Mission 4 - Turn 8, Dragon Turtle

Chuul taken care of *the stun on those be only about fifteen minutes, be it enough fer us to claw out a victory?* Aylar dashes into the Grove, towards where he is aware the Crew be. The storm is not yet upon them, but he can smell the air, fresh and ringing with that particular anticipation of a squall approaching, like a nature's held breath. For a moment, part of him wonders if he could entreat the storm's lashing winds to aid them instead, once it comes.

*If the Terror be weakened and Aeshma be able to deliver our gift then Gilius may be able to set Stone and Grove upon the Chuul,* Clíodhna replies. *As well as calm the Storm.* She picks up his thought of using the Storm and radiates approval. It's that instinctive deep understanding in him again. *That may indeed be possible, first things first*

Aylar focuses on the crimson feather woven into his hair in search of the Light Clíodhna spoke of, as he runs. It's a new territory, working with so few physical conduits - nothing but his charm in this task - so he has to wrap his mind around it as he goes, fer there be no time to spare. In a flash of inspiration, he reaches out to the feather with his thoughts, imagines an amber of glowing fire, one that needs to be stoked, fed, goaded into becoming a power to be reckoned with.

Clíodhna monitors, keeping the power contained and steady. She watches as he reaches out with his thoughts, his imagination and intent. He is a natural. Then she pauses and cocks her head. What is he doing? Ah. Obviously they are going to have to talk about preconceptions and types. But for now ....

Aylar senses approval, then comes an amusement she can't quite control. *Aylar, please stop playing with the fire and be looking 'up'. The fire be coming later, I promise.* Aylar looks 'up' to the shaft of the feather and the bead and sees the light of a trillion stars draw together to become pure concentrated Light containing every hue. (roll dice) It coalesces into a bright star that transfers itself into his mental hand and he feels the difference from the fire and remembers something Aeshma had said. "Polly is Elysian, as am I." Celestial then ... a celestial/ethereal Phoenix. In his travels with his natural fae curiosity he has heard tales, but rare. That means this must be ... Starfire. Fae tales and legends spoke of it, they deemed it the purest Light, and now he holds it in his 'hand'. This does not need to be stoked, fed, or goaded into becoming a power to be reckoned with, it simply IS a power and readily adapts as he spools in a green shimmering thread of his innate magicks - one, two, three, many - to feed and guide it to the other points in the weave, for it will not be contained, but guided and harnessed it can be.

Durik notices that Argy is stunned. "Oh, tiny frozen too. No worry me carry you." Noticing other crew members are also in trouble, Durik carries Argy over and puts her down beside Pugwash. He leaves his Cure Poison potion for Gilius, then he goes to help flip Mighty back over with some help from the allied Stone Elemental.

Pugwash takes the Cure Poison potion from Durik tries to give it to Gilius, (roll dice) but the writhing torment is too severe.

(roll dice) Argy comes out of the stun shortly after Durik puts her down. She sees Pugwash trying to give Gilius the Cure Poison potion (roll dice) and quickly sits on him long enough to stop his writhing so Pugwash can administer it. Then she runs to Bellandra and tries to help bring her out of the stun so she could take a Heal potion.

Pugwash notices that Aeshma is also stunned and moves to protect her while Captain Baldbeard tries to bring her out of the stun, ready to fire.

Aylar reaches the Crew and attempts the casting. Feeling the essence of the star in his hand he funnels it towards the Crew's charms. (roll dice) It easily leaps to the carved wooden feather charms and Baldbeard's bell, like to like, then adjusts to Bellandra's rabbit foot and Mighty's monkey figurine. He tries to pick up on their present conditions, (roll dice) and finds it quite easy now through the weave to feel them. These be me people. (roll dice) His intent to protect them is picked up and instantaneously answered and Aylar feels the power shine through him with intensity and purpose, for this is one of its truest forms. He realizes he is now channeling Old Magick as the Starfire surges into the wards he had worked forming a shielding, a healing, a purification against evil or dark magicks. Bellandra, Aeshma, Gilius, Count, and Argy are especially targeted and emit a slight glow, and Mighty finds a boost of energy and strength surge through him.

Clíodhna smiles as the Guardian power embraces Aylar and channels itself into the weave through his Will. The fiercest vengeance often comes from the desire and Will to protect, a simple truth that every Guardian learns. Unfortunately there are limits to every mortal form and as she steadies him she also knows he will not be able to maintain this level for long.

Gilius gratefully thanks Pugwash and Argy and stands up, trying to try to recollect his thoughts. [As the Stone Elementals are already awake, I will assume you actually mean you wish to try to make them allies.] He focuses on the energy of nature around him, feels the eons and sturdiness of the stones around them and tries to ally the remaining four neutral Stone Elementals. (roll dice) Three of the four acknowledge his call. (roll dice) The fourth is still fighting the Terror on its own, punching it and causing a foul substance to leak from it like a slimy thick blood. (roll dice) One of the Stone Elementals frees the webbed one and together turn towards the Terror to try to grab it by whatever they can get a hold on, while the one by Count Karnstein is still grappling with a tentacle and the two others are helping get Mighty up. (roll dice) One of the two grabs a tentacle and hangs on as instructed ... (roll dice) and immediately becomes used as a club against the Crew, just as the Terror had previously done against Mighty. (roll dice) The other Stone Elemental goes in to grab at the 'body' but cannot get a good grip as the Terror simply moves around it, reabsorbing and altering its shape. It is impossible to immobilize or stretch. (roll dice) The Stone Elemental does manage to cause damage by simply beating at it while trying to grab it.

As he works Gilius feels healing and protections come over him and recognizes her magickal signature but blended and channeled differently. He glances over and sees Aylar through magickal sight and the Captain is glowing strongly with Light. If he was a star to the Chuul before, now he will be a complete beacon! Gilius feels his Quartz also glow with the energy, but the Stone Elementals could not immobilize the Terror so instead Gilius concentrates and sends his Nature Sense outwards to see if any life living in the grove (or even under the grove) is willing to join in the fight in any way it can to help. (roll dice) Immediately the purified parts of the Grove answer and the trees and roots extend to entangle the Terror's tentacles, (roll dice) the branches becoming like stabbing spears high above the Crew while the roots catch some of the tentacles to tie them down. [FYI, using the quartz against the Terror would have worked well, exactly as you thought, but you conditioned its use on only if the Elementals succeeded.]

(roll dice) Count Karnstein feels the Light spread through him from the charm as he comes out of his stun. He stiffens, waiting for almost certain death, and instead feels a warmth, protection and healing. Shoving his confusion aside, Count gets back to the immediate problem and cuts off the tentacle grappling the allied Stone Elemental. He runs clockwise, slashing and dodging at any tentacle that comes his way, (roll dice) narrowly avoiding being pummeled with the Stone Elemental being used as a club. (roll dice) Once he faces the blinded side of the monster, he charges. (roll dice) His very closeness seems to hurt the Terror as the protective glow around him contacts it. The Count plunges Frostbite deep and high and pulls downward, slitting it open while also instantly frosting the cut, which spreads inward killing nearby Chuulpions before they can hatch. He follows up by throwing holy water into the wound, and hastily retreats to a safer distance.

(continued below ...)

(... continued from above.)

Bellandra winces at the blow the abomination has delivered her, but her will to fight is undeterred. As Argy helps her come out of the stun, she is about to drink a health potion when she feels her rabbit's foot warm and a wave of healing comes over her, strengthening her as her ribs are repaired and her breathing eases. "If ye did not have weak spots before, foul one, perhaps I have created one for ye," she states through bared teeth. She quickly rubs her rabbit's foot, hoping for good luck along with the light she now notices vaguely surrounding her. (roll dice) A shimmering feeling transmits itself to her hand and Bellandra grins. She uses the Sextant to freeze the abomination (roll dice). The Terror freezes in place, but had already spun and folded due to the Count's use of the flash powder so Bellandra runs to the side and fires another explosive bolt once she finds the hole. (roll dice) The bolt explodes, but instead of festering this time it takes out an even larger mass and several Chuulpions, as all are stopped in time and cannot move or reform.

Grog'tial is glad to once more have firm ground under his feet. Glad, but befuddled at the lack of heroics from the captain. He was fully expecting him to ram the Griffon into the monster or something (since they saw it halfway across the island, there should've been enough space between the trees for a foolhardy plan like that), or maybe shoot out Clíodhna's fire through his cutlass, or who knows what other outlandish thing he can do with the magic powers he has acquired - yet instead got this landing at the edge of the grove. Ah well - at least he's now once again fully in control of his own destiny. And from the cries of pain sounding through the trees, he figures the crew is once again direly in need of someone to come save the day, despite them not even having to deal with the massed Chuul.

He follows the Captain, who has now dashed off into the Grove. Hurrying toward the crew through the trees, Grog'tial is wondering why Gilius wasn't just magicking the approaching storm away again like he did on the ship. All this magick and these magick users just don't make any sense to his mind. Purifying the spring is all good and dandy, but clearly their priority needs to be on wrapping up here, and moving on to take out this Aboleth with his brilliant plan - to stop it from sending any more of those shadow creatures after him!

As Grog'tial approaches closer he remembers Clíodhna's words about the twisted corruptor feeding off fear, as well as her tactics in that fight, and takes a moment to breathe deeply, hearing his grandmother's song in his mind, thus deliberately growing calm. Suddenly he feels Clíodhna's warmth and that same powerful protection again, but this time it is her but different. Then Grog'tial catches sight of the half-elf and he is glowing with light like she was that awful night. What the? Is the Captain a phoenix too now? When did this happen? Magick users! Is it catching or something? He looks down and sees an aura of light around himself too. For a moment he wonders if he's caught it too, then sees the rest of the Crew with the same glow and realizes the Captain is shielding and protecting them all now. Well fine and good, but someone still needs to do the dirty work. Even though the Terror is now time frozen, Grog'tial positions himself right next to the lantern and shoots an explosive bolt that follows Bellandra's shot while staying close to the lantern for when the Sextant wears off. (roll dice) The bolt takes another large chunk out of the Terror opening a huge hole.

"Mighty is really mad now! He will try to roll back so look out!" With Durik and the Stone Elementals helping, Mighty hits the ground with his right claw and at the same time moves his center of gravity up and to the left by raising his left claw and all his left legs up and to the left. Together they flip him back onto his legs. As he rises in his powerful Crab form, Mighty sees Captain Aylar glowing and then feels a boost of strength and energy as a slight glow encompasses him. Seeing the Terror time stopped, Mighty jumps back, careful not to hit anyone, then takes a running start and attacks the monster by ramming into it with his both claws in front of him. (roll dice) The whole Terror shivers, and as it begins to come out of the time freeze, Mighty grapples with it and cuts and crushes it with his light shielded claws causing the Terror to writhe and burn as the Storm finally breaks around them.

Captain Baldbeard shakes Aeshma and helps to bring her out of the stun. While he is doing that, he sees Captain Aylar dash in and then his bell tinkles and Baldbeard feels a warmth and shielding come over him. He looks down at Aeshma and sees her smile brightly and her own bells tinkle as she also glows. "Thank you," she tells him with a wink. "Now let's finish this!" Captain Baldbeard nods and taking his holy water he douses it over his cudgel and bashes it into any tentacles threatening the Crew, which twitch and shrivel at the touch of his cudgel and his now glowing aura.

Aeshma feels the magick and instantly knows what it is. She turns and sees Aylar and nods, but also looks with her inner eye. The link is stronger than she thought, then she remembers and realizes why. Now is not the time, but Aeshma is a firm believer in what Fate brings. It's likely to come as a shock to a certain phoenix though. Getting up, she turns to look at the Terror now being assaulted by a protected Crew. She signals to Aylar, knowing Clíodhna will also pick it up.

The Storm and the wind has returned. Aylar feels the echo of it in his blood and bone. Clíodhna guides him to that part of himself that responds to and understands the Storm, and gently nudges it forward letting him sense it but also keep it under his Will, his control. Steady, carefully ... she has flown and played upon the winds even in storm, but she doesn't have his blood affinity with them. (roll dice) Aylar finds the wailing wind within, infuses it with the Starfire he holds and then borrows from the Storm's own energies to throw it like his axe, guiding the wind to surround and penetrate the Terror abomination (roll dice) while it flows over and around Mighty without harm. (roll dice) The Terror folds in upon itself again, but it cannot escape the wind carrying Light.

Aeshma runs to the Spring where Bellandra and Grog'tial have carved a hole in the Terror and Mighty has pushed it back. She quickly makes a sigil in the air, singing a chant, then she takes a small vial and opens it, pouring a single drop into the water. (roll dice) It takes a moment and the Terror is still writhing and shriveling from the wind carried Light when it suddenly crystalizes and then disintegrates.

*Aylar, ye've done enough now. Ye nae want to burn yerself out. Withdraw from the Weave and release the Light back 'up' into the feather, a gentle toss be doing it. The Chuul are about to be released and with the amount of power ye've just handled they be coming straight fer ye. Best to be having Mighty and the Stone Elementals ready to be meeting them.*

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Kyp makes sure to tell Cliodhna about the Dragon Turtle's message so she can tell the others. He hears her acknowledgment and her order to stay with the Dragon Turtle, both for his own protection and for the Turtle's. Kyp stays by the head of the Dragon Turtle, ready to have an underwater fight with whatever enemies may show up. The Sea Horse also stays nearby.

While he is there, Kyp looks in the surrounding sea for anything valuable or notable. The Dragon Turtle guides him to a patch of Gillyweed, and remembering that Aeshma had said something about wanting some for underwater breathing potions, Kyp gathers a good amount to take back to the Ship with him. He then also asks the Dragon Turtle about any extra information that may be notable for the mission. The Dragon Turtle tells Kyp that the foul being which tormented her comes and goes in and out of this world through a tear in the magicks that were long ago formed in the temple below. The magicks of the node is what attracted her here, but it was turned into a trap. Since then the foul being has turned the magick unclean and used it to attract and trap many creatures, even a Sea Dragon and herself. It must be stopped, and once it is she will stay and guard this place if Kyp will agree to a favor. If Kyp will take her three remaining eggs and bury them in the sands of a place she will tell him of, then she will stay to guard this place, and invites Kyp to return and make his home here upon her island once he has done that and the foul being and its minions have been purged. There is the Spring and the Grove which are magickal and pure once cleansed, and also fruit and nut orchards and good fishing, and once a more permanent guardian dragon is assigned, they can wander the warm seas of the world together if he'd like.

(roll dice) The mesmerized Chuul regain their senses and turn for the Grove and the vast magick they feel having been worked there. However the Dragon Turtle has felt the purification of the Spring and reaches for the Stone Elementals which guard it, taking them under her own influence, except for one. The first one she leaves to Gilius in friendship. The others she commands to defeat the Chuul, protecting her Grove and the Crew.

(continued below ...)

Grog'tial watches as the Terror disintegrates and all the Stone Elementals but one turn to march towards the Grove boundary heading for the remaining Chuul. Finally. Now if they can do something about this Storm. He asks Gilius if he can calm the weather again. After all, some of them have to return to the Ship to recharge their Cursed Items. His plan depends on both his Shell and Bellandra's Sextant and he wants to ask the Admiral about that Remote Viewing Potion of his too. That takes the Captain being able to fly the Griffin back to the Ship, and evidently from what Aylar was saying earlier, that can't be done in a Storm. He also uses this to remind both the Captain and Count Karnstein of his plan again, making sure to stay far away from the Count's spider while he does so.

The full force of the Storm is now over the Ship and Clíodhna eyes the enemy gathered just beyond the Ship's range. She has moved the Ship away from Kyp and the Dragon Turtle closer to the pier to still put them between the enemy and any landing area that might let them get to the Crew. What are they waiting for? Perhaps they know the Dragon Turtle is awake now and are afraid? No. Aboleth's don't care about their minions, except to possess them. Something is not right. *Aylar, the enemy is gathered, but waiting for something. Be wary. This feels like a trap.*

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In the temple beneath the waves the Aboleth seethes. How? How is the Fae doing it? She was contained, her power bound, and now, now the Fae wields it? Intolerable. It must find their weakness, and break her. It turns and instructs another servant. Time to prepare. It is now obvious to it what must be done. Let the Fae come. Let the Crew come. Let them come and seal their fate.

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GM Note: There are still the Chuul to take care of, or the Crew can leave that to the Stone Elementals. If they are to use their Cursed items, then Bellandra, Grog'tial and Mighty must return to the Ship along with Aylar (who needs the sword). The portal to the temple is in the large seaglass building. Anyone who wants a Mental Resistance Potion should drink it in this next Turn. Actions for the next Turn will encompass returning to the Ship and then back again to portal to the Temple, which is in an air pocket of an underwater cavern.

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Your current inventory can be found in Post 2 (loaner books are read and returned)
Argy = Grove
Aylar = Grove
Bellandra = Grove
Captain Baldbeard = Grove
Count Karnstein = Grove
Durik = Grove
Gilius = Grove
Grog'tial = Grove
Kyp = in sea, near Turtle Head
Mighty = Grove
Pugwash = Grove

NPC
Aeshma = Grove

Reminder - please vote your MVP! Voting ends: 7 PM UTC, November 30, 2023
For those who haven't yet voted for MVP please vote! Voting ends in under 24 hours and we currently have a 3 way tie so we need votes! Thank you!

GM NOTE TO CREW:
I've been asked if it is possible for me to just bring Crew back aboard Ship for a brief Re-Briefing explaining the Plan and then launch the Temple Mission assault to save us some time and get straight into it. Yes, it is possible and I can do this for later today if it is agreeable to Crew. Let me know if anyone objects, otherwise I will start working on it.

Count Karnstein was just getting ready to deliver another devastating strike when bizarre creature suddenly crystalized and disintegrated before his eyes, revealing Aeshma doing her magic on the opposite side.
"Ye took yer sweet time, vixen. Better late than ne'er, I reckon. Though now I'm almost disappointed we didn't get the chance to grind that bloody thin' to a pulp. We been doin' jolly good job right there... Ah, well. Glad to see ye alive. An' everyone else too."

Count nods, listening to Grog'tial repeating objectives of the plan and assures half-dwarf that he has all ingredients ready.
"Speakin' o' wild ideas, 'ave ye seen what beast I summoned? Ah, ye must've missed it. - Count points at the spider (or what's left of it). - Y'know, I've been thinkin', if I could make really big one, some folk o' smaller physique could use such bugger as a proper warmount. Just imagine how outrageous would it look! An' ye must've pretty good practice by now, aft that griffon business. We shall most definitely try it out once. Whaddye say?"

Whatever for me. For now I edited out parts referring chuuls and going to building.

Durik was relieved that the Terror creature was destroyed and that everyone was ok.

"Uh.. Dakka still captured stone dude. Me wanted to use it as projectile. But if it be good, maybe we shud free it from black stone and return to Turtle? What to do?"

Congratulations to Mighty, the Mighty Matey - voted Most Valued Pirate (MVP) by the Crew!
Monkey is no doubt very proud! :D

My thanks to the Crew for voting. I know it was a tough vote, it is a terrific Crew we be having. Your GM is very glad the admiral didn't have a vote. ;) We actually had a 5 way tie in the hours counting down. Compliments of the admiral also go to Aylar, Bellandra, Count Karnstein and Grog'tial.

Mighty, ye may choose any game ye like during the coming Winter Sale up to $16 US dollars (tax doesn't count) and be letting me know yer choice. Congratulations again, and thanks for being a part o'the Crew!

Mission 4 - Temple Turn 1
*Next turn starts 2 AM UTC, 3 December

Count Karnstein was just getting ready to deliver another devastating strike when bizarre creature suddenly crystalized and disintegrated before his eyes, revealing Aeshma doing her magic on the opposite side. "Ye took yer sweet time, vixen. Better late than ne'er, I reckon. Though now I'm almost disappointed we didn't get the chance to grind that bloody thin' to a pulp. We been doin' jolly good job right there... Ah, well. Glad to see ye alive. An' everyone else too."

Aeshma just shook her head at him and finished her purification ritual for the Spring then checked that nobody needed healing.

Count nodded while listening to Grog'tial repeating objectives of the plan and assured the half-dwarf that he has all ingredients ready. "Speakin' o' wild ideas, 'ave ye seen what beast I summoned? Ah, ye must've missed it." Count pointed at the large black widow spider returning to his side. "Y'know, I've been thinkin', if I could make really big one, some folk o' smaller physique could use such bugger as a proper warmount. Just imagine how outrageous would it look! An' ye must've pretty good practice by now, aft that griffon business. We shall most definitely try it out once. Whaddye say?"

Durik was relieved that the Terror creature was destroyed and that everyone was ok. "Uh.. Dakka still captured stone dude. Me wanted to use it as projectile. But if it be good, maybe we shud free it from black stone and return to Turtle? What to do?" It was decided to release the Stone Elemental by firing it at the Chuul, since it could only be released by firing Dakka. The fired Stone Elemental bowled down several Chuul like a rolling bowling ball knocking down pins. (roll dice) The Chuulpion that was knocked loose was quickly killed and the Stone Elemental was only a little the worse for wear and soon joined the others under the control of the Dragon Turtle.

The Dragon Turtle's Stone Elementals advanced on the massed Chuul, but Mighty was in the lead. His Crab form ran at full speed into the fight, crushing and tearing apart the Chuul with his massive claws and force. When it was over - which didn't take long at all - the Stone Elementals took the pieces out to where the Dragon Turtle could feed on them.

There seemed to be no other enemies that showed themselves on the island, a fact which disturbed rather than encouraged the admiral. Clíodhna didn't trust it. Her intuition was almost screaming at her, but she just couldn't pin it down, which was frustrating her no end. She had moved the Ship close in and sent the patch pirates out with the long boat to retrieve the Crew from the pier. It wasn't a pleasant journey in the rough water, but the reef at least created a bit of a breakwater and the Griffon simply could not fly safely in the gale force winds.

Kyp also came back aboard, bringing with him the Gillyweed and reported to Clíodhna his conversation with the Dragon Turtle. She urged him to consider the Dragon Turtle's offer, for it would make a powerful friend and a good possible home for him, but it was his choice to make.

Once the Crew arrived back aboard safely, they were given a brief time to clean up, eat and take whatever teas or potions they wanted while Clíodhna brought Captain Aylar, Captain Baldbeard and Count Karnstein to observe the gathering of enemies, flotsam and two more raised ships that now lay between them and the passage. "Any ideas on why they be holding off?" she asked the experienced captains.

BRIEFING:
The Crew was called into the Great Cabin for a quick briefing while Cap'n Rummyfangs and the phantoms kept a close watch with cannons at the ready.

"We be having only a little new information," Clíodhna told the Crew. "The Dragon Turtle informed Kyp that the Aboleth be coming and going in and out of this world through a tear in the magicks that be linked long ago in the temple below. That be meaning ye be possibly finding a portal down there. A tear in the magick be meaning it be having to be closed to be repairing the node and rebalancing the magicks here. The Aboleth be using the node to attract creatures like the Dragon Turtle and then enslaving or corrupting them. It be likely the circles in the large circular room on the temple map be the mechanism that needs to be adjusted to do this. If so, it be likely that be where the Aboleth is."

Grog'tial had already explained his plan to Count Karnstein, Bellandra, Pugwash and Aylar, but now made sure to tell the others as well. "So, we can't approach this Aboleth closely, due to its mucus in the water. But if we try to take it out with only ranged weapons, it can still turn us and set us fighting against each other. We need to strike hard and fast, which basically means we need to be able to get close to it. I'm thinking that when it's close to the surface, we fire Stun bolts and/or use the Sextant to get it to be immobile, and then the Count uses his new trick with chilling fog from his pipe to freeze the water all around it! Since we're not out at open sea, the water should be much more stagnant, and freeze better. This way the Aboleth will be immobile, and the mucus will be neutralized, allowing us to go all in for the kill!" [Taken from Post 782]

Clíodhna nodded. "As stated before, the Aboleth nae be dexterous, and do be susceptible to area effects like Stun. It be a very good plan Grog'tial. Ye also be asking about the Remote Viewing potion. I be finding no way to increase it magickally, but while Captain Aylar cannot be jumping to something ye be seeing with it, if Captain Aylar be using the Remote Viewing potion, he can be using his Locket to take him there, as he can be seeing it even without it being in his line of sight. Usually that be risky as his Locket be taking him alone, but his Locket be containing me own magick within, so I be knowing the special ability be this - three times only, Captain Aylar can take with him allies who be touching him, but it be taking strong intent and concentration to do so."

Aeshma also spoke up. "Kyp has brought a nice harvest of Gillyweed. I had hoped to create potions from it, but we don't have time. Instead I advise all of us to take some before entering the temple. We'll be in an underwater cavern which according to the information Bhrigu found, should have breathable air, but never trust an Aboleth. First, I don't trust that there isn't a way to flood the place. Second, the Aboleth's mucus works on air breathers. If we all take the Gillyweed we won't just be air breathers and so the disease may not be able to take hold and enslave us." With that she put enough Gillyweed on the table for everyone, except Captain Aylar who already had one and Kyp who didn't need it.

Clíodhna left Aylar and the Crew to discuss and finalize the plan as she returned to observe the storm and the watch on deck. She didn't like it. She told herself it was only because of what had happened before, although she didn't know if it truly was this Aboleth that she had faced then. It was probably just her being overly cautious due to memory she told herself. It didn't help.

The Crew was taken back to the pier and made their way to the building without opposition. The Stone Elementals had already cleared the building and Gilius' Stone Elemental had waited for his return and would accompany him through the portal down to the temple. They found the portal in an alcove of the biggest seaglass building. It only allowed a group of four at a time, so the decision had to be made who would go in what group order.

Once through the portal the Crew found themselves in a large undersea cavern with crystals growing in different places and in the walls. The temple was in front of them, made of carved stone and crystaline blocks. It was obvious that a combination of magick and structure kept the sea from flooding the chamber through a passage downward and to the left of where they entered and looking at it several of the Crew may be glad that Aeshma had insisted on the Gillyweed just in case. If they expected resistance, there was none and they made it to the door of the temple without seeing any enemies.

The room immediately outside the entrance to the right was empty. Inside the temple they soon found that the curving hallway to the left sloped lower the further it went back towards their target room. Calculating from the slope, it looked like by the time they reached the large circle room they would probably be in almost 2.5' or 0.76m of water. The water was cool, but not cold. The stone floor was wet and slippery. To the right the hallway remained even, and 8 Drowned Ones (sea zombies) came from the rooms down that way to attack them with cutlasses and one carried a whip. From the left hallway came 2 Chuul. (The Crew is in the doorway or entry with doors open.)

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Feel free to post any reactions to the fight on the island and your time back on ship also. Remember to post taking any potions or teas you want! Aylar should post getting the sword (or leaving it).

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Your current inventory can be found in Post 2 (loaner books are read and returned)
Argy = Temple Entry
Aylar = Temple Entry
Bellandra = Temple Entry
Captain Baldbeard = Temple Entry
Count Karnstein = Temple Entry
Durik = Temple Entry
Gilius = Temple Entry
Grog'tial = Temple Entry
Kyp = Temple Entry
Mighty = Temple Entry
Pugwash = Temple Entry

NPC
Aeshma = Temple Entry

"Hm. Could be it nae be their objective to attack us, only to position to box us in and ensure we and the Turtle nae be leaving, mayhaps scratch at our nerves so we fidget. There be no reinforcements arriving from the temple, all is quiet; me be thinking the eel has pulled all its island crew close and be biding its time and waiting on us to come pay it a visit."

I'll put in Grog'tial's attitude later (including probably a most pointed decline toward the Count's proposal), but for now the essence => #922 contains the full version

I'll hand over my remote viewing potion to Aylar, and suggest that as soon as we enter the temple, he uses it to take a look at the big room which the Admir'l suggests as the most likely place for the Aboleth. If it's there, Aylar takes a moment to observe any massed enemies there, communicates those to us so we know what to expect and can immediately act on the information, and finds us the most advantageous location to appear at en masse - at most waiting for the Aboleth to move close to the surface first so that the ice trick will work. Then we all link arms, count to three, and teleport. Immediately upon teleporting, we fire stun bolts, the Count uses his pipe, and then if the scheme is successful, we all protect Aylar from all other enemies while he goes take out the Aboleth (with the sextant kept back until the moment that Aylar reaches it).

Durik drank his Mental Resistance potion, grabbed and ate some Gillyweed and took a few harpoons from the ship to use for melee attacks.

Checking the temple map again, he said:
"What about the secret door, we be goin' to use it or not?"

In any case, after entering the portal, he spotted the Chuuls nearby and instructed Dakka to entrap one immediately.

Clíodhna watched the enemy forces and then contemplated the island. Memory, something in the memory she couldn't quite grasp. Then she remembered something else and sped back to the briefing, gliding in to land on Aylar's right shoulder and surreptitiously tugged on a lock of his hair for him to pay particular attention.

She looked at Grog'tial intently. "Grog'tial, ye once told me ye saw yer brother taken by portal. Ye remember it. Can ye describe what that be like? What did ye see, did ye hear or smell or feel unusual? How be he taken, by something reaching, by falling?"

Then she turned to the rest of the Crew. "The Dragon Turtle be telling Kyp it be a tear in the magick. A tear could be something entirely different, and if so, ye need be very very careful in what magicks be used near it and the mechanism. The Cursed Items were done specifically so as to avoid a bad reaction crossing certain planes and still be able to keep their magicks locked within ... but a tear near the node or mechanism could twist things quite badly and we not be knowing what this Aboleth be doing with the energies. Durik, ye have a good connection with Dakka. While ye be there, especially near that room, be asking Dakka if he feel bad or he be not right somehow. That may be a good warning for all of ye."

"Also remember, the Aboleth must see ye to influence ye - but it also be seeing ye through the eyes of its slaves and servants, so if ye be in sight of one of them, it can target ye. That be how it be gaining power and servants on land."

*Aylar, be wary. If there be a portal there be no guarantee it be only back and forth to here. It could be pulling in creatures from elsewhere, waiting for the 'right moment'. Ye be right, we be being baited through all of this, which be meaning it be wanting us here. Perhaps the way to go about it be to be giving it what it thinks it be wanting, but not the way it be wanting it? Ye seem to be quite good at that.*

I was quite some distance away, but it be like a swirling vortex of many colours. One moment there was nothin', then it was there. I couldn't see through it. A shadowy figure appeared from it, yanked me brother by the shoulder so 'e stumbled in and disappeared. 'e prob'ly ne'er even saw the figure. Then another vortex appeared, the shadowy figure stepped into that, and then both those vortexes just... vanished.

Before entering the portal, Argy retrieved the magical lantern and drank the mental resistance portion. She also made some breathing exercises to calm her anxiety.

Once inside, with the lantern in one hand and the pan in the other, she'll head towards the right corridor (if someone else does, she is not going to go alone in this creepy place...) The drowned ones are a more matching rival for her than big Chuuls.