The end of an Era has come. Magic is broken. New Heroes are needed to face the challenges of the new Age!
I think the $25 million was for two trips @ 1130 cu ft each
Experience for the three session duel with Dark Sea. Keep in mind, this is based on which sessions characters are part of, which combats they were involved in, how they contributed to the overall mission, and of course level.Claude (don't have to divide between the Claudes) - 6000xpNathan (don't forget your gate) - 7500xpRin (slaughterer of demon mantas) - 5500xpSas (rarely physically there) - 7750xpChase (your clever magic items should all get a level) - 8000xpValdis (one good chop and psychic hop) - 8000xpWake and Falcon (you each managed to hit once) - 1300xpGabriel (leader of the ballista gallery) - 2400xpTaji (designated lyrist) - 1800xpKasai (used up every spell in the limited arsenal) - 2000xpVeronica (I can't even post what she gets xp for) - 300xp
The fight started out slow with the crew of the Gaurdian circling patiently around Dark Seas lair. Shortly after our scouting missions in the undersea cavern, Greymander lit up and Dark Seas approached. At first, we could only hear the wind shifting and waves crashing, but a lucky shot with an arrow of revealing gave us a quick glimpse of the creature and its location. The huge beast moved in to strike at the ship and the crew engaged in combat.The gunners loaded cannon and readied themselves to fire, Amare started shouting orders and getting everyone to their battle stations, the officers buffed with spells and activated magic items, and the rest of the crew hunkered down in the lower part of the ship.Once engaged in battle, everyone sprung into action. Spells were cast, abilities spent, and magic items activated. The ship was protected from ramming by the lyre and some of our magical defenses were activated. Although all these enhancements sound good in theory, it quickly became apparent that Dark Seas was too smart to take us on head to head. Instead, he began systematically picking the ship apart starting with the rudder. He then began moving stealthily through the water to confuse us and redirect his position. He dropped a lightning orb on the ship (which was eventually dispelled by Jean), cast a desiccating bubble that affected various crew, and remained invisible throughout his assault. we were forced to start repairs on the ship with the lyre and Claude fixed the rudder with a Make Whole spell.We managed to land an occasional blow, but really started off slow against the beast. Nathan evoked the power of the crown of air and turned into a bear, Sas utilized his spiritual abilities, Rin and Tsu took to the water, Chase and Kasai used magic, Claude calculated the best vantage point and readied the Greymander, Valdis began psionically buffing, the gunners mates aimed the cannons, Parker spotted from the crows nest, and most of the rest went below deck. The remaining warriors readied swords, harpoons, and bows for attack. There was a long period of cat and mouse with Dark Seas toying with us and dimension hopping out of range. We eventually decided to go in after it, so Nathan, Chase, Rin, Tsu, Claude, and Sas prepped themselves in both physical and ghostly forms to make the journey to his lair. We took two of the flags from the ship to avoid panic. We descended into the depths only to be assaulted by the flood of manta rays that we had scouted earlier. The fight was over before it began when Rin released a lethal volley of arrows with her arrow storm spell. The rays that lived fled the scene and we continued to search for Dark Seas. After reaching the lair, Nathan received word from Valdis that Dark Seas was attacking the ship again. The group below the surface agreed to ascend via the crown of air, but knew that it would take several rounds to reach the ship.In the meantime, the remaining crew defended the Guardian as best they could. It was at this point that Me-en, the great cloud elemental, engaged Dark Seas in open combat. He dive bombed the dragon in a spectacular aerial display and proceeded to fight it for several rounds. Dark Seas eventually got the better of him and he was forced to withdraw, but one major thing he accomplished was to rid Dark Seas of his invisibility. Kasai launched spells, the gunners fired cannon, the archers lobbed arrows, and the others assisted with loading and spotting. After exhausting resources to no avail, Dark Seas made his way over to the ship. He charged it from the sky and came crashing down on deck at full velocity. The force of the impact tossed several of the crew overboard and destroyed one of our secondary masts. Fitolin was lost at sea. With very few crew remaining on board, the dragon engaged Amare in combat. Amare used his Bardic abilities to create a wall of dancing rope to distract Dark Seas. It was clear now that Dark Seas was no even bigger, had multiple limbs, and was harder to hit. It also was capable of dealing devastating damage. We were in trouble. Midiyro bravely charged the beast with his katana, but was swatted away with a mighty tail slap. Tsari'Moti also attacked, but was crushed and pinned to the deck by tail and talon. The crew who was overboard worked together to stay afloat and rescue each other with the dingy that was floating near by. While they were all reorienting themselves, Dark Seas took the opportunity to cause more damage. He tore at the ship and ripped away at the rope wall. Taji was eventually able to sneak on deck and pull Tsari'Moti from combat, but Dark Seas would not be robbed of his bloody satisfaction. He proceeded to grab Midiyro and crush his internal organs. Once tenderized, he rended his flesh and tore him in half. He tossed one half of his body into the sea, wiped the venom and blood off his maw, then tossed the other half across the ship and into the ocean. Midiyro was lost. His valiant last stand will go down in history. It was at this point that the officers resurfaced. Nathan came splashing out of the water and the rest of the crew remained on the surface treading water. Rin and Tsu were not yet above water. It was later revealed that she and Tsu were ensnared by the remaining mantas and forced into combat. It did not end well for the mantas. Nathan then rushed Dark Seas and engaged in hand to hand combat. Valdis and Claude dimension hopped onto his back, and Chase activated his boots and flew within casting range. Me-en rejoined the fight, but in a support role. He dispelled Dark Seas and gave us all protection from electricity. After the dispel, Dark Seas lost his additional limbs and ceased to hurt as much with his attacks. This gave Nathan, Claude, and Valdis the chance they needed to inflict some damage. Claude with the Greymander, Nathan with claw and teeth, and Valdis with a mighty psionically buffed explosive axe attack. In addition, Chase was launching potent Ice Darts that were landing and causing serious damage. Dark Seas was angry and starting to loose control. He fought back and severely injured all that were on his back and neck area.At some point during the mass melee, Claude had an epiphany. He realized that he was pretty awesome and that life would be improved for everyone if there were more of him around, so he wished it so and low and behold, two more Claude's appeared on either side of him. After greeting each other and complimenting their taste in garb and weaponry, all three Claude's coordinated their attacks. After having its defenses weakened and multiple dragon hunters hacking away at it, the true Greymander began to hum. The vibrato became increasingly loud and disturbing to Dark Seas. For the first time, the beaten and bloodied crew could see a glimmer of concern in the creatures eyes. Nathan, Valdis, and Ritvalli (who had snuck up on the dragon) saw that the Greymander was thirsty for blood and soul. They all focused on assisting Claude, providing him the edge he needed to come down with the Greymander and make one final devastating blow that cut into the dragon's scales and penetrated the brain cavity. Greymander plunged into its flesh and began the immensely satisfying process of draining the vile beast's soul. Dark Seas, however, wouldn't be sentenced to oblivion that easily. His soul fought with Greymander and Claude almost lost control of the sword, and with it, Dark Seas' soul. As luck would have it, Claude would come to yet another epiphany. He realized that T'fop is always on his side and that there's always a shot for the underdog. He reached down deep and mustered up a little touch of luck. Like a champion bass fisherman, Claude tugged and pulled at the Greymander, reeling in the dark and corrupted soul like a wriggling fish. Luck was on our side and the Greymander triumphed in the ultimate battle of will. Dark Seas was defeated and the crew of the Gaurdian of the Tides collapsed in bitter sweet victory. We rested that night, healed, repaired the ship, and paid homage to the victorious dead: Midiyro and Fitolin. We sent a rescue party to retrieve the bodies and Nathan and Chase made their way down to the lair to gather treasure. Once down there, it became known that low level magic won't protect people, so Chase had to come back to the surface. Nathan collected two full loads of loot with the portable hole and we set sail for Port Talp.
After a few days of meditation after the battle, Valdis will manifest ‘Detect Psionics’ on everything that was recovered as well
Not sure how long until we get back to port Talp but i will identify/“appraise†an item everyday until then. Here are 20 rolls just in case. 25,25,33,33,23,29,26,28,34. That’s terrible and i am switching die. 30,38,32,24,29,23,28,27,39,37. Little better.
