Bartholemeow awoke from a dream filled with lively fairies and delectable cupcakes, the kind of fantastical reverie that made him long for the whimsical chaos of the Feywild. But the tranquility of his slumber shattered as a strange sound echoed from above deck. The large tabby house cat blinked his eyes open, shaking off the remnants of his dream, and padded softly through the dimly lit cabin. The moonlight, a mere sliver in the night sky, provided meager illumination as Bartholemeow slipped past the sleeping forms of his companions.
Hat was on watch duty, his colorful pointy hat bobbing near the mast. The whimsical goblin’s eyes were wide as he focused on something at the ship’s edge. Bartholemeow followed his gaze and saw a mermaid perched on the rail, her voice weaving a peculiar song through the night air:
“The cat and the hat, Both lost to the fae, They long to go back, But they can’t find the way.”
The mermaid’s appearance was far from the enchanting beauty of legend. Her crooked nose, mismatched eyebrows, and snaggletooth smile were unsettling. Bartholemeow’s curiosity piqued, he took out his lute and began to play along with her song. Yet, as his melody intertwined with hers, the mermaid’s form twisted into a grotesque mockery. Her smile grew unnaturally wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth. Her hair melted away, her hands morphed into claws, and her tail transformed into backward-jointed legs.
Before Bartholemeow could react, the monstrosity lunged at him. Instinctively, he cast Dissonant Whispers, but the creature resisted the spell, taking only partial damage. Hat, with a surge of panic, fired a firebolt at the sea hag, the spell hitting its mark. The goblin then scurried behind some barrels, attempting to hide.
The commotion roused the rest of the party. Bhakris and Thalmiir both charged onto the deck, weapons at the ready. Bhakris swung his magical longsword but missed the agile creature. Thalmiir, filled with rage, opted for a Reckless Attack, his powerful strike landing true and dealing significant damage.
Pebblesong emerged from below, casting a supportive spell that bolstered her companions’ attacks and abilities. Her presence was a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. Waer’dara moved strategically, firing an Eldritch Blast that struck the hag, despite her own fear.
The sea hag fought back viciously, her claws slashing at Bartholemeow and Pebblesong. In the midst of the battle, Bartholemeow disengaged and cast Healing Word on Pebblesong, mending her wounds. The hag’s low ululation summoned giant octopus tentacles from the depths, adding to the party’s peril. One tentacle lashed out at Bartholemeow, but the nimble shapeshifter dodged it with feline grace.
Hat, still trembling from his earlier panic, popped out from his hiding spot and fired another firebolt, hitting a tentacle. However, his stealth was insufficient this time, leaving him vulnerable. As the battle raged on, the sea hag’s health waned. Pebblesong cast Heroism on Thalmiir, granting him temporary hit points and immunity to fear, which bolstered the dwarf’s resolve.
Despite their fear, the party fought valiantly. Waer’dara’s Eldritch Blast struck again, and Hat, though scared, managed to hit a tentacle with another firebolt before collapsing from the hag’s taunt. Bhakris and Thalmiir continued their assault, but the hag’s resilience was formidable. Finally, Pebblesong’s Toll the Dead spell rang through the air like a mournful chime, and the sea hag fell, her body pulled apart by the retreating tentacles.
As the immediate threat subsided, Bhakris used his healing abilities to revive Hat, who chastised his puppet for their predicament. The party took stock of their surroundings and the aftermath of the battle. The captain, Bramblewick, emerged in his nightgown, bewildered by the chaos. Bartholemeow and Thalmiir explained the encounter, pointing out the octopus sucker marks and the damage to the cargo.
The captain’s genuine puzzlement about the attack contrasted with Thalmiir’s frustration over the changing times. As they approached the mouth of a river, the first mate informed them of the need to dock for a few hours and the requirement to leave someone on shore for security. Pebblesong and Waer’dara volunteered, while the rest of the party prepared for their next steps.
The dawn broke over the horizon, casting a golden hue on the calm waters. The ship glided toward a small town with an informal dock, the promise of new adventures and challenges awaiting them. As they neared their destination, the bonds forged in battle and the mysteries of the sea hag’s song lingered in their minds, setting the stage for the next chapter of their journey in search of the Urn of Chauntea.
Session Notes
- The session resumes with Bartholemeow waking from a dream involving fairies and cupcakes, interrupted by strange sounds from above deck.
- It is nighttime, and the party is asleep except for Hat, who is on watch duty.
- The characters are positioned at the edge of the water, near their bunks on the port side towards the fore of the ship.
- Bartholemeow decides to investigate the sound and comes up on deck.
- It’s a calm night with a sliver moon providing minimal light. Bartholemeow sees a mermaid perched on the edge of the boat, singing a peculiar song:
- “The cat and the hat, Both lost to the fae, They long to go back, But they can’t find the way.”
- The mermaid’s appearance is unusually unattractive for a legendary mermaid, with a crooked nose, mismatched eyebrows, a wart, and a snaggletooth.
- Bartholemeow sees Hat approaching the mermaid from near the mast.
- Bartholemeow takes out his lute and starts to play along with the mermaid’s song.
- As Bartholemeow plays, the mermaid’s appearance transforms into something monstrous: her smile grows unnaturally large, revealing many sharp teeth, her hair melts away, and her hands turn into claws. Her mermaid tail turns into backward-jointed legs.
- The DM asks everyone to roll initiative.
- Hat needs to make a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw to resist fear. Hat succeeds and acts:
- Hat fires a panic firebolt at the creature, hitting it and dealing damage.
- Hat then uses their goblin ability to hide behind some barrels or boxes, successfully making a stealth check.
- Bartholemeow also needs to make a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw to resist fear. Bartholemeow succeeds and acts:
- Bartholemeow casts Dissonant Whispers on the creature, but it makes its saving throw. The creature takes half damage.
- The creature moves towards Bartholemeow and attacks with its claws, hitting and dealing 7 damage.
- Bhakris wakes up and moves to the deck to join the fight.
- Bhakris attacks with his magical longsword but misses.
- Thalmiir wakes up and, enraged, grabs his axe and goes up the stairs to the deck.
- Thalmiir uses Reckless Attack, gaining advantage on his attack but also making attacks against him have advantage.
- Thalmiir hits the creature with a powerful attack, dealing significant damage.
- Pebblesong also wakes up and makes her way to the staircase, where she is attacked by the creature’s claws, taking damage.
- Pebblesong casts a supportive spell, granting Bhakris and Thalmiir a D4 bonus to their attacks, ability checks, and saving throws for the next ten minutes.
- Mark asks if he has to decide before rolling.
- Luke confirms they can decide before rolling.
- Brian confirms Luke’s statement.
- Brian indicates that his turn is over.
- Ben calls on Waer’dara for her turn.
- Merideth decides to use Eldritch Blast.
- Ben instructs Merideth to move Waer’dara up the stairs.
- Mark advises that Waer’dara can move further away since the creature used its reaction.
- Ben confirms the creature does not have a multi-reaction capability.
- Joe jokes about a “legendary extra reaction.”
- Ben instructs Merideth to roll for the attack.
- Brian asks Luke about the Emboldening Bond feature.
- Luke confirms it is a class feature.
- Ben confirms Waer’dara’s attack hits.
- Merideth reacts positively.
- Ben instructs Merideth to roll for damage.
- Luke mentions a setting to turn on emboldening bond support.
- Ben states the Eldritch Blast does a solid hit and describes an ear-splitting screech.
- Joe notes that Discord cut out Ben’s description.
- Ben repeats the description as bone-chilling.
- Ben calls on Hat to make a wisdom saving throw.
- Brian reacts with concern.
- Luke asks if those who came up from below decks need to make the saving throw.
- Ben confirms they do not need to make it yet.
- Ben explains the horror is slowly dawning upon them.
- Brian rolls for Hat, indicating he is holding it together.
- Brian describes Hat popping out to shoot a Firebolt.
- Brian asks if Hat gets advantage from being hidden.
- Ben confirms Hat’s stealth check was successful.
- Brian rolls for the Firebolt spell.
- Ben instructs Brian to roll for damage.
- Brian describes Hat ducking back to hide again.
- Ben instructs Brian to roll for stealth.
- Brian jokes about Hat being a “store brand rogue.”
- Ben confirms the stealth roll is insufficient.
- Ben calls on Bartholemeow to make a wisdom check.
- Joe indicates Bartholemeow will take the disengage action and cast Healing Word on Pebblesong.
- Brian reacts positively to Joe’s action.
- Joe rolls for Healing Word.
- Luke confirms seeing a visual effect on the sea hag.
- Ben confirms the sea hag’s hit points are correct.
- Ben calls on Bartholemeow to complete his turn.
- Joe confirms ending his turn.
- Ben discusses the sea hag having advantage on attacks against Thalmiir due to reckless attack.
- Mark and Luke discuss the effects of reckless attack.
- Ben rolls for the sea hag’s attack, confirming a hit with 10 points of slashing damage.
- Ben and Luke discuss the barbarian’s ability to take half damage from non-magical attacks.
- Ben describes the sea hag’s low ululation and the emergence of tentacles from the deeps.
- Brian, Joe, and Merideth react with concern.
- Ben mentions adding the tentacles to the initiative order.
- Luke jokes about the tentacles not acting.
- Ben confirms the tentacles missed their turn.
- Ben calls on Bhakris to make a wisdom saving throw.
- Mark decides to use his D4 on the saving throw.
- Mark successfully makes the saving throw.
- Mark describes Bhakris shifting onto barrels to strike at the hag but misses the attack.
- Ben confirms the attack is insufficient.
- Luke jokes about having a cool plan for when he eventually hits.
- Ben calls on Thalmiir to make a wisdom saving throw.
- Luke rolls the saving throw with a plus four bonus and fails.
- Ben informs Thalmiir that he is frightened for one minute and can repeat the save with disadvantage.
- Luke, Mark, and Brian discuss the effects of the frightened condition.
- Ben confirms Thalmiir is frightened.
- Luke describes Thalmiir’s reaction and decides to attack recklessly.
- Ben confirms Thalmiir’s attack misses.
- Luke describes Thalmiir’s wild swings hitting the deck and barrels.
- Joe makes a pun about an “accident.”
- Luke asks about making a disadvantage save to stop being frightened.
- Ben confirms the save at the end of Thalmiir’s turn.
- Luke rolls the save with disadvantage and fails.
- Ben confirms Thalmiir remains frightened.
- Ben calls on Pebblesong to make a wisdom saving throw.
- Brian describes Pebblesong’s actions and decides to cast Heroism on Thalmiir.
- Luke reacts positively to the Heroism spell.
- Brian confirms Pebblesong’s actions.
- Ben jokes about the sea hag interacting with a frightened barbarian.
- Brian decides to stay in place and ends his turn.
- Ben calls on Waer’dara to make a wisdom saving throw.
- Luke asks about YouTube activity during the game.
- Ben responds about battle music.
- Ben confirms Waer’dara is horrified and explains the effects of being frightened.
- Joe comments that something takes over the Discord screen.
- Mark suggests clicking to grid.
- Merideth considers trying Eldritch Blast again but acknowledges it must be done with disadvantage. Ben confirms this.
- Joe interjects with a comment about AI-powered website building.
- Merideth mentions being able to hear something.
- Ben indicates he needs to skip an advertisement.
- Joe continues with the website building comment.
- Luke apologizes for some confusion regarding volume control on YouTube.
- Ben considers making the volume quieter to hear better.
- Luke explains the volume bar is not shared.
- Ben discusses pop-out settings and queries what is happening.
- Brian explains how YouTube playback works locally.
- Merideth repeats a comment about website functionality.
- Luke confirms his understanding of how the volume works.
- Ben laments not getting straightforward music and mentions the grid view.
- Joe comments on the grid view and faces.
- Luke apologizes for complicating things.
- Merideth asks a question about favorite colors.
- Ben narrates Waer’dara’s roll, noting she avoided a crit and requests a damage roll.
- Merideth responds with a color preference.
- Ben acknowledges a well-struck attack, noting the hag is looking bad.
- Joe makes a pun about the hag being “haggard.”
- Ben narrates a giant octopus tentacle striking at Bartholemeow.
- Mark reacts with “Poop.” and Joe exclaims “No!”
- Ben confirms the attack and rolls for it, resulting in a miss due to Bartholemeow’s dexterity.
- Ben describes a wet thump as the tentacle slaps the ship, but it misses Bartholemeow.
- Ben calls for Hat’s wisdom save.
- Joe makes a playful comment about mighty tentacles.
- Brian describes Hat’s panic and disadvantage while firing at a tentacle.
- Brian rolls a seventeen, hitting the target.
- Ben notes the sea hag is at very low health.
- Brian describes Hat stealthing behind a crate, shivering and talking to Puppet.
- Ben calls for Bartholemeow’s saving throw.
- Joe attempts Vicious Mockery, but it fails.
- Ben narrates the giant octopus attacking Thalmiir, resulting in minimum bludgeoning damage and Thalmiir being grappled and restrained.
- Ben describes the sea hag taunting Hat, who must make a saving throw.
- Hat resists the hag’s attack but collapses to zero hit points.
- Mark prepares for a wisdom saving throw and successfully saves.
- Mark attacks with a d4 bonus but misses.
- Ben calls for Thalmiir’s action. Thalmiir attempts to escape the grapple, leveraging rage for advantage, but fails.
- Brian uses Toll the Dead on the sea hag, describing wind chimes surrounding the hag, who collapses to the deck.
- Ben describes the tentacles pulling the sea hag’s body apart and vanishing beneath the waves.
- Joe asks about Hat’s whereabouts. Mark investigates and finds Hat, healing him with one point of Lay on Hands, removing the frightened condition.
- Brian comments on Hat chastising Puppet and healing for the night.
- Joe and Luke discuss the hag’s appearance and its mesmerizing abilities.
- Luke’s Thalmiir praises Pebblesong’s magic, feeling the power of ancestors and bravery.
- Ben narrates Captain Bramblewick, in a nightgown, coming out to investigate the commotion.
- Joe explains to Captain Bramblewick about the sea creature attack.
- Thalmiir points out the octopus sucker marks on his neck, referencing the recent battle.
- Bartholemeow and the DM discuss the nature of the mermaid that turned out to be a sea hag.
- Thalmiir admits that some cargo might have been damaged during the fight, pointing out axe marks on the crates.
- The DM insists on an inventory of any damages to the cargo, stating it might be written off as something that happens at sea.
- The DM questions the occurrence of such attacks in these waters, expressing surprise as these waters are usually safe.
- Thalmiir rolls Insight to determine if the DM’s remarks are a slight against him; he realizes the DM is genuinely puzzled and not intentionally belittling him.
- Thalmiir drops his axe and expresses that times change before heading below deck to rest.
- The DM hints at a possible connection between the attack and a dragon the party brought aboard.
- Bartholemeow discusses the sea hag singing about Hat and himself with Thalmiir just as the latter is about to sleep.
- Thalmiir and Bartholemeow debate the nature of the sea hag’s song and whether it knew them or just improvised based on observation.
- Bartholemeow does not mention the hag’s knowledge of their connection to the Fae.
- The next morning, Waer’dara is approached by Dabshabah, who compliments her on the previous night’s combat and discusses her role in such situations.
- Waer’dara reassures Dabshabah and discusses the dragon’s capability to breathe fire and other effects.
- Dabshabah reveals she can also make foes very sleepy, a potentially useful ability.
- Waer’dara is promoted to Magnificent Combat Advisor by Dabshabah, who trusts her judgment on when to engage in battle.
- Waer’dara and Dabshabah formalize their agreement with a gesture of trust and respect.
- The voyage continues without further attacks, and they approach the mouth of a river.
- The first mate informs the party of the plan to dock for a few hours to handle business and that each crew must leave one person on the ship for security.
- Ben (DM) informs Bhakris and Thalmiir that the captain requires someone to stay on shore watch duty, or else the crew will be left behind.
- Brian (Pebblesong) volunteers Pebblesong to stay on shore watch.
- Merideth (Waer’dara) offers to stay as well, mentioning Dabshabah staying on the ship.
- Mark (Bhakris) agrees with the decision.
- Joe (Bartholemeow) suggests having a player character without a player.
- Ben (DM) mentions wrapping up the session as they approach the dock.
- Luke (Thalmiir) states Thalmiir would stay aboard if necessary but prefers being on solid ground.
- Luke (Thalmiir) reflects on their recent dangerous experiences at sea.
- Mark (Bhakris) echoes Thalmiir’s sentiments about being on land.
- Ben (DM) describes the vessel approaching a small town with an informal dock.
- Joe (Bartholemeow) inquires about the geographical nature of the dock area.
- Ben (DM) explains the river mouth and acknowledges it is the Delimber River.
- Luke and Ben discuss the river’s significance in previous campaigns.
- Joe and Luke humorously comment on the session’s events and the necessity of adding random encounters.
- Merideth and Luke discuss the intensity and unpredictability of the sea hag fight.
- Mark remarks on the poor dice rolls during the battle, particularly his failed combat moves.
- Joe and Mark reflect on alternate combat strategies that could have been impactful.
- Luke, Joe, and Merideth share anecdotes about their cats drooling, adding a light-hearted moment to the conversation.
- Brian (Pebblesong) mentions considering the spell Bless but doubting its effectiveness for Thalmiir.
- Joe (Bartholemeow) and Brian (Pebblesong) discuss the usefulness of heroism spells and their impact during the fight.
- Luke and Brian discuss the challenges and buffs that made the sea hag encounter manageable.
- Joe and Luke talk about the strategic use of rarely prepared spells in critical moments.
- Joe recalls a past campaign where a crucial spell wasn’t prepared during a significant fight.
- Ben and Brian reminisce about effective spell usage in previous adventures.
- Merideth (Waer’dara) signs off, thanking everyone for the game.
- Luke (Thalmiir), Ben (DM), and Brian (Pebblesong) exchange farewells.
