check succeeds.
• Kal takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Kal's lightning orb hits lacedon #2 / 9 electricity damage to lacedon #2

Refresh the page.

______________________

Brian: Though the rules technically allow inspiring word to work just about anywhere, I'd like it to make sense so normally I'd be a bit hesitant to allow Condign to speak inspiring words while expelling breath. BUT, he's been fighting side by side with Hras'Ka for a couple of rounds and his body language is enough for this to work. So I'm good with it!

Ken: For Belarin's next turn, you can roll an Arcana check for Belarin's attempt to replicate Histra's phrase exactly and with the proper inflections. (-5 on the roll for trying to speak in water!) That'll be a standard action.

Next up:

29 = Shorak
21 = Streko
19 = Adamant
17 = Bad fish
17 = kraken
16 = Hras'Ka and shaman

[Joe]

Streko can feel a sense of darkness surrounding him, excroaching upon his senses. He makes a futile swing and, once again, fails to hit anything but water.
____________________________________________________

Impulsive Strike: 1d20+8=13

Streko spends a Healing Surge....while he still has them...

[Jeff]

Hey, Joe. To spend a healing surge you have to either use a Second Wind action (standard action) or someone has to use a power to grant you access to spending a healing surge. You can't use Second Wind and attack in the same round.

Or you could do what Ken suggested in the Q&A thread.

[Dave B.]

Seeing his crossbow bolt burying itself in the lacedon's chest, infuses Shorak with confidence and he quickly fires another one, finding its mark right next to its brother. He smiles in satisfaction. All the while, still trying to think of some way to help those that are now in reach of the kraken's tentacles.

Attack lacedon #2: (the one attacking Condign) Sly Flourish (1d20+9=23)
Damage (1d6+7=12)

[Dave W.]

Adamant replies in thought, I see your point. But truly, did you expect me to trade the lives of my friends for this chest or any other thing?

I stand for my friends and this box is needed for us to proceed. Therefore i must protect it. It may be folly but what of you? Why do you toy with this toy-man? Is there truly something here worth your time? 

We have done no serious injury to each other. My preference would be for us to simply part ways, is that possible?

The warforged struggles to free himself from the powerful bond.
--------------------
 

At Beginning of Round: No one Challenged 

Standard Action:De-tentacle myself Athletics vs Fortitude (1d20+4=9) ouch. 

Move Action: I'm immobile

Minor Action: 

At End of Round: No one Challenged

[Jeff]

Round 7 begins

29 = Shorak
21 = Streko
19 = Adamant
17 = Bad fish
17 = kraken
16 = Hras'Ka and shaman

_______________

The lacedon facing Condign takes another bolt to the vitals. Were it not undead, it would probably be devasted by the attack. As it is, the creature is leaking plenty of black slime.

Streko attempts to skewer the one he's facing, but misses again, and Adamant tries in vain to shake himself free of the kraken's tentacle. He notices large suction cups, quite like an octopus's, sticking onto his composite plating; that, no doubt, is part of the difficulty. He maintains his grip on the small chest.

The lacedons do not relent. The one that was furthest out joins its fellows, now ready to attack Streko. Its nearest fellow latches onto Kal, digging into flesh and readying itself for a bit—even as flame wreathes his body and burns the ghoul. The one facing Condign snaps and rends, tearing a savage wound across the tiefling's color. As blood clouds the water, Condign's world goes black—and his breath goes out of him.

Hras'Ka whirls, looking upon Condign suddenly sinking down. The sahuagin's expression is unreadable

• Shorak's sly flourish hits lacedon #4 / 12 damage to lacedon #4
• Streko takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Streko's impulsive strike misses lacedon #2.
• Adamant takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Adamant's first attempt to escape the grab fails.
• Adamant's second Athletics check (1d20+4=5) to escape the grab fails.
• Lacedon #2's attack vs. Kal's AC: 24 (hit) / 10 damage to Kal and Kal is grabbed
• Lacedon #4's attack vs. Condign's AC: 23 (hit) / 18 damage to Condign
• Condign is dying.

In one moment, Adamant is struggling to break free. The next, his body is pulled through the water at a frightening speed, drawn by the strength of a titan! The kraken flings him—the chest still in his vicelike grip and his weapon still in hand—twenty-five feet away....over the edge of the precipice, the abyss opening up below him! The tentacle unfurls and releases him, leaving him floating in the water...and ready to start sinking. He feels battered, but the kraken didn't constrict him. Now Adamant feels like a mere toy cast aside.

Meanwhile, the mighty creature itself glides effortlessly over just above the sea floor, looming now over Kal, Streko, and Belarin!

I require two sacrifices, the kraken thunders in its whispery voice to everyone, and will not go until I have them.

Hras'Ka abandons his attack for a moment, scoops up Condign, evading the lacedon's opportunistic attack, and surges into the Sphere of Life. He drops him there with nothing more than a glare at Shorak, and turns to face outward again. The shaman, meanwhile, engages the lacedon but fails to do it in.

• Shorak's sly flourish hits lacedon #4 / 12 damage to lacedon #4
• Streko's impulsive strike misses lacedon #2.
• Adamant's first attempt to escape the grab fails.
• Adamant's second Athletics check (1d20+4=5) to escape the grab fails.
• Kal uses dragonflame mantle / (1d6=2) fire damage to lacedon #2
• Lacedon #2's attack vs. Kal's AC: 24 (hit) / 10 damage to Kal and Kal is grabbed
• Lacedon #4's attack vs. Condign's AC: 23 (hit) / 18 damage to Condign
• Condign is dying.
• Lacedon #4's opportunity attack vs. Hras'Ka's AC: 15 (miss)
• Shaman's attack vs. lacedon #4: 15 (miss)

Refresh the page.

______________________

Adamant has no choice but to make Athletics checks now as part of his move action. If he doesn't, he stars to sink. If he does make the check but fails by 5 or more, he'll start to sink down. This will be made with a -5 penalty, unless he drops the chest.

[Ken]

Belarin is momentarily distracted by the sight of Adamant being tossed aside like an old shoe. And he knows that the others are not faring well. Death is upon us..., he thinks. Yet he refuses to yield. ...so what better time to invoke the power of death?

He calls upon the voices in his consciousness for assistance, but they're oddly quiet -- almost as though they're afraid of what he's about to do. Belarin senses that he's carving a line in his soul that cannot be undone. But he knows there's no choice. Moreover, he knows that he wants to do this.

Come, my mischievous little friends, let us embrace our fears and laugh at the darkness together. Resisting the urge to take a deep breath, he focuses his will on the candle and speaks into the water with as much clarity as possible, "Arathyr chalargun, Nethluarak lesstran. I claim the right of names."

_______________________________________
Yikes.
Standard: Belarin makes an Arcana check to recite the words: 1d20+15=21 - 5 for speaking underwater = 16.
Free: As he speaks, Belarin is telepathically simulcasting the recitation to Histra.
Minor and Move: If there's anything that Belarin can do automatically to command the undead with these actions, he will damn well do so!
Jeff, if that's the case, let me know and I'll amend the post. Otherwise, he'll use his Move action to swim: Athletics check (1d20+3=9). Nah, he'll stay where he is in that case. (Two 6's in a row?)

Special: As before, if lacedon #2 or #4 is slain, Belarin immediately teleports ... but this time he'll go 5 squares east, out of range of the tentacles and as close to Adamant as possible without being over the abyss.

[Jeff]

Upon speaking the words, Belarin feels a uncomfortable bond form between himself and the ruined remains of once-living creatures—the unmoving corpses of sahuagin and the still-moving lacedons. It's an uncomfortable sensation as slimy as their guts.

Each of the three lacedons glances suddenly over at him, and their former names, now shells of identity, slide into his mind like twitching, undead worms. Rass'ka (#4), Trass (#2), and Vaarqa (#3). Belarin feels he can use these to exert limited control over them...just as Histra suggested. And he's fairly sure language isn't an issue.

________________________

Ken: Okay, roll three Will attacks (Belarin's pact dagger can serve as an implement) against the three still active lacedons. Good luck! If he beats their Will defenses, he can command each of them (though precisely what their actions will be he cannot be sure). This will be his standard action.

So remaining for this round is:

13 = Condign (currently out of commission)
12 = Belarin
7 = Kal

[Ken]

Command undead (Rass'ka, Trass, Vaarqa) (1d20+7=27, 1d20+7=15, 1d20+7=16). Probably just 1 out of 3, but I'll take it.

Belarin reaches out with his thoughts. The sense of command is exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

Rass'ka! Swim to the metal man and guide him safely back from the abyss!
Trass! Vaarqa! Leave those two NOW. There is more meat on the kraken. Feed upon it!

[Darren]

Kal looks over his shoulder to see Belarin acting twitchier than usual. I wonder what that's about? He turns back to face the lacedons and kraken. No time to worry about it now!

Kalarian flings his arm in an arc in front of him, spewing fire towards his enemies, trying to free himself from the lacedon's grasp. He spares a moment to think about how it is that fire can exist like this underwater....

______________
Standard action: Burning Spray directly to Kal's left, which should catch both lacedons and the kraken.

Burning Spray vs. lacedon #2 (1d20+8-2=18)
Burning Spray vs. Reflex - lacedon #3 (1d20+8-2=18)
Burning Spray vs. Reflex - kraken (1d20+8-2=22)

Fire damage (1d8+5=6)

Secondary effect, the next enemy that hits Kal with a melee attack takes 2 fire damage.

Move action: Attempt to break grab
Athletics Check (break grab) (1d20+8=27)

Can Kal move now? If so, I'd like him to shift one square NE.

[Joe]

Streko sees his beloved Goddess in his mind's eye and focuses on it as strongly as he possibly can, calling out to her in his thoughts and prayers.

He points his finger at the Lacedon attacking Kal. A blinding lance of pure energy leaps from his outstretched finger and seemingly penetrates the undead skull of the attacking beast.

Feeling the power of Olladra within him, calling out to her again, seems to fill him with the energy and healing warmth he knows he needs if he is going to survive to make it back to land....to breatheable air!!

His mind absently calls out to Olladra yet a third time, asking for her grace and fortune in the seconds yet to come.
____________________________________________________


STANDARD ACTION - STREKO CASTS LANCE OF FAITH ON LACEDON #2

HIT: 1d20+7=21

DAMAGE: 1d8+6=14 points of radiant damage

Plus Kal gets a +2 power bonus in his next attack roll against the target.

Streko uses his ACTION POINT and will take his second wind now, thank you. Healing surge powers...activate!

He will also use up DIVINE FORTUNE, A FREE ACTION, in case he needs that one point of extra buffage before the end of his next turn.

Also, just checking, Jeff, but are you taking into account Streko's meliorating chainmail? He's getting the +2 bonus here, right? Or have there been more encounters this day than just the two thus far?

[Jeff]

Round 7 continues

13 = Condign (currently out of commission)
12 = Belarin
7 = Kal

_______________

Belarin issues his commands. He feels a tug of dark energies, and two of the lacedons break free of his will. One does not, however: the lacedon facing the sahuagin shaman, which stares back at him before starting to move...

Even though he cannot control them all, Belarin feels in tuned with their power. Rass'ka (#4) is weak, but Trass is weaker still (#2); another two good hits will do him in. Vaarqa (#3) is by far the strongest, and still slavering for living flesh.

Kal sprays magic fire with a mere gesture. The effect is strange to watch and though it looks slightly smaller quelled, it explodes outward just the same. The ghouls recoil quickly, but the kraken's body is too massive to move away. It recoils only slightly, surprised by the sudden burst of aquatic flame.

Kraken uses his lacedon foe's recoil to shake free of its grasp, then swims a short distance to move around Streko.

• Belarin takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Belarin commands lacedon #4.
• Kal takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Kal's burning spray misses both lacedons.
• Kal's burning spray hits the kraken / 6 fire damage to kraken, and the next enemy that hits Kal with a melee attack before the end of his next turn takes 2 fire damage.
• Kal escapes the grab and shifts 1 square. (Do I have him in the right place, Darren? I know had him wrong last round.)

Refresh the page.

______________________

Next up for round 8:

29 = Shorak
21 = Streko
19 = Adamant
17 = Lacedons
17 = kraken
16 = Hras'Ka and shaman

Joe:

Also, just checking, Jeff, but are you taking into account Streko's meliorating chainmail? He's getting the +2 bonus here, right? Or have there been more encounters this day than just the two thus far?

For one, with stuff like this, yes, you've got to remind me. But this is the second encounter. So after this battle, Streko's armor will become +2 armor, should there be any encounters after this one.

[Dave W.]

Adamant tries to orient himself and ends up floundering... "Water does not appear to be my element. I should very much like to stick to earth."

As the warforged's weight begins to drag him into the abyss, he notices one of the undead swimming in his direction. "Hmmm, I wonder what this means."

--------------------


At Beginning of Round: No one Challenged

Standard Action: second wind to regain 14 hp.

Move Action: swimming... Swimming...
Swim check (1d20+4-5=5)
... Sinking... Sinking...

Minor Action: none

At End of Round: No one Challenged

[Dave B.]

Shorak does not hesitate when he sees the unconscious form of Condign. He moves to him, seeking out his wounds to try and staunch the bleeding. Condign is badly wounded and Shorak is unable to immediately stop the lifeblood escaping from his body. He begins tearing strips from his tunic to use as bandages.

First Aid (1d20+4=10)

Can Shorak continue to make First Aid attempts each round until he succeeds?

[Jeff]

Round 8 begins

29 = Shorak
21 = Streko
19 = Adamant
17 = Lacedons
17 = kraken
16 = Hras'Ka and shaman

_______________

Shorak works frantically to aid Condign, but all the saltwater is making it difficult. Still, he keeps at it.

Streko, meanwhile, steps back away from the nearest lacedon, then summons and throws a lance of white light almost point blank. The lacedon lets out a scream and then it does out; the ghoul falls back, its chest cavity opened up and hollowed out by the holy light. It moves no more.

And with the creature's death, Belarin is whisked momentarily by the powers of Thelanis and pushed back into the world twenty-five feet away. He finds himself standing, still holding his breath, at the edge of the precipice, a mere fifteen feet away from Adamant. But it seems much further, given the warforged's predicament.

And Adamant, though he is resolved to keep going, begins to sink down, losing the battle against his own weight. Both human and warforged know that Adamant has just as much wood as metal in his body, but right now it sure feels like he's all rock.

The lacedon beside Streko holds itself still for a moment, defying Streko's and Kal's expecations. It turns its head and regards the kraken for a moment, then looks back at Kal. Its mouth opens and snaps shut again.

The other one, which dealt Condign his hideous wound, suddenly turns and swims around the sahuagin shaman. The shaman stabs his trident at it as it "flees," but misses. The lacedon glides across the water, eerily graceful for so vile a creature, and shoots fearlessly over the cliff's edge of the great chasm.

Adamant sees it coming, but something in Belarin's face—hey, how'd the human get so close? (Adamant feels very disoriented after being flung)—tells him that the lacedon isn't coming to attack him.

Belarin feels a chilling satisfaction as seeing Rass'ka swim toward Adamant's aid. He feels a power like he's never felt before. The fey voices in the back of his mind have grown quiet. After a moment's pause, only one of them laughs.

• Shorak's Heal check fails. (Yes, he can try every round.)
• Streko takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Streko shifts 1 square.
• Streko's lance of faith hits lacedon #2 / 19 radiant damage to lacedon #2
• Streko spends an action point.
• Streko spends a healing surge and heals 12 hit points.
• Streko is no longer bloodied.
• Lacedon #2 is slain.
• Adamant spends a healing surge and heals 14 hit points.
• Adamant is no longer bloodied.
• Adamant's Athletics check fails / Adamant sinks 1 square
• Shaman's opp attack vs. lacedon #4's AC: 22 (miss)

The kraken, so massive, and looking like it would move ponderously if gracefully, suddenly flexes its tentacles and glides in a burst of movement between Kal and Belarin. The act of its body moving so swiftly sends a powerful "gust" of water surging around them.

For a moment, it looks like it's ignoring everyone, intent upon the bubble or the sahuagin. Then one tentacles lashes out sideways—almost like the kraken itself isn't paying attention to its target—and strikes Kal. The blow feels like a hammer strike, but the massive tentacle also curls and wraps around him, suckers adhering to armor and skin.

Another snakes out and wraps around the shaman. The force of the blow sends the sahuagin priest reeling, but the tentacle holds him in place. The shaman's head lolls, clearly fighting the stay conscious.

Two, the kraken whispers.

The shaman stares up at the kraken defiantly, blinking, trying to stay alert from its blood loss and trauma. He speaks some sort of chant—and Streko can make out the words "Devourer" and "tether"—then he releases the trident in his grasp. As the weapon falls toward the sea floor, he uses his hooklike claws and rakes it across his own throat—an act you've certainly never see before. Horrified at what sort of will it takes to do that, you look on as blood fountains from the sahuagin's throat and clouds the water.

Hras'Ka looks on, too, his expression unreadable. He turns towards Shorak, even as Shorak struggles to save his friend, and croaks something in his own language. The sahuagin's large fishy eyes focuses on the half-drow intensely, purposefully. "You softskins...fight well. With many honor." He turns and points across the battlefield, where Adamant is struggling with the small chest. Then Hras'Ka turns back toward Shorak. "When I...dead...take eye." He points to one of his own eyes. "So my...kind knows. Give Blue Fin Devourer relic."

With that, Hras'Ka swims out of the bubble and back into the sea. Looking up at the kraken and his dying companion, he turns his trident and drives the three tines of its head into his own stomach. As he pushes deep and gasps in pain, the water is muddied red.

• Kraken's attack vs. Kal's AC: 30 (hit) / 10 damage to Kal and Kal is grabbed
• Kraken's attack vs. shaman's AC: 16 damage to shaman and shaman is grabbed.
• Shaman is dying.
• Hras'Ka is dying.

Suddenly it seems like a difficult thing to be a sahuagin. But most of you know that their lives are defined by their beliefs. The kraken merely looks on as the two sahuagin have sacrificed their lives. You have heard that sahuagin are fanatical in their religion, but you also have heard stories about the inimicable and alien mind of krakens. You're not sure what it's going to do next, or if it will honor its own words.

Refresh the page.

______________________

Joe: I decided for Streko that he shifts 1 square before using lance of faith. It's a ranged attack, which provokes an opportunity attack if used adjacent to an enemy.

Dave W.: I'm enjoying Adamant's matter-of-fact commentary in the midst of his peril.

Kal needs to make an Endurance check.

[Jeff]

Sorry, I forgot to mention. On Condign's turn, though he can't do anything, he should roll death saving throw #1.

Death Saving Throw: When you are dying, you need to make a saving throw at the end of your turn each round. The result of your saving throw determines how close you are to death.
Lower than 10: You slip one step closer to death. If you get this result three times before you take a rest, you die.
10–19: No change.
20 or higher: Spend a healing surge. When you do so, you are considered to have 0 hit points, and then your healing surge restores hit points as normal. You are no longer dying, and you are conscious but still prone. If you roll 20 or higher but have no healing surges, your condition doesn’t change.

[Ken]

Belarin looks on with an almost-perverse satisfaction as Rass'ka -- Yes, I know his name! Rass'ka! he thinks in amazement -- swims toward Adamant just as he commanded it.

Suddenly, he feels buffeted by a surge of water as the kraken moves quickly -- and grabs Kal! Then he sees the sacrifice of the two remaining sahuagin. Horrible. And worse, now how will they gain passage? Belarin stares at the candle, and one thought enters his head:

I could try to animate them.

A deep chill runs through his blood. No, I won't. I can't. After another glance at Rass'ka to make sure his servant (Belarin pauses to contemplate the word) is continuing to aid Adamant, he swims toward the kraken, not waiting to see whether the sahuagin's sacrifice will sate its desire for death.

Belarin then thrusts out his arms and releases a brilliant burst of light! And it's only at that point that the warlock notices his lungs reminding him that it's been a while since he drew breath....

___________________________________
Minor: I'm assuming that I don't need to use another action to command Rass'ka, as it's still following the last command, but I'll keep this in reserve if necessary.
Move: Athletics check (1d20+3=15) = Success. Belarin swims 2 squares north and 1 square northeast. Belarin regains concealment from Shadow Walk.
Standard: Use the feyweave's daily power to emit a burst of light. Close burst 2 vs. Will: 1d20+8=18. Ah, phooey. Probably needed much higher for this guy. Well, if it did work... Kraken is dazed (save ends).

[Brian]

From Round 7:

Death Saving Roll: (1d20=12)

[Darren]

Kal struggles and for a moment he panics, almost opening his mouth to try to fill his lungs. (Endurance Check (1d20+3=5)) He struggles in vain to free himself from the kraken's grasp.... Athletics Check (grabbed) (1d20+8=18)


______________
On the off chance that Kal's roll was high enough to free himself, he will attempt to swim as far towards the bubble as possible.

Either way, Kal's standard action will be Total Defense.

Guys, if the kraken doesn't accept H'raska's sacrifice, I think it's time to go. I suggest full retreat back towards the bubble and then we move as fast as we can out of here.

[Jeff]

Round 8 continues

13 = Condign (currently out of commission)
12 = Belarin
7 = Kal

_______________

Belarin notices the deathly chill is not suppressed by his holding the candle. Keeping it firmly in hand, he fights his way through the water and approaches the monstrous kraken. With a flourish, he creates a burst of light from his feyweave clothing, but the creature hardly seems to notice it.

Kal struggles to free himself, and can't imagine himself in a more nightmarish predicament: deep underwater, running out of air, in the mighty grip of an evil creature of legend. [/color]

• Condign's death saving throw does not succeed (nor does it fail).
• Belarin takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Belarn's feyweave's power misses the kraken.
• Kal takes 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Kal's Endurance check fails / he loses a healing surge.
• Kal's attempt to escape the grab fails.
• Kal goes on total defense.

______________________

I'll update the map soon, but the only change is that Belarin moved 3 squares.

Next up:

29 = Shorak
21 = Streko
19 = Adamant
17 = Lacedons
17 = kraken

[Joe]

Streko will move to Kal and place Therendor agaisnt the Kraken's tentacle.

He will delay action until such time as the Kraken makes a move to continue holding Kal, in which case he will cut at the tentacle, or releases Kal, in which case he will pull his friend toward the air bubble.
____________________________________________________
TWO SCENARIOS:

1) Kreken renigs on deal:
Streko casts HEALING STRIKE on tentacle holding Kal: 1d20+8=18

Probably a miss, but not sure. If it's a hit:
2d6+2=13 radiant damage and the target is marked until the end of Streko's next turn. Also, Kal can spend a healing surge.

[b2) ]Kraken agrees to deal:[/b]
Streko grabs Kal and helps him return toward the bubble of air. If Kal refuses to go, for whatever reason, Streko will leave him and go to the bubble.[/color]

[Dave W.]

Adamant continues to struggle to move through the sea. "Well, this will be new. I wonder if I could climb back out when I hit bottom."

"Belarin?" Adamant calls up to the top of the precipice. "if you sent this dead fishman to help me, do you suppose you could have him carry the chest? I think there's a chance he's better at it under the current conditions."

Sotto voce, he adds, "Also, i believe I may be a bit squeamish about undead fishmen carrying me."
--------------------
 

At Beginning of Round: No one Challenged 

Standard Action: double move; I guess I make two swim checks... 
Swim checks (1d20+4-5=7, 1d20+4-5=7)
Well, that doesn't look like progress.

Move Action: double move above

Minor Action: if it can be arranged, I'd hand off the chest to the undead. That may be next round though.

At End of Round: No one Challenged

[Dave B.]

Shorak folds up his torn clothing and presses it into Condign's wounds. The improvised bandages immediately turn red with blood, but seem to do the job as they don't become over-saturated. "That's it Condign. It's not your time to die."

First Aid (1d20+4=22) I believe that is a successful roll.

[Jeff]

Round 9

29 = Shorak
21 = Streko
19 = Adamant
17 = Lacedons
17 = kraken

_______________

Condign doesn't yet become conscious, but Shorak can see he won't bleed out now. The tiefling's broadsword has sunk to lay among the coral and seaweed nearby.

Streko moves up by Kal, ready with this sickle. Kal spares him a glance, sees that Streko's there to help, but the halfling looks so small against such a colossal monster, and even his deadly-sharp sickle can probably only do so much to free him....

Adamant continues to sink, though he flails. The weight of the smaller chest is bearing him down, and now he's drifted ten feet below the lip of the cliff's edge.

The uncontrolled lacedon moves quickly up behind Streko and slashes at him with its claws. Streko turns, trying to offer his armor instead of his flesh, but the ghoulish sahuagin hooks its nails in just the right places, puncturing flesh and ensnaring the halfling in its grip.

The other lacedon, swimming toward Adamant, suddenly reaches out with its claws—Adamant doesn't know lacedon body language, but this sure looks like an attack! But the claws hook into the edge of his armor, right where metal meets wood, and it takes hold of him without digging into his fibrous flesh. Its webbed feet kick savagelly, and Adamant feels his movement arrested. He knows he's very heavy and difficult to pull, but he can also feel just how amazingly strong the ghoul is; Adamant doesn't think he'd do any better even at his strongest.

• Shorak stabilizes Condign ; Condign no longer needs to make death saving throws (until he takes damage again).
• Lacedon #3's attack vs. Streko's AC: 21 +2 (aquatic) = 23 (hit) / 11 damage to Streko and Streko is grabbed
• Streko is bloodied.
• Lacedon #4 grabs Adamant and shifts 1 square.

The kraken at first doesn't move. Its eyes stare down at the two still thrashing, dying sahuagin, as their bodies weaken. Then suddenly it reaches out with multiple tentacles and wraps them up. While they're bodies begin to slow, the massive tentacles grow taut as they stretch and pull...

Hras'Ka's fate body, no doubt lingering on the edge, is suddenly torn in half, rupturing along the lower abdomen and decorating the water with his blood and entrails. The shaman shares the same fate a half second laterm, ripped crudely apart...the kraken seems to be toying with their deaths.

But then, as the kraken continues to stare at its game, another tentacle lashes out and grabs the lacedon that was attack Streko. And with a disturbing slurping sound, Kal feels the suckers clinging to his body and armor tear free as the tentacle enwrapping him unfurls and releases him.

Kal sees Streko standing there, holding his breath, bleeding, wanting, like Kal, to gasp for air, but he, too, has been freed from immediate attack. It strikes Kal and an amazing and unimaginable sight: Oddly, he just then remembers only months ago meeting Streko for the first time at the House Deneith enclave in Fairhaven, where the plucky halfling had gone seeking help in finding his sister. They've come far together since then, and Kal is certain he's never known a braver halfling. How in Khyber had they come here!?

• Kraken grabs lacedon #3 (Streko is no longer grabbed).
• Kal is released.
• Belarin, Streko, and Kal take 1 point of necrotic damage.
• Streko's Endurance check (1d20+5=18) (fails) / Streko loses another healing surge.

With a powerful surge of water, the kraken shifts and swims away from the center of the battlefield, sending currents blasting into nearly everyone as it moves. It drifts out over the edge of the precipice again, eyes looking back at all of you.

Two were given, the kraken thunders quietly. Then a pause. Then: More will be required. I will find you again shortly.

Belarin and Adamant see the large chest sink almost out of sight now. Most of the treasure "debris" that had fallen out of it has fallen into the chasm already. There may be an item or two that fell among the seaweed near the edge, but the kraken has not gone away. It lingers just over the edge, watching. Unpredictable. The lacedon in its grip writhes, trying to free itself, but the kraken just holds it out, waiting, seeming to regard the undead sahuagin as a mere toy.

Meanwhile, the grisly remains of Hras'Ka and the shaman settle on the sea bed.

Refresh the page.

______________________

We're out of turn-based combat for now.

You've reached a milestone. Everyone gains 1 action point.

[Darren]

Kal closes his eyes, thinking the end must be near. But he opens them as the kraken withdraws, and he's glad that only Streko is near enough to see his look of surprise. We're alive, he thinks. We're alive! Despite himself, Kal's lips curl upwards.

Kalarian sees Streko struggling. How amazing his friend is. And how his smaller Halfling lungs must be burning! Kal grabs hold of Streko and swims with all his might towards the sanctuary of the Sphere of Life. He glances over his shoulder, trying to catch Belarin's eyes, a silent and unneeded request - hurry up!

[Ken]

Oct 27, 2011 8:56:33 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Two were given, the kraken thunders quietly. Then a pause. Then: More will be required. I will find you again shortly.

That doesn't sound good, thinks Belarin. He glances around. Kal's and Streko are injured, and their faces seem ready to burst from the strain of holding their breath, but they're alive. He can make out only some shapes within the air bubble. Shorak seems to be kneeling over a motionless, prostrate form... Condign?!

And without actually seeing it, he knows that Rass'ka has grabbed Adamant and is pulling him up. Belarin hopes that the chest which Adamant grabbed is worth it. Without Hras'Ka as their guide.... But first things first.

Catching Kal's glance, he begins swimming toward him and Streko, skirting the edge of the abyss. As he does so, he uses the ring to send his thoughts above. Histra? You did it. It worked! Judging by the shape we're in, I think you just helped save our lives. He glances back toward the bubble and the motionless form. At least I hope we're all still alive. But the undead... how long will my control last?

[Jeff]

You are untrained, Histra replies, her voice still eerily calm. Your control will not endure for long. But... A pause. I also do not know for sure what power this device has for sure. You must bring it to me, Belarin! There is a quality of elation in her mental tone.

[Dave W.]

With undead help, Adamant finally places his feet on ... wet ground, but ground nonetheless. He rubs where the lacedon claws dug in, "Definitely a bit squeamish."

"Belarin," the warforged cocks his head towards his friend, "i thank you for the help but do you have a way to dismiss this?" he waves at the zombie.

"How did we fare? I missed a bit with the sinking and all. And  I'm rather hoping the kraken's definition of 'shortly' is significantly longer than mine. Perhaps we should move on."