Winedark, Chapter Twenty-Five
General Summary
Wherein the Blasters escape from doom and ruination in a burning town, are assisted by a mysterious unicorn, and prepare themselves for the tribulations sure to come
Scaraval in Fire and Fury
This chapter of the Vastblasters story finds them deep in combat with some tentacled tattooed gladiators. They've come to the aid of Sardor Gliv, only to discover that the Waterspeaker is a quite capable combatant and is dedicated to saving as many of his people as he possibly can before the undulating tides of Vo'ku'a's (the DreadSquid) machinations overwhelm the settlement. To that end, after the gladiators are dispatched (not without difficulty), the Blasters agree to help save the townspeople from certain death and ferry them away from this doomed island. To do this, it becomes apparent that they need to fight a hydra, which has, apparently, emerged from The Vast and is threatening a good deal of townsfolk with a most unpleasant death. Heroes are gonna hero, so it was Hydra Fight Time. It turns out that a hydra is no joke when it comes to combat. Luckily, two things happened that aided our adventurers: one, they figured out that fire was key to stop its many heads from regenerating, and two, a damn unicorn appeared out of nowhere and assisted them in combat, both by dealing damage to the hydra and healing the Blasters' mounting wounds. Nice! Even with that help, though, it was a long, tiring fight, involving several "fruit fingers in hydra holes." Ultimately, our heroes emerged victorious, but not before depleting their already diminishing capacities for heroics. That would prove to be a bit of a problem, as there remained one more task to do on this burning island--save the fleeing townsfolk from threats emerging in the water. Something called "Skum" emerged out of The Vast, harrying the small boats carrying the fleeing people to the ships that would ferry them to safety. That can't happen, so the Blasters (along with Sardor Gliv) hopped in boats and distracted these Skum away from the townsfolk. Another brutal fight commenced, made more difficult by just how tired our Blasters had become. Luckily, the elusive unicorn showed up once again to even the odds. And, then departed back to the shoreline with Sardor Gliv on its back, as more threats emerged to the town. Our heroes finished up the last of the Skum and helped the now refugees get situated aboard VastBlaster. It was past time to leave. The last anyone saw of Sardor Gliv was him valiently fighting by the burning docks against insurmountable odds, the unicorn at his side, until they were both swallowed by the inexorable purple and black tentacle tide. May Baena hold him in her palm.Refugees
With this many people aboard, the VastBlaster is running low in the water, there was no way they could make Awa Harbor. It was decided, then, that with the winds at their back, they should head to Kalope and to Bleak Gardens. Often the sight of a refugee convey would elicit suspicion and scorn, but, to the Gardeners' credit, they received their fellow Bari with grace and concern. The Blasters walked and worked among these unfortunate folk, doing what they could to ease suffering or offer comfort. Water caught up with an old friend, the shipwright (and Cooper's Council member) Rhalyf Ianwynn. She commented on how much Water (and the world) has changed, and offered two suggestions to perhaps consider after they made it back to Awa Harbor. One, the Half-Drunk Flagon still hasn't been seen since disappearing somewhere in Matahak. And two, Kalope's own Otuna's Favor entry, The Bountiful Harvest sought out something in Bragaki and is assuredly out of their depth. She asked Water to consider that not everyone takes to the "hero" lifestyle so well as the Blasters and both of these ships--not to mention their crews--might need help. They said they'd look into it. With the refugees of Scaraval in good hands, it was time to let the Sea Sibyl know of what transpired in Holapo.What is to Come
Word of the massacre at Scaraval had preceed the Blasters to Awa Harbor and they were met on the docks by Marrowdall Twinstar. He asked them if there was anything they wanted to do before meeting the Sibyl, as that meeting will likely change everything. It will be a critical meeting and the Blasters should make themselves ready for that. With that advice, our heroes looked both inward and to each other to answer that question--are we ready?And That's Where We Left It
We'll see what answers the Blasters came up with during our next session.Various and Sundry Details
- Many mysteries remain about the unicorn that came to the Blasters' aid during the fall of Scaraval. Why did they help the Blasters? From whence did they come? Did they survive the DreadSquid's onslaught?
- Kasula Neristina decided to make herself ready by enjoying The Big Tub. She was definitely seen. Seen by whom? What could this mean?
- Water is after a magical tattoo. Not just any tattoo, though--a symbol of Sanska.
Character(s) interacted with
- Sardor Gliv, Waterspeaker of Holapo
- Bantaj, captain of Orntime
- An unknown unicorn
- Rhalyf Ianwynn, shipwright and Cooper's Council member, citizen of Bleak Gardens
- Marrowdall Twinstar, "fixer"
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