Shark Attack

Diving into the sunken canyon using water-breathing potions, the party is immediately ambushed by two sharks and a spellcasting Merrow defending their territory. A brutal battle ensues, with Vadis taking massive damage but landing several critical hits to thin the enemy ranks. Once the sharks are dead and the Merrow is severely wounded, the creature surrenders, identifying itself as 'Shart' (a mispronunciation of its primordial name). Fari successfully persuades Shart that they are here to close the elemental rift, not widen it. Shart accepts Fenwick's Pearl of Power as a tribute and guides them to the central church, where corrupted drowned and a massive kraken-like tentacle are siphoning energy. Fenwick initiates their assault by blindly firing his Wand of Wonder, miraculously casting Slow on the enemies.

• Ambushed by sharks and a Merrow.
• Vadis nearly died but dealt massive burst damage.
• Interrogated and allied with the Merrow ('Shart').
• Fenwick sacrificed his Pearl of Power as tribute.
• Discovered the church housing the elemental rift.
• Fenwick engaged the bosses by casting Slow from the Wand of Wonder.

• The Sunken Church — ruined underwater temple housing a planar rift.

• (Fenwick temporarily loses his Pearl of Power to the Merrow.)

Vadis scored multiple critical hits but was brought to 7 HP by shark bites. The Merrow hit Fari with a Lightning Bolt. Fenwick perfectly initiated the boss fight by rolling a 40 on the Wand of Wonder, casting Slow on all enemies.

• Shart reveals that 'surface dwellers' previously invaded the city and opened the rift.

• Fari: Diplomatically negotiated a truce with Shart instead of fighting to the death.
• Fenwick: Willingly surrendered his prized Pearl of Power to prove the party's good intentions.

"You invade my city, I'm going to attack you!"— Shart (Merrow)

"I pointed my magic wand and then hoped something good happened."— Fenwick

• The Pearl of Power was given to Shart conditionally; they get it back if they close the rift.