Seijiro
Horatio Nonlethal
Variel Nonlethal
Valeros Nonlethal
Sko
Dhaavan Nonlethal
You are able to make it to the base of the switchback at approximately 5pm. As you saw before there is heavy tropical forest going up and covering the ridgeline as well as a quarter mile around the base of the ridge. You are able to find a small clearing just off of the path.
"Wandermeal, eh?" I ask with a cocked eye.
"That barely sounds like a bite on the march. You sure that's going to be able to keep you going?" I add.
"I mean to say - I haven't seen you eat all day - though I might of have missed it - you eat that handful of meal... well; I just want to make sure when you bed down, you'll not wake up feeling hungry or nothing. If you are, it may have ruined a beautiful sleep, you know?"
"But if you're telling me not to worry about it, hell - I don't mind. I don't have to grab food for you, if you're alright. I just wanted to make sure in the morning you weren't feeling fatigued or nothing, on account of not getting a good meal. But either way's fine," I say, blinking a few times.
"How 'bought you, Jiro-san? You hungry, or you fine? Like I said, I may be able to rustle up some jackrabbit's in a pinch - it's all the same to me - I don't mind... just say the word either way."
** spoiler omitted **
You are able to make it to the base of the switchback at approximately 5pm. As you saw before there is heavy tropical forest going up and covering the ridgeline as well as a quarter mile around the base of the ridge. You are able to find a small clearing just off of the path.
I stretch comfortably - sure I don't feel my best - but I really don't care.
"Well - one last time - any of you need food - let me know now. Otherwise, I'm ready to crash out."
I have 2 HP again. If you're reading this and need food - just let me know. I'll hunt for another hour either way.
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In regards to Rain's question about magical abilities to help out camping...Sorry Rain, my abilities do not lend themselves well to outdoor living. If you know of some task that I can proem let me know and I will attempt it to the best of my abilities. Otherwise, I don't know of much I can help with. I do have some rope with me to help with camp.. When Rain mentions collecting large fern or tree leaves, Variel looks for larg trees that will work for here. Hopefully there are some near the clearing rand not too far away.
Perceptions
Climb to get to leaves take ten for 14.
If that doesn't work
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Con check for gathering and preparing a shelter
Once done with the shelter, Variel will grab a bite of whatever food is present. The food does little to invigorate him and he asks for the last watch. Hopefully it is still early enough that nothing will approach and everyone can get a decent start on the sleep. Before the others bed down however, When we wake it's going to be dark out so anyone that has light might want to have it prepared for tomorrow for those that can't see in the dark or by the moon. That is one reason if ok with everyone that I'll take the last watch. It'll be dark with only the stars and moon out. Hopefully I will still be able to see well enough without the need for lights giving our position away.
Seijiro will hunt for some food when the party stops, regardless of his weariness, he's hungry and isn't going to take the last of Flynn's food. He takes his dagger and goes prowling for bunnies (or other food), staying nearby the camp.
When he spots an appropriate looking bit of food, he attempts to take it down and bring it back to camp triumphantly. Bunny would be great, but he'll take whatever he can find at this point, including fruit or even coconuts.
Variel you are able to put together a solid lean-to with Rain's help to at least shelter you all should it rain during the night. It will be a cramped fit with all of you but you think it will suffice.
Seijiro, you stalk through the brush and come across a group of large lizards. They are quick but you manage to bring two of them down with excellent throws of your knife. It is not enough for everyone but should help with your stores and will at least supplement what you already have.
"Wandermeal's fine. I've lived off it for a week at a time without trouble. Yea can all have some if yea need it, so as we don't wase good food in case Sandara and Ratline are hungry, and need a bite."
What time is it by the time we finish working on the camp? like 6pm, or is it closer to 7pm.
"Variel, I seen you work some minor magics and one trick i picked up was this one," casting Dhaavan conjures a small orb of light, about as bright as a candle, then cuph his hand around it, turning it over like a student hiding their answers to a test, concealing the light allowing it to give off jsut about enough illumination to read. "If you do yer work in a corner of the shelter, yea can hide the light in there, and read easily enough, yeah?"
Dhaavan's perception for watch
Variel posted that he'll take a watch, so unless someone veto's the idea, we go with method two that I proposed, and unless you want a different shift how's this sound?
Hour1: Sko
Hour2: Rain
90min(hour3-4.5): Dhaavan
90min(hour4.5-6): Flynn
90min(hour6-7.5): Jiro
90min(hour7.5-9): Valeros
Hour9: Variel
Hour10: Rain
At hour 10.5 everyone is awake and meditating preparing or striking camp.
I gave Rain the biggest shift cause she has better percpetion than Jiro, and can use that final hour to do her 15 min inquisitor thing cause the rest of us will already be awake and striking camp, so it's not a full hour or watch more like half-hour. while the casters are preparing.
This seems in keeping with the limits placed on prestidigitation and in no way replaces the usefulness of the Dancing Lights or Light spell. sound good, too much, or can it get a little more range of something else?
3 non-lethal
Hearing Jiro is going to hunt – I guess I’ll go with him.
However, as there may be enemies out there – and not knowing the situation – and knowing also I’m going to rest up – I’ll take care of that business first.
Then, grabbing my arms while the other set up camp, I follow Jiro and aid him the best as I can.
When I come back, I toss the game I managed to help bring down by the camp; feeling damn right exhausted. However - just before I'm ready to collapse, I growl out at Dhaavan -
"Ho there, lad - come over here and let me take a look at you - make sure you're alright, eh? I want to see those wounds before you sleep tonight; don't want any diseases or nothing... You may be alright - maybe not - I'll check you again the morning when we wake up, but I want to at least see how you look now, eh?"
"Alright, lad - you look alright - a little swelling, not too crazy about that color - when we get up, I want to look at it again - make sure it's alright - I'll do that in a couple of hours - after sleeping, eh?"
Taking another several minutes to strip off my armor so I don't get fatigued during the night, I do my best to just relax and go to sleep. However, hearing Dhaavan's suggestion regarding his spell to make some modest light, I grumble from where I am trying to sleep.
"Here - maybe this will be better, eh?"
I tug my "glowing" short sword from my sheath, and stab the first six inches of it into the ground - it should shine in a nice wide radius all night while we sleep. If anyone's opposed to that plan, I'll just put it in my sheathe and go back to sleeping.
"Thanks for the checkup, Doc," Dhaavan says with a yawn, tearing the last bit of meat off a lizard-leg. The wound on his shoulder has at least scabbed up, but doesn't look great.
"The worry about the light is not having it, but it giving away our position. But keeping the sword sheathed and near whoever's on watch would give em a chance to draw it if they hear something coming out of the trees, they can use it to shed some light on the subject. maybe scare away whatever's out there, hopefully."
Dhaavan would like to position the sword so that whoever's on watch can draw it to see what's in the woods. They can also awaken a couple others if it seems something is happening. "The spell's for reading without nothing outside bein' able to see the lights, and track our position even easier."
During my watch shift:
Seijiro will eat a little after his 'hunt' and then hunker down for a brief nap before it's his turn to watch. Exhausted, he's asleep almost immediately after curling up in the lean-to. No time even to think on the day's events before he's sleeping peacefully, with a slight smile on his face.
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Perception for watch with low light vision
Providing nothing disturbs him while it is Variel's turn on watch, he will take out his spell book and study it. Somehow the long day yesterday with the grueling effort sharpened his mind and made it available to focus more on his spell casting abilities. Along with that, the two spells that he had been struggling with for so long to properly understand finally made sense by the candlelight. The ability to douse an area with flame certainly would be useful, especially here in the forest. He would just have to be certain that it wouldn't start any other fires that he couldn't control. After about half an hour, Variel got up to finish the second part of his meditation. He was as much about casting spells as he was about fighting. The merging of the two was his gift and a rare ability that few others had. Continuing his meditation, this time with his cutlass, Variel goes through paces slowly and rhythmically. It is as he is doing this that the blade of the cutlass feels light and swung more easily. Along with that, certain spells now where able to be entered into the blade that were resistant before. Intead of statling him, the knowledge and realization came with a sense that this is the way it should always have been. Variel was just not ready for that understanding. The last half hour went quickly and before he knew it Variel was finished with his mental and physical meditation and it was time to wake Rain.
Moving over towards the group, Variel casts prestidigitation numerous times to clean up his comrades from the filth of the previous day and the grime from sleeping outdoors.
Valeros flops to the ground once camp has been decided. He hadn't pushed himself that hard in some time and he could feel his body craving sleep. Fighting to keep his eyes open, he watched as the others prepared the camp around them.
A good night's rest will do wonders for all of us but do any of you need a little extra? It was a hard day for us all.
Dhaavan's down 3/3. He could use one cure, and minimum roll should take him to full. But sleep will as well. So after we have our night-time encounter, the next morning we'll be ready to go! =P
4 + 6 non-lethal=10 non-lethal damage taken
16 - 10 = 6 HP
Rain rubs at her sore muscles and the stiffness collecting in her tired body. She is content with the makeshift lean-to and happy with Variel's aid with it. At mention of food, Rain lifts her head up and speaks, "Perhaps we leave off the hunting for the morning. I would not see anyone fall to game or predator simply because they are overtired and not thinking clearly."
****
Later on watch,
Rain uses her low-light vision to keep an eye around the encampment, listening to the sounds coming from the forest and even further near the sea. Her senses are in tune and her body ready for an attack by some hidden menace.
In her mind, she is going through the events since being pressed ganged on the Wormwood and she speaks to Gozreh and Besmara, trying to draw on the wisdom of her ancestors and the gods themselves. She prays for the continuing safety of Ratline and Sandara -- not willing to concede that the Grindylow have killed or eaten them by now. Her inner spirit rallies and a sense of strength flows up and out through her being. Her eyes are lit with a turquoise fire.
She listens to the sleep sounds of those of her pressed mates slumbering and she silently vows to lead and protect them to the very best of her ability. Plugg and Scourge, you will be brought to justice. I swear it.
****
"Thanks for the checkup, Doc," Dhaavan says with a yawn, tearing the last bit of meat off a lizard-leg. The wound on his shoulder has at least scabbed up, but doesn't look great.
"The worry about the light is not having it, but it giving away our position. But keeping the sword sheathed and near whoever's on watch would give em a chance to draw it if they hear something coming out of the trees, they can use it to shed some light on the subject. maybe scare away whatever's out there, hopefully."
Dhaavan would like to position the sword so that whoever's on watch can draw it to see what's in the woods. They can also awaken a couple others if it seems something is happening. "The spell's for reading without nothing outside bein' able to see the lights, and track our position even easier."
I nod a little from my spot, waving my hand - sleep nearly overcoming me after hunting and that last minute medical work.
Eh - I'll deal with it in the morning...
Being roused from my sleep in the middle of the night after being completely exhausted borders on a whole new world of misery.
There is nothing quite like needing a lot of sleep – and pushing yourself harder then you need to – only to finally collapse into sweet dreams – and then being forced to wake up in the middle of the night.
Just when the dreams were getting good….
Dragging myself up from my slumber – I move out to the plains around me, leaving my companions snoring in bliss.
I glance at the moon – reckoning it to be around an hour or two before midnight…
We’ve slept all night with no trouble, and I doubt highly there will be any trouble at all. There is no smoke, and little light – and quite frankly, if we were going to be hit, I figured it would have happened sooner.
In any case, not really that concerned with the watch, considering we’re basically on deserted island – and essentially in the middle of it – I pay less attention to watching then my notes.
Pulling out my journal, I begin re-reading all the information I’ve been gathering ever sense our little dance with those reefclaws not so long ago. I check it – cross referencing data and lore – re-examining options, and reconsidering other variables. I study my notes on some styles of fencing, and begin a new header for “combat styles’ – when I mark down better methods of footwork while dueling, and useful tactics to remember for balance and footwork.
Every now and then, I’ll take a moment to look around and keep an eye out for trouble…
Then, I re-read my notes as the night passes, and I then go to wake my next companion.
You all sleep through the night uneventfully. Waking up you find the normal soreness of sleeping on the ground, bug bites, hunger from your relatively meager meals the night and day before. Getting up and stretching you feel much better. The view of the sunrise over the water lifting your spirits high. Pinks and purples light up the sky in streaks and swirls.
You finish off your meal from last night and begin your trek up the trail.
Dhaavan, when you wake up your shoulder feels much better from where you were bitten. Pulling off the bandages and poultice that Horatio had put on yesterday you see that the swelling has gone down and is no longer so red and angry.
Seijiro took the opportunity while on watch alone to change his form and groom for a while, a comforting gesture and one he's missed this past week of horrors. Before waking the next watcher, he carefully changes back to his human form, then goes back to sleep.
When he wakens, he feels refreshed and ready to face another day, glad for the leftover food from the night before. He curbs his hunger as much as he can. Since he is young and still growing, he feels like he could eat half of what is there alone... and that wouldn't be fair to the others... he eats only his own share, and is ready to go...
"I feel much better. Thank you Rain-san for calling a halt last night. I think I was was on my last legs when we finally stopped."
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The morning ritual done, Variel helps break camp and prepare for the next leg of the journey. Since it is still early Variel casts light on long stick laying on the ground. Hopefully the stick will help Dhaavan or Valeros in the ascent of the hill as well as give them the light to see by. Variel will keep up the light as it goes out through out the morning.
"Gods' Blood! Well - let's get too it, then," I say with long stretch.
As you are walking along Rain yells out a sudden at the same time Sko and Horatio grab her shoulders and stop her in her tracks. Bending down low you see a very thin wire made out of thin fishing line that is stretched taught across the path.
In the night...
As Rain finishes out her watch, and goes to awaken Dhaavan for his turn, he has broken into a cold sweat. When she touches his arm to wake him, he lets out a yelp, waking from a nightmare, his hand flying to her wrist clutching it tightly as he gasps for breath.
The young man looks around in the darkness panting, and gathering his bearings. He says nothing, but needs say nothing as a look of abject terror that Rain has never seen Dhaavan show, contorts his face. He looks up at her, as if begging for something, tears tracing lines down his cheeks. He gasps for breath careful not to wake any others, simply clutching Rain's wrist as if he doesn't even notice he's doing it, trying to center himself.
[ooc]What? that cocky bastard's scaired and acting child-like? What gives?
In the morning, Dhaavan is his usual chipper self, all grins and giggles, playfully complementing the accommodations, complaining about shelters he's slept in during his youth not nearly as well made as this one.
"So mates, who's got a good hand with disarming traps, cause I'm guessing that there's going to be a lot up this way. Jack?"
Rain feels two sets of hands on her shoulders, drawing her back. She nods to both males in thanks for their swift reflexes.
From her bended position near the almost invisible fishing wire, she looks to see how far it stretches across the path and if she can spy any other such traps.
Carefully and quietly she addresses her mates, "There's a trap, here. Clever. So, this island is not so uninhabited after all. Be mindful of where you step. Anyone familiar with disabling traps like this one without setting it off?"
Rain supposed they could step over it ... but she was no expert at such traps and would hear counsel from those who were.
Seijiro steps forward and says, "I can try." He carefully traces the wires to their sources and attempts to disable the trap.
Jack thrush will assist in watching as we continue after passing this trap by, with Dhaavan up at the front of the marching order to provide Jack with the Alertness feat.
A night terror. Rain had seen them before, with the children she cared for and even some of the injured sailors on Tempest Cay.
His grasp on her wrist was hard and she reacted with a lulling "shh shh" as if comforting a wakened child. Her voice was a bare whisper, but she did not take her eyes from the sorcerer until his grip lessened on her wrist and he gained control of himself.
Gently she enquires, "Is something ailing you, Dhaavan? Should I call Flynn to tend to your wounds?", wondering if this reaction had something to do with the bites from the ghouls they had killed.
She waited for him to catch his breath and realise she was the one near him.
Seijiro steps forward and says, "I can try." He carefully traces the wires to their sources and attempts to disable the trap.
”Hey mate, let me lend you a hand, eh?” I say, as I glance around – looking for any enemies in the jungles.
I bend down, and glance at the wire, sweat beading up on my brow as I slowly slide a branch of the way so that Jiro can get his tools in a bit easier.
Rain scans the ridge and area, occasionally glancing down as Jiro and Flynn work on the trap.
Where are you hidden?, she privately muses, hoping to spy any evidence as to who might be responsible for the trap.
Hmmm... how old is this bloody thing?
With Horatio's help, Seijiro manages to brace the snare and disarm it. Following the line you see it is attached to a large outcropping of rock set to fall if the wire had been tripped. Looking at the size of the rocks you shudder a moment as it looks like you might have been crushed by the deadfall.
Horatio, you guess that it is at least a month old though probably more.
I wipe the sweat off my forehead.
"Well - that's good news, then. Looks like the thing is disarmed, and we ain't going to have to deal with later..."
"Reckon it's at least a month old - maybe older..."
I glance around at the others.
"I guess we can get a move on now - but I'd recommend we watch our step... there may be some other nasty surprises out there, eh?"
I rub my chin a bit.
"While I'm at it - maybe we could spread out the pace a bit - say, maybe about ten feet between us... just in case there's any more little surprises... What do you say?" I ask the group, glancing at the path ahead of me.
Since I've enjoyed Sko's inner monologs about the sharks I've tossed Dhaavan's level-up experience on the Social RP board for anybody interested.
Releasing his grip, Dhaavan puts on his usual smile like a mast, pain hiding in his squinted eyes. "I'm fine, Rain, thanks tho. Sorry about your wrist, I didn't realize is was... Anyway, 'll be alright, but thanks for the concern. Get some rest, we've had a trying and very long day..." the young man says, putting on a brave face for the elf.
"Well then, Jack and I'll head up closer to the head, li'l guys got good eyes." Dhaavan would like to move up to third in the marchign order.
Hearing Dhaavan announce Jack's good eyes and as he moves forward in order, Rain waves him between Variel and Flynn.
"Dhaavan, I still want you protected, so stay between Variel and Flynn. Jack and I can keep a keen watch as we move forward."
Having heard Flynn advise that the trap was probably a month or so old, she turns to him and says, "There is a mystery certainly on this island. We need to be prepared for anything and anyone. Whoever did this is protecting something. Your plan to put a little distance between us as we move forward is well-founded. I am in agreement. Spread ten feet from each other, mates!"
Then turning her attention back to Dhaavan, "Is Jack flying ahead to watch and warn us or he staying put with you?"
Spotting Jiro's familiar red hair, she calls to him, "Be prepared, Jiro. I do not believe this is the last of the traps we will encounter on this strange island. We will be seeking your expertise again, my friend."
A month or older? Hmm...
Not sure if the trap signifies anything of import Sko resumes his place at the rear.
Orisons: Create Water, Purify Food & Drink, Guidance, Know Direction
1st lvl: Cure Light Wounds x3
Domain Spell: Obscuring Mist
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Good eyes everyone. I would have walked into the trap myself. I may be able to protect others and take the blows, but in other things I am sorely lacking. I am glad that we have each other on this little foray here. Why there is a trap we may never know, but it does us well to know ahead of time and be more cautious. This level of planning does indicate cunning. Perhaps the inhabitants of the walled area will talk, but we should be careful regardless. I agree that we should not take chances rgardless and I will be in front if so needed when the time comes.
Seijiro nods to Rain eagerly, glad to put his skills to use for the benefit of the group. He takes his place in the party order, spread out as Rain suggested, staggered a bit from his fellows before and after.
Last night's dream was interesting... and now that I can transform into anyone, what fun this could be... I can even pretend to be one of Plugg's toadies and try that way to get close to the Rahadoum sailors... that is if we have time to sway them still.. this is going to be two more days Plugg and his boys have to turn them to their side. I wish I had Dhaavan's silver tongue though. That would make things easier. Ah well, not worth worrying over until we get back to the ship.
He follows along with the others, but somewhat lost in thought as he walks. The night had been long and filled with prophetic dreams of nine-tailed flying foxes and other things he couldn't even remember... but he knew there was more to him than there had been before, and he smiled as he walked... If the others only knew... but they don't know what I am... how can they even guess what I can do now. One of these days I will have to tell them, but how and when?
I continue to trudge up the path – my eyes open – scanning the terrain.
I consider the pieces, and nod absently at the clues.
”Well – I reckon it all kind of makes sense, in a way…”
”Most of the hash we saw on the island seems connected alight – if you think about it.”
”I mean – most of the stuff we found; from the base of that unlit signal fire – to even this trap – all of it seems about the same age. Reckon some folk got washed up and stranded here… They probably tried to hack it out – may even be responsible for planting them fields… but I don’t know much about farming, so I can’t say for sure on that…”
”But then maybe they got careless – and they got noticed. Maybe them grindy’s came after who readied the signal fire and lost all the loot we found so far, eh? Maybe they fought it out – and the lads figured they’d better make something sturdier to live in than those huts by the coast.”
”If they had a mind for tactics – then I’d reckon they’d pick the most defensible place on the island – them walls we saw were tucked into a cleft in these hills, eh? High ground – easier to defend – only one solid path we saw going up here… and it was trapped.”
”Likely whoever built the walls and prepped the signal fire figured they’d hold up in some sort of base camp at the top of the hill… as it seems like a likely place to defend,” I add as I continue to advance, thinking aloud.
”Still – there’s something that doesn’t sit well with me…”
”That trap now – it was pretty cunning – we got lucky we found it – else we’d been smashed by the rocks, right? And there be only one decent trail up to the top, right?”
”Well – let’s figure that at the top of this place whoever was living there made their last stand. But if they did – how’d the grindy’s get up to the top without setting off the trap? Did they all miss the trap, and walk around it – just leaving it there?
”Or maybe who made it is still alive at the top – but if they are how come the trap looks so damn old – and the signal fire looks so damn old? If the lads who built it made it to protect themselves – it’s still there, and likely they are too – but the trap is months old; it looks like it’s been untended, maybe broke down almost – and them remains for a signal fire looks damn near untended, too – like whoever made them just stopped caring on if they were in working order, you know? So maybe they who made them are dead – but if they are – how’d whoever attacked them get up the trail without setting off the trap?”
”Meantime, if them living at the top are still alive – well; between the gunfire and knife work – you’d think they’d check things out sooner… but that don’t seem likely, as the trap looked old and untouched, and a lad or lass stranded on this rock likely come running at the first sign of folk – just so long as they get him out of here.”
I scratch my chin a bit, then move the wrap over my mouth and spit.
”Nah – I reckon whoever was up there is long dead or gone – what I can’t figure out is – how’d they die… Nothing came up this path to kill ‘em – if that trap is right. And if they’re still alive – why’d they not come to investigate with all our fighting down on turf below; and anyhow – when they left to get food from that corn field, likely as not, wouldn’t they set off their own trap? Even though they knew where it was - if they're still alive, they seem pretty uninterested in keeping a good watch on the path.”
I shake my head, my eyes narrowing.
”Well, there is another thing that might have killed them – maybe they got sick with something… so I’d reckon they may have died of that; you know - fever, disease, that sort of thing... Maybe not; but I'd recommend watching yourselves when we get up there. Just ‘cause we don’t see nasty’s don’t mean there aren’t things in the air that can kill you.”
Then, picking up the pace, I continue to hurry up the trail with the others.
Rain listens to Flynn's discourse on the possibilities which could have befallen those who built the signal fire, planted the corn and set the trap on this island.
"Aye, disease could have spread among the survivors and killed them all off, especially if they lacked a healer. But there is also the possibility that they turned on one another until none survived. So, we must remain vigilant and proceed with cautioun once we reach the pinnacle of this ridge and move behind the wall."