During an uncomfortable night camping in the marsh our heroes discuss their predicament. Whatever that priest was he most certainly was not Lizard-folk. It shed its mortal coil and shifted into a swarm of scarabs far to easily to be spellcraft. Whipped up a good number of the warrior caste though and from the sounds of the drums they are hunting again. Passing through the mud flats at low tide likely bought our heroes 12 hours. Even if the hunters found the path to the flats they would have to wait for the tide to fall again and finding the trail again wont be easy. Sure knowing the destination will help but until you reach the ruins you should be safe enough.

The next morning, well rested as a night amidst marsh crabs and gnats can bring our heroes set out for the ruined watchtower. By noon they reach a wide bay. It is mid tide and some 1000 ft into the bay small waves break on reefs of masonry which once made up a coastal community. Perhaps 5 structures still pierce the waters holding out against the ocean these long years. One though can not be mistaken. It raises 4 whole stories above the waves though the tide has marked at least 2 with barnacles and seaweed.  Next to the watchtower two obelisks rise some 15 feet above the waves. Much of the ancient script which would have adorned these pillars has been worn away by the tide. Thir recognizes the form however and can easily remark that the water at the base of the pillars is deep "those obelisks should rise to the height of 8 of stone brothers" he silently recounts.

High tide may be in another 6 hours. Even then its likely to only rise another story's worth out in the bay. Getting a top the watch tower to descend down into it may not be easy however from this distance not even took's keen eyesight can make out a portal above the waterline.

Brenna squats down in a somewhat dry area and examines the area and then says a few prayers to Moradin, hoping he will bless her with the will and strength to continue onward in this difficult area of the world.  SHe asks especially for the safety of her companions and some hint of how and perhaps more where they may find their way in and the answers they seek.

(using her insight +13 and perception +13, Brenna with the luck of Moradin, hopes to spot something in the structures construction that might allow them a way in, such as flow of debris in the water, spots perhaps more worn from an inflow of water into the obelisk's tower.  or perhaps digging in a few places to get underneath into a hidden passageway, like the mountains where she was raised.  Perhaps by using the Make whole ritual she can channel her energies into restoring something that has been damaged.)

  Brenna walks to the tower and measuring with her hammer at arms length, one eye closed and her arm raised just above her shoulder, she gauges how tall it really is and tries to think of a way up and then down.  Perhaps they could build a makeshift scaffolding, with support beams, but just narrower than the width of a tunnel. 

  Checking her bag, she pulls three fifty foot lengths of rope and then finds a fourth one.  Attaching one of her throwing hammer to the end of the rope, she spins it around her head, in a slow circle, slowly letting out more rope.  After a few tries and failures, she is able to build a steady rhythm and then stepping forward, she is able to let the rope loose enough and with the swinging motion, wrap around the obelisk next to the tower...now if only she knew the exact distances, she might be able to build one half of her hammock style scaffold.

Brenna is caught by the arm before she walks into the bay.  "you'll sink like a stone wearing that armor."

"The tower was said to be at least 7 stories in its day its likely 30 feet of water at the base....Much as I'd like to inspect the base for any runes or inscriptions theres no way I can swim that far out into the bay."

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  Standing on the edge of the water, six feet from the shore, the ankle deep water didn't seem so bad but taking a half step forward, the edge drops off...  Brenna looks back at the others and wonders again how they are going to get across.  She didn't even notice who pulled her back was happy that it was someone.

  Friends were easy to come by back home but here, in the wilds of the open skies, where so many things were unpredictable and harsh.  It was good to have come across such trustworthy companions among the other races of the world.  So many would have turned any ONE of them away at the first sign of trouble.  Even the little rogue had come to rely on and trust us enough to risk his own skin more than once.  That made working with them towards this goal of finding the sword so much easier...knowing that some people, some friends would be there, was a great feeling.