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Previously on Call from the Deep
Starring:Gotwald Ironhorn, level 10 minotaur Rune Knight Fighter
Mac, level 10 tortle Drakewarden Ranger/Rogue
Savra Akkedis, level 10 lizardfolk School of Necromancy Wizard
Torrel, level 10 kenku Fathomless Warlock Pact of the Amulet/Fighter
The Zoo Crew had survived (and kicked ass) past Driftwood Docks, earning some momentary respite in the harbor. Before them lies Tentrix’s Floating Lair, a fortified outpost built from the carcasses of several ships lashed and stacked together.
But first, they have a polymorphed frost giant to deal with.
Savra had spent multiple spell slots last session to polymorph the frost giant Pirate Lord Frostbeard and bring him on board their ship as they exited the docks.
But now the party wasn’t at all sure what to do with the damn thing.
After some deliberation, Borgas suggests interrogating the Pirate Lord for any intel on Tentrix’s lair.
Fearing the giant’s wrath and might, they keep him a chicken, and Mac casts speak with animals!
Chickenbeard is filled with impotent rage, but eventually spills some information: the lair is lightly defended, since most of the security is done at Driftwood Docks. The lair features a rocking tavern, a brig, barracks, and quarters for the Pirate Lords.
There’s constant turnover between pirate crews coming and going — but the Zoo Crew are infamous, with wanted posters and bounties.
Mac presses the chicken for any hand signals or phrases, and after some intimidation, Chickenbeard reveals a pass phrase that should get them inside — if they’re properly disguised.
That turns out to be a pretty big “if.”
The party still isn’t sure what to do with the ticking time-bomb polymorphed giant, considering drowning it, firing it in a ballista, or dropping it onto the lair from the sky.
Ultimately they put it on a tiny plank of wood and send it back to the docks.
The chicken lives!
Turning back to the lair, the party barely has the concept of a plan as they take out their folding boat. They leave their damaged ship to the rest of their crew for quick repairs, but they’re on a time crunch. The other ships haven’t noticed them yet, but they’re ship is just as infamous as they are!
Mac hits the water while Savra and Torrel take the boat toward the main southern entrance.
Mac can uses his hat of disguise to turn into previously defeated pirate lord The Storm Maiden, but the others don’t put any effort into disguising themselves. Mac, winging it as always, throws them some rope and tells them to tie themselves up as he climbs up onto the dock, catching the attention of the guards on the ramparts.
Mac, as The Storm Maiden, exclaims that she has captured some of the Zoo Crew alive, though it cost her ship and crew to bring them here.
Several pirates come running out of the gate to grab them and take them to the brig, while encouraging Mac to see Tentrix immediately.
Things instantly go wrong, however!
Torrel summons a tentacle to wave at them, while Savra refuses to be touched. The increasingly concerned pirates bring out weapons to knock them out, and Savra casts a shield spell to avoid the blow.
The pirates get angry and confused. Why would The Storm Maiden bring “captured” spellcasters who are clearly still fully operational into the boss’ lair!?
So we roll for initiative!
Mac hilariously maintains the ruse, running around a corner and yelling that “another one is here” as arrows come flying at the pirates, headshotting them.
Torrel summons Bigby’s Hand to grab a pirate and fling it into the water, while Savra uses shatter to destroy the ballistae on the walls.
Any pretense of stealth or subterfuge is definitely over, as the loud spells, combat, and yelling stirs pirates within the nearby tavern.
Savra reaches the main gate and casts sickening radiance, localized in the very crowded tavern.
It’s a great move, but the party didn’t count on a mysterious skull-faced creature standing atop the ship in the middle of the lair. With a calm wave of its hand, the merrenoloth casts dispel magic, ending the radiation effect before it can deal much damage.
Mac climbs up the side of a building, using his magical disguise to order away more pirates downstairs, while he rushes up to fight the strange creature.
The tavern empties out with a dozen pirates rushing toward the main gates, while a small flying creature flies off toward the north. Once again, a massive battle is under way!
MVPC – Mac
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