Oh, another thing....  Sekkar gets the sense that the sword will not respond to anyone until it gets to know them.

(i.e. attunement required)

"Ok, we know what we have. Let's get some sleep somewhere else at least. DOnt know if spirits come back with time and I ain't going to be one to find out," Kastix says as he eyes the boats.

"And if we go somewhere new than we risk new dangers.  We've faced what's on this island and if it returns we know we can defeat it again.  New dangers?  Who knows?"

Kaylyn answers Kastix.

"I vote we take at least a short rest here."

Kaylyn then sits down and for a moment concentrates on her Rod and regains a spell slot.

"If it returns, I don't have most of my power this time," Kastix retorts, "and I rather not be forced to spend there things," He tugs on the necklace of fireballs. 

Kastix could be right, of course, but Sekkar was with Kaylyn on it - whatever monstrosity they found here was dead, and no need to return to the treacherous waters of the channels around the lake. His wounds needed some attention as well, but most of all - sword. The moment Sekkar realized this is not just the hilt, but the true magic sword - he was lost to the world around him (good thing his and Kaylyn senses were right and nobody attacked the group at this moment). It was exactly as the stories promised it to be: an ancient tomb with dangerous magic, and unnatural guardians that guard ... the rest depended of the story and imagination of a storyteller, but lizardman liked those with magic weapons the most. And now he got one.

The bright radiant blade was, probably, not the best thing to keep on the open, but it was not just the light but a sunlight. Sekkar almost forgot how it feels - and how much any living being not born in the darkness needs it. He played a bit with the light, learning how to make it stronger and weaker. All and all, Sekkar was feeling something his kind was not very used to - not just satisfaction but happiness?

Assuming the group settles in to rest, on the boats or on land, Zeno would like to study the scorpion head walking stick more to see if there is anything more to it.  As creepily beautiful as it is...he wonders if it hides some secret...

Hemeth isn't too fond of the idea of wraiths and specters either, and sympathises with Kastix, but he is in the middle of a few vital maintenance tasks on the boat that he commenced while the group was absent, and is unwilling to compromise on them for the safety of the remainder of the trip. So despite his impatience to depart, Kastix has little option but to wait and watch anxiously.

Zeno's curiosity pays off, and he discovers that with a slight push and twist, the scorpion head separates from the rest of the stick. As he lifts it he finds a long slender blade attached, hidden inside the walking stick, which functions as a sheath. It is longer and heavier than his shortsword, similar to a rapier. Although it has no cross-guard, the first third of the blade closest to the hilt is much thicker than that of a rapier, and looks to Zeno like it could withstand blows from heavier weapons.

Sekkar: (I'm out of time ... I'll post extra details later)

(On second thoughts, maybe BlueBayou can describe what Sekkar does to attune to the sword...)

Sekkar never even heard about the word "attunement" or whatever fancy jargon those mages use. But he knew, of course, that even a simple weapon needs some getting-used-to time, and magic weapon was ought to require some bonding. That one particular could even talk! And this is what lizardman was doing - talking (after the physical examination, like, can he touch the blade when it is out, for example). First, Sekkar talked out loud (if anyone wandering - no, he did not feel it might look awkward or stupid, and no one, who ever had trusted his life to a weapon - magic or not - would think so anyway).

"You are out now," in case the sword did not noticed informed him Sekkar. "This is a dark place but I promise you, that you will see the light of day too. Do you have a name or do you want me to find one for you? I am called Sekkar - Sekkar Cress, and since now on you and I will be fighting together now."

He was talking in that manner - the best attempt in establishing friendship he could manage - to convince the sword of his intentions to fight many enemies (he is the weapon and should want it, right?), promise to take care of him, and learn the ways of communication - should he speak out loud? Can he just speak in his mind? If out loud - how loud exactly? Other then technicalities, it was more of a private talk of two warriors getting know each other.

Kaylyn sits near Sekkar as he works with the blade.  The blade of sunlight brightened her heart in a way that hadn't happened since they fell into the Underdark. 

While Hemeth completes his work on the boats the group take their rest. Much to Kastix' relief, the group resume their travel, casting out back onto the lake and making a few more hours headway before stopping for the night.

Sekkar:

Having past the mid-point, the travel forwards is more upstream. Over the next several days, the slow current of the wide river builds ever so gradually as the boats progress, and the ceiling is no longer beyond range of sight. But still there is no evidence of another living soul, and the hours pass with only the sound of the paddles slicing through the dark surface of the water. At least now the darkness is not so consistently oppressive, with pure sunlight illuminating the boats as Sekkar responds to the sun blade's desire to be activated for at least a few minutes every hour.

On the third day after the island tomb, the large open lake has started to separate into a series of large caverns. The ceiling has approached to within about 100 feet, with numerous stalactites hanging down, and some feel almost close enough to reach out and touch as the boats pass underneath. The water beneath the boats is also more active, with schools of small fish darting around and sometimes circling the vessels. Hemeth warns the group not to put their limbs in the water, as some of the fish are carnivorous.

After another night's rest on a cold rocky shore the journey continues. Passing through more adjoining caverns, the stalactites seem to increase in frequency and reach ever more closer to the water's surface, and Hemeth is noticeably more watchful and alert, looking often toward the ceiling. Keep yer eyes open fer any movement. Sometimes there be critters hidin' up there...

Everyone please make a Perception check.

Dawnbringer can make Perception checks also, based on hearing and darkvision, with a modifier of +2. If Sekkar fails a roll but Dawnbringer passes, then Sekkar will not be surprised.

Kastix Perception:" 18

Perception for Sekkar: 10

Perception for Dawnbringer: 17

He could talk just in his head! The rest of the travelling time Sekkar was silent (he was explaining to Dawnbringer - yes, that was the name he gave him - the rules down here, with periodical assurance that he will never leave the sword) but radiated happiness as strong as his sword radiated light.

 Still, both did not loose their vigilance - may be trying to impress each other more.

Rhayna Perception: 14

Rhayna cast Light after Hemeth's warning to help.

Kaylyn Perception 12

Pensive Perception 22

Keeping watch as things get more interesting Pensive flashes images of everything that he sees, first to Kaylyn, then to the others of the party.  But he doesn't communicate with Hemeth or Sarith.

Zeno Perception: 6

Joetaro Perception - 9

With Rhayna's Light spell and Sekkar's sword illuminating the area, the stactites cast eerie moving shadows against the ceiling and against each other as the group pass under them. Patches of darkness and shade seem to glide past each other like children playing among trees. And so it is that even the dark-accustomed eyes of the drow and the duergar fail to notice five silent patches of blackness descend onto the two boats. Only a last-minute mental warning from Pensive and the super-keen senses of the lizardman prevent Sekkar and Kaylyn from being taken completely unawares as five tentacled creatures attempt to latch on to Kastix, Rhayna, Kaylyn, Joetaro and Hemeth. (Several of the group recognise this as the same creature that captured the bugbear hunter in the Citadel).

Group Stealth check: At least half the attackers rolled 20 or higher, so only Sekkar and Pensive were not surprised. I'll allow Pensive's success to translate to Kaylyn, due to their 'special relationship' but not to the others.

Roll Initiative! (sorry, should have asked for that at the same time). Darkmantles act on 8. 

Sekkar and Kaylyn can both take actions in the first round. Since Darkmantle initiative is low, everyone can post actions for second round.

Kastix, Kaylyn, Joetaro - you all have a Darkmantle attached to you. If you want to attempt to detach it, make a STR save (DC 13) as an action.

Hemeth 18, Sarith: 15

Kastix initiative 7

He know he can't remember it off so he's going to default action known as blast. He try to cast scorching ray at blank range with disadvantage I think.

Attack: 13 Damage: 10 fire

Attack: 14 Damage: 4 fire

Attack: 20 Damage: 6 fire

Joetaro - 9

STR save - 5