The Lightless Depths

After the Sahuagin leave, Lorric suggests that the Crimson Fists fly to Scuttlecove island but is turned down by his comrades on the grounds it is inhabited by hordes of bloodthirsty pirates. Though this doesn't stop him going on about it over the following days.

Six day pass as the ships are repaired. Finally both are ready to sail. Captain Nose-Chewer places a skeleton crew on 'The Siren's Teat' and 'The Southern Sun' takes it under tow and they leave Solport behind them.

Mol 2nd Lharvion, 998 Y.K.

9.30 p.m.

Three nights out of port and the sailing is going well, last night a storm struck but it quickly blew itself out and aside from a large shiver of sharks that followed the ship for a while there have been no incidents.

As the sun sets over the islands to the west a shimmering in the sea can be seen, like a great shoal of fish beneath the waves. As you watch you see several dorsal fins break the surface, these great sharks seem to have figures sat astride them, as they near you can make out the familiar forms of sahuagin riding the great whites, a contingent of over two-score warriors circle the waters around them as they approach the ship.

The crew raise shouts of alarm and the watch bell begins to ring out as weapons are drawn.

As you watch the sahuagin part ant a shark bigger than any you have seen before rises to the surface carrying two brightly coloured sahuagin, the yellow one in the front is adorned in pearls, brightly coloured corals and sparkling metals, whilst her consort seated behind has intricately carved shark-skin armour covering his muscular four armed form, he carries two pearlescent tridents.

A shout in common skips across the waves from the golden priestess, “We seek the Crimson Fist with all urgency.”

Three days of sailing pass calmly. On the third night Kapek observes twenty Sahuagin mounted on great white sharks approaching. He raises the alarm and all arm themselves and prepare for the Sahuagin. As the twenty Sahuagin reach the ship a especially large shark rises from the depths bearing a four armed Sahuagin warrior and what the group now recognize as one of the Sahuagin priestesses. In broken common she addresses the ship, saying she wishes to speak with the Crimson Fist, after a brief debate she is invited on board.

She explains she is carrying a message about the destruction of a ship, The Brine Harlot'. A ship that had been sunk in her waters carrying 'a darkness'. This turns out to be a Shadow Pearl, a magical gem formed from the slime exuded by the 'Hunger Below' and a vital component in the creation of the Ectha. She presents them with a scroll retrieved from 'The Brine Harlot' and explains that the Boiling Chasm wish the Crimson Fist to put a stop to the trade in Shadow Pearls.

She explains that to do this they will have to enter the waters of 'the glutton'- a fearsome Dragonturtle. She offers them a chest of treasures to buy passage with and a strange musical instrument that is dipped into the water and used to summon 'the glutton'. After some debate and conferring with Nose-Chewer the group agree to undertake the mission.

The Tale of the Brine Harlot

‘The Brine Harlot’ was sailing north, it’s starting point is unknown but it’s destination was quite apparent. It was heading for the waters around Bluescar and Yarkuun Draal. Whilst this is not unusual, its cargo was. A disturbance followed the vessel as it skimmed the northern waters, it carried a darkness, a shadow that permeated to the darkest depths, and when they hit troubled waters they could not save themselves. The Boiling Chasm was filled with blood that night as the waters became a churning feeding frenzy.

As the broken ship fell to the sea bed it became apparent that their cargo was not usual. Dark, maddening magics issued from a locked strongbox and when this was forced open the tribe gazed upon the source of this darkness. They worked their magics and studied their ancient writings, speaking with the wise and the deceased until they found the true use of the item they had recovered. Even now they have many unanswered questions.

The item they found was known as a ‘Shadow Pearl’, the thing is crafted or perhaps born from a substance that is referred to as ‘Black Bile’. This item is the key component in the creation of the Echtha.

Zol 3rd Lharvion, 998 Y.K.

1.30 a.m.

Later that night a ghostly figure appears on the deck of the ship. The strange lady the group meet at Bluescar has returned.

"With the sinking of the Brine Harlot and the discovery of the Shadow Pearls it has come to light that this could be the perfect opportunity to sway the will of Holashner. Olman Isle used to be the home of the Olman tribe, a society of barbaric seafarers that lived many thousands of years ago. Time watched their small civilisation fade into memory but their deeds are reverberating to this day.

Deep beneath the island there is an ancient artefact that is keeping Holashner in a state of confusion, he craves tribute and worship yet his most sacred places are defiled by those who would harness his power for their own purposes.

The artefact was sacred to the Olman rain god Tlaloc and has held the island in check for nearly ten thousand years. With its destruction Holashner will turn his gaze and will begin to stir with direction."

She explains that she wishes the Crimson Fist while on Oloman to destroy an artifact that holds Holashner in confusion, so he may attack Thoon who was responsible for his condition.

She answers many questions the group have about the prophecies they have heard, during which she admits to being a demon.

After she leaves the Crimson Fist debate her request and decide that they can't trust her and so won't destroy the artifact.

Zor 5th Lharvion, 998 Y.K.

5.30 pm

They sail on to the island. When in sight of it Mirra dips the instrument into the water and plays it. With a mighty rush of water the Glutton arrives. The chest is tossed to him but he demands the same amount again. Despite Lorric's urging that they just attack the Glutton, the rest of the group provide him with the extra money. The Glutton grabs the money and vanishes into the depths.

'The Southern Sun' pulls into the cove and moors at a rickety wooden pier decorated with skulls burning with green fire that emit a nauseating gas. It leads into a cave that vanishes into the depths of the island. The Crimson Fist disembark and move along the pier into the cave. Inside they find a Dimetrodon, Kapek uses his skills as a dinosaur wrangler and calms the skittish beast.

A Troglodyte enters the cave and demands to know what they're doing. Ajax pretends to be there to buy Shadow Pearls and when the creature confirms they supply them, Ajax attacks and kills it. The Dimetrodon tears a chunk from Ajax's leg and three more Troglodyte's appear, one casting 'Hold Person'. The spell affects no-one and the battle is short and final. All the enemy are swiftly dispatched.

Close examination reveals the Troglodytes are wrapped in robes smeared with some strange, slightly magical, black goo. They also seem to be diseased with some strange, rotting illness. Upon seeing this Sparky makes sure to clean and bandage the wounds of the group to ensure this infection doesn't spread to them.

Laogroat
The Crimson Fist penetrate deeper into the cave complex, a dark and foul place decorated with decaying intestines and with strange paintings on the walls. The group walk for at least four miles before a familiar smell assails them. They find an iron gate leading into vast underground cave filled with strange domed stone huts.

Lorric and Ajax sneak into the cave, Lorric enters the nearest hut and finding four Troglodytes asleep he quietly kills them. Ajax sneaks into another hut and also finds sleeping Troglodytes. He is about to kill them when it strikes him that this is a dishonourable way to deal with enemies. He fills his lungs and yells "Wakey, wakey!" at the top of his lungs.

In response dozens of Troglodytes pour out of the huts and attack the group. Ajax and Lorric meet the claws of the Troglodytes with fist and claws while Oz pours arrows and Kapek boomerangs and Sparky lightning charged javelins into the enemy and Mirra intones epic poetry to inspire. As the group fight off the waves of Troglodytes, four of them cast 'Hold Person' but the spells are resisted. The Troglodytes break on the Crimson Fist and too late realize they are out-classed, they try to flee but are cut down to the last creature.

In the middle of the cave is a pit and by it two cages. In one is found a Troglodyte who is free from the disease that had affected all the others. He offers to aid the group if they will spare his life. The Troglodyte claims that he had been asked by the ghost of one of his kind to gather warriors to defeat the Lords of Dread, those who are creating the Shadow Pearls.
He calls himself Irgzid Uzeye.


Irgzid explained the ghost had told him the Lords of Dread were debasing the worship of their god, Laogzed.  Pointing at the two-headed statues Irgzid said that originally Laogzed was depicted with just one head. Irgzid offered to take the Crimson Fist to where his people would meet the Lords of Dread to trade for the Shadow Pearls. After a quick debate the Crimson Fist agree to his suggestions.
The group descend into the pit in the floor of the room, which leads down into tunnels beneath the earth. Irgzid leads them for miles through the tunnels, as they go they discuss Ajax's recent actions in alerting the Troglodytes. Ajax defends his actions but does agree to discuss such tactical decisions with the rest of the group beforehand in future.

The Burning Pools

Eventually a strange smell heralds the approach of the 'Burning Pools'. An area full of pools of acid where the air was full of poisonous fumes. They are informed they must hold their breath as they pass through.

Trickles of water emerge from a crack in the ceiling of this cavern, splitting into numerous rivulets that roll slowly down stalactites and drip off into the deep, milky pools that dot the floor of this chamber.

However when they reach the cave it is inhabited by a strange, inky ball of ooze that Kapek identifies as a huge Black Pudding. The Crimson Fist open fire with missile weapons and the creature approaches and then shoots out a jet of black acid. Ajax charges it but is grappled and Lorric, Sparky and Kapek pile in. Sparky is also grappled but thanks to his 'Freedom of Movement' spell he slips out of the creatures hold with ease. With the whole group attacking, the Black Pudding is quickly slain.

The Hanging Forest
This seventy foot wide cavern drops away into a black gulf below. A forest of stalactites hangs from the ceiling, some dropping away out of sight into the darkness. A ledge, its surface glistening with moisture and mould, winds down the inner wall of the cavern, a descending path of dubious safety.
Once a volcanic shaft, this cavernous cavern drops 400 feet into a rubble strewn field of petrified trees of all sizes, subsumed by the earth in some geologic upheaval and subsequently petrified. Chunks of shattered branches litter the floor, but a number of the logs are surprisingly life-like.

Having passed through the cave the path curves down along a ledge on the side of a 400 foot high cliff. The Crimson Fist head down and reach the bottom and pass on to a petrified forest. Suddenly a sticky strand whips out of the darkness and grabs Kapek, Ajax, Mirra and Sparky. The strand appears to have come from out of a petrified tree.
Lorric and Ajax charge the monster as Kapek is dragged in closer. Ajax is bitten by the creature. Sparky hurls a lightning charged javelin into combat, unfortunately straight at Lorric, who snatches it out of the air and instinctively hurls it straight back at Sparky but luckily it bounces off Sparky's armour.
The creature is defeated and the remains of its victims searched for loot. The Crimson Fist decide to rest in the Petrified Forest for the rest of the night, as they think it is probably around 11 o'clock.

Next morning as the Crimson Fist are having breakfast Kapek suddenly yells a warning, six Hook Horrors are approaching. Lorric notices a shape hovering at the back, behind the aberrations and suddenly all their magic ceases to work.
As the creatures close in Oz puts a arrow through one's eye, instantly killing it. As the battle begins all the Crimson Fist feel their capabilities limited by the lack of magic. Mira can't use her bardic abilities, Sparky can't cast spells or produce magical javelins and Ajax finds himself unable to shift.

*Ajax comments
Ajax is horrified by what effects the Beholder's anti-magic ray has on him. No magic means no magic weapons, no healing from his healing belt or potions, less armour but most disastrously no abilities from his native ability to Shift or from the talents of the Warshaper he had learned.

Suddenly from behind the creatures several brightly coloured beams lance out and hit Kapek, Ajax and Lorric fortunately they all manage to resist the effects but illuminated by the beams the group see the mysterious creature for what it is, a Beholder !
However with its use of its other abilities the creature has dropped its anti-magic zone. Sparky casts 'Flame Strikes' on it.Lorric and Ajax tumble through the Hook Horrors and slam into the Beholder. Kapek lowers his head and charges Reaver straight through the middle of the Hook Horrors to join in the attack.
With all three of them attacking it the Beholder lasts mere seconds. Then caught between the two halves of the group the Hook Horrors are soon cut down.

The Cerulean Curtain
Having rested and healed the group push on for another 16 miles of tunnels. Eventually they reach the 'Cerulean Curtain' which leads into the domain of the Lords of Dread.

The tunnel widens into a large cavern nearly two hundred feet in diameter. A shimmering curtain of rippling blue light bisects this cavern from left to right, from floor to ceiling. The light resembles a translucent membrane that swirls and sparkles like the surface of a pond. The cavern on the other side is visible through this sheen, and the tunnel proceeds around a corner at the far end. Shapes and figures seem to ripple and writhe along this curtain of cerulean light, and now and then these shape pass by slowly enough to be identified as tribal warriors in full battle regalia, their mouths open in silent screams. A low whispering fills the room, but the cave is otherwise silent.
As you pass through the curtain, the whispering rises sharply to an almost painful roar, as of a thousand people shouting as many different phrases, it then falls silent again as you emerge from the other side.

Fallam Isle

Sar 21st Nymm, 998 Y.K.

11.30 a.m.

Having finally reached Solport the Crimson Fist make straight for the local inn, 'The Blue Lobster'. There Lorric, in deference to the fact the group now has three extra members, orders 17 beers. As they drink the group inquire about the island and are warned by the innkeeper that people who have gone into the local forest to travel to the other village on the island have not been returning. Lorric naturally takes this as a challenge.

Captain Nosechewer joins them and informs them that repairs will be difficult because the locals can't get timber from the forest. This confirms the Crimson Fist in their determination to investigate the problem.

Deciding to scout first Kapek takes Hurricane, his faithful Glidewing, with Lorric along as an observer and begins to circle the island. They have travelled around a quarter of the way around the edge of the island when they spot a ship wrecked on one of the beaches. Leading up from the beach they notice paths chewed through the woods. Following the trail of devastation inland they find the other village, Selford, completely destroyed.

Searching the immediate area they come across the source of all this destruction a huge multi-headed monster, that has left a trail of slime wherever it has gone. Kapek decides to head back to inform the others.

After briefing the other members Mirra identifies the creature as a Gulguthhydra. Lorric and Kapek take to the air again and the others set off on foot to deal with the creature.

Kapek and Lorric streak ahead on Hurricane and soon spot the creature. Kapek swings in close to the creature to let Lorric have a crack at it with his sling and then when it persues them to draw them to the rest of the Crimson Fist. Somewhat to their surprise though, the creature flees towards the sea. Kapek takes Hurricane in closer for a better shot but at fifty feet out they gag on the creature's vile stench. Hurricane vomits up half-digested fish in distress and Kapek is forced to quickly pull him up and away from the creature.

Seeing the creature continuing to the sea Kapek takes up position a safe distance away and he and Lorric open fire. The creature is unable to defend itself against these flying foes and they whittle it down until it is slain.

*Ajax comments
Selfish Gits!

After a fruitless search for survivors in Selford the Crimson Fist head to the shipwreck. The ship is easily identified as 'The Siren's Teat' a notorious pirate vessel.

The lingering stench of Golguthhydra hangs around the ship. The crew appear to have been eaten by the creature, which appears to have been kept in the ships hold. Though down in the hold there appears to have only been ropes to secure any captives. Kapek and Ajax study the signs intently, eventually coming to the conclusion a prisoner was held in the hold who then transformed into the Gulguthhydra and slaughtered the crew.

They then, of course, loot the place! Among the money and magic items they also find maps, a small wooden coffer containing three vials of red liquid and the water damaged Captains Log.

They return to Solport and report to the Mayor. He is clearly terrified to learn 'The Siren's Teat' is beached on his island and with a little persuasion admits to paying the pirates protection money. He is also makes mention of 'The Monks of the Dire Hunger' who share the pirates secret island. A group who believe they must eat their own kind in order to advance and purchase victims from the pirates.

The Mayor takes the news of Selford with a heavy heart he asks the group to search the sea caves where survivors may have fled. The group agrees to head out tomorrow and do just that.

Captain Nose-Crusher has heard of 'The Siren's Teat' (indeed has been attacked by it) and is very interested in salvaging it. He also identifies the maps as being the charts that show the location of Scuttlecove, including the secret route through the reefs to it. The ching of gold is distinctly heard as everyone realizes how much this would be worth to the Brellish navy.

Sul 22nd Nymm, 998 Y.K.

8.30 a.m.

The next morning the Crimson Fist set out with two sailors in tow. The sailors look over 'The Sirens Teat' and confirm its only lightly damaged. They then head on to the sea caves where they find four terrified villagers who they escort back to Solport.

Mirra eventually manages to decipher the last couple of entries in the log of 'The Sirens Teat'. There is reference that it is delivering a special package from an unknown alchemist to the matron of Porphyry house, in return for a 'week of freebies'. (Which convinces the group that Porphyry house is a high-class brothel).

The last entry tells of the Captain finding a beautiful stowaway, who he notes is vaguely familiar. Maybe he knew her from Porphyry house? The group conclude it must have been this captive tied up in the hold. But how she became a Golguthhydra remains a mystery.

9.30 p.m.

Later that evening, once the setting sun is low on the horizon and the eastern side of the island is in full shade, Kapek is on watch and notices a shoal of around twenty Sahuagin coming in to Solport harbour. The Crimson Fist ready their weapons but are aware the Mayor has contact with them so don't attack. The Mayor marches down to the water-line to greet the visitors. The lead Sahuagin, a bright yellow priestess, demands to talk with one of the new-comers and Kapek heads over to talk to them.

She turns out to be from the 'Boiling Chasm' tribe a rival clan to the one who attacked them earlier, who she identifies as 'The Cult of the Forgotten Tide'. This cult, she claims, are a breakaway sect of her own tribe, the Priestess claims to have heard voices from the depths that led her to retrieve the 'Sceptre of the Dolurrh Trench', an artefact with the power to kill and animate with it's ghostly blue light. The heretic Priestess claims that she speaks directly with Holashner and does his bidding. Which explains the answer the Sahuagin gave under the 'Speak with Dead' spell.

*Ajax comments
Again knowing such powerful entities are talking an interest in them is worrrying. Though very satisfying to the ego.

She quizzes Kapek on the attack and the events at Bluescar lighthouse. In return she offers advice on how the Ectha can be recognized.

CHAPTER 3 - The Southern Sun

16th Nymm. 998Y.K.

7.30 a.m.

The Crimson Fist spend a day selling off their accumulated loot, replenishing their supplies and purchasing new gear (and new magic toys).

On the morrow they head to the Deathsgate Guild to recruit new members to replace Katerina and Anvil. The Guild have gathered suitable candidates and after checking the records the Crimson Fist select three suitable candidates. They are:

• Sparky- a male human cleric who declares himself a worshipper of the Storm (and gives everyone a mild electric shocks when they shake hands)
• Oz- a very quiet male, elf scout.
• Mirra Montmorency Dallian- a female Gnome Bard and reporter for the Korranberg Chronicle (who seems to want to know everything about everyone and makes copious notes).

Happy with their new comrades the group head down to the docks to catch their ship, 'The Southern Sun'. The captain of the ship, a no-nonsense Orc, introduces himself as Nosecrusher. He seems wary of Mirra's questions and even more so of the self-confessed worshipper of Storms but is obviously being paid enough to bury such concerns. The group are given a quick tour of the ship and then shown to their cabins.

10.25 a.m.

Wasting no time the ship pulls out of port and the group say goodbye to Sharn. A goodbye made easier by the fact the city is once again experiencing a rainstorm.

As the tide turns the “Southern Sun” is untethered from the dock and the hull groans as the vessel begins to slowly move out into the dark and unseasonably swollen waters of the Hilt, accompanied by the cackle of gulls as numerous fishing boats return from their nights work on the Thunder Sea..

Within an hour the ship is clear of the dark cloud that shrouds Sharn and the open ocean lies ahead. You can not help but have your thoughts drift to comrades you have left behind in the dark miasma that surrounds the city that has seen so much misery of late.

But for now the vast blue desert of water lies before you now, and the anticipation and thrill of new adventure fills your hearts with a strange mix of wonder, excitement and concern. Will you ever see Sharn, or indeed Khorvaire, again, or is this goodbye to the land you call home.

The days pass quietly on board. The Crimson Fists get used to the rhythms of ship life and settle a new pattern of watches to make use of their new comrades.

*Ajax comments

Ajax also takes the opportunity to tell tales of his glorious adventures to Mirra.

19th Nymm, 998Y.K.

9.30 p.m.

On day four of the journey Sparky and Lorric are on the Wheel deck, Kapek and Mirra on the main deck and Oz and Ajax are asleep beneath decks. Just as the sun sets the wind begins to pick up. 

As the sun sinks over the western horizon on a calm sea, strong south-easterly winds begin to gather and heavy clouds begin to blot out the light from the moons overhead. White swell caps the growing waves and the ship begins to fill with shouts as the sails are brought in, in preparation for the coming storm. One of the sailors casts you a wide grin, “They don’t call it the Thunder Sea for nothing.”

A flash from the skies above is closely followed by a crash of thunder that resonates through your chest with a thump.

The helmsman takes a firm hold of the wheel and with grim determination sets his eyes to the south.

To Sparky's delight a storm breaks over the ship. It is sharp-eyed Lorric who spots the tiny hands and tentacles reaching over the ships side.

Lorric's yell raises the alarm and as the alarm bell rings out the group prepare for battle, apart from Ajax who remains resolutely asleep. At least until Oz empties a jug of water over him.

More of the tentacled aberrations pull themselves over the side, revealing themselves to be all too familiar to the members of the Crimson Fist who explored the Lighthouse at Bluescar. Sparky and Lorric engage the creatures pulling themselves onto the wheel deck. Mirra flees to the stairs that leads to the under decks and Kapek, who chooses to stand and fight, rapidly finds himself outnumbered and surrounded. As the hordes of the creatures pour onto the deck the minotaur helmsman suddenly begins to shudder in a most unnatural manner two tentacles burst from his back and a black oil covers his eyes as his form begins to blur. He turns and dives below decks pursued by Sparky. Mirra begins to intone tales of glory and the group feel new courage and inspiration fill them.

Oz and Ajax reach the top of the stairs that lead onto the deck and a sorely wounded Kapek falls back to join them and they form up with Ajax and Kapek in the front line filling the stairs and Mirra and Oz behind them. Out to sea a strange blue light forms beneath the waves, which no-one feels bodes well.

As both sides rip into each other the boat lurches violently as something smashes into it. The Crimson Fist nimbly keep their feet but their opponents are not so dexterous and most fall to the deck and the Crimson Fist take advantage of this temporary advantage to lay into them. A huge tentacle briefly appears over the side of the ship and the ship bumps again as something huge takes firm hold of the ship.

Below decks Sparky catches up with the minotaur fighting his own crew, mustering the divine power of the Storm Sparky casts 'Dispel Magic' on the creature hoping to free him of whatever foul magic possessed him. The Minotaur's form ceases to blur but his eyes remain covered in the black oil and he continues to fight against his old crew. Before Sparky can do anything else he is attacked from behind and is engaged in a fight to the death with one of the aberrations.

Lorric continues to tumble around the deck, engaging the enemy at will. At the stairs Ajax and Kapek desperately hold the line, helped by spells from Mirra and arrow fire from Oz.

The Crimson Fists are hard pressed on all sides and though dozens of the enemy litter the deck they are still hanging-on by the most slender of threads. Inevitably their luck fails, Lorric is caught by a blow and slumps to the deck only the amulet gifted him by Anvil stopping him from bleeding out on the spot. Ajax breaks from the stairs, diving between numerous enemies to reach Lorric and then discharges all the magic from his Healing Belt into Lorric bringing him back to his feet. Sadly left on his own Kapek also falls to the enemies blows. The aberrations pour forward and Oz suddenly finds himself on the front line. This is not the kind of fight he is used to and he is struck down by the attackers. Before anybody else can die Lorric and Ajax rejoin the fight. Lorric chops down the last of the spell casting aberrations while Ajax rushes over to Kapek and pours a potion of 'Cure Moderate Wounds' down his throat. Kapek rises and with his comrades finishes off the last of their enemies.

As the Crimson Fists catch their breath they discover that Oz still lives! Though he hangs on the ragged edge of death. Still with Sparkys help Oz and the other members of the group are soon brought to full health. Then one of the crew yells Sahuaghin are coming !
Suddenly the ship lurches again, leaning over at an angle of 45 degrees. The group are gripped by a strange sensation, as if they're lungs were filling with water but they doggedly prepare to repel boarders. Sahuagin climb onto the deck with weapons ready and are immediately engaged by the Crimson Fist.
The strange drowning feeling increases and all the Crimson Fist are forced to hold their breath, apart from Oz who starts to drown, as strange decayed figures pull themselves onto the ship. Mirra's inspiring tales end with a gurgle of water and Sparky finds he can't speak to cast his spells.

The Drowned (as the undead are known) and the Sahuagin close in on the group, while the rest fight Sparky uses his medical skills to try to prevent Oz from drowning. At the rear of the enemy, two of the Sahuagin target Lorric and Kapek with spells but they both resist. In desperation Mirra drags Oz deeper into the ship when over thirty feet away from the Drowned Oz suddenly vomits water as his lungs clear.
Kapek's faithfull velociraptor 'Reaver' is driven into a berserk rage by the water filling its lungs. In a blind fury it flees through the Sahuagin, taking its master with it, eventually fleeing outside the drowning effect. Sparky isn't so fortunate, succumbing to the effects of lack of oxygen and passing out.
Lorric leaps onto the rapidly drowning Sparky and drags him outside of the drowning effect. Then he quickly pours a healing potion down his throat. This does however leave Ajax facing six of the enemy on his own.

*Ajax comments
And he didn't think it too many.

Kapek seizes control of Reaver and, to Ajax's relief, charges Reaver into the enemies rear.
Sparky staggers to his feet and heals himself. Lorric charges back into the battle and finishes off the last of the Drowned and suddenly everybody can breathe again. The last few Sahuagin are easily dispatched now the Crimson Fists can breathe again, indeed they are even able to take one of the Sahuagin alive.
On the starboard side of the ship a huge eye rises from the water and is instantly hit by a red rock, boomerangs, a lightning charged javelin, two arrows, a flask of Alchemist fire and a Fireball.
Reaver is gripped by a strange impulse and turns to leap overboard to attack the creature but Kapek literally wrestle his protesting mount to the ground. Two massive tentacles slam into Ajax and Sparky before grabbing a tight hold of them. Lorric, Oz, Kapek and Reaver are also grabbed by tentacles.
Lorric chops the tentacle grabbing him in two, Oz deploys a cunning knee blade, striking the tentacle in a nerve cluster and it releases him in pain and shock. Ajax slices himself free with his claws and then severs the tentacles holding Kapek and Reaver but Sparky is hoisted high in the air by his tentacle.
The mysterious blue light that had been seen earlier flows under the ship and appears by the Kraken as does the silhouette of a Sahuagin priestess that leapt overboard. The Kraken begins to sink into the water. With lightning speed Lorric leaps up the mast, grabs a piece of the rigging and swings across severing the tenatacle holding Sparky, who plummets painfully to the deck. But the Kraken and the Sahuagin have fled, the battle is over.

The Crimson Fist strip the fallen foes of their magical gear and Sparky and Mirra identify it. They then split it, taking half for themselves and giving half to the crew of the ship, some for their defence and some to be sold to provide money for the families of the dead.
The storm lasts a further 26 hours but with hard work, and inspired by Mirra's bardic talents, the crew patch the ship together. Sadly in all the hustle and bustle the Sahuagin is tied up and forgotten and when the Crimson Fist get back to him, it has died like any fish will when out of water too long.
Still not one to waste an opportunity Sparky casts 'Speak with Dead' on the Sahuagin's body. They learn:

• The attack was aimed at the Crimson Fist.
• The attack was ordered by HOLASHNER.
• The Sahuagin knew of the ships location because of their agents on board.
• These agents were the ECHTHA.

Between them the group believe the Echtha is a name from Aquan for creatures possessed by the Kraken.
The ship limps towards the village of Solport on the island of Fallam. The nearest port.