Check: 32

Kellen remains mysterious and unreadable.

The shore recedes; you sail into the pitch-black night.

"Dark," observes Joell'n.

(I'll set up Landgrave’s Folly tonight! Any preparations you need to do in the meanwhile?)

Kei 

The fresh air is a welcome surprise as Kei sits quietly during their voyage. I can't believe the city is so corrupted. Surely it hasn't always been this way. Kei ruminates about his home town and the ongoings he has witnessed in this past week. He had known the council was a little twisted, but nothing like he had now discovered. He remains outwardly calm as they push through the water towards the Folly. 

Gerrard:

Sitting quietly, the only movement Gerrard makes is to get out 3 platinum pieces to leave for the boat Captain when he gets up from the corner he has wedged himself in.

The small vessel lurches in the black waters as Joell'n pushes it farther out to sea. How he can navigate in this pitch darkness is a mystery. Seeping and splashing water begins to pool in the open hull. You begin to worry just how seaworthy this vessel is.

Then he comes about abruptly, less than a mile offshore, the dull red cityscape still dominating the eastern horizon. His sails luffing, he pulls out a pole and probes at a splashing sound in the darkness. A barnacle-encrusted boulder poking out of the water.

Upon second look, the strangely angular rock appears artificial. Looming up and out of the briny murk is a weed-encrusted spire, which appears to have been struck by more than one unfortunate ship, judging by the chunks missing from it. 

Joell'n looks at you, his expression blank. He continues to hold the ship a pole's distance away.

(How is everyone's darkvision? Boko's water breathing is good for another 8 or 10 hours, you estimate.)

Kellen

Nice work as always, Joell'n. Kellen looks around, donning his cap. Well we're here...who's leading the dive?

(Kellen has 60ft of darkvision)

Gerrard:

Drawing his rapier, Gerrard casts a small patch of glowing moonlight.  “This is all I have, so I am better off following someone with better vision in the dark, unless someone wants to risk a magical underwater light.”

Kei 

When Kellen announces their arrival Kei finally snaps out of his quiet contemplation. "I guess it's either you or I Kellen" he states. "You got us here so I'll take this leg." He stands and makes his way to the edge of the vessel. Turning to Gerrard he says, "Stay between both of us and be ready to douse that light." He looks back to the water, counts internally to 5 then dives in. He takes a quick look around underwater then comes back to the surface to report.

Perception 10

(Kei has 120ft darkvision)

Only the temple’s spire pokes its barnacle-encrusted head above the waves. Below the water, Kei sees, the dark bulk of a sunken temple looms. The temple lists toward the north, its roof and walls draped with seaweed and festooned with barnacles. The building’s facade is a mess of partially collapsed walls and ruined scaffolding, making it appear as though the site was still under construction when it sank. But it’s hard to tell which parts weren’t finished and which parts were damaged by the collapse.

Most of the roof is gone from the belfry beneath the upthrust spire, but portions of the walls and their arched windows remain. A seaweed-tangled staircase descends deeper into the flooded tower.

Gerrard:

Drifting down with his rapier drawn, Gerrard uses the magic of his armor to easily glide behind Kei.  “Let me know if something threatens us beyond the range of my light,” he asks, keeping pace behind him.

Kellen

Kellen nods to Joell'n, then dives in after the others. He'll keep an eye on the rear and will try to inspire confidence in the others as they dive down.

(Kei and Gerrard have bardic inspiration for the next hour; 1d10)

Kei 

Kei bobs on the surface whilst the others make their way into the water. With everyone ready he dives towards the sunken staircase. He slowly descends to the first landing and pauses, looking as deep into the structure as he can, hoping to catch sight of potential danger. 

Perception 15

Kei can see the murky bottom of the tower, and an open doorway to the north.

The water definitely seems cleaner here than in the temple you just left, but there is still a foulness present – a sour flavor to the water.

There are no apparent immediate dangers here. All is quiet.

Kei 

A wave of his arm indicates to the others that it's safe to proceed. He beckons them to follow. He moves down the last flight of stairs and waits just near the debris to the left of the doorway. When Gerrard and Kellen arrive he asks, "Are we sure we are doing this? This may be our last chance to turn around." When everyone is ready he takes a mouthful of the source water and holds his breath while turning the corner into the hallway. What are you doing man?

Gerrard:

Gerrard continues to follow when waved forward, using the pale light from his rapier to guide his way.

Kei leads the way, descending the stairs all the way to the bottom of the tower. The layer of silt on the floor is thick and muddy. There is nothing here but ancient rubble and the skeletal remains of a small eel-like creature.

An archway leads north, where a larger chamber can start to be seen, filled with silt and bits of ancient scaffolding. There is a faint violet light as well, somewhere in the darkness beyond.

The water is black, still, and cold.

Kellen

Floating in the silent, cold water, Kellen does not like the looks of the violet glow ahead. He grips his mandolin tightly, closing his eyes muttering protection from evil protection from good, spill not a drop of my much needed blood. A soft glow begins around the strings, spreading to completely surround Kellen before fading away.

Kei pauses for a moment near the debris to the left of the doorway. Then he turns the corner into the doorway.

There is a blinding flash – an arcane glyph hidden near the doorway – and electricity surges through everyone in the room.

Everyone: Take 20 lightning damage. (Because the lightning diffuses evenly through the water, no saving throw is allowed against this effect.)

As your eyesight returns, you see a sudden movement in the chamber beyond, on the east side. An immense cloud of silt is stirred up (the room beyond the doorway is now heavily obscured.)

Kellen

Still smarting from the lightning, Kellen quickly gets over it, looking wide eyed at the huge cloud that was stirred up. Somehow that's even more ominous...this is a bad idea. He doesn't back away however, but keeps his eyes moving around, ready to make his move if whatever the....thing is decided to show itself.

(Readying mirror image if an enemy shows up)

Kei 

While the pain is intense, Kei forces himself to recall his previous near death experiences. The memories place his current pain into perspective and allows him to push through. 

Kellen's words ring true as the silt continues to swirl. Kei moves slowly and deliberately into the room and off to the west hoping to avoid running headlong into whatever it is. As he rounds the corner he summons shadows from the room to him. As the shadows flicker and return to their rightful place they leave the spot Kei stood empty.