Nobody really wakes up in the morning and expects to be fighting a gargantuan interdimensional threat that day. Not unless you’re the Avengers, the kids from Stranger Things, or Barnaby Daryington. When the Black Magga roars onto the scene and latches onto the church steeple, the party has no choice but to try and help the citizens of Turtleback Ferry that are trapped inside.
Krask wastes no time in launching arrows towards the Black Magga, who hasn’t really noticed the party yet. Unfortunately, none of his arrows are able to penetrade the beast’s thick, leathery hide. Meanwhile, Barnaby is licking his chops at a chance to scuffle toe-to-toe with this magnificent creature. Trace sense the deep evil inside the Black Magga and prepares to unleash his holy vindication upon the monster as he sloshes through the water toward it. Fyn attempts to affect the creature’s mind, but quickly realizes that he has no control over it; its power is simply too great and its mind too developed.
But alas, this is the point where the Black Magga catches sight of a 12-foot tall half-orc named Fobias. It uncoils from the tower slightly and unleashes a sickening cloud of purplish fog. Krask, Trace, and Barnaby are all able to cover their mouths enough to not be affected, but their mental faculties are assaulted for a brief moment before returning to normal. As Barnaby goes invisible, Fobias crashes forward into position to taunt the creature. Once again, Fyn tries some magic, but his attempt at a dimensional step is met with an intense headache as the Black Magga’s aura distorts his perception of space.
The monster lunges towards Fobias, prompting Barnaby to reappear and slice off a small section of one of its tentacles. It recoils and thrashes wildly, chomping into Barnaby’s flesh and sapping his energy. Barnaby feels weak from the attack and realizes that he’s mechanically received two negative levels.
Renewed by the beast’s apparent mortality, Fobias and Trace redouble their efforts to bring it down. Despite a dizzying display of martial prowess, resulting in a swift series of six attacks culminating in five critical hits, the Black Magga still stands. With a final roar, it dives back into the water and into Claybottom Lake, leaving Turtleback Ferry mostly intact behind it.
Being the humanitarian that he is, Trace bounds into the chapel to tend to the wounded. Luckily, most of them are unscathed and only shaken up emotionally. Mayor Shreed cannot thank the party enough for all that they’ve done for Turtleback Ferry. Between Ol’ Pinkeye and now saving the people from the Black Magga, the party has gained a reputation as heroes.
Mayor Shreed is worried that the dam up at Skull’s Crossing isn’t functioning as it should. Normally, the skulls on the dam would magically open up and release the building pressure of the Storval Deep if the water levels rise too high. The dam clearly hasn’t burst; the amount of water would have been much greater if that were the case. He requests the party’s assistance in investigating the dam, and offers them 1,000 gold pieces for their continued service. Trace humbly declines, citing the town’s need for the money is far greater than his own. Touched by Trace’s actions, Mayor Shreed realizes that Barnaby is weakened and removes the negative levels instantly.
What will the party find at Skull’s Crossing? Was the Black Magga the cause of the constant storming over the past few weeks? Is Trace just a good-two-shoes?