The Kraken

My trip to Neverwinter failed to reap the benefit I sought. The kingdom's officials were loath to take on the Faedwyr, especially if it meant that the pirates of Ember Shoals would once again have a safe haven from the Royal Navy. Yet I now had the Horn of the Hurricane. It was with mixed feelings that I boarded a smuggler's ship en route to Ember Shoals.

We were cruising peacefully along when suddenly an unusual wake began to pursue us. Then a giant tentacle surged from the sea and smashed into our ship. Several more followed, grabbing the masts and rocking the ship.

"KRAKEN!"

The crew grabbed any weapons at hand and began battling the beast. Its rubbery hide was as tough as armor and its strength was unbelievable. it yanked the masts down. Falling spars struck down sailors while the tentacles would occasionally grab an unfortunate soul, pulling him down into the briny deep.

I struck at the tentacles with my sword but could nary make a dent. Frustrated, I charged one of the tentacles with my sword point leveled. It penetrated, then got stuck. The tentacle lashed away, taking my sword with it!

I rushed below decks to my sea chest. I grabbed the Horn of Hurricane and my magical mace known as the Flame of Justice. I then returned to the fight. I blasted a note from the Horn and called upon the power of the Flame. It erupted in holy fire. I was ready for battle!

At that moment, a storm brewed up and quickly overtook us. The swirling clouds were colored purple and black and rotated like a maelstrom in the sky.

Heavy winds began to pummel the ship. Between that and the kraken, our little ship was splintered. The crew was tossed into the sea. Somehow I managed to scramble upon a piece of flotsam. The kraken surfaced, its giant beak clicking in anticipation. It rushed towards me. I stood, readied my shield and the Flame of Justice, and called defiance to the beast.

By now, the maelstrom was circling overhead. The seas themselves began to spin. Suddenly a massive undertow gripped my makeshift vessel, pulling it under. As my head plunged below the surface, I could see that the kraken was also caught in the whirpool.

Down and down I went. I held my breath until my lungs felt like they were on fire. Then I passed out. I'm not sure how long I was out but it only seemed like seconds later I broke the surface of the water. At first I thought that the planking that I gripped and brought me back up. Then I noticed that I was no longer in my world. The sky, sun, and sea pulsated in indescribable colors.

"The Other World," I thought. "Have the Faedwyr kidnapped me again?"

I did not have much time to ponder this question. With a mighty splash, the kraken surfaced!

(To be continued)

OOC Notes

• I am undertaking a new phase in my foam-fighting career. I'm fighting with Caligo, a new cross-gaming realm being formed by Kage (a unit in the Way of the Sword organization). This story explains my presence in their setting.
• According to their lore (IIRC) Caligo is a land on the continent of Mu. Mysterious forces have pulled it out of the material world into a strange void. Thus, another portal seems to be the best explanation. I worked out the details with Amaru of the Sentinels (one of the units of Caligo)
• Have no worries - the quest for the druid's artifacts shall continue!