Session 13: Close Encounters of the Fish Kind

General Summary

I Have a Plan: Attack

• Several kuo-toa corpses lay slain at the feet of the party, as they settled in to patch some wounds and recoup some abilities. On the floor below, horrific roaring sounds could be heard, and loud, prolonged splashing. After week-long brief planning, the conclusion was reached to bum rush the manticore.
• Dooturr's sidekick led the way, followed closely by Ashpin and Frederick. Descending the staircase led to a long, submerged tunnel, with a faint light visible about 40-50 feet in. The Crew made to round the corner before jagged spikes zipped into the water, targeting Dooturr's sidekick and Ashpin. A mass of kuo-toa, as well as a crocodile, swarmed the tunnel entrance, blocking it.
• Ape'nchyk had stayed behind, his aversion to water surpassing his desire to help his friends. From the staircase that the Crew didn't descend into emerged a second crocodile, and the release date of Kong vs. Godzilla ended up being 3/4/21.
• The swarm of kuo-toa almost proved to be too much. Ashpin bore the brunt of the burden, planting himself firmly in the front lines before being pincered and dragged into the middle of several kuo-toa and the crocodile. The manticore kept its far distance, peppering the party with the full arsenal of its tail spikes.
• Dooturr heard a sound from the floor above, and immediately swam back through the tunnel to ensure than N'nchyk was okay. Staring at him from the top of the stairs was a large crocodile, who he promptly bonked with his scimitar, before realizing the creature before him was the friend he sought.
• Eventually, Maleakos clawed his way to the front line to help his friend, but his horned head immediately found itself making the acquaintance of the crocodile's jaw. Frederick, who had grimly accepted this plan, saw a fellow Clifftopper in peril and slashed his way through after the briefest second of hesitation. He managed to entangle the kuo-toa that had been harassing Ashpin, while Verin and Maleakos made sure Ashpin was able to remain conscious as often as he could.
• Meanwhile, the crocodile managed to land a critical blow against Ape'chyk, who had had enough of the shenanigans and turned into Croc'chyk, growing to a frighteningly proportionate size. Just as he was disposing of his attacker, the manticore began to claw its way through the ceiling of the basement, as all of its worshipers were being slain below.
• Emerging from a pool along the side of the room was a kuo-toa that radiated energy from its staff, but was reluctant to join the fight until its deity had commanded it to do so. It relinquished any will to live once it saw the state the manticore was in: fleeing, and firmly lodged in the grasp of a crocodile.
• Alas, the grip of Croc'chyk was not firm enough, as the manticore managed to break free of him and flee from the chapel, bursting through its front doors. From the pool in the right side of the room, Dooturr retrieved a sizable amount of gold, presumably from the coffers of this Sovereign Host that had stood before the cataclysm. Also amongst the treasure were spell scrolls, a Periapt of Health, a healing potion, and the scroll to enchant Ashpin's weapon with.

Reuniting with Old Friends

• After requesting a portion of the gold retrieved, Frederick piloted the skycoach back to The Loft of the Clifftop Adventurer's Guild. The depleted Crew rested for the night, and went their separate ways to train for the week.
• Viribus went with Dooturr and N'nchyk to speak with Starr, one of the heads of the SCS. Viribus said he wished to "fill the power void the Boromar Clan would leave behind." Starr's temperament immediately changed, saying that not only would it not be easy to remove the Boromar  in the first place, but that one person could not fill such a void. Though Starr did not dismiss hiring Viribus as an associate in such an endeavor.
• Viribus did not seem to take to such an offer, and he and Starr exchanged an icy goodbye, after which he warned Dooturr about his so-called "friend". "He may think himself strong...but our bones are stronger."
• Ashpin and Verin went to see Ellarian of Ellarian's Enchanting Emporium to inquire about the commissions they had requested. She began work on Ashpin's glaive, stating the scroll he obtained significantly reduced the time and cost for such a commission down to 5 days and 125 gold.
• As for Verin's request, she restated that the item he was looking to have crafted was a rare one, and even with the material claimed from the incredibly dangerous Vadalish Absorber halving the price, he would still be looking at least 2,000 galifars, with 2,500 galifars being a more likely price.
• Eventually, the morning of the meet & greet came - 21 Sar. The party decided it was high time to revisit with an old friend, and the Crew met up once again to go and see him. Alice answered the door this time, and was happy - even a bit relieved - to see them. Entering into the sitting room, relaxing in his favorite chair and filling the room with the familiar sweet pipe aroma was Philip, who unsuccessfully attempted to hide a smile in favor of a feigned stern look.
• Channeling the most flattering compliment of his home nation, Maleakos broke the silence, and handed the ol' cunt bag of the finest larkleaf. Philip then broke into a wide smile, and implored the Crew to take a seat. They exchanged pleasantries, and it was a happy reunion.
• He still wished to speak with N'nchyk, however. He said he had been thinking a lot in the previous week about their encounter, and wished to know why N'nchyk and Maleakos chose to deceive, instead of simply saying the information was confidential. Apologies and understanding followed, with Philip nodding and saying that if we wished to make peace with our enemies, we must first make peace with our friends.
• After solemnly saying he did not wish to lose any more friends, it was let slip that Nayries had been killed. Philip was disconcerted at this, especially as the party began to elaborate on the situation, as his eyes constantly flicked between the party and Alice. However, the tension was eventually resolved, but there was still a tinge of worry.
• Finally, after having a private conversation with Maleakos and Ashpin, Philip returned to once again N'nchyk a question: he had spent his time over the past week researching the Harbingers of Aegis, and managed to locate a temple of old tortle monks living verifiably peacefully in the city for decades. He wished to speak to the monk under the effects of Zone of Truth, so that they may learn the truth about the organization. N'nchyk was reluctant, but agreed not to show any violence towards the Harbinger, which was a major step of progress in Philip's eyes.

Rewards Granted

• Periapt of Health
• Scroll for enchanting a +1 glaive
• Spell scrolls of Bless and Ceremony

Missions/Quests Completed

• Cleansed the church in Cliffside of the kuo-toa

Character(s) interacted with

• Frederick Glorybuff
• Starr of the SCS
• Alice d'Tharashk
• Philip Arthur d'Tharashk 

Date begun:
16 Zarantyr, 998 YK
Date ended:
21 Zarantyr, 998 YK
Party level:
4.167

Report Date

04 Mar 2021

Primary Location

Sharn