Bjorn-frog swam around the eastern ridge, turning toward the deep dark pool. He dove down, and through the murk, his frog-eyes could make out the form of an enormous Hydra. Three of the five heads were sleeping, but two of the furthest heads were alert, snaking across its body, in search of trouble.
TEAM LAKE - Bjorn
Bjorn's frog eyes widened in surprise and fear at seeing the multi-headed beast. He turned and swam as quickly as he could back to the others why connecting with Bill telepathically.
Back on the kayak, Bill became very animated, turning in circles and then pointing his nose towards the deeper pool while making chirping sounds.
OOC:
OK, that's not good. Bjorn moves to the shore (S29 or thereabouts) while giving Bill a mental image at what he saw. Bill tries to warn the others. Stealth check: 1D20+2 = [6]+2 = 8
And yeah, he may have panicked a bit there with that stealth roll.
Seeing Bills agitated spinning, Shade-9 immediately changed focus. He turned to check where the other kayak was positioned and then east where Bill was pointing - presumably towards the submerged Bjorn.
""Unidentified threat" he called to his companion still unsure what had stirred up the weasel so "take evasive action, get to shallow water"
Yeah, couldn't resist (and also didn't like the idea of getting ambushed from behind). Instead, just think of all the experience points! And I hear hydras taste like chicken.
Bjorn swam, while Bill jumped up and down in Aywin's lap, squeaking. With the way his frog-body was shaped, Bjorn could not look directly behind himself while swimming away at speed (though he could see side-to-side simultaneously) but he felt the water surge behind him as one of the Hydra's heads snaked out and tried to bite him. He was relieved with the dull sound of the chomp echoed through the water behind him, but he felt nothing catch his body or legs. It had missed.
By the time Bjorn crested the ridge, swimming for the others, he could spare a look backward. The disappointed hydra head sunk back away, still attached as it was to a body that was sleeping. Through the murky darkness, Bjorn could just make out the other awake head, silently watching, and a third head opened its eyes but the body did not stir.
Relieved for the moment, Bjorn swam for the surface to make his report to the others as Loklafd in the second kayak above him dipped the glowing sword, which plunged a beam of light toward him. An act that made Bjorn concerned that it would further disturb the slumbering monster.
Above them on the ledge overhead, Guldred waved down, "Do not bother with that way! Stay away from deep water bay!"
But, at least for a moment, all eyes were focused in that direction, and they could not help to notice that on the eastern shore of the 'deep water bay', where the Hydra lay, was a ledge of worked stone with a square stone archway. It was a dozen yards away, in darkness, but what must be a room or a hallway beyond had the out-of-sight, but unmistakeable dim flicker of a burning torch.
OOC:
Guess the Hydra isn't all that hungry after all!
Notes: 1) Narrow Shallow Gap. 2) Open Cave (some light up there somewhere too). 3) Side-Stream where Guldred appears to be heading. 4) Stone Archway (torches?). 5) More Lake this way!
Terrin throws a javelin as he steps out from around the corner, beginning to round the wagon and attempting to deter the fanatic from standing near the portcullis.
As the javelin glances off the wall and clatters to the floor, Terrin travels between the stack of crates and the wagon, taking up a defensive position between the wagon and the north wall of the storeroom.
"We're friends of Imani's, if that name means anything to you," he says to Stryke as he passes him.
"We're looking for a small stone idol. Might it lie in that direction?" he asks, indicating the door at the top of the stairs.
"I am called Stryke, the Drow answered Terrin, "And I have heard of your Sage. My team were his rivals to retrieve the Diamond Staff, but we have failed. I know where one of the Idols is, and I can lead you to it, in exchange for my freedom."
Pikki began to climb a steep tunnel leading upward toward the dig-site. She hugged the northern walls, staying within the deep shadows that were created, as the group would quickly discover, by the light of a torch, held in the hand of a mercenary guard. He held a javelin in his other hand, and he challenged them as they came into the dim light of his torch.
"Who's there?" he said, nervously. While waving his torch forward, trying to keep track of them all.
OOC:
Perhaps unsuccessfully. Feel free to roll Stealth or Deception, depending on your personal approach. I'd post a Map, but you can't see much yet, other than that there's a guy with a torch at the end of the climbing tunnel, and that behind him it opens into a large chamber.
