RQG 30 - In Too Deep

## Content Warnings

Drowning; oppressive religious structures, practices and beliefs, public reprimand from an authority figure

## Summary

Zolf is brought before the Navigator of the Temple of Poseidon, and told that he needs to consider how he praises his god. Bertie bets he can get to Calais on the train before Zolf, Sasha and Hamid get there by boat, and they all head off to France.

## Synopsis

In the Temple of Poseidon, The Rangers enter a huge antechamber with a massive waterfall in the middle, which flows into a hole with chairs around it. An Aquan guard, who is one step above Zolf in the church, leads them down to the pool, Two of them step down into the water, which recedes from Zolf as he descends.

The Navigator sits below the pool surrounded by other patrons of the Temple. They explain that they believe Zolf is becoming too obsessed with money and have been taking his powers for granted. This has caused him to fall out of favour with the Sea God and that the dedication of the self is more important than sacrificing others. He suggests that a show of his belief is in order: firstly Zolf must stop sacrificing people as it is not the entirety of the belief system. Secondly, he must assist the Temple of Poseidon with looking into the ongoing storms which are happening around the globe. The Navigator has also provided a ship for their travel to Paris.

Zolf returns to the party. The party heads down into an outer cave where the sea is crashing around the cave. They are led to a one-man boat with a small sail and oars. This is the ceremonial raft for this Temple, which the Temple would not just throw away. Bertie decides that he's going to head off to the train, whilst Hamid and Sasha agree to take the boat with Zolf. Before leaving, Hamid suggests they meet at the best hotel in Calais. Bertie and Zolf make a bet about who will arrive at France first: if Bertie wins, Zolf pays him 200 gold; if Zolf wins, Bertie must be silent for 3 days.

Zolf navigates the ship through the cave and out into the stormy sea. Sasha finds it thrilling and invigorating but Hamid is very ill as they head off across the relentless sea.

Bertie speeds off towards Dover, where some of the locals are being evacuated. On the way, the police ask Bertie to help assist them evacuating people, which he does by shouting people out of their homes, but fails to convince anyone.

The driftwood boat is being thrashed around by the storm. Sasha ties some of the ropes more tightly around the boat, but the storm doesn't let up. Sasha goes to tie Hamid down, but she is blown off the boat.

## Quotes

**Zolf**: "I will remind you that this is my religion, actually, as funny as that might be. So, cut it out, ok?"
**Hamid**: "I’ll stop *carping* on about it."
**Bertie**: "We don’t want to make you feel out of *plaice*."
**Hamid**: "I think he’s *haddock* up to here with us."
**Bertie**: "What a load of *codswallop* we’re spitting!"
**Sasha**: "I think he’s f*eeling* down about our… eels are the only thing I know."
―The party crack a number of sea-related puns.

**Sasha**: "Is it only you that needs to do this?"
**Zolf**: "You can get the train if you want."
**Hamid**: "We should stick together, I think. It won’t be too bad, Sasha."
**Zolf**: "It will be pretty bad. I will not blame any of you. This is my fault and I’m atoning for something that I have done, if you want to take the train, take the train."
―The party discusses crossing the channel by boat or train.

**Bertie**: "Is this in any way magical? Is this in some way a fantastic magical boat that is in some way wonderful and fantastically protected against that! Pointing at the huge waves."
**Hamid**: (*lying*) "Yes."
**Sasha**: "So it’s protected then, right?"
**Zolf**: "You’re not very religious, are you?"
**Bertie**: "No."
**Zolf**: "Didn’t think so. No, there is no magical protection on that boat. I am not going to lead you into a very dangerous situation under false pretense."
**Bertie**: "Vote for train!" (*Raises his hand, raises Brutor’s paw.*)
**Zolf**: "So, that’s two,"
**Hamid**: "I’ll come on the boat with you, Zolf."
**Sasha**: "Right, I think, I think, I mean you’re gonna need someone that can, you know, sneak around, on the boat. Won’t you? Yeah?"
**Bertie**: "Where is there to hide, what are you gonna hide under? Hmm? The only thing on that boat that you could reasonably hide behind is possibly false hope. That’s it. I’m getting the train!"
―Bertie decides on an alternate travel plan.

**Bertie**: "Hello! You’re about to drown. Get out!"
**Someone**: "Uh—what?"
**Bertie**: "You’re—this—you see that? That’s the sea, it’s cross. Get out! It’s about to flood your house."
**Someone**: "I’m—I—I’m not enti—"
**Bertie**: "SHUSH! No words. Leave."
**Someone**: "Go away!"
**Bertie**: "BLUUUAHHHHH! I’M THE SEEEEEEAAAA. MUAAAAAAHHHHH. *[door slams]* Right, well, you’re past helping. Let’s move on."
―Bertie attempts to be a Good Samaritan.
## Dice rolls and Mechanics

* Everyone but Zolf makes a Perception check: Sasha gets 12, Hamid gets 15, Bertie gets 10
* Hamid casts *detect magic* in the temple.
* Zolf makes a Perception check: 2
* Zolf makes a Knowledge (religion) check: 14
* Hamid makes a Bluff check: 16
* Zolf makes a Profession (sailor) check: 17
* Sasha and Hamid make a Fortitude save: Sasha gets a nat 20, Hamid gets 8
* Zolf makes a Profession (sailor) check: 20
* Bertie makes a Perception check: 5
* Bertie makes an Intimidate check with pomp and pageantry: 11
* The Channel party makes Perception checks: Sasha gets 14, Hamid gets 27, Zolf gets 20
* Sasha makes a Dexterity check: 16
* Sasha makes a Strength check to get over to Hamid and tie him to the boat: nat 1 (0)
* Hamid and Zolf make a Perception check to notice Sasha's over the edge: Zolf gets a nat 20, Hamid gets 17