The current pushed and pulled at
Nindia’s body as she swam into the tunnel, the walls narrowing and the force of the water intensifying. At first, she managed to keep control. The magic coursing through her veins burned bright, keeping the biting cold at bay, and for a fleeting moment, she felt unstoppable.
But as she ventured further,
the current grew fiercer, slamming her against the jagged walls of the tunnel. Her lungs burned as she fought to keep her breath, the water tugging at her relentlessly. Nindia pushed back the encroaching panic, diving deeper into the swirling chaos and
losing her torch.
Finally, she burst free into a vast, shadowy chamber where the torrent spilled into a deep, still pool. The water settled here, calm yet heavy with an ominous stillness that belied the violence of the stream. She surfaced, gasping for air, her hair plastered to her face as she floated in the dim light.
At the center of the pool, glinting faintly beneath the surface, she saw it—a scepter of gold, intricately carved and pulsing faintly as if alive. Its presence was magnetic, calling to her with a silent song of power and promise. Nindia’s eyes locked onto it, her breath catching as she imagined the strength it might bestow.
But as her gaze lingered, movement in the water broke the spell. Shadows glided beneath the surface, their sleek forms twisting with predatory grace. Nindia’s stomach tightened as she recognized their shapes:
river demons, ancient and vile. They moved like massive eels, their elongated bodies glistening, their eyes glowing with a malevolent intelligence. Each creature was longer than a horse, their jagged teeth visible even as they swam just beneath the surface.
The current is strong, and
your previous euphoria sent you plummeting into the pool below, where the demons lurk.
You soon realize you'll have a daunting task with the creatures circling. But before anything else, you will have to choose. There are some possibilities. First, you could rely on the scimitar and raw endurance, battling the river demons.
OOC:
This option means combat. Roll initiative if you choose that.
Second, perhaps a calming hum or careful movements might win their favor—or at least keep their interest elsewhere. Legends speak of travelers who tamed water beasts with offerings or by mimicking the soothing sounds of a river.
OOC:
This option starts with an Animal Handling check
Third, you can retreat before it's too late. This would mean climbing over the slippery, uneven rocks, immediately.
OOC:
This option starts with a Might check
Or maybe you can come up with another, more creative solution?
Anyway, a wrong move could spell disaster, but you’re already here and retreating now would mean leaving the gold scepter. That
artifact, glimmering in the water, is tantalizingly close—its worth unknown, but possibly dozens of gold coins. If you press on, the reward could be yours. If you turn back, you leave empty-handed.
