Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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The last lizardman warrior did not make it far.
Trapped within the confines of the shaman's spell, the spikes and thorns tore at its legs with every step. It stumbled, fell, and dragged itself forward a few more feet before collapsing.
The storm showed no mercy. The survivors salvaged what they could from the wreck of the Twin Empires. Weapons. Packs. Food. Anything not already claimed by the sea.
There was nothing else to do now except to wait the storm out. A small boat was dragged ashore and overturned to serve as a crude shelter. Beneath it, the heroes and the lone surviving sailor huddled against the cold rain and wind.
Sleep (for those who sleep) came in brief stretches between crashing waves, flashes of lightning, and distant thunder.
When morning finally arrived, the storm was gone.
The sea glittered calmly beneath a cloudless sky. Sunlight spilled across the shoal, the wreck, and the ruined tower overlooking it all.
A Long Rest occurred. It is now daylight and there is no hazardous weather. Being from the area, Manny recognizes enough landmarks now to get from the shoal to the village of Latharl's Lantern.
Manny at first light, gets up and stretches his cold and and weary bones. Before anything else he does a quick walk around to see any familiar land marks in early light. Satisfied he thinks he knows we're he is, Manny goes back to check on his drying gear, checks on the community gear, then does a brief visual spot check on the other's gear without touching others personal gear.
Manny using what rations he can find makes a quick solider breakfast, and talks to the sailor in charge about how to get off the shoal, and determine what has to be left behind for a return trip as well discussing time table to cross and the variables concerning boat/cargo weight & currents and even wind.
Nature 20
Survival 4
To row when we leave: Athletics (w/advantage) 18 & 14
After a very damp night under the boat, Daisy is enjoying the warmth of the sun. She tries to tidy herself up as much as possible and ties her hair in a ponytail.
She looks at the warforged and says, "Thanks for your help last night. Wasn't quite sure at first who's side you were on when you emerged from the ground. I'm glad you were on ours. How long have you been trapped in there?"
Yuki uses Prestidigitation to clean herself and others.
Through all the multiverse, I am The Singulairity.
Manny thanks Yuki for the cleaning.
Yuki says, "You're welcome." Then she checks out the surroundings.
Perception: 17
Investigation: 6
Through all the multiverse, I am The Singulairity.
Harknail responds, "I knoweth not how long it ere be. But it twath some distance from the sea when I doth enter the dungeon."
Manny seeing Yuki have that look, points out a few points of interest to include the direction to the dock they should be at by now.
Manny looks towards Daisy & Harknall and interjects, "The sea & shoreline have had minor changes the last couple of centuries if I recall my tales as a kid, I assume you need to back up several centuries. I am sure you can ask some local dwarves about the coastline."
Harknail replies, "It seemeth that I doth be underground for a very very long time. Even thy words are unfamiliar to me, though I canst make out the gist of thy sayeth."
Manny says, "good"
Daisy also thanks Yuki for the cleaning.
Daisy nods to Manny and says to Harknail "We were heading to local fishing village, Latharl's Lantern. Would you like to travel with us?"
Harknail replies, "I doth be most pleased to join ye. I doth be alone for far too long. It doth be good to be amunst people again!"
Manny nods approving.
It quickly became apparent that something was unusual about Harknail. His armor was ancient. His speech older still. Words and phrases that sounded familiar, yet somehow wrong. Before long, the warforged reached the only conclusion that made sense.
He had been trapped beneath the ruins for decades. Probably many decades.
Yuki's magic did much to refresh the castaways. The heroes were now dry and clean and no longer looked like they had been caught outside all night in a storm.
Manny took charge of getting the group to shore. With the sailor's help, he loaded crates and supplies and prepared the boat for a short sea journey.
By midday, the boat entered the harbor of Latharl's Lantern.
The docks were crowded. People stopped what they were doing to stare.
Not hostile. Surprised.
A few fishermen pointed toward the sea. Others whispered about the storm. More than one glance drifted toward the distant lighthouse.
The heroes stepped onto the docks beneath dozens of curious eyes.
"... We thought everyone out there was dead."
"... Blimey, another ship lost."
"... Is that armor moving by itself!?"
"... Don't stare. It might hear you."
You guys travel in the lifeboat from the site of the shipwreck to the docks of the village. No rolls were needed / used.
From here, several landmarks stand out:
The Wailing Wave
A weather-beaten tavern overlooking the harbor. Sailors, smugglers, and fishermen crowded its porch despite the early hour.
Blackstone Keep
A squat coastal fortress overlooking the village. Lord's Alliance banners hung from its walls. The keep served as both garrison and prison.
The Harbormaster's Office
A sturdy stone building near the docks where fishermen unloaded their catches and ships paid their fees. Villagers seemed to be gathering there to argue about the lighthouse.
The Old Market Square
The center of village life. Merchants and traders have already set up their stalls. [If it is in the PHB and costs 50gp or less, it can be found here]
Manny's Uncle's House
Manny has family that reside in Latharl's Lantern. Their house is not far from here.
"I'm going to the tavern, after a night like that, I need a drink." Yuki walks to The Wailing Wave.
Through all the multiverse, I am The Singulairity.
"... Blimey, another ship lost."
Manny upon hearing that quickly loos around for any familiar face, if he does not see any, he goes to someone that looks like a person that is from a fisherman family, "My family has a couple of fishing boats the "Icerime" and "Liquid Mercury", and I assumed they were fishing last night. Do you know if they went out last night?"
"... Is that armor moving by itself!?"
"... Don't stare. It might hear you."
Harknail bows at the people, "Goodest folk, I doth be Harknail. Ye mayest looketh at me as much as ye liketh. I willst not harm thee."
Daisy also starts making her way to the tavern, but hearing the worry in Manny's voice and interested to see how the townsfolk welcome Harknail, she stops and hangs back for a moment. She calls after Yuki and says, "I'll see you there."
Yuki
Yuki made her way to the Wailing Wave.
The smell hit first. Ale, pipe smoke, and the smell of wet fur.
The tavern was crowded despite the early hour. Hard-looking sailors occupied most of the tables. More than a few wore weapons openly. The patrons stopped talking long enough to size up the newcomer before returning to their drinks.
Behind the bar stood the proprietor, a broad-shouldered woman in her fifties with gray streaks in her dark hair.
Near the hearth sat a weathered old man with a beard and a pipe. One of his eyes was clouded white.
A pair of scarred orcs and a tiefling woman argued over cards near the window.
A trio of gnolls occupied a table in the corner. Curved blades hung from belts and chair backs. Their yellow eyes tracked movement around the tavern while they spoke quietly among themselves.
Daisy, Harknail, & Manny
Back at the docks, Manny's questions were met with concern. The fishermen recognized the boat names immediately.
Several of the locals helped check to see what boats were moored and which ones were missing.
The news wasn't good.
Neither of his uncle's fishing boats had returned.
One old fisherman removed his cap.
"They went out yesterday morning. Before the storm."
...
Nearby, a small crowd had gathered around Harknail.
The warforged's formal bow and archaic speech only seemed to deepen the mystery. Villagers whispered among themselves while children peeked from behind their parents.
Eventually, one little girl worked up the courage to approach.
She tugged lightly on Harknail's cloak.
"Master Harknail," She asked, looking up at the towering construct. "Are you a knight?"