Dimir's Out of the Abyss

“This could be some sort of sanctuary” Aimon says, “or something that’s going to kill us to sleep then eat us and these islands are just the teeth in some enormous fish.”

Aimon slows down to help the shorter members of the group through the deeper parts of they’re not swimmers, all while keeping an eye out for the swimming creature.

"We can deal with that if it happens. For now, this seems like as good a place as any to get some rest."

Caelynn wades towards the island, able to walk along the bottom for the most part, but having to stand on her toes in some of the deeper spots. She carries Stool on one of her shoulders, focusing on keeping him out of the water as much as possible. She isn't exactly sure how he breathes, or if he breathes at all, and she'd rather play it safe. If they pass close to any of the gongs, she pauses to take a look at it and see if she can figure anything out about how it works or what its effects are.

Arcana: 3

Oak continues to wade towards the nearest mound of higher ground. He’ll try to keep to the middle of the group so he can step in if anyone needs a strong hand or help staying above water.

He will try to keep an eye out for the crocodile-like creature, and anything else like it. He’ll aim to skirt around the gongs where possible but his priority is getting to the higher ground.

Trill replicates the sound of the gong, and says, "it's magical" in Sarith's voice. 

With assistance, everyone makes there way across a few of the small islands to get to higher ground. The water is warm and clean unlike the cold and polluted Darklake. Paying close attention, you determine that there is always a gong ringing somewhere in the small, waterlogged forest of towering fungi. 

The island you find yourself on rises about 20 feet above the surface of the water at its highest point. You aren't sure how long.and wide it as fungal thickets block your view.

Caelynn, you approach one of the gongs. On closer inspection, you find that they are forged from bronze. Runes of magic mark its surface. Recalling your magical training all robes go  through, you think this has something do with calming emotions, especially hostile intent. In this grove you found, a sense of peace unnaturally suppresses every other emotion everyone feels.

Eldeth says with a yawn, "I think we should call it a day."

Aimon wrings out some of his clothing to dry it out and looks around for anything they can start a fire with to finish drying off.

”I had it easier than most of you,” he says. “I can take the first watch.”

Jimjar sets about helping you. He points out a cluster of fungus about 2 feet long that look like wooden clubs. He says, "Those are torchstalks." He gathers several of them and brings to the party and drops them down. He takes one, firmly grasps the larger end, and dips it off. The end bursts into flame, and it looks like he is holding a torch. He says with the fire throwing shadows across his face, "There is a 1 in 6 chance these will blow up in your face." He smiles and says, " I like those odds. "

Soon, a small fire warms the group.

Sitting next to the fire, Oak says to Aimon, “Are you sure? That’s very kind... I’ll take the next watch then if you like. Wake me up when it’s time, yes?”.

Then he asks Caelynn, “I saw you looking at those bronze gong things. Did you get a good look? I wonder how safe or dangerous they are. If they calm things down they don’t seem too bad!.... you know...” he confides in her, “I was wondering if we could use them somehow... how big did they look? Do you think they would make me a good shield?! I wouldn’t mind a shield that calms people down!! Ahah...”, he chuckles.

((OOC: @DM - how far are we from the nearest one? And is it on the island? And how big did they look from what we could see? Oak-shield sized?!))

"I recognized the runes on them. They calm things down, create peace. They don't seem dangerous, but I'm still not sure if it's a good idea to remove one," Caelynn explains, sitting next to Oak and unslinging her pack. Lowering her voice, she asks him, "When we were running from that... thing, you didn't happen to see an elven man, did you? Tall, dark hair?" She's fairly certain it was an illusion, but she needs to know. If there's a chance he could still be alive...

Oak chuckles at the thought of taking one of those gongs for a shield, as if he’s not really serious, but he has a glint in his eye that says he wants one!

((I just want to see what Oak thinks of Caelynn’s question. Hope that’s okay. Insight check (disadvantage): 4 passive 6))

When Caelynn asks about an elf, Oak looks puzzled for a second, then answers plainly, truthfully, he’s exhausted, “I’m sorry m’Lady, it was... chaotic... I didn’t see an elf...”

He looks at her kindly thinking maybe he’s missed something important but he’s too exhausted to grasp it... 

“That’s okay.” Caelynn‘s face falls a bit. It’s what she expected, but a tiny part of her had still been holding onto hope. “I’m sure I was just hearing things.” She tries for a small smile, but it isn’t very convincing.

“Come on m’Lady... best rest now. I’m sure it’ll all be clearer in the morning...”. He’ll offer her a weak smile and put an enormous arm around her shoulders and give them a companionable squeeze, like any soldiers might after a tough day. He gently pats her shoulder as gets up to check his gear before getting ready to bed down.

((he’s not walking off, if she wants to speak more, just milling about nearby sorting his stuff, but giving her some space to think))

"You're probably right..." Caelynn busies herself with cleaning her weapons, a task so ingrained in her muscle memory that it's become almost mindless for her. After a moment, she pauses and looks up. "Hey Oak? Thank you." For saving her life earlier, for being a friend, for everything.

Aimon watches Jimjar with the torchstalks.

"That's all you, Jimjar," he says. "I'm not as enthusiastic about those odds as your are."

Noticing that most of them are still awake, he raises the topic that's been on his mind since they left the Kuo-toa village.

"So, what on earth was that giant snakey-monkey-octopus thing? And do you think there are more of them?"

He pauses and looks out over the water for awhile, absorbing the peace and tranquility of their surroundings.

"Even if we some how acquire the power the confront something like that, why do we want to?"

Oak looks up from sorting his few belongings and looks over to Caelynn. He tilts his head first this way, and then the other, still too strung out to glean any deeper meaning from her words, and still too exhausted to contemplate telling her anything but the truth...

In his deep, tired voice (that you feel in your chest more than hear), he says simply, “When we first met... when I was being overwhelmed... you saved my life...”.

Looking at Caelynn, and speaking like it just simply logically must follow, he continues, “I owe you my life...” he pauses a second realising that’s not quite right. Then speaking slowly while he works it out, “I am yours m’Lady... while you need me... till the end... whatever that might be...”.

He nods to himself, happy with that conclusion. Before continuing to reorganise his gear. 

Looking around, the nearest gong that you notice is about forty feet away on a different isle. They look like the same size as a shield, but you aren't sure how much punishment they could take.

Eldeth says, "I have no idea what that was, but lets not do that again."

If you want, anyone can make an Arcana, History, or Religion check.

Trill amuses herself by occasionally replicating the sound of one of the fruits or whatever falling on the gong.

She has a think about the creature that emerged from the lake.

((She has the same mod on all, so let's say History): 21

Caelynn's smile turns a bit more genuine. "You're a good warrior, and a better friend. If I'm really meant to do this demon-slaying thing, I'd be honored to have you along. But, please don't think you're stuck with us. If you ever want out, just say the word," she replies to Oak, more focused on her hushed conversation with him than the others' discussion of the creature in the lake. If she's being honest, she'd rather not think about that right now. The mere idea of having to battle something so powerful in the not-so-distant future fills her with dread.

Oak looks around at the water and mushrooms, and remembers the crocodile thing... He laughs an honest laugh, “Ha! Well , tempting as it is to head off on my own right now.... I think you’re stuck with me for a while longer!... anyway, regardless of.. duty.. we’re stronger together for now, that’s for sure!”. 

And as talk turns to the huge abomination, Oak chips in. While he’s exhausted, it seems he has no energy to filter his thoughts before he speaks. With a little eager roar that turns into a laugh, he says to Aimon, “rRAaaaah-ah-ha haha!... well if ‘Lady C’s dream friends are going to gift us powers to defeat that thing, I say ‘bring on the powers!’, haha!” then slightly more quietly to himself he contemplates the outlandish powers they might get... “mMMmmgghh!... maybe I’ll get as big as that thing so I can rampage in and grapple it?!... or get tough enough to shrug off its attacks?! Ha!...”.

He mutters happily and enthusiastically about supernatural powers that each of the party might need, for some time, if no one stops him...

Oak isn’t book-smart, but one of his fondest memories are the stories his mother used to tell, before he was taken... maybe there’s some arcana, history, or religion in there somewhere?!...

Bed time story check (arcana/history/religion, all +1, no proficiency, disadvantage from exhaustion): 6