Navior's Serpent's Skull

Game Master Navior

"Well let's get it back to the camp. We still need to finish that lighthouse so we can be rescued."

Douena's excitement over the starknife somewhat tempered by Urza's regrets, she sidles up next to Pezock and puts her hand in his feathery one. "What did you hope to find in the treasure, Pezock?"

Ironically, while Douena's to-hit goes up by one with the starknife, her damage actually goes down from 1d4-1 to 1d3-1 in melee compared to her whacking stick.

She's not been known to roll more than "1" on a die other than a d20 anyway, so no worries ;)

Mahjik is warm and smiling at Ishirou, who's been decidedly improving: from his early days on the island to now his willingness to cooperate with others as well as his willingness to have an ordinary conversation have increased notably. "Don't worry Ishirou, there's going to be plenty of use for this treasure once we hit civilization again. What is the point of being wealthy, if you cannot live wealthy? Right?"

"Besides," Lorenz adds, "There's always more treasure to be found."

He yawns. "How about we rest for the remainder of the day and then head back to the village when it's cooler? I could use a nap after all that digging."

Douena's excitement over the starknife somewhat tempered by Urza's regrets, she sidles up next to Pezock and puts her hand in his feathery one. "What did you hope to find in the treasure, Pezock?"

Pezock ponders a moment. "Hmmm... I hoped to find weapons and magic! Things we can use to vanquish our enemies! Not useless and heavy coins." He sighs. "I suppose we can use the coins to buy weapons and magic."

"I found a weapon. Anyway, I bet there'll be lots of weapons and magic in the snake-person city. And wands and maybe Tiny bears. Do you think you could use magic to shrink a normal-sized bear? Then I could shrink anything and carry it in my pocket."

Probably should have learned ant haul. Or brought Soulwind to lug all this stuff back.

Probably should have learned ant haul. Or brought Soulwind to lug all this stuff back.

It's only one chest.

It's around noon now and the hottest hours of the day are just settling in. There's virtually no shade here on the hilltop, so the heat of the sun is quite oppressive. However, there is a breeze coming off the sea that helps to ease things a little. Nonetheless, you are all very grateful when the rain starts to pour down around 3 o'clock.

Is it your intention to travel into the night again to get back to the village tonight?

We need to give a proper burial to the dwarf and ex-undeads while we're here. Like I said, we already have the hole dug, and it'll be easier to shove the dirt back in before it turns into mud getting rained on. Douena will give an endure elements to anyone willing to do the shovel-work.

Douena speaks an extra-generous funeral over the unfortunates buried with the treasure, out of appreciation for their part in getting her her starknife.

Lorenz, already having done the lion's share of the work finds a place to lie on the ground, flings an arm over his eyes and falls into an exhausted sleep.

Although no one's done so, so far, I presume one of Makoa, Mahjik, or Urza will step forward and do the shovel-work. Pezock doesn't, and Ishirou, already tired out from the digging, joins Lorenz for a nap.

After reburying the dead and giving them a funeral service, you wait out the remainder of the hot hours until the rain starts. You then begin readying for the trip back to the village. Carrying the treasure is awkward, but manageable if two people at a time carry the chest between them. The toughest part is getting it down the hill and through the jungle. Once you're back on the trail again, the going is easier.

You take turns carrying the chest so that nobody gets too exhausted (even Pezock will take a turn if goaded into it, although he complains incessantly the whole time about this particular treasure just not being worth it). Nonetheless, carrying the treasure does result in slower progress, so it's well into the night before you arrive back at the village. The others in the village are all fast asleep, except Aakif who's on guard duty. However, your eyes are instantly drawn to the lighthouse. Its beacon is lit and shining brightly out to sea!

"We're finally going to get off this island." Makoa says simply, his voice strangely thick.

Tired though Lorenz is, the light brings a smile to his face. "Now it's time for a celebration." He says, stretching his back until the joints pop.

Assume everyone stopped for Douena to commune with Desna again. I'm sure the people carrying the chest enjoyed the break.

"But I like this island," Douena protests. "I like Aycenia and the flappybites and my swing and the secret clubhouse under the water and the little Captain."

"It may have all those things, but it will never be home." Urza goes up into the lighthouse and rests in the room he set up when Aerys died. Not that he is still melancholy, just that is where he's set up and I don't remember its description.

Douena stares into the lighthouse after Urza. "I don't want to go home. Home is boring. I don't have to go back to Whistledown now, do I? Aakif, look what Desna gave me: a starknife!"

"You could stay here if you would like. There is another option, though, we are close to Sargava. From what I've heard, it is a place where much excitement and adventure can be found. Plus don't forget, we're treasure hunters now. We have a fabled lost city to find. That should prove interesting, don't you think?"

"We've got a lot left to do," Lorenz agrees. "It's way too early to think about going home. Sure, we're leaving the island soon -- hopefully -- but after that we get to see Eleder and from there is the city we're looking for. Who knows how long that'll take? And after we've found the city and all its riches and become famous, you can always come back here to visit."

Douena stares into the lighthouse after Urza. "I don't want to go home. Home is boring. I don't have to go back to Whistledown now, do I? Aakif, look what Desna gave me: a starknife!"

Aakif looks down at the starknife and nods. "A fine weapon. You are truly blessed by your goddess."

As it's very late, most of you probably want to sleep, so you happily settle down for the remainder of the night (and possibly part of the next morning as well).

As of this point, I'm going to stop making random rolls for disease exposure, as I don't think it will add anything further to the game at this point, now that the adventure is just about over. You have to acclimatize to the place eventually, anyway. :)

MORNING, 28 ERASTUS, 4710 (30th day on the island)

It's a wet, but refreshing morning. Gelik is up, fretting about bright and early, waiting for you all to get up, and impatient for anyone who chooses to sleep in, as he is eager to show off the working lighthouse.

"It's quite good work, even if I do say so myself," the gnome says proudly. "Engineering isn't really my field, you know, but I've picked up a bit of knowledge here and there on my travels for the Pathfinder Society, and it's paid off quite nicely, don't you think?"

Lorenz puts his hand on the gnome's shoulder. "You did an excellent job, my friend. It was an amazing sight to see last night when we got back. I'm quite impressed!"

"I think Douena is getting a little sick," Mahjik suggests, "don't you think it is strange that she doesn't want to leave here and seek out new strange sights and find her flying baby elephant to ride on?"

Ooh, flying baby elephants!" Douena is intrigued. "Do they have those in Vudra-land? I just don't understand why everyone hates the island so much. I've had the most fun of my life here, much more fun than I ever had waiting tables and cleaning rooms in my brother-in-law's inn."

Gelik harrumphs. "Fun?" he says. "I will be very relieved to be off this island. Hopefully a ship will pass by sometime in the next few days, notice the light and come to investigate. If you're looking for fun and excitement, I'm sure you'll find much more off the island, travelling the world. This tiny island is nothing compared to that."

He straightens his hat and gazes wistfully towards the sea. "Only a matter of time now," he says.

Lorenz spends the next few days hunting with Sasha and Alton, telling stories with Gelik -- he embellishes the story of the treasure hunt to a ridiculous extent, describing stakes hidden in the earth, false trap doors that led to nothing, and a virtual maze of digging before they finally found the true seal beneath a dwarf with a missing hand and a look of terror on his skeletal face -- and enjoying the chance to stay in one place for a while.

There's a few items I have noted under party treasure, before we get back to civilization and merchant stalls, does anyone want any of them?
- ring of swimming
- aberration slaying arrow does Lorenz have this already?
- incense of meditation
- card from deck of illusions (peryton)
- candle of truth
- Ring of Mind Shielding Urza would like this one

Yarzoth potion ??
spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
If that roll doesn't make it, he will continue to try each morning. Urza will take the time to show Jask and the others the painting on the wall in the 'evil temple'. Maybe they can figure out more than we could. I think Gelik is an explorer or archaeologist and might be able to provide some insight.

Yarzoth potion ??

spellcraft 1d20+7

It is a potion of water breathing.

Urza will take the time to show Jask and the others the painting on the wall in the 'evil temple'. Maybe they can figure out more than we could. I think Gelik is an explorer or archaeologist and might be able to provide some insight.

Unfortunately, Jask and Gelik failed their rolls, too (back on page 105). However, Gelik did suggest checking the Colonial Archives in Eleder once you reach there.

XP: 760 each (current total: 10492).

The next few days are relaxing (for most of you at any rate, maybe not so much for Douena who doesn't want to leave). With the lighthouse working, there is renewed hope of rescue and so most of your problems seem distant and in the past. The days are still just as hot and muggy and rainy, but the knowledge that each day might bring a ship to the island helps mitigate those factors somewhat.

Gelik spends his time eagerly listening to Lorenz's recountings of the treasure hunt and the fight with Ieana. He transcribes as much of it down as he can so that it can be kept for posterity.

Sasha hunts for the group as usual and spends time training Alton. She's glad for Lorenz's company on the hunting as well. Pezock joins in on the hunts a couple of times, too, complaining of boredom. His presence, however, tends to be more of a distraction than a help.

Ishirou, Jask, and Aakif take turns (along with anyone else who volunteers to help out) keeping lookout for ships approaching the island. Jask also closely monitors everyone to make sure you're remaining healthy, but no one else seems to be contracting any more diseases. Even Mahjik.

One passes into the next, and the next...

Finally, in the evening of the 2nd of Arodus, 4710, your 35th day on the island, Aakif excitedly calls out that he can see a ship on the horizon and it's moving in your direction. You rush to the cliff edge to watch as it weighs anchor still some distance out. A little while later, you see a launch boat leave the ship and begin rowing towards the inlet at the bottom of the cliff.

Lorenz watches the approaching boat with a mixture of excitement and dread. "I sure hope they aren't pirates," he says, touching the hilt of his scimitar.

Lorenz actually made it through without getting sick a single time. Thanks for taking them for the team, Mahjik!

You are so going to get scurvy now.

Makoa heads down to the inlet, no weapons in hand, to meet the boat coming in.

Douena scowls out at the approaching boat ... or ship. "I bet I'll get seasick all over again," she grumbles.

Douena scowls out at the approaching boat ... or ship. "I bet I'll get seasick all over again," she grumbles.

Lorenz grins, thoughts of pirates momentarily forgotten. "I bet I will too," he says with a laugh.

"Oh, what's a bit so seasickness?" Sasha exclaims. "We could soon be off this island and back on the mainland. I'll take a bit of seasickness for that. Come on!"

She grabs Lorenz's arm and pulls him across the village to the path down to the river inlet.

During wait time

Mahjik ensures that a transcript of the strange writings/drawings in the underwater temple is made. "It's bound to be worth something to someone," he explains, "I imagine Gelik will want that for his Pathfinders too."

Ship sighting

"If we just want to get back to civilization, that should be quick. Most vessels hit multiple ports on their way to the final destination, so seasickness shouldn't bother you for long."

You hurry along the trail down to the where the mouth of the river spills into the bay. The longboat is making its way gradually there, but keeping its distance. You can see that there are five people on board, four rowing and the other, armed with a bow, keeping a lookout. He sees your group gathering by the shore and looks at you carefully, but does not make any aggressive moves. After a moment, he raises a hand in greeting a calls out, "Ahoy there!"

"Ahoy!" Once the sailors are within a more comfortable speaking distance, Urza explains their situation, "We are the survivors of the good ship Jenivere. We've been shipwrecked on this island for about a month now and would really appreciate it if we could come aboard and get a ride to the mainland."

The boat rows a bit closer, but holds back from coming all the way in. "We are from the Red Gull," the man with the bow calls back. "We saw the light from the lighthouse. Forgive us for our caution, but this island is known to be a haven for cannibals. How have you survived?"

"By killing the cannibals before they killed us!" Douena shouts back. "We didn't eat them, though."

I should have started with a diplomacy check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Urza's sincerity and desperation flow through him and into his words."By skill and the blessings of the gods, we have defended ourselves from all that this island has thrown at us. The lighthouse sits in the middle of the cannibal village. We had to fight our way through them to get to it so we could repair it and signal a ship so that we could be rescued from this thrice damned island. I understand your trepidation. I ask that you give us opportunity to prove that we are no cannibals. Send a party to investigate the village while we wait here. They will find a mass grave full of the charred husks of the wretched vermin. They will see that we have worked to improve the conditions to make it more liveable. They will see that the lighthouse has only recently been made operational. Before we were shipwrecked, our last port of call was Senghor in the Mwangi Expanse. That was more than a month ago, but we could give details of the place. Or of Bloodcove, Port Peril, or Quent, or Ollo before that. Perhaps a member of your crew has heard of the Jenivere or of its captain, Captain Kovacs. We are not cannibals, we mean you no harm, we just want to leave here."

The man in the boat pauses for a moment to confer with his fellows.

On shore, Gelik gives Urza an approving nod. "Well said, lad," he says quietly. "I never knew you had it in you."

The man in the boat calls out again, "We are coming ashore!" They begin rowing to the river's edge. As they get closer, Ishirou and Aakif wade out to help grab hold of the boat and pull it in. The men in the boat climb out and together, they all pull the boat onto the beach.

The man with the bow approaches the rest of your group, his men right behind him. "I'm Alain Merdin, second mate of the Red Gull," he says. He looks you all over. "Well, you don't look much like cannibals, that's for sure. Show us the village. What ship did you say you from again?"

Lorenz nods with a smile, feeling a little overwhelmed by the presence of strangers. "I'm Lorenz Aeryson. We were on the Jenivere. Thanks for coming ashore."

Makoa is surprised to find that it feels like these people are intruding. He shakes it off and offers his hand.

"Makoa Wolf'skin. The village is a ways off, but the island has become quite a bit safer lately, so if you don't mind the walk and heat we can show you. A little longer on this island won't hurt us, I think."

On shore, Gelik gives Urza an approving nod. "Well said, lad," he says quietly. "I never knew you had it in you."

"Desperation is a great motivator."

"I am Urza Sha'rahad. We would be delighted to show you our little island getaway."

Merdin takes Makoa's hand and then Urza's, and gives them both a vigorous shake. "A bit of a stroll will do us good," he says. "My men could use the exercise, and Captain Tegerten will want a full report on everything before he allows us to take anyone on board. Lead the way."

Your now-quite-large group heads back along the trail up the cliff side to the village. Once there, second mate Merdin and his men begin looking around the buildings and at the lighthouse. Merdin listens attentively to whatever you decide to tell him about your stay on the island.

Feel free to roleplay out what you tell him or just summarize what you tell him. However, I do need to know how much you tell him (i.e., do you mention Ieana or the temples, etc.?).

I see no reason not to divulge everything except for Ishiro's treasure (we are in a bad bargaining position) and the clues to the lost Azlanti city (a treasure hunter's wet dream).

Douena dawdles along unhappily at the back of the group. "Everyone's talking to Urza and Makoa because they're big," she complains. "No one knows how important I am."

"Explain about the vampire-snake people then." Makoa calls back to Douena. "You were the only one who could read the writing on the wall."

Sasha kneels down beside Douena and says quietly, "No one's talking to me either. I think it's Makoa's teeth. You don't ignore someone with teeth like that."

Merdin looks intrigued by Makoa's comment. "Vamire-snake people?" he questions, looking to Makoa and then Douena for an explanation.

Douena nods self-importantly. "They bit the cook," she explains. "I was the first to know about the vampires. Remember? When we found the cook and I said it was a vampire? And then they bit Mahjik, but he didn't turn into one," she admits with a tinge of regret. "But first there were snake-people, and then there were vampire-snake-people. This was all years and years ago, of course, before Aycenia even sprouted, and they lived under the water with Little Captain Mephit, except he wasn't there then. And they had skritchy-dolls with tunnels. Do you think the vampire-snake-people dug the skritchy doll tunnels, or did the skritchy-dolls do it themselves?" she asks aside to the others. "They had stabby little hands, and the vampire-snake-people were too big to fit. Anyway," she turns back to the rescue team with a smile of satisfaction at her thorough explanation, "you understand now."

Lorenz watches the first mate's reaction to Douena's words with amusement. It was nice to contemplate someone else trying to talk to her for a change.

"It's difficult, you see, to be stuck in the jungle for as long as we have been. Sometimes the strain is a little too much to bear. Anyway, we have been forced into a great many fights. Cannibals and snakes, razor-beaked flying creatures and giant crabs, even some undead from time to time. The gods were surely watching over us or we would never have survived."

The less said about a lost city filled with treasure the better, as far as I'm concerned. No use having someone try to take it from us!