Session 48 - In the Weeds

32/06/5-10

The first couple of days sailing out of the bay of the Baven river, were smooth and quiet, however upon leaving to the open sea it became more erratic. While travelling Sapphira asked for any danger they might face. Roger told her that pirates were scarce as trade was still flowing so the route was well traversed. Creatures on the other hand, were present. News of a dragon turtle to the south west told the story of ships having to pay for passage or find themselves beneath the waves.

34/06/5-10

On the morning of the 5th day, the ship found itself in a thick mist. Coming up to the deck, it was easy to see worry on the captain's face. Seeing the first ones ascend, he told them to be on lookout today, as there were weird rumor of ships going missing in the mist. Looking around, the weather was nice and bright, unusual for mist this thick. Cassini climbed up the mast, and had a look around. The coast was still close enough to see and he noticed that the fog was strongly localized to their area, seemingly centered on a point behind the ship, which was following them.

While Cassini took his time to climb up and down, relay the information and cast a detect magic spell, he found that the fog was magical, just as something broke water. Shiek watched as a giant head emerged atop the long neck of a sea serpent. It did not appear to be immediately aggressive. It kept pace for a while, before suddenly turning its head and speaking. It said "You will follow me or you will be sunk.". As the round permeated the space around them, Cassini noticed that the beast was wearing a necklace of kelp and other plants, which he could feel was magical, emitting enchantment.

Valeyo came above deck after hearing the sound and asked what was going on. He was filled in by Shiek as Cassini was talking about the necklace. Valeyo dismissed it and told the captain to follow it, before it loses its temper. As they did, Shiek asked it about the item around its neck. He saw a look of opportunity in the beast's face, as it said there was nothing around its neck. When asked where it was taking them, it said to the Masks, who live close to nearby islands.

Shiek wanted to face the serpent now, but Valeyo insisted it would be suicide. While they were arguing, the creature told them its master would give it no quarter and it still has nothing around its neck. Shiek suggested it might be controlled with the item and Valeyo told it to show its neck to prove it. It raised its head above the deck of the ship and presented its neck. Shiek went to grab the necklace, but found it much more secure than anticipated. As he touched it, the creature cried in pain, so he quickly pulled out his weapon and cut the kelp. The first hit was insufficient and the beast cried in pain once more, as Shiek finished the attack.

The item fell away and the creature bled from where its ears and eyes would be. Otto healed some of its wounds and they asked it what was happening. It dove into the water, before rearing back up and stretching. It reared its neck and thanked them. It them told them a story of it being kept captive by a coven of hags for the last year. Near the island west of  here, there was a sunken vessel, where they reside. They would have it take ships, beach them on the island, where the coven would consume them. When asked how it was captured, it said it had been the work of a fiend which traded it to the hags.

Milivoj wanted the group to defeat the hags, mentioning the items, they could have collected. He asked the sea serpent to help, but it said something near their home prevented it from approaching their home. It was like trying to swim into a rock, a magical barrier preventing them from reaching the bay where they lived. After discussing it further, the group decided to head to the island in question.

A few hours later, the fog began disappearing and a small island could be seen ahead. It was rather plain, with a small forest. On its south side were a number of beached ships with a bay in the north. The serpent offered to beach the vessel, but the group insisted it left it in the water and they would row to shore. They stood on the stand looking at the other five vessels, mostly merchant ships. Cassini could see a trail leading south and took lead. On the way, Axi told the group of hags, saying that if their coven is powerful, they might be watching them right now. They were known for "granting wishes", helping people escape bad situations, often created by the hags themselves, but for a price.

Further down the trail, they came across a campsite, presumably made by the previous crew. As they went on their way, a branch snapping could be heard behind the group. Sapphira immediately looked back, noticing a grizzled man in his 20s emerging from one of the cabins in the campsite. His clothes were in tatters and his face was sunburnt, likely a castaway. The man went to hide, but Sapphira told him they were friends come to help. He asked her if they were here to save them. He said his name was John, coming from one of the ships on the beach. His ship beached 7 months ago and he was all that was left. Other crewmembers followed the voices and have not been seen since. He spoke of the voices in fear, saying they had something to do with this, pulling out a box containing a familiar shell charm. Valeyo recognized it as the same amulet he was given buy the triton priest. He began telling the others about his experience in the temple and as he was saying he shouldn't have trusted the gods, a though crossed his mind. He distracted John, before casting suggestion on him, telling him to answer their questions truthfully. He asked if what he said was true, but John said no and began running. After being shot by Shiek, its true form was revealed as a disgusting Sea Hag. It was swiftly defeated.

Cassini checked for magic again and noticed that the charms have a faint abjuration aura. He also noticed that there was a divination aura above the creature coming from an unseen source. He told the others that they were being watched and noticed that the censor remained where it was. When they travelled deeper into the island, some of the auras began to change, the people navigating making weird choices as the landscape around them began to change. Cassini alerted the group and then went to dispel the magic. The illusion soon dissipated and they hurried onward before another illusion was cast.

Eventually they reached the beach on the other side of the island. There in the bay, were a trio of masks sticking out of the water. Cassini let off a Guiding Bolt at the masts, striking one of them and cracking it. It vibrated high above the ship and a second Guiding Bolt broke it in half, sending the top falling into the water. As the water settled, Cassini could see something coming from the vessel, swimming towards them. A short moment later, an elven woman swam out of the water. She wore an immaculate dress and a pearl necklace and her hair was immaculate. She started talking, but Valeyo immediately cast a spell, revealing her to be an illusion. A conversation started where the party made it clear they would kill them. She threatened them, saying that they would not be able to defeat them in the water, as there were many of them. The group said they would take their chances and went inland to take a rest.

The next day Cassini cast water breathing on the group and they entered the water. Before doing so Axi cast Fly on Valeyo. In the water they found the ship about a 100ft under the water. As the party prepared to attack, they decided to use Otto's armour to teleport inside. There they found 2 hags, as well as a large squid.