Emissary of What Now? - August 22, 2025

- Kitty dice

 

25 Redfall 1374 

- Soliana Sends to Nym asking what if anything he's found out about the nightmare caterpillar. Also asking him to look next into any records of trouble from the followers of Morgion. 

- She learns from Nym, "Well, the basics are. The caterpillar is not native to this plane. Likely summoned here. It consumes life to generate fear. Nasty business indeed."   

- Niniel Sends through her book to Emmyth for Poetry to sell off the goods in the Storehouse this week.

- Later that day, in the early afternoon, there is a cool breeze blowing over the ocean. The sky is clear and the sea is calm. From the crow's nest there is a call that there's debris in the water ahead.

- Niniel dives into the water. She finds enough wooden bits to make a whole 'nother ship. She sees a few things that look like crates that are floating. Several bits look like slightly larger bits of hull.

- Stardust is doing slow circles keeping water for Niniel.

- Niniel grabs one of the crates and tries to open it, but can't get it to open.

- Something hits the bottom of the Storm Caller and the whole ship rocks.

- Niniel dives under the water and sees some kind of very large creature swimming in an arc as if to to come back for another pass. It looks like a sperm whale with a tusk like a narwhal. Niniel attempts to speak it asking why it's attacking. 

- It swims up to Niniel so that its giant eye is centered right on her. "Sorry, had to protect the area you know. Didn't know the emissary was on board." 

- She asks what he's protecting and why would a ship be a threat. 

- Lab #4 is nearby. She should have known this.

- The combo whale confirms it destroyed the ship that is in ruins.

- The whale dives away and Niniel starts pushing the few floating crates towards the boat, which Soliana sees through Stardust and coordinates help to get them onto the boat.

- Niniel tells everyone that the whale told her she's the emissary. 

- Inside the four crates: 1 had salted beef, 1 had tanned hides, and the other two have dried herbs and spices.

- Soliana confirms that Niniel had been sent from Revelora, so Soliana asks who sent her and Niniel asks to tell the rest of the Keepers in private, so they head two one of their two shared cabins.

- Niniel tells everyone finally that there's a Kraken in charge of her town and who saved her and made her into a triton.

- She says they basically worship the Kraken, and that a messenger gave her the bracelet with the golden conch shell that granted her some powers and she was sent on a mission.

- Questions are asked:

       - Niniel doesn't think she died.

       - How many of the shipwrecks from which the Kraken "rescued" people did the Kraken cause. 

       - She talks about her Patron Pouch works a bit, and shows the obsidian broach, which Soliana had already seen.

       - Niniel eventually mention the cairns she has built. Soliana confirms that the first one was at Foxglove's and the second one was in the stable at the Twilit Grove.

- Soliana immediately thinks the Kraken is tied to all the arcane leaps.

- Caleb wants to know if Niniel can talk to the Kraken, but she says not really no. She's tried talking into her Patron Pouch, and nothing has come of it.

- Niniel writes in the book something about there are creatures coming from Lab #4. She closes her book and opens it again and there are some blocky pictograph symbols. Several rows of them. Niniel shows them to Soliana who takes 3 psychic damage from trying to understand them. 

- Since Lab #4 is probably something to do with the Kraken, it's probably deep underwater, and Niniel is the only one who can get to it at this point. 

- They all agree to head to the Icy Expanse since there's not much they can do about the attacks on Port Carling right now.

- A few hours after the course change, the crow's nest watcher calls out that there's something about a mile off the starboard side. Soliana sends Stardust to investigate. 

- She sees a constructed, floating island with a blocky structure. 

- Niniel descends on the side of the boat on a rope ladder to prevent them from getting attack, hopefully.

- It does not work as they realize there are giant, squid-bodied spider creatures climbing the hull of the boat.

 

- 1,200 XP ea for 24,200 total XP ea.

A Foggy Departure - August 8, 2025

- Mountains in an icosahedron

- Antonia's Birthday DnD! She made her own cake!

 

22 Redfall 1374 

- They group trudge into Port Carling around noon. It is less foggy now that the sun is higher in the sky.

- They head straight to Sir Foxglove's house. 

- Sir Foxglove says the Crocodolphin attacks have been happening on and off.

- Foxglove says there's a new node forming in the vicinity of Lamara, but it's unusual in that it's a power sink instead of a source.

- He says there is also another amorphous anomaly forming near the Icy Expanse in the Irondeep ocean between here and Scaldras. 

- He's not sure if the Storm Caller will be able to navigate there, but he would like them to check with Gringamore. 

- Niniel and Poetry negotiate a fee for 500 GP each with half up front to get the cold weather gear they will need.

- Sir Foxglove recommends Agatha's Haberdashery for their sartorial needs.

- They do some shopping. Everyone gets good boots and winter gear in their preferred, but Poetry also gets some studded leather armor.   

- From there they head to the docks, find the Storm Caller, where the crew is making repairs. Apparently they were attacked by piranha bears. 

- Soliana offers to help with her Mending spell, and goes to find Orin Flemming, the ship's carpenter. She helps repair some cracks and scratches.

- Zemma was already up a mast with a hammer by the time they looked around for her.

- Niniel dives into the bay to have a chat with some of the local sea life. The fish confirm that strange creatures have been attacking things in the area for at least three or four days. He also says that there's been more current in the area as well as the tides seem to have been higher. But it's mostly just the weird creatures coming out of the depths. The last set came from that way (out into the ocean to the SW).

- The Icy Expanse is in the opposite direction to the SE.

- Captain Gringamore says that while he is not a fan of the Kolstad family, but he doesn't know of anything they are currently doing that would be pissing off some sort of sea protector. 

- The boat repairs are going to take about another two days, so they have some time to do some things in town if they want. 

- Niniel spends at least one day collecting seashells and if possible pearls and makes a big adjustable size bracelet or necklace, and she tucks it into her Patron Pouch with an apology shouted into it like she's breathing into a paper bag. A moment or two later she feels a weight hit the pouch and she pulls out a broach shaped like a kraken made of obsidian with two dark red gems eyes.

- Soliana casts Detect Magic and it has a subtle Enchantment magic to it, but Identify says it doesn't do anything yet. Soliana thinks it might be like a magic seed.

- Niniel almost immediately dives into the ocean to see if being underwater will help her "seed" grow. She also tries to cast Dancing Lights into it. She puts the purply-black fish scale she also got out of her pocket and puts them together. Nothing happens.

- Soliana waited patient and then ambushes her with questions. Niniel tells her that when she left Revelora she was given the pouch as a sort of communication tool, and she puts things in and gets things back out too.

- The weather keeps getting worse over the course of the next few days, and there's lot more fog and rough water. Gringamore says that while the weather is generally worse in the winter, but this is extreme.

- Soliana sends Stardust up to find the upper edge of the fog, which does end eventually, though it does extend quite high. The trouble is that up there the wind is really strong, and she has a hard time maintaining course.

- The fog does end out over the ocean, but it's a good ways out. Like five miles out. Soliana also checks, and the fog is not magical.

- The decision is made to head SW first to see if the semi-aquatic creatures and their origin is related to the arcane leaps.

- As the ship sets out, the chop is rough and the fog is dense, but it seems like it clears up a little ahead of the ship. Niniel runs to the back of the ship and sees they are in a kind of bubble.

- Many theories are made about what could be causing this situation. Is it two krakens beefing over territory? Is it an underwater war between two magically powerful entities or nations? 

 

- 1,500 XP ea for 23,000 total ea.

Protect the Boats - August 1, 2025

 - KS Royals (Baseball? What?)

 

-  22 Redfall 1374

- As they are waiting for the coach to arrive the next morning, Soliana notices the tree that grew out of the stable from their most recent Arcane Leap might be even bigger than it was when they first got back.

- Soliana peels off a long scale- or feather-like and tucks it into an empty vial to offer to Sir Foxglove.

- Niniel tucks a leaf into her Patron Pouch.

- The coach arrives and everyone loads into the carriage.

- While they are riding, Soliana finds a section in Grim that wasn't there before. She asks Grim what it is, and he says a journal. There is one entry:

"8 Rainmoot 1297 (about 77 years ago)

Thadius Quellmoor is an insufferably pompous imbecile. I had the misfortune of listening to him lecture on his theory of ley line magical accumulation. I can't believe he really thinks that a wizard would be able to tap into ley lines an use their magical energy to enhance his spells. I can think of easier and more efficient ways of killing myself! I may as well jump into a volcano to enhance my fire magic!

 His methods for tracking ley lines are equally preposterous! Ley line maps must be confirmed by field research! And he thinks they can move?! I pity his students."

- They discuss the possibilities for the four or so hours it takes to get back to Arrandale.

- They report in to Headmistress Sharai about the newest leap and also about the problem with the altar to Morgion and the aberrations in the woods.

- Sharai tells Soliana she will put her into contact with a former student (Tinalia) who settled in Mistverge who has had dealings with some powerful clerics.

- She is then a bit salty about being asked to Teleport the Keepers to Port Carling again, but she does it.

- They arrive on the beach near Port Carling. Niniel immediately approaches the water and puts her feet in. The breeze off the ocean is quite cold and there is a thick fog.

- While everyone is giving her some time to reconnect with the ocean, splashing crunching noises start coming in from up the beach.

- Niniel casts Gust of Wind in that direction and starts running that direction followed by everyone else.

- Soliana casts her free casting of Mage Armor as they are running. 

- The Keepers arrive at a small dock for a couple of small fishing boats that has four creatures attacking the boats. The creatures look like a crocodile that has had its forelegs and upper torso replaced with that of a dolphin. Crocodolphins if you will.

- Niniel asks them what's going on and why are they attacking the boats, and the creatures pause to look at her, but then get right back to attacking.

- She re-aims her Gust of Wind at one of the creatures.

BOAT (PROTECTION) BATTLE

- Poetry steps forward onto the dock an summons Ember in the middle of a circle of three of the Crocodolphins (C1, C2, and C4). They all take 4 fire dmg. Ember then throws a Flame Seed on C1 for another 9 fire dmg. Ember then floats up above Niniel's Gust of Wind that is aimed at C4 so that she doesn't get pushed into the ocean.

- C1 jumps off the boat, swims under the dock and comes up in front of Niniel. He tail swipes her for 23 bludgeoning dmg and she is knocked prone. She loses Concentration on Gust of Wind. Then he bites her for 10 piercing dmg.

- C4 runs off the boat up the dock to Poetry and tail swipes her for 12 bludgeoning dmg and knocks her prone. Then it bites her for 14 piercing dmg.

- Soliana casts Wither and Bloom on C1 and C4 for 2 necrotic dmg and Niniel spends a Hit Dice for 24 HP. She backs up away from the dock 15'.

- Caleb throws a psychic dagger at C1 for 8 psychic dmg (all ones on the sneak attack is so rough) then throws another for 6 psychic dmg. 

- C2 jumps into the water and swims under the dock next to Niniel where he Readies to bite anyone who comes into range.   

- Zemma Rages growing long claws on her fingers, runs around C2 dodging the Bite attack, and then slashes him with her claws for 10 slashing dmg. Then she slashes again for 11 slashing dmg. The third claw attack hits for 12 slashing dmg.

- C3 dives into the water and then swims to shore and bites Poetry for 14 piercing dmg.

- Niniel Misty Steps next to Ember landing standing up and then she Eldritch Blasts C1 twice for a total of 23 force dmg. Niniel has never seen these critters before, but now that she's seen them in action a bit, they are not very dexterous, strong, tough, they are faster in the water than on land since their front "legs" are flippers like a dolphin, and they are not very smart. 

 

- Poetry stands up and casts Burning Hands on C3 and C4 for 9 fire dmg and them Ember flies over to Poetry and Fiery Teleports her away dealing 4 fire dmg to C1 and C3. 

- C1 moves to flank Zemma and tail swipes her for 15 (7) bludgeoning dmg and then bites her for 14 (7) piercing dmg.

- C4 follows Poetry and Tail Swipes her for 12 bludgeoning dmg and then bites her for 11 piercing dmg, and Poetry goes unconscious.

- Soliana casts Wither and Bloom on Ember dealing 10 necrotic dmg to C3, 5 to C4, and Poetry regains 15 HP. She summons a tiny immaterial Grim next to C2. She then takes 15' of steps farther up the beach.

- Caleb throws a psychic dagger at C1 for 19 psychic dmg and then throws another for 6 psychic dmg, and C1 is barely holding on.

- C2 bites Zemma for 24 (12) piercing dmg.

- Zemma stands up and claws C1 for 8 slashing dmg getting a claw in its eye socket ripping open its head so that its brain starts spilling out. Then she claws C2 for 10 slashing dmg and then misses.

- C3 runs past Ember straight to Caleb missing his with tail and also misses biting. 

- Niniel casts Lightning Bolt on C2 and C3 for 36 lightning dmg. C2 vibrates and then explodes. She then summons a Tentacles next to C4 dealing 4 cold dmg to it. 

 

- Poetry stands up and casts Burning Hands on C4 for 12 fire dmg then Ember grabs Poetry and then Fiery Teleports them 15' towards Zemma. 

- C4 runs up to Caleb and misses with tail and bite. 

- Soliana casts Magnify Gravity to try to pull the two Crocodolphins away from Caleb, but they are too persistent, only taking 5 force dmg. She moves 15' farther away up the beach.

- Caleb pulls out his rapier and stabs C3 for 10 piercing dmg.

- Zemma runs around and flanks C3 with missing with her first claw attack, then she slashes it for 12 slashing dmg killing it! Then she moves to flank C4 with Caleb and claws it for 10 slashing dmg.

- Niniel moves her tentacles over to C4 slapping it for 3 cold dmg then she casts Eldritch Blast on C4 hitting with one bolt of power for 9 force dmg.

 

- Poetry casts Scorching Ray hitting twice for a total of 20 fire dmg. Its head explodes splattering Zemma, Poetry, and Caleb in gore and sending a fine mist of blood far enough that even Niniel and Soliana get some droplets on their outfits. 

END OF BATTLE 

- Soliana immediately starts cleaning her skirt with Prestidigitation

- There are no creatures or people around. There is a decent amount of damage to the boats. 

- The crocodile and dolphin parts of the creatures actually do look different like two different creatures molded together. 

- Niniel grabs one of the crocodilean teeth and a bit of dolphin skin / blubber, wraps it some kelp and sticks it in her Patron Pouch.

- After a moment practically with the same motion, her pouch feels heavy like something dropped into it, and she pulls out a chunk of a person's face (an chunk with an eyeball) and at least a half cup of blood pours out.

- Everyone sees this (for the first time), so Soliana immediately casts Detect Magic and the bag emits Conjuration magic. 

- Niniel offers the bit of face to Soliana in case its useful, but she doesn't want anything to do with it.

 - Zemma finds a fishing pole and uses it to fish.

- Niniel carves some blubber from the dolphin bits to save for a snack later.

- Poetry is still wrecked, so they settle on some soft, clean sand and Niniel wanders to find a pretty shell which she polishes and puts in the bag as an apology 

 

- 2,000 XP ea for 21,500 XP total ea.