"Eskil, hurry over here with that healing magic of yours. Malia is still at the brink of death." Aubrey shouts after drawing a deep sigh of relief as Rohuzar fells the mighty hydra-creature.

"Excellent work everyone. Perhaps we could continue the investigations of the docks some other night though? We definitely have a lot of things to follow up on. Lady Shelley should be informed of this creature. Even though she might have preferred it alive I think she will be intersted in knowing all that you can find out about it Leelan." Aubrey says after a while, trying to help Malia as best he can.

Looking a bit pale himself, with savage bite marks on both his forearms, Eskil agrees to heal the young woman with the last of his druid magic.  He speaks the incantations and calls upon the power of this mighty lake and wetland to restore vigor to Malia.  Healing Word 6

The wound on her shoulder closes as quickly as those on her face, leaving only the faintest of scars. Soon her eyes open.  She sits up with a start looking around but saying nothing.  Once her eyes find the dead beast in the water, and she sees the others are relaxed and no longer fighting for their lives, she wraps herself back in Guilim's red cloak and sits back in the bow of the boat.  She remains quiet, but her eyes are watching you all.  She seems to be emotionally spent.

Eskil, a bit glassy eyed but still curious, aids Leelan in his examination of the creature.  Nature 15

Leelan: 

"It is over now Malia, the beast is dead and you are safe with us. I´m sorry I put you through this but we didn´t expect something such as this. We will return to land as soon as our scholars have studied that thing. You will come with us and regain your strength before returning to your family in Worden. We could see to it that a letter is sent on in the morning telling them you are safe." Aubrey says, trying to comfort the elven maiden. Persuasion:25

Aubrey then uses the powers of his talisman to message Leelan and Eskil investigating the body of the beast. "The beast seemed very intent on getting to Malia. My guess is that it was drawn to her because of the symbol branded into her forehead. There could be a connection between the beast, the sea hag and the sea hag cult."

Grugga raises a bare arm to wipe the sweat from his forehead, but the gulleys of storm water pouring down from the cracks in the boardwalk are doing a better job than he ever could. After catching his breath and tossing the chain back in the canoe, he says to no one in particular, "Well done everyone. I'm afraid I have no more succor to offer - Gel-Nagev only blesses me with so much magic each day. Perhaps once Leelan finishes looking the corpse over we should bring a head back to our patron... or the whole body if can manage it. But we've earned a good rest tonight!"

Guilim uses the water to wipe his weapon clean, setting it down as he moves to pull out his dagger. If one of the heads is close he will move to one and start to pry the teeth out. 

Leelan readjusts his glasses as he rejoins the group. While he was still in a lot of pain from the poison that was spat at him, he seemed quite proud and satisfied with himself.

"This night proved to be filled with more surprises than I anticipated. I came here with the impression that we were going to be part of the first imperial-sea folk contact in history, and we end up rescuing a child from a a terrible demise and fighting off an hydra. Though, this one seems to be more adapted to aquatic environment judging by its webbed claws.", he says as he points to the creature’s feet.

"Based on its size, I would be confident to say that this specimen was still rather young, which begs the question as to where its progenitors are. Still, I believe this beast could weigh a healthy 400 lbs. I doubt we’ll be moving this carcass anywhere anytime soon, especially in our deplorable state. But neither will anyone else probably. We should report our finding to Lady Shelley sooner rather than later."

Rohuzar climbs up and out of the water onto the boat and takes a few deep breaths. 

“On return, don’t let Shaemus alone vith body. He can have it after Lady Shelley is finished. I vill be going to friend in legion to report girl. I need volunteers for these tasks.” 

"I can bring Malia back to the house, I won´t do much good down here anyway I´m afraid. Perhaps we just shouldn´t mention the beast to anyone but Lady Shelley for now." Aubrey suggests, still looking after the elven maiden.

Guilim snares one of the severed heads and fishes it over to himself.  He is able to pry out 28 small, sharp teeth.  Altogether they fit in the cupped palms of his hand.

(So.  We have several wounded.  Both boats are fully operational.  Some seem intent on hauling back some or all of the carcass.  Some seem to believe that is impossible.  It is some time after midnight on May 12.  The storm is still raging above.  You're 20+ minutes of poling away from the shore.  But there is no imminent danger.  DM is just waiting for direction on what you plan to do next...)

Guilim will stop the teeth for now and then move to help get the body of the creature back to shore. After that he is going to use his Lay on Hands, dividing the five points amongst the injured members of the party. 

Guilim expends his paladin powers, laying hands on Eskil (2), Aubrey (2), and Leelan (1), healing some of the worst of their injuries (5hp total regained).

(There was some debate within the posts, but it seems the majority were in favor of trying to preserve the carcass)

10

The corpse of the beast is neutrally buoyant so dragging it back to shore is not quite so difficult.  Six heads remain attached to the body, 2 heads were severed and recovered, and one head is missing.  The body and necks are bound with a heavy chain and towed back with the boats.  It is a slow journey.

As you just get underway, the storm stalls out and the dripping slows and then nearly stops.  Soon, the cathedral bells toll midnight.  It would seem to be at least another hour before you get the carcass back to the beach where you had departed - what seems a lifetime ago.

As you approach the beach, two silhouettes appear.  

...

But as you draw closer, you see Shaemus has built a human shaped pile of sand.  He is wearing Aubrey's red coat, and appears to be holding court.  Both he and the sand person have a bottle of unidentified liquor.  "... and furtherm - hic furthermore, Lord Fontleuroy, there is to be none more of these petty squablin' with Lady Pennybottom.  I'll not be havin' such nonsense destabil... destaaab... bringing ruckus in me kingdom.  Do ye reckon me?  Aye... what's that?  They're back?... And theys multiplied ya say?"

He turns and squints into the darkness, then waves as he sees you approach.

"Thank you Guilim, I didn´t know you we're a healer too, excellent." Aubrey says appreciatively to the halfling as he lays his healing hands on Aubrey's wound.

Aubrey can´t help but chuckle at the scene on the beach, taking his mind briefly away from the dreadful events under the docks. "Thank you for taking good care of my coat." Aubrey says to the intoxicated sailor as he cleans the coat up before offering it to Malia to further help against the cold. "What now Rohuzar? Can I take Malia back to the house?" He asks the orc leader.

History (law) to recall if there are any imperial regulations about handling a body of a killed monster within the city limits:15

Aubrey: 

Grugga turns to Aubrey, "I think we'll manage for now if you want to get Malia somewhere dry. I don't think Lady Shelley will appreciate a midnight visit, either. Should we take a head and visit our patron in the morning? As long as we get this corpse out of the water it's not going anywhere any time soon... Maybe we should let the guards know too..."

“Legion may vish to talk to her. Expect visit.” Rohuzar nods to Aubrey and starts to head off to find a legion post. 

"Yes, well, good evening then gentlemen, hope to see you back at the house soon." Aubrey says and helps Malia back to the town house, hopefully without cultists lurking in the dark.

"I can heal a bit but usually it is best to do it to myself as it is not much more then to close a small wound or two." Guilim says as he continues to look at the others, then slowly looking at the drunk man with a raised brow.

Leelan thanks Guilim for the healing and takes a final look at the hydra’s body.

 ‘’I agree with Grugga. We should rest before meeting with Lady Shelley, if only to look more…presentable.’’, he says, hinting at his wounds and discheveled look.

So Aubrey departs, leading Malia back to the Goldentide townhouse where presumably she can clean up and have some semblance of rest.

10

25

And Rohuzar departs to contact the legion about the nights events.  Rohuzar, describe for me how you plan to approach the legion (who? where?) and what you plan to tell them about what happened.  Feel free to share in a post, or via PM if you'd like the keep the others in suspense....

That leaves Guilim, Leelan, Grugga, and Eskil at the beach under the docks with Shaemus and the carcass.  Floating it to the beach was relatively easy.  But moving it from here will require some heavy lifting.  Is there a plan?  Are you waiting here for further instructions?  Are you leaving it for later?  Are you going to try and move it, and if so, where to?