Episode 26: A Cold Reception (Part 2 - A Whale of a Time!)

The battle was far from over!

The bell had stopped ringing, but now a low muffled sound; barely audible at first over the noise of weapons clashing and the screams of the dying; had started to build, rolling in from beyond the station, as if it was in fact rising up from the depths of the frigid dark waters of the Sea of Moving Ice.

More enemies poured fourth from the whaling station. Our heroes found themselves once again being attacked from two flanks whilst simultaneously being peppered by crossbow bolts from the windows of the station. 

Aldrick and Grom fell back and continued to use their ranged attacks, fire bolts and crossbow, Grom using his bonus action to pick new targets for his "Hunter's Mark". As the new combatants move in on Tor, determined to surround the mighty Goliath, she whispered a prayer to the Earth Mother and invoked her "Combat Wild Shape" transforming herself into a ferocious brown bear. In her new shape she instantly cut down two of her assailants in a whirlwind of tooth and claw.

Shayde, with her ability to her hide in any shadow had managed to sneak passed those enemies streaming out of the main doors and made her way into the building. Her plan to take out the crossbowmen if she could and maybe find Shandar to put and end to this. 

With the party spread out and enemies on all sides Aldrick summoned forth a second "Fire Ball" spell which engulfed four more of the thugs and bandits in a raging inferno. In the aftermath both Aldrick and Grom used their movements to head towards the building to assist Tor but also to gain cover from the crossbowmen inside. Aldrick had been injured in the fighting and so had to use one of his healing potions. 

It seemed fortune was smiling on our party as the Zhentarim thugs and bandits continued to make poor rolls for their attacks. Meanwhile inside Shayde found herself against seemingly overwhelming opposition but through both poor rolls from her opponents and her "Uncanny Dodge" was able to shrug off most of the attacks and damage that came her way. 

The thugs attacking Tor reduced her to 0 HP ending her wild shape. Low on her own HPs she cast a healing spell on herself.

Tor turned and grinned at one of her assailants, "Let's go again shall we?!" A second use of her "Combat Wild Shape" and the bear magically reappeared. 

Aldrick and Grom made it to the doorway at the far end of the building. Their plan to hopefully get to Shayde before she became overwhelmed. Grom had stowed his crossbow during his move and was now strapping on his shield. 

Tor managed to fend off the last 2 bandits but the damage she sustained ended her beast form again. For a split second outside seemed eerily quiet. The screams of the dying and the clash of weapons had subsided. But it wasn't silent. There were shouts and screams from within the building, the low hum eminating from the frozen waters and then an air splitting screeching as four giant hook beaked vultures descended from the sky to start feasting on the many corpses that littered the ground

"We need to get inside, get to Shayde!" Exclaimed Aldrick as they moved through the open doorway. Hissing and flapping met Grom and Aldrick as they were attacked by a trio of flying snakes. Grom drew his Axe. One of the snakes managed to bite Aldrick but luckily he was able to shake of the poison before it took affect. Tor arrived and the three of them made short work of the flying serpents. 

A doorway lead in to the main building but it was locked. Without their rogue to pick the lock it was Tor who, with her brute Goliath strength, kicked it off it's hinges. Tor, Grom and Aldrick proceeded inside the main building. With it's large open plan ground floor Shayde was no where to be seen. They could hear shouts and fighting from the floors above so they used their actions to dash towards and up the stairs. 

Shayde had managed to keep most of the bandits at bay within the station but when her friends arrived she was visibly wounded and backed into a corner. The tide now turned in Shayde's favour as her companions rushed in to aid her. With staff, axe, electrifying grip Shayde now had her "sneak attack" ability back and those thugs and bandits fell in quick succession as damage was struck with each blow. 

"Shandar must be holed up in the next room", stated Shayde.

"Then let's get the Bastard!" Exclaimed Grom.

Tor sought to deal with her wounded comrades, using her healing kits. "Best we are ready for whatever is behind that door yes", she said as she bandaged Shayde's wounds. 

Our heroes readied themselves by the door. Turning the handle, the door was locked. "Hey Shandar! You're men are dead. Why don't you give yourself up and spare anymore bloodshed!?

"Never!" Came the reply.

"Ok, but don't say we didn't give you a chance!" Clink, clank,clunk as Shayde used her thieves tools to pick the lock. 

Tor pushed open the door. Thud, thunk! As crossbow bolts flew at them from the awaiting bandits on the other side. 

And so too was Shandar. Arms around a hostage using them as a human shield. "Get them! He shouted to his men.

Our heroes piled into the room. Axes whirling, quarterstaff smashing and fire bolts flying. After the initial exchanges Shayde leapt instinctively across the room to strike with a massive critical hit. And so it was as critical hit followed critical hit and our heroes blows struck with resulting damage. Shandar gave up his hostage and fled!

Shandar's bodyguards fell as he deserted them to try to save his own skin. Grom and Shayde gave chase. Shayde managing to get in his way but Shandar just rushed on as Shayde struck with an attack of opportunity until at last they were back outside and heading for the docks. 

Aldrick moved to console the hostage and to make sure she was alright. 

Shandar made it to the the dock by the bell and started shouting at the top of his lungs, "Angajuk" I command you.

The low humming, rumbling sound had become louder when suddenly the waters nearby began to rise as a large mass started to emerge from the icy water. 

A great whale had emerged from the sea. It's bellowing call seemed one of anger as it splashed down with it's huge tail sending an icy cold wave of frigid water covering Shandar, his ally and Grom. 

From the open window above Tor used her last 3rd level spell slot to once again invoke a pack of 8 wolves to surround both Shandar and his last ally. 

The wolves tore apart Shandar's last remaining ally and not wanting to suffer the same fate Shandar turned and ran before diving into the icy dark waters. 

To be continued................