(thank god that roll was a 1 or trimyrai would be down)

Trimyrai is down to 1 hp.

 (Gonna just post my turn now for after Reverie's)

Froskan once again calls up a pair of acid balls to launch at the two remaining demons.

(Twinned level 1 chromatic orb.  If reverie takes one down, then no need to twin and just cast as a normal spell at the remaining target)

R1: Attack: 15 Damage: 11

R2: Attack: 12 Damage: 13

Quote from VanderLegion >>

 (Gonna just post my turn now for after Reverie's)

 (That is fine. Players can post ahead of time, when that is more convenient. I'll make the adjustments you mentioned, depending on the situation.)

Reverie huffs as she barely stands on the floor but gives the nod at Jack who helps her out before she could go in the unconscious. "Thank you," she says before she holds her scimitar and her dagger. Then she moves to attack R2.

Attack, scimitar - 20 Damage - 5
Bonus Attack, dagger - 14 Damage - 6

(Ugh, the dice gods were unkind to Reverie. Both misses.)

Round 4 begins

Froskan launches 2 more acid orbs. The R1 Rutterkin is 10' away, and lurches at Froskan. The acid orb blasts it dead center (37 damage total), and it falls into melting pieces.

The R2 demon is hit by the second orb, which howls in fury. It is mostly melted (26 damage total), but still threatening Jack.

Iskander is up, then R2 if it is still active.

Isk sees that the battle is nearly won, yet his companions are wounded.  He musters the little strength he has and charges 10 feet north, putting him and his whirling glaive between Reveire and the demon (R2).  

He strikes at the creature! Attack: 20 Damage: 6

The last demon goes down. ( Combat is over. This text is to describe the escape, and your travel to a safe area.)

The demons did not have keys to the cages, but your party is able to hack open the cages on the east side of the cave. Iskander identifies the 3 other people from his boat. There are also 3 fishermen from town, and 2 random adventurers. There are also a few sea elves and merfolk. They are all in poor shape, as they were fed little and under constant (magic) terror of the Rutterkin demons. They follow your party to the cave exit.

(Reverie takes a moment to touch the Abyssal writing next to the chalk line on the cave floor. The message was a reminder to the demon guards: "Do not cross this line! No eating the prisoners!" )

Your group moves as quickly as possible from the prison cave to the passage that you took into the main cavern (the route at 4 o'clock). The sea elf scout is there, along with a handful of tritons, who are helping to carry the prisoners who are moving slowly. There is a shout from the main cavern, as the sahuagin and the devils notice the jail break.

The scout urges everyone to continue running east. He brings up the rear. Once everyone is far enough into the tunnel, he tosses a reddish pearl back towards the main cavern. It explodes into a fireball, which collapses part of the ceiling, preventing pursuers from catching your group.

Outside the passage, there are more dolphins, to provide transportation for the land prisoners and your party. There is a mad dash to the southeast, zig-zagging around islands. After five minutes, the dolphins swim into an island cave. The merfolk quickly roll rocks in front of the entrance, and then cast a spell to cause plants to conceal those rocks.

The inside of the cave is illuminated by some globes filled with phosphorescent moss. The former prisoners are being tended to by a few merfolk: food, water, and dry blankets. (The same is offered to your party.)

Vordat comes over. He is heavily wounded, but not life threatening. "Thank you for your work in this rescue... We could not have fought the sahuagin and merrows for much longer at their main entrance. They were in greater numbers than we expected, and that ship anchored nearby had devils that joined them. Many were wounded, but our hearts are lighter, now that the prisoners have been freed.

"We have run out of healing waters. But this is a safe area to rest. My people outside this cave are swimming in all directions, to lead any enemies away from here. Sleep for the night, to regain your strength. In the morning, I would hear of any information you learned from the enemy's camp. And then you will be taken back to your town."

(Everyone can take a Long Rest. You are free to discuss anything you want as long as you keep your voices hushed. You have time to swap stories with Iskander, or ask questions. After this fight and the earlier merrow battle, everyone is at 2000 XP.)

“So, Isk, some questions. 

1st, how do ye do magic? No instrument, no wand, you have to have either a focus or pouch. Second, how do ye cast those spells? Ye know Cure Wounds (referring to the time you touched your chest and healed), mage armor, and that other armor spell. And you’re good with a Glaive. Not many casters are good with such weapons.” He eyes it deeply. “And ye just, make it appear out of nowhere. How? I’m... curious.” Jack gives off a grin.

Trimyrai: (to Vordat) "Funny you should ask about what we learned, i wanted to ask you the same question. To answer you question, these monsters are slavers. they seem to be a cult of some kind. There seemed to be two factions, with a very tenuous alliance. Whatever their plans are they don't want Nunkreet or other nearby settlements to be aware of their presence. If you could be so kind, could you tell me everything you know about them, i would be very appreciative if you could grant me this request."

Trimyrai notices that he still has one of the bladders Vordat gave them before going inside the cave.

Trimyrai: (to Vordat) "I forgot to use this during the fighting." Trimyrai hands Vordat the bladder.

”one of them had some sort of master! Sounds like fun to fight, bottom of the depths. Probably some Sahuagin king of some other crap.” Jack chimes in.

OoC - "No eating the prinsoners" lol

As soon as the party gets in the cave, Isk collapses against the cavern wall, exhausted.  The adrenaline of the fight having worn off, it is clear to anyone who look at him that he is beyond tired (He was at 2 levels of exhaustion, now down to 1 after the long rest).  He takes food and water and thanks Vordat for the sanctuary.

He turns to Jack and says, "Yes, a few questions..." He turns to the rest of the group, "First though, thank you all for saving me and helping me save my fellow passengers.  I am in your collective debt."

"I was a scout in the Holy Army of the East, under command of Lord Heegoss.  Heegoss is a celestial creature who called me to service.  I am an Aasimar and, as such, have a bit of celestial blood running through my veins.  He was my patron and imbued me with the magic power that you saw.  He gave me this." and with a flex of his hand, the long glaive appears propped up against the cavern wall.  From pommel to blade tip it stands about six and a half feet, with a a single edged, curved blade making up a third of its length.  Along the flat side of the blade there a swooping language written in gold inlay.  The haft of the weapon is wrapped with dark leather and there is a gleaming ruby set into the pommel.     

"My connection to him was," He pauses, waves his hand, dismissing the weapon, and says, "Severed...my recent memory is not very good and so I don't quite remember what happened.  All I know is I have a few new powers and I can't reach out to Heegoss anymore."    

”ah, he probably dumped ye. Went like ‘Oh well. Time to take out the trash’ and sent he on your way.” Jack chuckles. “Thanks for answering.” He then sees Trim giving away his bladder (heh) and tries to hide his in his backpack (not BoH)

Would you like me to roll?

Quote from BoboBoombang >>

He then sees Trim giving away his bladder (heh) and tries to hide his in his backpack (not BoH)

Would you like me to roll?

 (No need. Be sure to check on it sometime in the morning after the long rest. I thought Jack and Trim forgot about them, so I had something in mind.)

Vordat to Jack: "There are sahuagin royalty, but there are more powerful beings in the depths. Speaking of attacking ships in the past, that devil was probably referring to... " (hushed voice, reluctant to say the words out loud) "... the Favored of Umberlee, the Foul Titan of the Depths."

Jack jumps back a bit. “W-Would ye mind stating the creatures name? P-p-please? Ah.. N-no, can’t be that.” He looks legitimately terrified.

Vordat thanks Trimyrai for the return of the bladder. "The water's potency will not last much longer, but it will help my guards who are watching over us this night."

"The sahuagin and merrow are not normally slavers. They take prisoners, but usually for their wicked amusement, or for consumption (they are called shark-men for a reason)... Sounds like they are trading, to build up their resources. Good to hear that our (merfolk) battle with them is making it difficult for whatever they are trying to do... For the past two years, we have noticed them looking desperately for something, in every sunken ship and hiding spot they notice, combing the bottoms of the seas, but we do not know what they are searching for.

"The information about the devils is new to us. For many years, ships like that have been spotted on the waters, but their spells have prevented us from tracking them. Or the scouts tailing them were found slaughtered." 

Quote from BoboBoombang >>

Jack jumps back a bit. “W-Would ye mind stating the creatures name? P-p-please? Ah.. N-no, can’t be that.” He looks legitimately terrified.

 Vordat looks at Jack with compassion. "Ah, you've seen it too. It may be superstition, but none of us will say the name aloud, lest it hear us. It is a being of unfathomable power, akin to the celestials that Iskander has spoken. A year ago, a mighty gathering of heroes sought it out, and were able to hurt it. But many of those adventurers did not return that day, and the good beings in the waters still need to be wary of the Beast."

Jack quickly turns away. “Let’s change the subject, sh-shall we? You never answered my question about the focus, Isk.”

"The glaive, it is pacted to me and serves as a focus for my spells.  The healing touch though, that is innate, borne from my celestial blood."

(I love the warning sign of 'no eating the prisoners' XDD)

Reverie chuckles when she realizes what this warning sign means, and yet she is glad that everyone is still alive and safe. Once she gets food and water, she nods slightly to Vordat in gratitude as she joins her companions once again. "Trim, Froskan, are you both doing all right?" She asks for their conditions. "I'm glad that we are all safe now," she says, thinking about the moment where she nearly goes unconscious before she would listen to the story of Iskandar. However, Reverie frowns as soon as she saw the reaction of Jack.

"Iskandar," Reverie calls him, "The quest had buried my question but, when we were on that shipwreck to get your belongings, I remember to see your patch and I'm just wondering..." A pause. "Have you heard about the House of Forestgleam before? According to your patch and my memories from the lessons I've got, you are probably one of the allied armies that the Forestgleam fought with."

"Also, Jack," Reverie looks at Jack in worried, "Are you all right? You seemed quite terrified about what Vordat says." A pause. "Like to talk about that now or later when we all go back to the inn?"