Editing Menace Under Otari (section)

== Tangent Log's, Pathdate: 2024.0112 ==

=== The Mermaid Statue ===
After a short rest and catching their breath, our heroes return to the mermaid statue that Jerrick had seen earlier. Once they approached the center of the room, the statue rumbles to life. It begins to emit an ethereal song and jets of water rise from large pipes on its perimeter. The pipes rotate and fires a jet of water and one narrowly misses Jerrick, going over his right shoulder. Our heroes jump into action with Jerrick and Rhus teaming up to strike the pipes, Ruby taps into the elemental gate of water and begins evaporating the water inside the statue, while Spike jumps onto the Mermaid Statue's face and uses her soft body to muffle the sound of the song. Our heroes make short work of the fountain and the remaining water gurgles until the gears powering it grind to a halt. Spike is soaked from the water spraying everywhere, but otherwise unharmed. Our party looking around the room realize this room was likely an alarm system, hopefully its warning was not heard. A large heavy door can be seen on one of the walls. Trying to listen beyond the door, faint voices can be heard, but sound too calm. It seems the statue's warning had not been heeded. Our heroes notice a small break in the wall, small enough for Spike to squeeze through. This hole had formed from one of the stray blasts of water from the fountain.

=== The Kobold Stronghold ===
Spike sneaks through and finds herself next to a collection of hay beads. As she is currently waterlogged, she gets the idea to light some on fire to create a diversion. Jerrick unlocks the door and waits for Spike's signal. When they hear the distraught screams of Kobolds, Rhus lifts the door off its hinges and tosses it to the side. Jerrick Rushes in in and decimates an unsuspecting kobold who was too distracted. The last thing he saw was his and his comrades' beds suddenly catching fire and a cackling elderly woman emerging from the blaze. Taking advantage of the distraction, Rhus, Jerrick and Ruby engage the kobolds in battle. Ruby Dew, still channeling the gate of the water plane, hurls snowballs at the Kobolds. Trying to flee this attack on both sides, the kobolds are gathered into one place. Spike comes closer out of the flames and casts acid splash, hitting all of the kobolds. One dies instantly form the initial impact while the others are injured by the splash back. One Kobold tries to run away and Jerrick cuts him down, without even slowing down, he continues on to the last kobold and crushes it with his axe. 

Our party surveys the room and notices a pile of loot. However, their presence is no longer a secret. A short brooding individual sits on her throne in the next room, wondering what manner of fool has entered her domain. She sits on a throne framed with stalactites and stalagmites forming the images of a terrifying maw, like the jaws of a dragon. 

=== The Edge Lord, Zolgran ===
In a swift and decisive move, Spike reanimates one of the fallen kobolds, dousing its lifeless form in flammable oil. She orders her new companion to charge at the kobolds emerging from a side room. Once the undead kobold reaches its former comrades, Spike ignites the flammable oil, causing a fiery explosion that injures the figure's remaining minions. Unfazed on her throne, Edge Lord Zolgran introduces herself, raising a finger to unleash a cold ray of frost at Spike. Spike begins to freeze, her felt growing hard and brittle. In that instant, Gozreh's gift activates and slows down the rate of the freezing. Sensing the danger, Ruby Dew rushes to Spike's side, melting the ice and administering healing. Meanwhile, Rhus hurriedly positions himself as a shield in front of Ruby and Spike, snarling insults at Zolgran, who, despite losing her smile, remains confidently seated.

The injured kobolds recover and advance to block the only path to Zolgran. A large chasm next to the path means the only way through is through them. One kobold leaps at Rhus, embedding a dagger into his shoulder. With a fierce bite, Rhus retaliates, hurling the assailant into the gaping chasm. As Rhus kneels in pain, Jerrick rushes to confront the remaining kobold, delivering a powerful blow with his axe. The kobold managed to block the blow at the last minute with his crossbow, but it is all he can do to hold back the blade. Seizing an opportunity, Ruby Dew maneuvers skillfully, sliding between Jerrick's legs and launching a deadly barrage of ice shards at the kobold's face, securing its demise. In the chaos, Spike takes aim and fires crochet needles at Zolgran, tearing away her hood to reveal the familiar figure from the tavern. She responds with three bolts of magic, two finding their mark on Jerrick and one on Rhus. 

Shaking off the pain, Rhus rises and removed the dagger embedded in his shoulder. With a calculated throw, he hurls the dagger at the stalactites above Zolgran's throne. The stalactite crashes down, piercing her shoulder. Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Zolgran is left with no choice but to flee, leaving the party in pursuit and the fate of their quest hanging in the balance.

=== The Green Dragon ===

Our heroes track Zolgran through the depths of the cave until it opens into a large chamber dimly illuminated by the glow of colossal mushrooms. The air is heavy with the scent of fish, and scattered broken barrels and crates seem to indicate a clue as to the fate of the town's fish. At the center of the cavern, Zolgran frantically pleads with a green dragon for its aid. The dragon measures the size of a large horse and is likely an infant. The atmosphere is tense as the dragon reluctantly rises, and Zolgran, with a mix of desperation and glee, announces the inevitable demise of our heroes.

Zolgran launches a Magic Missile at Jerrick, who takes a direct hit to the chest. Ruby Dew, tapping into the plane of wood, summons a Hail of Splinters. The spell bounces off the dragon, but painful splinters embed themselves into Zolgran's scales. Zolgran turns and disappears into the shadows. The dragon begins rearing its head back, sharply inhaling. Rhus, sensing danger, in one fluid motion steps in front of Ruby and picks up Spike and tosses them onto one of the Mushrooms. The dragon unleashes a blast of poison breath at our heroes. Unable to withstand the attack, Rhus falls unconscious, his body having shielded Ruby and Jerrick. Jerrick rushes over and hands a potion to Ruby who helps the unconscious Rhus swallow the potion. Not slowing down, Jerrick draws the attention of the dragon away from Ruby and Rhus, raising his shield. Jerrick keeps the dragon busy while Ruby helps the waking Rhus back to his feet and returns to the fray. Ruby fires more needle darts at the dragon, and this time they pierce its scales. The Dragon roars in pain and Jerrick uses this opening to call upon the blessing of the Earth sticking the dragon squarely in the chest, embedding his axe into the creature. Rhus calls upon the blessing of the wind to lift him into the air above the dragon, and lets gravity dives his sword into the skull of the dragon. The dragon thrashes in agony before succumbing to death.

Rhus, wounded, holds his side as he withdraws his sword from the dragon's skull. The party looks around, but there is no sign of Zolgran or Spike in the cave illuminated only by the glow of mushrooms.

Zolgran was limping away, laughing at the thought of how the heroes would fall to her pet. She was so sure of her victory, she never expected what happened next and finds herself abruptly falling to the ground. As her vision fades, the last thing she sees is Spike's raised hands, calling her crochet needles back. A haunting image marking her final moments. 

Spike rejoins the party and checks on her friends. Rhus asks Jerrick's help to chop off the dragon's head as proof of the hazard pay they are owed. Before they can though, two distraught cries catch our heroes off guard. The half-orc and elf lady lovers that were charged to investigate a monster rumored to live in the cave have arrived at the scene of a dead dragon and injured warriors. They check on the injured heroes trying to hide their disappointment at their case already being solved. Feeling sorry for them, Spike reanimates the dragon and has it lumber towards them. Spike uses ventriloquism to roar and then cries for help. The Orc uses produce flame, while the monk elf punches the dragon in the face, felling the undead dragon. Spike expresses her gratitude for being saved from the scary monster. 

Looking over the treasure in the cave, a large pile of gold can be seen, some fine silk cloth, and a beautifully detailed painting of some dude on a horse.

=== A Hero's Return ===
Back at the familiar tavern, the atmosphere is lively as the bar tender struggles to break up a heated brawl between the burly Randy Slamage and the pint-sized Gnome, Hingle McCringanBerry, accompanied by his Aeon Pringle. Amidst the chaos, our heroes' approach Tamily, to report on their little mystery. Rhus nonchalantly places the dragon's head on the bar, stating, "This ate fish."

Tamily, wide-eyed and intrigued, exclaims, "Oh, shit! I've got to mount that on my wall." Grateful for their success, she declares ale on the house for our heroes, inviting them to unwind and enjoy their well-deserved respite.<blockquote>-End of Log</blockquote>