Keeping an eye on Aedalis and offering help where he can, but without being overt and pushy, Mihai tracks his condition. Hovering nearby he ensures that Aedalis is cared for despite his intent for stoic perseverance.
After the skeletal skirmish: "I would see from where they have come. If there is a desecrater of corpses on the island we need to stop them."
Perhaps it was... Aedalis said thoughtfully, clearly not focused on what Anton was saying beyond the undead but he tried not to be rude about it. Skeletons, ghouls and ghosts- all on one small island. That is too many undead to be mere coincidence. he reasoned. If someone is truly animating them, they do so to little purpose.
With enough interest in going south to check out the sksletons you decide to track the animated dead.
You go south, with Nim and Anton tracking them quite easily. You eventually end up skirting the large stream that eminates from the area by your camp. It picks up other streams until it becomes a bigger, fast moving river. The skeletons seem to be following, or at least herded by it going north. After several hours Nim and Anton realize that at some point recently there was another set of tracks as well moving along the river bank, moving fast in a northern direction as well. Whatever the other set of tracks were, the creature was running and humanoid.
You are not sure when the other set of tracks moves away from the skeletons, but you can hear the sea and the surf just ahead so you decide to finish following the skeleton tracks to possibly the sea.
The river dumps out into a small bay. It is similar to the cove that you all ended up on at one time or another when you first came to the island. The tracks lead onto the beach and then disappear. When you look around the cove it startles you to see a ninety-foot-long shipwreck leaning against the cliff side and several jagged reefs here, encrusted with salt and moss. Its masts remain intact, but the sails have long since rotted away.
At the bow, a leering demonic figurehead of green-caked brass
provides an intimidating greeting.
It is about 6pm by this time, you have a couple of hours of light left. Do you wish to check out the wreck now, it looks like you can climb over the reefs to get to it.
Looking to Nim and Anton, Tragershen will ask Do you think we would be trapped by the tides if we moved over the reef to investigate?
To all, he'll say I think it is worth checking out this wreck for two reasons. First, it is relatively intact and may contain items of use for us for our goals of survival and return to civilization. Second, it may be generating some of the undead we are seeing on this island. Note the figurehead; perhaps this contains an evil energy that can be quelled and therefore stem the tide of undead we've noted and perhaps even cause the downfall of others wandering the land.
If we move quickly and do not linger for long, the tide should not be an issue.
Nim stows his spear and draws his shield and scimitar in anticipation of exploring the cramped environs of the shipwreck.
If we are going to do this, we should go while we still have some day light... I do not wish to make camp so near a place where the undead seem to roam freely.
You approach the craft cautiously. Immediately you spot several skeletons standing motionless on the deck. It doesn't take you long to destroy the 3 on deck as well as the 3 below deck that come up once the fighting starts. From their rags they might have been part of the original crew.
The name on the ship is still evident, The Brine Demon.
A search of the Brine Demon reveals that the vast majority of its booty has long since either rotted away or been lost to the sea—much of the ship’s hull is missing, wedged tightly amid the jagged rocks.
Yet an investigation of the captain’s cabin reveals a skeleton slumped on the floor, its bony hands clutching at a well-made, watertight
darkwood coffer sitting in an opened secret compartment in a rotting desk. This coffer is locked, but time has not been kind to the mechanism,
Inside the coffer are a number of items:
A gold locket worth 500 gp. The locket contains a tiny, incredibly detailed portrait of a beautiful, red-haired half-elf
woman, identified along the bottom edge of the portrait as “Aeshamara.”
A +1 dagger.
Several fat ledgers and journals. The ledgers and journals contain irrefutable proof of collusion between Captain Kinkarian and half a dozen Sargavan and Bloodcove government officials, who were skimming off the tithes and taxes offered to the Free Captains of the Shackles. The timing on these doesn't seem to be that long ago. It could be that this collusion is still going on.
By the time you are done searching the wreck darkness is almost upon you. You could camp on the ship or nearby just off the shore?
Tragershen will add the ledgers and journals to his waterproof bag.
Perhaps these will be of use to us when we finally make our way off of the Shiv.
When we do make our way back to the camp, Tragershen will study them openly. If any of the other castaways note him doing so and ask, he'll gladly share what they found and let them look at them too.
After he critically examined the dagger, Aedalis nodded at his conclusion.
Indeed. A minor enhancement to the dagger's edge and potency. Who will claim this fine weapon?
Mihai was contented to have taken part in ending the skeletal threat. As the others look over the contents to the lock box, Mihai lends an eye to see if the wood of the box itself were in reasonable condition - though his untrained eyes were not much use in reading the grain. Calling upon Nim, he asks "Could the box be repurposed? Anton might enjoy calling forms from the grain."
At the thought of where to camp "I would be far more comfortable upon the shore than I would on the waves.. though will cede to those more knowledgeable."
Aedalis shrugged, having little preference.
Although I am not a fan of staying aboard a ship haunted by it's own crew it would seem a rather defensible location should we be attacked in the night. I would think it would be the better choice to stay aboard the ship tonight. Anton, Nim what say you?
Nim looks at the box, I believe Anton would be up to the task, yes.
As to the conversation regarding the camp, Nim expresses, It can work both ways...The defensible position that one cannot flee, sometimes becomes your grave...
Nim looks around to judge just how defensible the wreck is.
All things being equal, I would prefer to make camp ashore... and if pressed we can always retreat to the wreck if it indeed offers an advantage and protection.
Tragershen will add the ledgers and journals to his waterproof bag.
Perhaps these will be of use to us when we finally make our way off of the Shiv.
Anton perks up, brow creased. "Wait. Did you say 'Kinkarian'? Why does that ring a bell. Official corruption... Could this be the proof of Jask's innocence that he asked us to keep an eye out for? I have to admit, I've forgotten the name of the ship that he said it might be on; but in my defense, it's been an eventful three weeks."
As to the conversation regarding the camp, Nim expresses, It can work both ways...The defensible position that one cannot flee, sometimes becomes your grave...
Nim looks around to judge just how defensible the wreck is.
All things being equal, I would prefer to make camp ashore... and if pressed we can always retreat to the wreck if it indeed offers an advantage and protection.
Anton nods vigorously. "Definitely ashore. The ocean is fickle, and what is solidly wedged today could be tomorrow's flotsam. I'm not trying to be dramatic; I'm just saying, I've spent a lot of time at sea since leaving Molthune -- and I wouldn't be able to sleep well here, knowing that all it would take is a single randomly large wave to turn our secure shelter into panic and drowning."
Anton looks off to one side, mouth pursed. "Okay, maybe a little dramatic. But just to make the point." He shrugs.
You settle yourselves a little ways from the shore. The night is filled with thunder in the distance but little rain. There is a strong greenish glow from the water that unsettles you a bit, but you keep reminding yourself that it is just plants in the water, causing the glow.
About midnight Mihai is on watch. From the water in the cove you suddenly hear a rasping wailing...
Aeshamaraaa! Wherrre arrre yyyyouuuuu? I havvvve commmme forrrr yyyyou my llllllove.
You have a few seconds to react before this creature appears at the edge of your dim light.
Ghost in the surf
The voice becomes more clear and angry and it points at you with its glowing hook, You, thief and scoundrel. You have her. Give her to me now or I will take your life!
The thing doesn't come any closer for the moment.
Mihai holds his hands wide and stands so as to show that he bears no threat to the creature. Mind racing, he connects the name to the locket. Talking loudly so as to waken the others incidentally "Hail dark walker, I have not taken your love... this I swear. When did you lose her, so that I might help you find her again?"
Diplomacy:
You lie thief, she is near, give her to me now or I will have your life!
"Is her picture all that remains dark walker? or does she endure in flesh" motioning to Anton to produce the locket from the shipwreck.
Anton pulls the locket out of a sack in his backpack and holds it up, muttering to Mihai. "I hope you know what you're doing."
Mihai gives Anton a small nod as he takes the locket and holds it forward and to his side as he walks calmly forward awaiting the ghost's reply.
Tragershen casts Mage Armor, but doesn't make any motions otherwise, hoping Mihai knows what he is doing...
A ghost... Aedalis softly muttered, as he nodded approvingly at Mihai's quick actions. Trust Mihai he reassured Anton. Far better to grant the spirit its wish than to cross one.
Last chance thief, I know she is here, give her to me!!!
It turns it's unearthly head, appearing to be looking around Mihai for her. Apparently to no satisfaction it continues.
You...you all are no better than my crew, I cursed them to the grave as well, return her to me or face my wrath.
The ghost draws it's cutlass.
Corbius rises from where he was resting and moves to a position where he can get between Mihai and the ghost if need arises his hand resting casually on his rapier.
You...you all are no better than my crew, I cursed them to the grave as well, return her to me or face my wrath.
Despite the danger the spirit poses, Tragershen smiles at its apparent admission to being responsible for at least some of the undead encountered... He takes an involuntary step back as the ghost draws its cutlass, but delays any hostile action based on Aedalis's reassurance.
Nim rises silently in the background, bare chested and holding his trusty spear. He waves a hand at Wicewakan, motioning for him to be quiet, as the wolf stands hackles raised and growling in a low rumble, eyes fixated on the threat.
Nim makes no other motion as he waits to see how the events before him play out...
A cold sweat starting to form on the nape of Mihai's neck he racks his brain a few moments before realising... The dark walker's hands cannot touch that of the mortal world Outwardly calm, but inwardly heart thumping, Mihai reaches forward to open the locket - unhooking the clasp and displaying the portrait of Aeshamara within.
Taking a knee and head down as he holds the opened locket high by the chain, Mihai states "Here she is dark walker."
The spirit puts away its ghostly cutlass and strides up to you...there is a moment when you are not sure what it will do. It looks at the locket and the picture within, Aeshamara my love, finally I have found you, I long to be in your arms and for us to be together...
It reaches out to the locket and as soon as it touches the picture you hear a soft whisper...Thank you and the spirit disappears seemingly dissipating into the night. The locket still sits in yor hand. All grow very quiet...
There is a split second, the past and the present seem to intersect...you see the captain obsessed with his love but the fates plot against him. The ship, the ocean and its currents, the ship is driven to the island. The crew mutinies and the captain dies alone in his cabin, never to see his love again.
But there is something else...lightening that rises over the island...draws the ships here...so many spirits...you clutch your head in pain and they fade...what does it mean?
Nothing else bothers you that night, you wake up the morning of:
27th of Lamashan
It is painted directly onto the interior of the locket.
Nim relaxes as the apparition is soothed and disappears.
Nim plants his spear into the sand and then consults the map, making adjustments to compensate for the group's detour. It looks like we will be spending an extra night away from base camp after all... hopefully the devil does not return during our prolonged absence.
Turning to address Tragershen and Corbius specifically, I do not seem to recall an answer to my earlier inquiry. Did the devil give you directions to this "wood witch"?
Lingering on his knee even after the ghost has faded, Mihai turns his eye upon the locket. Seeing the picture of the woman within, his mind turns inward to thought. Standing as he regards it, his mind is made and he breaks the locket off the chain, pocketing the chain before closing the clasp on the locket one final time. "It is not right for me to take you from him... he was lost to the water and so should you be"
Mihai then balls a fist over the locket and throws the closed picture segment hard and into the ocean.. letting her memory be lost to the ocean the same as the captain's.
His eyebrows raised in amazement, Anton looks back and forth between Mihai, the sea, and the empty space in-between where a spirit and a locket used to be. "I have no idea what just happened here, but thank you. I can see that I have a lot to learn about ghosts."
I need one more Fort save at DC 16. The removal is two consecutive saves.
The Mountain Devil didn't give you directions but the Cannibal you captured did. He pointed to just west of their camp which means the SW part of the island.
27th of Lamashan
Encounter chance dawn
Encounter chance noon
Encounter chance dusk
Encounter chance midnight
Disease chance Nim
Disease chance Anton
Disease chance Mihai
Disease chance Tragershen
Disease chance Corbrius
Disease chance Aedalis
Disease chance Aerys
Disease chance Gelik
Disease chance Ishirou
Disease chance Jask
Disease chance Sasha
You start heading back north and west. The terrain is difficult as there is a single higher elevation running down the middle of this part of th island with lower elevations running both west and east of it. Luckily nothing bothers you and you find little other than the other fast running stream that starts near your camp.
28th of Lamashan
Encounter chance dawn
Encounter chance noon
Encounter chance dusk
Encounter chance midnight
Disease chance Nim
Disease chance Anton
Disease chance Mihai
Disease chance Tragershen
Disease chance Corbrius
Disease chance Aedalis
Disease chance Aerys
Disease chance Gelik
Disease chance Ishirou
Disease chance Jask
Disease chance Sasha
You continue to head north and west but again see and encounter little. You make it back to camp and all is well with the other castaways. So far the mountain Devil seems content to let you explore.
You had to throw the entire locket in, you would have had to break it in half to throw the picture in and the it would have been pretty much worthless anyways.
The following days though, you feel an inner peace settle on you, more than you have ever felt before!
You were startled by the spirit but happy with the outcome. You had no doubts the power of its anger had made its manifestation powerful as well.
Mihai is of good spirits as they trudge onwards after encountering the ghostly spirit. As though his heart were unburdened.
Correct. And actually I forgot that weeks are 10-days here, so make it for 10 days starting on the 27th actually.
28th of Lamashan
When they get back to camp, Anton is relieved to put down his pack and get out of his breastplate, but his ancient magic boots are so comfy that even this halfling doesn't need to take them off. After washing his hands and face, Anton heads directly to find Jask, approaching him with his usual halfling fist bump.
"Remember when you asked us to keep an eye out for a certain ship? Well, the last few weeks have been pretty busy and I forgot the name. But anyway, we found this ship called the Brine Demon, and there were these papers in it that mentioned a Captain Kinkarian, which kind of rang a bell. Tragershen's looking them over right now."
Next, Anton seeks out Gelik, leading him off into a more private corner of the camp, but not waiting to start the story. "You'll never believe this one! We ran into these skeletons that led us back to a ship called the Brine Demon, where we found some things, including a locket with a portrait labeled Aeshamara. So later that night, a pirate ghost appears, and he's all, 'Aeshamaraaa! Wherrre arrre yyyyouuuuu? I havvvve commmme forrrr yyyyou my llllllove.'"
Anton proceeds to relate how the hook-handed haunt threatened to curse them like it did its crew if they didn't give her back to it, Mihai somehow knew to open the locket so that the ghost could touch the portrait, and it disappeared. And then Mihai broke the locket off the chain and threw it into the ocean. Oh, and weird coincidence: it might have been the ghost of the Kinkarian that Jask had told them about. "So I guess he only got what he deserved, in which case putting him to rest was really more about removing a threat than doing him a favor. Huh. I wonder..."
Finally, Anton looks for Mihai. As it so often does, the process of telling the story to someone else revealed something that Anton didn't know he knew. So, he asks to speak privately. "When I was telling the story to Gelik, I realized something and then I remembered something, which made me curious. I have a guess, but I'll just ask: why did you close the locket before throwing it in the sea?"
Somewhat bemused by the question Mihai replies simply "So that she could rest, safe from the predation of any creatures of the sea."
Nim is happy to see that everyone is ok in camp. After spending some quiet time with Sasha, he plots out the next few days explorations.
Assuming Jask comes over from Anton's prompt, Tragershen will greet him warmly. I was hoping to have all of these sorted out for you, but have a seat. I'll show you what I've found so far. Tragershen will flip through the ledgers and notes, showing Jask the most relevant portions, but certainly allowing him to go through them on his own as well.
Jask looks over the papers with Tragershen, These papers, they could be what I was looking for!
These could prove my innocence! I could return home, a free man...thank you all, this means much to me. Whatever you need, if it is in my power it is yours.
When you have some time, after we look at these a little more, I have something to share with you. I was taught by a Vudran mystic some special chants and mind exercises that can help you focus your mind.
He starts showing you a few things but you think it may take you a week or so to learn the techniques he is showing you.
29th of Lamashan
Encounter chance dawn
Encounter chance noon
Encounter chance dusk
Encounter chance midnight
Disease chance Nim
Disease chance Anton
Disease chance Mihai
Disease chance Tragershen
Disease chance Corbrius
Disease chance Aedalis
Disease chance Aerys
Disease chance Gelik
Disease chance Ishirou
Disease chance Jask
Disease chance Sasha
Moving south along a known path you move quickly towards a new part of the island. You move towards the coast and not much is seen or occurs during the day. You reach the coast, the odd grey island can be seen in the distance. You get ready to head back inland when...
Surprise Round:
vs stealth CV
Nim, Anton, Aedalis, Corbrius, and Mihai all here a scuttling noise. You look up to see something peering over a ledge about 40' above you...a long rope-like filament hangs from its mouth.
This man-sized, crab-like monstrosity clings tenaciously to the rough stone, its enormous pincers held out menacingly before it.
initiative strings:
Battle of the Cliff Crab, surprise round 1
Anton 22
Corbrius 19 *can not act in surprise round
Mihai 18
Tragershen 14a
Aedalis 14b
Cliff Crab 10
Nim/Wic 6
No map, the creature is straight above you 40'. The only way to reach it would be a DC 15 climb ceck.
It is a cave fisher. It has claw attacks, and crab like shell.
Its main oddity is it extrudes a thin cord of silk at blinding speed, lashing at the target as with a whip. The filament is incredibly sticky, and once the fisher strikes food with it, it reels in its meal
to feed, trusting its position on a higher ledge to prevent any allies the meal may have from molesting it as it eats. Collections of bones and lengths of discarded filaments are sure signs of cave fisher habitation.
"Oh lovely, a cave fisher." Anton eyes the slope and the distance to the critter, then smiles grimly and draws his halfling sling staff. "About time this came in handy."