Lickity Split

The Fateful 8 successfully fended off an ambush from the Merfolk guarding the third tunnel location. Mr. Fahrenheit dove into the the lake to search the mage's corpse. He found a unique looking ring, as well as 720 gold pieces. Bodo, being an Artificer, has the ability to identify magical items through a ritual he's practiced. While Bodo was performing the ritual, the rest of the group began to rest. That is, until a giant blue worm burst from the hole and attacked.

Bodo and Mr. Fahrenheit rushed up to engage the worm, who was attacking the Fateful 8 with bites and tail whips. At one point, Bodo was knocked unconscious from a tail attack and then the worm turned and swallowed him whole. Seconds later, the worm knocked Mr. Fahrenheit unconscious with lightning generated from the tail attacks. Things were looking grim for Bodo, so Beldor heroically, and unsuccessfully, tried to pry open the worm's mouth in order to pull Bodo out. Buck saved the day, however, as he slid down the hill towards the worm, and fired his Lawbringer up into the jaw of the worm. The blue worm's head exploded, showering everyone in the vicinity in grey matter.

Beldor was able to get inside the mouth of the dead worm and began to pull Bodo to freedom. He healed Bodo back to consciousness and Bodo was able to escape his would-be acidic tomb, pulling Beldor free with him. The Fateful 8 returned to their rest, and Bodo completed his identification of the ring, which turned out to be a Ring of Protection, which Buck then won in a game of chance.

After resting, and healing themselves, the party set out to their final destination. As they neared, Squawk stepped into a rope trap which hoisted him off the ground. Seeing Squawk suspended by an ankle above the ground, he conjured a firebolt in an attempt to free him. The attempted rescue quickly turned into an attempted murder because the firebolt missed the rope badly, and hit Squawk square in the chest, burning him severely. At that moment, the entire area erupted into fire, as another Merfolk mage cast a fireball towards the Fateful 8.

Squawk fell, smoking, to the ground and wheezed out one last "Lickety Split" before falling still. The Fateful 8 were once again forced to fight for their lives. Bodo and Mr. Fahrenheit both fell unconscious during the battle. Beldor was reminded as to why he focuses on healing friends instead of hurting enemies as he tried to hit a stunned Merfolk enemy with his frying pan... and missed completely. Beldor then healed an unconscious Mr. Fahrenheit who stood up, killed the Merfolk who was attacking him, and then killed the mage, ending the battle.

With the battle over, Mr. Fahrenheit ran to the side of the smoking Kenku. Thinking he saw movement in the body, Mr. Fahrenheit began to administer CPR. This went on for several minutes as Mr. Fahrenheit did not realize Squawk was dead. After Mr. Fahrenheit stopped trying to resuscitate Squawk, Rigline succumbed to some of his baser snake instincts and began to swallow the Kenku. Rigline came to his senses, and regurgitated Squawk and a burial was had.

Won Jilliams issued a eulogy for Squawk, stating "We didn't know him well and he was weird". He continued that "Squawk was a hell of a warrior". Dreld assisted in the burial using his move earth ability and Beldor planted a Mongoon tree to mark Squawk's grave. Bodo then smashed a fire jewel into the tree.

After the burial, the group rounded on Bodo, accusing him of intentionally attacking Squawk with the firebolt. After a long argument, Beldor was able to calm the emotions of the group and they rested for the night.