Chapter 17: Deep Reflections

[Elvis]

As the halfdrow disappears over the edge after the professor and the minotaur, the dwarfwoman gets snatched up by one of the water weirds, and up top, the redman gets dragged off into the waterfall.


Thul rushes to the dwarfwoman and hurls the axe. It spins end over end…


Even before it completely passes by the water weird's mass, Thul fetches it.


The instant he feels the haft materialize in his hand, he pivots and releases the axe a second time. He can feel his strained and tired shoulder muscles tear from the torque.


The axe cuts through the weird, trailing ribbons of water, as it cartwheels out into the roiling torrent.


Thul looks forward to testing Syndra in battle.


---


Axe Throw #1 (improvised weapon): d20+9=13; d8+6=11


Bonus Action: Fetch Axe


Axe Throw #2 (improvised weapon): d20+9=28; d8+6=8

[Dave W.]

Dec 3, 2019 8:34:42 GMT -4 Jeff said:

• Water weird grappling Melethos moves 5 feet into the column of water and continues to move—this can provoke an opportunity attack to Adamant if he wants it. Does Adamant wish to use his reaction?

"Double Damn," Adamant says as Melethos is pulled away. He takes a parting shot regretting that his friend might fall...

---

yes, he'll take the opp attack... Melethos is in trouble either way...

dlw32:1D20+8 → 15(7 + 8)
dlw32:1D8+4 → 12(8 + 4) damage

Good damage, not a great roll...

[Darren]

Kal watches Kurra get swept up and makes a quick decision. "Captain, I'm about to do something stupid," he says to Thul with a grin. "Make sure I don't die?"

Kalarian pushes up the sleeve of his long coat, revealing the dragonmark that spirals across his forearm. The blue tattoo begins to glow as Kal concentrates, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on the water weird that holds Kurra in its grasp. "You will face me," he says to the thing, willing it to fight only with him.

___________________
Kal will use Compel Duel on the water weird holding Kurra. It needs to make a DC15 Wisdom save or be compelled to fight only Kal. Kal will not move, thus keeping Thul between him and the weird.

[Jeff]

Adamant reaches his long arm out and sweeps the Rekkenmark blade clear through the thinning water-serpent. Instantly the weird dissolves, becoming part of the larger column of water...and instantly, Melethos is pulled violently along its current now that the water weird no longer holds him. He falls through it if through a waterfall, fast, uncontrolled, his body wheeling a long gravity seemingly dictated by the water's own shape... Adamant sees the tiefling hurtling through the water to the east then quickly loses sight of him.

Meanwhile, Thul sprints across the deck and hurls his battle axe. It spins end over end and cuts through the water weird—freeing Kurra immediately. She drops awkwardly onto one of the Dragonfly's "wing" fins. She catches hold of it with one hand.

By the time Thul summons his weapon back to his hand, and Kal has bared his arm ready to invoke his dragonmark, your immediate foes are gone.

However, everyone on deck hears the muffled grunting of Melethos as he "falls" around the ship right through the curving column of water. What they don't hear—but he feels all too well—is when his body rolls against the hull and rudder beneath the ship before whirling around back up above the water line. Like a valiant warrior, he manages to hold onto his sword and shield the whole time, but sees no way to stop himself falling....

And just when it seems the column of water will coil about the ship again, and he smacks into the hull of the starboard hull below the sterncastle, and everything in spinning in all directions and he has no proper sense of up and down, he sees the partial shape of a slender woman reaching towards him from the wood of the ship...

Refresh!

His body aches from the punishment and his vertigo continues to assail him, but Melethos soon realizes he's come to a stop at last and he can breathe again. He is sprawled on some level floorboards and partially entanged in the arms of a dryad.

"You are alive," Calirataia says to him with a smile through her own wet hair. She plants a kiss on his forehead then rises and gives him some space to collect his dignity.

He realizes he's been pulled through the hull of the ship, dryad-style, and now lies on the floor of the hold just outside the curtain that marks Kurra's quarters.

Up on deck, it's not at all clear what's become of Melethos just yet, though they no longer hear him.

Kurra sits up from her awkward position and aims her rod at the column of water. It ripples and warps, pushing away from the Dragonfly. With its water weirds dispatched, it seems unable to articulate any further (if indeed it is even a living thing itself).

"Get everyone accounted for!" Brack calls out, gripping the wheel and setting the paddle at full speed again.

---

Based on your description, Elvis, I had Thul move his full speed toward Kurra and the weird. You may have forgotten (as I had until I checked it just now), but his battle axe has the thrown property (most battle axes do not), and so he just needed to move into range (10/20) to avoid disadvantage or even treating it like an improvised weapon.

• Adamant's opportunity attack hits and kills Melethos's water weird.
• Thul's first attack hits and kills Kurra's water weird.
• Melethos falls through the waterfall, taking 27 bludgeoning damage before he comes to a stop.

Out of combat mode now.

[Elvis]

Right. That's the spot (30' move) I had planned for Thul to end up.
Thanks!

[Joe]

"IS EVERYONE ALL RIGHT?" Streko screams. "Where's Melethos? Has anyone seen Melethos?" Streko glances around at the sudden lack of battle sounds, just the raging water slide behind them, drifting further and further away. "Please tell me we haven't lost another of our company!" He races toward the stern of the ship, hoping to find his friend holding on to the rudder, or something.

[Dave B.]

With one arm hooked around the rope ladder, Shorak guides Starg's large hand towards the lower rungs of the ladder, lifting him up as much as is possible with his smaller frame. He doesn't let go until Starg has a firm hold of the rope ladder. Hopefully, with Sem's help, Shorak can get the large Minotaur out of the water and back up to the deck.

[Ken]

Belarin hears the calls for Melethos and frantically searches the water on the starboard side for any sign of his friend. "I don't see him here...!"

[Darren]

Kal keeps his grip on Skyfang, calling out, "Get Starg back onto the ship. I will try to find Melethos." He closes his eyes, the sounds of the water and the turning of the wheel and the exertions of his friends fading away into a kind of silence that is filled only with the thoughts of his friend....

_______________
Since I know, but Kal doesn't, that Melethos is okay, I'm going to not use my player knowledge and go with what Kal would do in this moment which is to cast Detect Thoughts and try to locate Melethos with that. Kal will move as quickly as possible from the back of the ship where they last saw Melethos towards the front (in the direction of the flow of water) to try to locate him.

[Brian]

Melethos grunts, his eyes screwed shut. His body hurts; even his horns seem to ache. He can't remember ever feeling so poorly.

He pries open his eyes and sees Calirataia, the dryad, bent over him. She says, "You are alive," and kisses him on the forehead. He touches the spot where her lips touched him.

"Thank you, my lady," he answers softly. "You saved me. Seems I owe just about everyone for keeping this ragged body alive." He climbs to his feet, his head still spinning slightly. He puts a hand against the hull to steady himself. "I need to get back on the main deck. They all probably think I'm dead."

He smiles at the dryad and ascends the stairs to find Streko yelling his name.

"I'm right here," he calls out, waving a hand. "Bruised and battered but alive, thanks to Calirataia." The water weirds are gone, and the ship appears free of the water column. "Are we all accounted for? Is the ship free?"

[Elvis]

Thul steps over to the gunwale and looks down at the dwarfwoman. Hiding his relief that she held onto the ship.

"You should really get back on the ship. I don't know much about ships, but I dont think that wing can handle all that weight."

[Dave W.]

"He went overboard... I'll need a rope." Adamant sheaths the sword and sets the shield aside. "I'll go in and get him."

As he's tying a rope around himself, Melethos comes up the stairs. "Oh, thank the Host."

"Who else is missing?"

[Jeff]

Kal's spell reveals the presence of thinking creatures within thirty feet of where he stands—and since he can see a handful nearby, he suspects that two of them below him might just include Melethos. His suspicion is confirmed when Melethos climbs up one of the hatches and Calirataia just sort of glides into view. The tiefling is dripping wet.

Then again everyone's still dripping from the last minute's activities.

Dec 4, 2019 8:04:43 GMT -4 Elvis said:

"You should really get back on the ship. I don't know much about ships, but I dont think that wing can handle all that weight."

As Kurra climbs back onto the deck, she gives Thul a look. "Please. She can bear the rock-solid weight of a true Lhazaarite, not just a doily like you." But the dwarf wobbles a bit. She looks spent. She holds up her glowing rod, keeping it pointed in the direction of the column of water, which now uncoils and resumes its flow as a proper waterfall....if waterfalls fell from west to east.

"Nice trick with the axe," she says. "That's not a property of the weapon itself, is it? That's your work."

With Shorak's helping, Sem just climbs away; he's much too small to be of much help. But Starg is able to grasp the rope ladder and haul himself up. The old minotaur sure looks tired. "Is everyone well?" he asks as he and Shorak return to the deck.

[Elvis]

"Aye." Thul nods, as he watches the dwarfwoman deal with the waterfall. "I've picked up a few tricks along the way. I can fetch my weapons whenever I need them. No matter where they are."

"Which reminds me. I will need to ask a favor. Later, of course."

With the threat from the weirds put down, Thul moves to the bow and keeps watch on what is ahead.

[Dave W.]

Dec 4, 2019 13:07:12 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The old minotaur sure looks tired. "Is everyone well?" he asks as he and Shorak return to the deck.

"We are all nearly spent I think," Adamant calls back to the minotaur, "but we are all together and moving again and that is a hopeful thing."

Looking at the Captain, "What's next? Do you know how far to exit this shortcut? And what do you need us to do?"

[Ken]

Relieved that Melethos and Starg are safely onboard, Belarin allows himself a weak smile... which fades as he stares at the two braziers on deck. He walks over to them and crouches down next to the one that "swallowed" Histra. He whispers a few things out of anyone else's earshot.

[Darren]

Seeing Melethos return to the deck, Kal squints for a moment, considering keeping his spell active and reading his friends thoughts, but with a slight shake of his head he lets the energies go and ends his concentration on the spell. Relief floods through him at seeing all of his companions gathered again on the deck. Walking towards Adamant, he holds out the haft of the flaming axe given to him by the azer on the bridge. "Here," he says as he passes. "Melethos has one, too. Some sort of fire axe, but hopefully less possessed than your previous flaming weapon."

Kal moves to stand next to Brack. "Anything else we need to worry about before we get out of this damn cave?" he asks.

[Jeff]

Dec 4, 2019 13:32:01 GMT -4 Elvis said:

"Which reminds me. I will need to ask a favor. Later, of course."

Kurra only nods, seeming to be in mood to talk shop.

Dec 4, 2019 14:19:41 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Dec 4, 2019 15:21:56 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal moves to stand next to Brack. "Anything else we need to worry about before we get out of this damn cave?" he asks.

Looking at Adamant then Kal, Brack shakes his head as the first real smile is returning to his face. "For all the...uhh, planar horseshit of this place, the cave shape never really seems to change. We're almost out of here. There's a bit of a bend ahead, and things could look...weird...it's the twisting of the land, the Traveler's Curse, or something. We're nearly out. Just keep an eyes out for last-minute threats, and pray to your gods that the damned Cogship gets harassed in our wake."

True enough, Thul is the first to see that the cavern seems to wind "westward," though he can't see far. There are more glowing clusters of blue-green crystals—the ones that he recalls made his body try to freeze up—but beyond that it's hard to make the dimensions of the cave. No more fire-streams to reveal all in the vicinity.

Looking as wet and tired as everyone else, Sem walks over to Belarin. "We'll get her back, I'm sure of it. Ir'Serrels are hard to kill."

[Darren]

Kal sighs. "Alright, everyone. Not quite done, yet. Stay alert. Thul and Melethos, man the rear of the ship. Adamant and Belarin up front. Shorak, keep a watch on all sides...your keen eyes will probably be the first to detect anything. Starg and Streko, watch the port side. Sem and I will keep an eye on starboard. Steady as she goes, Captain, and let me know if there's anything we need to be aware of."

[Dave W.]

Dec 4, 2019 15:21:56 GMT -4 Darren said:

Walking towards Adamant, he holds out the haft of the flaming axe given to him by the azer on the bridge. "Here," he says as he passes. "Melethos has one, too. Some sort of fire axe, but hopefully less possessed than your previous flaming weapon."

Adamant takes the haft. "Thank you Kal, I will return the Rekkenmark blade to you as soon as we are back in the real world."

The warforged tucks the axe in his belt and sets his shield near the steps to below decks. When Kal gives his orders, Adamant moves up to Belarin and just places a hand on his back. "Come." he says gently and gives his friend space.

He moves up to the front and keeps a sharp eye.

[Brian]

Melethos nods at Kal's order and proceeds to the stern of the ship. The cogship is back there. He can almost feel it. With sword in hand, he watches for the vessel.

[Joe]

Streko moves gently over to Starg and pats his arm. "I'm glad you are still with us. Somehow, we've survived yet another attempt on our lives, with no doubt many more to come. I wish I was able to do more to help, but I fear we are all drained of our energies. Let us hope no more threats assail us for some time."

He joins the Minotaur is keeping an eye out on the port side of the ship.

[Dave B.]

Shorak, still in need of sleep, nods to Starg. "Try not to go overboard again, please." Hearing Kal's orders, Shorak stifles a groan and scoots up to the crow's nest. Much easier to look in all directions from up there. He looks back to see if there is any sign of the cogship, then looks forward to see what he can make out there. He stays alert and watchful, keeping an eye out in all directions and hoping he can take a long nap soon.

[Ken]

Dec 4, 2019 16:25:31 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Looking as wet and tired as everyone else, Sem walks over to Belarin. "We'll get her back, I'm sure of it. Ir'Serrels are hard to kill."

"Funny, that," says Belarin as he stands back up. "They all seem to LIKE being dead so much."

He nods at Kal and takes a position in the front near Adamant. "How are you holding up?" he asks the warforged. "Aside from when you're set on fire, I can't always tell how badly you've been injured." He indicates the frosty sheen around his own form. "I think this is the only thing that's keeping me standing right now."

[Jeff]

The flaming hand axes that were given to Melethos and Kal were both doused by the water that sprayed the ship. So they are easily stowed now.

Though you can only see so far into the dark cave, you do get the sense of turning. Brack seems to steer the ship more on instinct, relying on the paddle and wheel since there is no wind and the sail remains down. All is quiet. Too quiet, you almost think, after the chaos of the last couple of days.

And it has only been a short amount of time.

You keep expecting to see maybe some sort of glimmer of daylight, something to indicate that the cave opens back out into the larger world. Eberron itself, fully. But you see no such daylight. Yet you hear a quiet rush of water ahead. Like another waterfall approaches, perhaps like the one you went past in entering the cave. Captain Brack stomps his foot and smiles. "This is it. Everyone just hold on and keep a look out."

From the crow's nest, Shorak is the first to see some greenish lights moving about beneath the dark water ahead. They sway and ripple hypnotically like some sort of celestial event. Soon you can all spy them.

"That is the manifest border," Calirataia says from her perch on the bowsprit, turning to Adamant, Belarin, and Thul, who is still nearby. "It is gradual."

At the stern: Melethis isn't quite sure, but he thinks he sees a bank of fog moving in the Dragonfly's wake. Could very well be the Cogship, but it's not advancing.

A few large stalactites glide uncomfortably past Shorak, making the halfdrow fearful of any of them striking the crow's nest itself.

The green-lit patterns begin to weave about the ship, and there is a gentle rocking motion.

I've added the azer-axes to Melethos's and Adamant's inventories.

Don't forget, Ken, you also have that backpack.

Cahpter 17 is wrapping up today. Make any last posts you wish today. Chapter 18 will commence tomorrow!

[Brian]

The water, with is eerie greenish tint, raises the hairs on Melethos's arms. Maybe it was fear causing this, or perhaps the energies of the manifest zone. Either way, he'll be happy to finally be out of the cave.

"Fog bank behind us," he says to Captain Brack, who stands feet away from him at the helm. "Could be the cogship. It doesn't seem to be gaining on us."

[Dave W.]

Dec 4, 2019 22:25:05 GMT -4 Ken said:

He nods at Kal and takes a position in the front near Adamant. "How are you holding up?" he asks the warforged. "Aside from when you're set on fire, I can't always tell how badly you've been injured." He indicates the frosty sheen around his own form. "I think this is the only thing that's keeping me standing right now."

"I am fine… physically.. Well," Adamant looks over his chest plates, "a little banged up but not too bad."

"I am… empty I suppose. That reservoir of energy Dol Arrah graciously grants me is completely depleted. I could swing a sword for hours as any person could, but I have nothing left of healing or smiting. For good or ill I have used all I have for now."

"It is… uncomfortable. It's not that my Lady is not present… I will never believe she would leave me provided I remain True… I just don't feel… balanced? And a bit of concern that if need arises I can not be helpful… It is difficult to put into words."

"You know I worry about all of you… constantly. Another thing I can not show." He taps his faceplate. "But I do. Even more when we are separated. I don't suppose I like feeling unable to help."

"And the cave," he stares out to the hypnotic green light patterns, "it showed me disturbing things. Things that may not be true but still pull at me. There's nothing to be done right now I suppose… again, helpless."

He shakes his heavy metal head, "I am sorry, Belarin. I'm tired. That's all."

"The cave?" he forces brightness into his voice, "Did you see anything? The Sulatar girl was I think profoundly changed."

[Darren]

Kal makes a circuit of the deck, stopping briefly by each of his companions to place a hand on their shoulder or offer a comforting word, praising their work back at the keep. He stops next to Brack. "Captain, I know you said this passage is unpredictable. Do you know exactly where we will come out, or is there a chance that we will be off course?"

[Jeff]

Brack only seems to half listening to Kal, so focused on steering the ship and guiding it slowly through the cave river as he is. "I've said before, spitting folks out the other end is the only reliable thing to this cave. Where exactly isn't known, no. But never further than the sea, and always on the other side of this region, near or within the Hydra river system. Let's just wait and see."

[Joe]

Streko glances up at Starg briefly and smiles. "Having you at my side is oddly soothing, Master Minotaur. Either that, or my body is so drained of energy that I am already half-dreaming. This lightshow isn't helping."

Streko attempts to focus, looking for anything (else) out of the ordinary to report.