The crater does indeed seem the best place to find anything remaining off the fallen star, Mordecai concedes, although that would also be the likely assumption of the other expeditions, and we may wish to keep a wary eye out for any traps or ambushes they have set up to discourage 'claim-jumpers.'
Tyrrol shrugs at Mordecai's comment.
"As far as I am concerned, if there are any they are simply jumping our claim; they just do not know it yet. I will, however, be perfectly happy to explain the situation to them quite forcefully if they prove to be cantankerous..."
Feeling a bit more freer ever since leaving Riddleport, Lothan can't help himself, "Hey Tyrrol, looking sharp there buddy! Let's keep up that positive attitude, shall we?" He says with a smile and continues, "I appreciate the upbeat attitude! That's good. Especially when you and our little, fiery, dancer of death, have to come up against something big and nasty! Helps prevent discouragement." He winks with a wry grin.
Tyrrol raises an eyebrow, but is otherwise unmoved by Lothan's comment.
"If we run across anything or anyone that objects to our presence here, I will certainly be quite willing to hurry them along to their appointment with the Boneyard..."
He then points to the Dwarf rushing towards the party.
"Speaking of which, it appears we have company..."
Tyrrol raises an eyebrow, but is otherwise unmoved by Lothan's comment.
"If we run across anything or anyone that objects to our presence here, I will certainly be quite willing to hurry them along to their appointment with the Boneyard..."
"Yeah! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!"
He then points to the Dwarf rushing towards the party.
"Speaking of which, it appears we have company..."
Lothan, seeing the crazy dwarf coming at them, draws his bow just out of instinct.
Mordecai grins as Lothan's choice to cut his enthusiastic dialogue short when he reaches Mordecai.
Ahoy the dwarf! Mordecai replies amiably to the approaching figure. Did you seek passage off of this gods-forsaken island? he calls out, hoping that one or more of the expeditions has already been butchered in the sniping over who owns the fallen goods.
More softly, to the others, It would be prudent to find out where the others were last seen, and what sort of threat they represent, if this dwarf knows anything useful.
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Kuva approaches the dwarf as he comes near. "Hail, rock-digger," he says in way of greeting. "Myself and my boon companions seek the treasure on this island, as we understand many others do. Explain why we should not take you for an enemy looking to fool us and leave you to drown on the taste of your own blood mixing with the life-stealing waters of the sea." Kuva sets his hand on his falchion. "Quickly."
Intimidate check:
Though he doesn't have the same hatred for sea-travel as his business associate, the wizard is quick to leave the ship and is relieved to set his feet onto the ground. Once on land, he finds a place to settle and draws a spellbook from his pack, immediately beginning to study it.
He jumps up at the shout of the dwarf running towards them, pulling out his crossbow. When Kuva advances towards the dwarf, Lecian follows him, looking peeved at the little ball of rage. He whispers, "Hey Kuva, sometimes it's best to keep one's thoughts to oneself. Discretion is a wonderful thing. Maybe, hopefully some time soon, you will experience its wonders for yourself."
Mordecai throws his hands up at the interruption, Does anyone else wish to badger him with questions or threats, while he catches his breath to reply? he mutters sarcastically.
"Rock-digger! That's a good one, Kuva!" Lothan says as he laughs at the remark.
Mordecai throws his hands up at the interruption, Does anyone else wish to badger him with questions or threats, while he catches his breath to reply? he mutters sarcastically.
"Nope. I got nothing. I'm good!" Lothan responds with a smile, his bow still at the ready.
The dwarf steps back a step from Kuva. His left hand strays to the hammer hanging at his belt, but doesn't grasp it. "I and mine mean you no harm. We only seek passage off the island."
Now that he's closer you can see blood matted in his long red hair and flowing beard. Scratches riddle his forearms.
He seems heartened by the responses of the others. He looks at Mordecai and Lecian in particular.
"May my company approach?"
***
Two long wooden piers run parallel to the quay. They are falling apart. Planks hang from the beams in places or are missing altogether. The end of one of them has collapsed. Its last few piles tilt at crazy angles. Two dozen wood frame buildings sag along a handful of weed strewn streets. Some of the buildings have trees growing through the roof or windows. A number of buildings have collapsed altogether.
Lecian: the magic aura'd spellbook contains --
Cantrips.
!st. Alarm. Hold Portal. Cause Fear. Chill touch. Ray of Enfeeblement. Expeditious retreat.
2nd. Arcane Lock. Protection from Arrows. Blindness. Ghoul touch. Scare. Spectral hand. Whispering wind. Rope trick. Modified Magic Aura to cloak existing spells.
3rd. Magic Circle. Dispel Magic. Gentle repose. Halt undead.
4th. Fire trap. Fear. Enervation.
+ 2 spells of first and 2 of second level of your choice. These spells will be the free ones you get when you level up.
Tyrrol glances over the dwarf, calculatingly...
Hmmm... It would appear that he has been through a lot. I doubt that he is much of a threat...
He then acknowledges the Dwarf's question with a shrug.
"I cannot speak for the others, but I have no objections to your companions approaching. Tell me, what has happened here? Are the treasure-hunters fighting one another?"
As Tyrrol has already asked the questions he would have of the dwarf, Mordecai turns and hollers to the ship, hoping to catch the captain before he begins navigating too far from shore, Captain! New customers, seeking to flee this place!
Noting the desparation in the dwarf's eyes, he adds for consideration, Ship passage seems a seller's market...
Lecian whispers, "This discretion I speak of is a word I use for not giving away information about ourselves." He moves aside as well, letting the dwarf approach.
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Lecian whispers, "This discretion I speak of is a word I use for not giving away information about ourselves." He moves aside as well, letting the dwarf approach.
"As I said: Not speaking plainly. It is a saying my master likes to use - The strong honest man has nothing to fear from the truth, for he may break the coward underfoot." Kuva nods decisively.
"Yeah, that's what I want to know." Lothan, himself, wondering what the dwarf has been through. "What the heck happened to you?"
The dwarf waves and his company, two dwarves and two men, break cover from the village and begin moving toward the quay. They also look ragged, battered, and beaten. They move quickly at first, but once they reach the quay they slow down and trudge along.
“The other parties here are no friends of mine, but our quarrels never came to blows. There's something else here. Some unnatural monsters. Low-to-the-ground things, fast, silent, and lean. Never did get me a good look at one of them, even with them snatching a few of my men and dragging them off into the woods. A few others got bit or slashed, and their wounds turned bad. Some sort of sick got in them, and then, when they died, it came back out their faces. Torag’s scars, but that were a sight I’d like to unsee. Came right out of their faces like they were tongues, and then my own men attacked us. We put them down and burned the bodies just this morning. Whatever’s out there, it’s not fit for this world. You shouldn’t stay here. If you had any sense, you’d get back on that boat and head right back to Riddleport!”
"Unnatural monsters, tongues bustin' out of faces, creatures that are fast, silent, and deadly. And that's just what's out there that doesn't want the starmetal. Looks like we're in for more than we bargained for." He looks at the others. "Fine with me. It's not like I have dinner plans or anything." He shrugs. Lothan then remembering Samaritha, "Hey, dwarven guy, you wouldn't have happened to run across a group of Cyphermages, would you've?"
Tyrrol becomes progressively more interested as the Dwarf's tale unfolds.
Creatures not of this world? How... Intriguing...
He then speaks, half talking to himself, half musing out loud.
"Still, if there are hostile creatures infesting this island, it is doubtful that any of the other expeditions came prepared to face them, so there is a decent chance that we will not have much in the way of competition..."
He throws a quick glance in Lothan's direction before continuing.
"I care not what gets between me and my prize; it will have the same end, either way... Its Fate is sealed..."
"Hey, dwarven guy, you wouldn't have happened to run across a group of Cyphermages, would you've?"
"The name is Gravin Goldhammer, boy. I might ask yours if you all didn't have the demeanor of brigands." He swings his hammer up to one shoulder. "They were up in the tower on the hill yesterday. I don't know if they made it through the night."
He steps around Lothan. "Golden Dragon, permission to come aboard?
"Wait a minute, what do you mean by, 'you don't know if they made it through the night'?" He asks with a great deal of concern in his voice.
"You and your company come here to mine that which fell from the sky, did you not? Did you manage to find any?"
Mordecai's curiousity is sated, so he continues to watch for danger, and regards the approaching dwarves for signs of whatever sort of injuries their mysterious attackers have left on them.
"The f~$@ing mages were holed up in the tower. They wouldn't let us stay with them and we had to camp in the open halfway down the hill. So we had it bad when those things came and my comrades died.
"I wouldn't shed a tear if the tower fell down the cliff into the sea. Those a*&*%$#s don't deserve it, but they are probably just fine."
"As for skymetal, we found none, but we didn't make it to the crater. We were going to set camp and go there this morning."
Mordecai :
Lothan glares at the dwarf, clenches his jaw and then turns toward the boat, "Captain! We're all clear! You can set sail now! Thanks for the ride!" He then turns to the dwarf, "You know, it's people like you, that give Riddleport it's fine reputation." he states quite sarcastically. "Why don't you find another boat, orc offspring!" he finishes, not worried about how painful that hammer looks.
In a puckish mood, Mordecai whispers to one of the healthier dwarves, Ware that fellow, nodding towards a bandaged dwarf with his back turned, He seems pale and fevered, to my healer's eye, and it would not do to bring this danger to your people in their homes.
He then turns away to continue watching for danger, and to conceal a cruel grin, as he imagines the dwarves degenerating into accusations and fighting over who may or may not be infected...
Noting Lothan's outburst, he frowns and turns to his companion. At ease, man, we will find your fiery-haired ladyfriend soon enough. If she's been allowed to join the cyphermages, I have no doubt that she remains alive. They are clever and methodical sorts, not easily taken by surprise, or overmatched.
Lothan will glare at the dwarf a moment longer, thinking about what Mordecai said and then finally turn and walk back to his previous spot, thinking to himself, Yeah, that makes sense.
Goldhammer strides to the Golden Dragon where he and Captain Hearth begin haggling over the price of passage. Mordecai's conversational partner interrupts quietly and GOldhammer's head swings to look at the third dwarf. Then he shakes his head and resumes negotiations.
"Other than the mages, do you know the fates of any of the other expeditions? Also, is there anyone that you care about still on this island, whom you would like us to keep an eye out for?"
"Somebody was camped close by the crater. We saw smoke from a campfire. I don't know if that was Slyeg's or Zincher's gang."
"Two of my troop wandered off for firewood before the things attacked. I don't know their fate. Drabin's bald with a white beard. He wears a pair of blue enameled bracers. Stoat's a halfling with a greenish cast to his skin. Wears a bandolier loaded with knives.
"Thanks for asking. If by a miracle they show up, I'll pay for their passage to Riddleport and a hundred marks besides."
Kuva's pack is already on his back. He begins heading down the quay. "I assume you wish for us to visit the Book-mage's tower first, Lothan?" Kuva asks conversationally.
Lothan, walking along with a look of concern upon his face, "You would assume correct, my fiery friend. Mordecai's words do help alleviate a bit of my fear, but not all of it. I would feel a lot better if I just, knew." He pauses and thinks a moment. "You know, Kuva, It's no secret that I hate Riddleport. How someone like Samaritha wound up in a place like that, I'll never know. But I do know one thing, if she is in trouble, the least I can do for her is help her. Sadly, most from Riddleport are like that jerk dwarf back there." He shoots a thumb back towards the dock. "Not her, though. No sir." He then grins real wide and begins a tangent, "Let me tell you, my friend, she is like a shining beac..." He catches himself before he says too much, realizing how ridiculous he's starting to sound and then clears his throat. "Yeah, I'm uh, hoping we can go there first." His grin never wavering.
Goldhammer and Hearth conclude their negotiation. The Gasforge expedition will be returning to Riddleport by way of Magnimar. The dwarf seems content with any arrangement that will get him and his men off the island.
The sun is warm as it beats down from its zenith. A breeze blows cinnamon scented air from the island's interior.
Mordecai hoists his pack, remembering all-too-late one of the reasons he never much cared for adventuring outside of the city limits...
Shall we go rescue yon fair damsel in distress, gentlemen? he says, with not a trace of irony, as he begins trudging for higher ground.
Kuva nods at Lothan's romantic gushing. "I am certain that when you gallantly rescue her from her tower, she will be the shining sapphire of your harem," Kuva says sincerely.
Lothan smiles at the idea of him being gallant. "Well, I appreciate the kind words, Kuva, but gallantly, I'm afraid, doesn't really apply to me. And as far as a harem goes, I think I'll just concentrate on one. I'm having a tough enough time just trying to figure her out." He pats him on the shoulder.
Mordecai hoists his pack, remembering all-too-late one of the reasons he never much cared for adventuring outside of the city limits...
Shall we go rescue yon fair damsel in distress, gentlemen? he says, with not a trace of irony, as he begins trudging for higher ground.
Lothan, turning his head to acknowledge Mordecai's request, "Was afraid you'd never ask." Turning back with a grin of relief upon his face.
Tyrrol raises an eyebrow.
"I take it that once we have ascertained the Fate of your treasured mage, we can get back to the task of salvaging what we can from this rock...?"
He then sighs.
"I think that we can safely assume that there is *someone* alive in the tower; did not a flare go up from it just as we made land-fall?"
Having said his piece, Tyrrol shoulders his pack, and prepares to head for the tower at the islands center.
Of course, if something *has* happened to them, I dare say they may have had some equipment worth salvaging, so the exercise may not be a total loss... I just hope that there is something still worth salvaging by the time we actually get to the crater... Then again, we can always just eliminate the other expeditions... Tyrrol muses to himself.
Tyrrol raises an eyebrow.
"I take it that once we have ascertained the Fate of your treasured mage, we can get back to the task of salvaging what we can from this rock...?"
"That's all I'm asking, Tyrrol ol' buddy!" He smiles as he's speaking and points at him as if to say "You got it!"
He then sighs"I think that we can safely assume that there is *someone* alive in the tower; did not a flare go up from it just as we made land-fall?"
Having said his piece, Tyrrol shoulders his pack, and prepares to head for the tower at the islands center.
"That it did. I just wanna make sure that the alive part is still in play, my friend." He says on a more serious note.
Tyrrol nods.
"Well then, let's get moving. The sooner we sort this out to your satisfaction, the sooner we can move on to other things..."
"Fair enough, my friend! Fair enough." He responds with a smile as he moves along.
The party heads out along what must have once been a corduroy road. Weeds and brush now sprout between the log pavement and in many places the logs are so rotted they provide soil for plants. Occasional young trees are rooted in the road.
The undergrowth to either side of the road is fairly thick and lush, plenty of cover for an ambush.
Perception check DC 14 :
Tyrrol stops, and inhales deeply, as the scent of ash and burning flesh assaults his nostrils.
"Gentlemen, you may want to have a look over there..."
He then draws his flail, and points it in the direction of the smell...
Mordecai breathes deeply, finding the smell of burning hair disagreeable, but the smell of cooked flesh, not quite so much.
This must be where the dwarves burned their infected dead. If they felled any of the beasts, perhaps we can see what shape they wear...
Looking left in the direction Tyrrol points through the trees and brush you see a clearing with a smoking pile of ashes about twenty yards away.
If you investigate the pile further:
Lecian looks at the gruesome pile with disgust. "I hope, Mordecai, that is what happened. Otherwise, Desna knows who else inhabits this island and would have done this." He then scans the ash pile with Detect Magic.
No magic in the ash pile.
Mordecai re-adjusts his backpack and makes sure his shield is at hand before stepping back to the trail. Shall we return to saving yonder fair maiden, gentlemen?
Tyrrol raises an eyebrow, but comments neutrally:
"I am all for moving on."
Lothan examining the morbid scene, "Well, I for one, am glad I'm not those guys." He remarks.
Mordecai re-adjusts his backpack and makes sure his shield is at hand before stepping back to the trail. Shall we return to saving yonder fair maiden, gentlemen?
"To yonder fair maiden, my good man!" He says with a smile and in a cavalier manner as he points toward the lighthouse. Then situating his own backpack, "Alright people, nothing to see here! Let's move along! Move along!" He then can't help himself but push the envelope with the massively built half-elf, "Oh and Tyrrol, please contain your excitement, this is serious business, okay buddy?" He asks with a big grin. "Thanks ol' pal, I knew I can count on you!" He finishes as he gives him a big thumbs up.