Gerrard recognizes him. It's Melody, the warty hunchbacked merchant. Dressed quite differently than you last saw him, with a clean, black, voluminous robe, but his posture is unmistakable.
Boko would have absolutely kept water breathing going every 24 hours.
You retain the benefits of Boko's water breathing enchantment.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gerrard:
Answering Kei quietly, Gerrard gives a subtle directional gesture and says, “I see Melody the merchant over there. Let us hope he is here to subvert the cult, not turn us in.”
Insight on Melody: 8
”And yes, unless we have a way to get these people to leave first, I think we should just head underwater and try to deal with whatever horror lies below. Hopefully survival instinct will kick in at some point if a battle erupts and they will flee to safety. Any more delay on our part risks additional beheadings of the populace,” he continues.
Shooting Melody a meaningful but brief glance, Gerrard approaches the water, prepared to glide in. Underneath his robes he puts his hands on the hilts of his weapons, hoping to be prepared for any eventuality.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
The mention of Melody's presence gives Kei pause for concern. How far has this cult perverted the city? Who have we spoken to about our plans? Kei brushes the questions from his mind as Gerrard approaches the water. Kei quickly matches Gerrard's steps and readies himself to enter the water beside his noble friend. "Into the darkness together again my friend". He hopes Boko is somewhere near in animal form and is safe.
As Gerrard and Kei prepare to enter the foul water, Gerrard glances back at Melody. He senses that Melody has spotted them, but he cannot determine anything further.
The revelers continue to wail and contort to the chaotic chanting and yelling. There is a lot of blood near the stairwell. Decapitated heads in various states of decomposition stare down at them from where they are wired to the rotting, suspended shark.
The scene around him offers Kei nothing in the way of confidence. Have we bitten off more than we can handle? The thought bounces around his mind as he steps into the dark waters. I guess we'll find out soon enough. He submerges himself as he descends the steps.
The crowd's droning, alien chant becomes punctuated by gasps and cries of alarm as Kei steps forward and descends the steps into the foul waters. There is a thick sliminess to the liquid that repulses even Kei, who has a certain tolerance for the city's state of filth and decay.
The water is black and viscous, like a disgusting stew. Kei feels a presence here. Something intelligent, something alien that he cannot quite see.
"See? It's safe here, my child. Welcome to the fold," Kei hears in his head like the crackle of a thousand bees buzzing. Kei: make a Wisdom Save.
Melody shakes his head slightly at Gerrard, and makes a subtle motion of his hand, suggesting that he step back from the pool.
The voice in his head was no surprise but it still left him feeling uneasy. He pushed the feeling down, not wanting to give this thing a foothold in his mind. He looks around to see if there are any signs of what this entity actually was. It's then he realises Gerrard is not with him. The uneasiness returns for a second until he once again steels his resolve. He stops and reaches out to the creature with his mind. We are not here to join you. We are here to see what you want and then send you from this place. How you leave is up to you.
The entity buzzes in Kei's brain. "You just want your friends safe,"whispers the buzzing voice. "I know. The little blind one. The halfling. The others. You worry about them. Are they here? Did you bring them? I will keep you all safe. I want nothing of you. I am just resting here. I have been ill. Just a few more months here in the temple. After that time, I promise I will return to the unfathomable depths of the ocean and never bother you again."
"But do come a little closer. Try not to resist this time."
Kei: Make a Wisdom saving throw.
Kei sees nothing but an inky shadow deeper in the black, slimy water.
Seeing Melody’s warning, Gerrard looks back to see that Kei has already partially entered the water. He notices his friend seems locked in an internal struggle, so he reaches out and tries to pull him back and out of the water, concerned for him given Melody’s warning.
Athletics if needed: 16
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Above, the dead shark continues to "swim" in the air. It lunges threateningly toward both of you, but holds back from attacking. Some of the rotting heads fall off it and plop into the water.
The crowd gasps, electrified by the spectacle. The chanting has all but dissolved into a cacophony of whispers and chatter, although a smaller proportion of the zealots seem oblivious to what is occurring and continue their dark devotions.
"Aaargh" Kei groans as Gerrard plucks him from the water. "What did you do that for? I was talking to the thing. There is no actual being down there. It's only a voice from somewhere else drawn by this chanting. Seems we won't be fighting anything today, except maybe this lot" he waves his arms to indicate the throng of zealots. "Take a look for yourself if you want. Watch the fifth step though, it's loose".
”You seemed to be in trouble—locked in some kind of mental struggle…and Melody warned me away from the water,” explains Gerrard, unsure if this change in threat level was to be believed. He moves to look into the water to confirm what Kei said even as he considers the possibility his friend may have been influenced by the whispering entity.
Perception for creature: 14
Insight on Kei: 20
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Gerrard indeed senses a subtle change in Kei. He looks troubled and distracted.
He cannot see anything of the entity other than a large, vague shadow under the foul water. The dead, suspended shark continues to squirm and snap above, electrifying the crowd.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gerrard:
”There is something down there, indeed,” says Gerrard, looking sharply at Kei. “Snap out of it—you are being influenced by the ritual in some way!” he hisses.
”Mistress Alcor—we need your help. Can you do something about this foul water covering our foe? I will cause a distraction,” pleads Gerrard.
Moving to the opposite side of the water from Kei (and possibly Melody), Gerrard throws his his cloak back, revealing a flaming dagger and glowing rapier in his hands! Slashing and swirling his magical blades in a dazzling pattern while standing in front of the trapped undead shark,, the young noble yells, “Dreamers! Our master speaks through the thrashing of the bound shark! Let us free ourselves of this place and go forth to spread news of the coming ascension! Now is the hour of our glory! Go forth into all the city and prepare the way!”
Persuasion: 19
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei looks hurt as he feels the sting of Gerrard's glare. "I told you, there's no being down there. What you see is merely shadows. The thing, and I say that as it has no true form, is made of shadow. Who do you know that has control of shadows?" Kei asks rhetorically before continuing. Kei steps back into the water to prove his upcoming point, "See? Nothing happens!" He moves back to the waters edge. It's then that Gerrard begins his flashy display.
Catching on to his intent, Kei adds flare to his companions swirling light show with crackling sounds and trails of flame. [Prestidigitation style]
Gerrard recognizes him. It's Melody, the warty hunchbacked merchant. Dressed quite differently than you last saw him, with a clean, black, voluminous robe, but his posture is unmistakable.
You retain the benefits of Boko's water breathing enchantment.
Gerrard:
Answering Kei quietly, Gerrard gives a subtle directional gesture and says, “I see Melody the merchant over there. Let us hope he is here to subvert the cult, not turn us in.”
Insight on Melody: 8
”And yes, unless we have a way to get these people to leave first, I think we should just head underwater and try to deal with whatever horror lies below. Hopefully survival instinct will kick in at some point if a battle erupts and they will flee to safety. Any more delay on our part risks additional beheadings of the populace,” he continues.
Shooting Melody a meaningful but brief glance, Gerrard approaches the water, prepared to glide in. Underneath his robes he puts his hands on the hilts of his weapons, hoping to be prepared for any eventuality.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei
The mention of Melody's presence gives Kei pause for concern. How far has this cult perverted the city? Who have we spoken to about our plans? Kei brushes the questions from his mind as Gerrard approaches the water. Kei quickly matches Gerrard's steps and readies himself to enter the water beside his noble friend. "Into the darkness together again my friend". He hopes Boko is somewhere near in animal form and is safe.
As Gerrard and Kei prepare to enter the foul water, Gerrard glances back at Melody. He senses that Melody has spotted them, but he cannot determine anything further.
The revelers continue to wail and contort to the chaotic chanting and yelling. There is a lot of blood near the stairwell. Decapitated heads in various states of decomposition stare down at them from where they are wired to the rotting, suspended shark.
Kei
The scene around him offers Kei nothing in the way of confidence. Have we bitten off more than we can handle? The thought bounces around his mind as he steps into the dark waters. I guess we'll find out soon enough. He submerges himself as he descends the steps.
The crowd's droning, alien chant becomes punctuated by gasps and cries of alarm as Kei steps forward and descends the steps into the foul waters. There is a thick sliminess to the liquid that repulses even Kei, who has a certain tolerance for the city's state of filth and decay.
The water is black and viscous, like a disgusting stew. Kei feels a presence here. Something intelligent, something alien that he cannot quite see.
"See? It's safe here, my child. Welcome to the fold," Kei hears in his head like the crackle of a thousand bees buzzing. Kei: make a Wisdom Save.
Melody shakes his head slightly at Gerrard, and makes a subtle motion of his hand, suggesting that he step back from the pool.
Kei
WIS save 24
Kei senses the shadowed bulk below retreat a few feet.
Gerrard and Boko look up to see the rotting, suspended shark twitch to life.
"Come deeper, my child. It is safe here," buzzes the voice in Kei's head.
Kei
The voice in his head was no surprise but it still left him feeling uneasy. He pushed the feeling down, not wanting to give this thing a foothold in his mind. He looks around to see if there are any signs of what this entity actually was. It's then he realises Gerrard is not with him. The uneasiness returns for a second until he once again steels his resolve. He stops and reaches out to the creature with his mind. We are not here to join you. We are here to see what you want and then send you from this place. How you leave is up to you.
The entity buzzes in Kei's brain. "You just want your friends safe," whispers the buzzing voice. "I know. The little blind one. The halfling. The others. You worry about them. Are they here? Did you bring them? I will keep you all safe. I want nothing of you. I am just resting here. I have been ill. Just a few more months here in the temple. After that time, I promise I will return to the unfathomable depths of the ocean and never bother you again."
"But do come a little closer. Try not to resist this time."
Kei: Make a Wisdom saving throw.
Kei sees nothing but an inky shadow deeper in the black, slimy water.
Gerrard:
Seeing Melody’s warning, Gerrard looks back to see that Kei has already partially entered the water. He notices his friend seems locked in an internal struggle, so he reaches out and tries to pull him back and out of the water, concerned for him given Melody’s warning.
Athletics if needed: 16
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei
WIS save 11
Gerrard yanks Kei back up and out of the water.
Above, the dead shark continues to "swim" in the air. It lunges threateningly toward both of you, but holds back from attacking. Some of the rotting heads fall off it and plop into the water.
The crowd gasps, electrified by the spectacle. The chanting has all but dissolved into a cacophony of whispers and chatter, although a smaller proportion of the zealots seem oblivious to what is occurring and continue their dark devotions.
Kei
"Aaargh" Kei groans as Gerrard plucks him from the water. "What did you do that for? I was talking to the thing. There is no actual being down there. It's only a voice from somewhere else drawn by this chanting. Seems we won't be fighting anything today, except maybe this lot" he waves his arms to indicate the throng of zealots. "Take a look for yourself if you want. Watch the fifth step though, it's loose".
Gerrard:
”You seemed to be in trouble—locked in some kind of mental struggle…and Melody warned me away from the water,” explains Gerrard, unsure if this change in threat level was to be believed. He moves to look into the water to confirm what Kei said even as he considers the possibility his friend may have been influenced by the whispering entity.
Perception for creature: 14
Insight on Kei: 20
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei
Roll 15
Gerrard indeed senses a subtle change in Kei. He looks troubled and distracted.
He cannot see anything of the entity other than a large, vague shadow under the foul water. The dead, suspended shark continues to squirm and snap above, electrifying the crowd.
Gerrard:
”There is something down there, indeed,” says Gerrard, looking sharply at Kei. “Snap out of it—you are being influenced by the ritual in some way!” he hisses.
”Mistress Alcor—we need your help. Can you do something about this foul water covering our foe? I will cause a distraction,” pleads Gerrard.
Moving to the opposite side of the water from Kei (and possibly Melody), Gerrard throws his his cloak back, revealing a flaming dagger and glowing rapier in his hands! Slashing and swirling his magical blades in a dazzling pattern while standing in front of the trapped undead shark,, the young noble yells, “Dreamers! Our master speaks through the thrashing of the bound shark! Let us free ourselves of this place and go forth to spread news of the coming ascension! Now is the hour of our glory! Go forth into all the city and prepare the way!”
Persuasion: 19
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei
Kei looks hurt as he feels the sting of Gerrard's glare. "I told you, there's no being down there. What you see is merely shadows. The thing, and I say that as it has no true form, is made of shadow. Who do you know that has control of shadows?" Kei asks rhetorically before continuing. Kei steps back into the water to prove his upcoming point, "See? Nothing happens!" He moves back to the waters edge. It's then that Gerrard begins his flashy display.
Catching on to his intent, Kei adds flare to his companions swirling light show with crackling sounds and trails of flame. [Prestidigitation style]
(In case that gives Gerrard Advantage -- Persuasion: 26 )
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"