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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 1077361" data-attributes="member: 6294">Kull's Fourth Report - Part 2Within moments, it emerged that we were indeed surrounded, with a wall of lizardmen both before and behind us in the tunnel.  This was a fine and rapid response to our incursion.  Would that the people of Saltmarsh had such capability, we would never have been needed.  The ability of our foes was at least some comfort.  If I were to die, at least it would be at the hands of an enemy I could respect.  Sorely wounded as we were, I saw little chance of escape.  With no hope but a clean death, I spoke a prayer to Hextor, and led the charge.Julianne and Zalich did not reach the enemy; trapped by grasping reeds that a shaman had animated, they quickly became helpless to move.  The strength Hextor had granted me let me rip my way through the barrier, however, with the now raging Brodnak beside me.  We struck their line with a mighty clash of arms, but their spears were too many: two barbs lodged in my flesh, and I fell.I did not expect to wake.  But wake I did, to strange news indeed.  The lizardfolk; apparently impressed the carnage we had wrought on their forces; had proved willing to parley, though they equally obviously considered us their prisoners.  Zalich was able to understand their tongue, and had conducted the negotiations while I was unconscious.  It seemed the creatures were not arming to attack Saltmarsh, but to defend themselves from a tribe of sea monsters known as Sahuagin, who had already driven them from one home.The mere mention of Sahuagin made Zalich turn his head and spit, and if they were able to drive the doughty lizardmen from their home, then they must be strong warriors.  I have no doubt that Saltmarsh would be easily destroyed by them, were they to turn their attention toward it.  This was obviously also the belief of our captors, as they had made no effort to contact the villagers for assistance, despite actively seeking out the aid of other races: sea elves and some beasts known as locathah.Our appearance; accompanied as it was by bloodshed they could ill afford; had at least persuaded them that some kind of aid might be gained from alliance with Saltmarsh.  Zalich unwisely expressed his doubts about this, but pledged that he at least would be willing to help.  He also spoke in my name and in those of the others; an act for which he had no authority; but I endorsed his action once I knew of it.  These Sahuagin are a real danger, and aiding the lizardmen against them will gain us strong allies.Naturally, there was still the matter of the blood we had spilled.  The lizardmen could ill afford the losses we had inflicted, and demanded recompense before they would negotiate with Saltmarsh.  Their price was the destruction of a giant crocodile that had recently moved into their hunting grounds, and mauled several of their warriors.  If we destroyed the beast and brought back its head, they would return to Saltmarsh with us to negotiate a treaty.I accepted the offer, provided we were given a night to rest and prepare.  They agreed to this condition, and the next morning - rested and healed - I led the others forth to destroy the crocodile, guided by one of the tribe's hunters.The lizardman brought us swiftly to the water hole where the creature laired, and we found and slew it just as swiftly.  Strong and powerful though it was, its hide could not turn the blows of my flail, nor the jets of flame unleashed by Zalich.  Julianne and Brodnak were of less aid, seeming unable to land any solid blows, but in truth their aid was little needed.Indeed, when the beast lay dead it seemed almost as if the fight had been too easy.  Perhaps Hextor thought so too, for as the crocodile breathed its last, a lizard-like head suddenly poked out of the reeds around the water hole.  It glared at us for a moment, then opened its mouth and spat forth a sizzling stream of acid, which splashed over me in an agonizing moment.The pain was intense; I could literally see the flesh dissolving on my hands and arms; but I fought through it to call on Hextor's power, restoring some of the damage I had suffered.  As I did so, the creature leapt into the water and slid beneath the surface.  It swam powerfully toward us, visible only as a dark shadow in the water's depths.It seemed our fight had disturbed a dragon.</blockquote>

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