Blythe chuckles, shaking her head.
"Sure. Can I have my mace back first, please?"
Linard kneels over the first mate's body and studies the telltale marks of death for a while.
"Okay, I feel that a criminal expert is needed here, not a healer. The first mate got two sets of wounds - one of them is of the sea scorpion claws. Probably the same sea scorpion that used to be on the ship killed him. But he must have already been wounded when he got here, or else he would have dealt with the beast easily. Another set of wounds are puncture marks, clearly from a piercing weapon. He didn't eat with us last night because he went to check on the prisoner, so he wasn't poisoned. Maybe he fought someone over the prisoner? And didn't Captain Kovack have a rapier? Although it's unlikely they fought, but you must remember that the captain behaved very strangely that night... Perhaps we can ask Jask if he had seen anything."
Linard is unable to hide a grimace of disgust at the sight of a clearly unnatural death.
"Now, this is quite weird. First, he died from poison. But not the same poison as we suffered - snake poison. The bite marks show that the snake must have been huge. Could we have had an anaconda hidden on the ship the entire time? I doubt it. That's the first mystery.
The second mystery is how long ago he died. He has been lying here at least two full days, maybe three. But I clearly remember seeing him alive last night, serving food! Serving our poisoned food..."
Linard falls silent for a while as he tries to process all the implications.
Blythe quickly helps carry out the gear, assisting to set the net, rope and pully to take it up the cliff-face.
Assuming that Linard relates the information about the first mate and the cook:
Strange, he dead for days? Maybe we fed and poison by inposter, or illusion.
There are a few more lurches as the tide rolls back, but otherwise the ship and castaways remain safe getting the gear off the deck.
When the ship raiders returned they see that Gelik is back, fresh and clean, sitting on a log watching the others work.
The vials prove to be potions.
However…
Upon seeing his equipment Jask speaks up.
Harper, Linard you both have said that we need every hand on this island to survive. I happen to be a cleric of Nethys. I can assure you that the leather, dagger, two potions, and the symbol are mine. To further insure our safety it might be prudent to arm your remaining unarmed man.
Gelik pops up
Ah, our heroes. he says dripping with sarcasm.
Chew on that for a while you bloody Elf
Say I heard some yelling, what was all that about? Someone stub a toe? Wait let me think, one, two, three…um sorry Elf Maid this is called counting. Four? While I’ll be amiss there went five, but only four return. Did something dreadful happen?
No doubt we will probably be eating that poor Teifling. She strikes me as the type.
"On the ship, we have found the bodies of the first mate and the cook. The cook's death we cannot fully explain, but we have last seen Alton last night when he left to feed you. He happened to have puncture wounds on his body, as if dealt by a rapier - but it could have been a dagger as well. Do you know anything about that? Can you tell us everything you've seen last night before the crash?"
Jask to Linard –
Yes the First Mate came to see me. It is a shame he has met his end. I assure you chained, in the hold, I was in no position to stab anyone. Nor wound I stab a commanding officer aboard and on water. Alton was kind to me. I saw him last night, he asked when I was last fed. It was a few days prior, and rather odd as I had not missed a meal since coming on board. Later the cook came in with stew and wine. In a few hours a deep and heavy sleep came upon me. I awoke here on the beach. As for his wounds, Alton had none when I saw him. At least none that I could see.
"This does fall in line with what happened to us and to everyone else. Whoever served the food and wine to us all wasn't the real cook. The real cook was murdered several days ago. The murderer somehow took his identity and used it to poison us. Who was it - someone from the crew? A hidden passenger? Or even the captain himself? Not sure we'll ever know.
You can have your things. But I am of opinion that we should form a common pool of potions and restoratives, as we are going to survive on this island and explore it together."
Nngara looks down her nose at the short Gelik: Take careful small gnome. Next you go in jungle, food like Rix you might be. Then I need count one less.
Looking at the other equipment and talking to the rest of the group: One heal drink each man. I take Water Walk. Angada get powerful heal drink. You each get restore drinks, I no take one. Linard take Water Breath and disease cure drinks.
Nngara then looks over at Jask: I know magic god. You take you stuff, but if help needed, I hope you help.
Angada walks up to Blythe and You seem to enjoy the front line fighting so I figure you could use the better healing than me. Here you go and I would hold the lesser one if you wish.
Jask to Linard
Yes thank you kindly, for now I will keep both of these. Never fear I am a good soul and will use them on who ever needs it. I take care to avoid combat if I can. I am much to old for such affairs, though if need I can lurk about the outskirts of a melee, healing and dragging away the injured.
and then at Nngara
Blessed are those who walk with his energies child. We are all risen from the leylines and the nexus and return for the magic now and forever. Thank you. tracing a symbol of blessing in the air as he talks.
Gelik at Nngara
As she spoke the Gnome gave winks, clicks of the tongue, and a disrespectful rising of his eyebrows. What was that, wit? Not too bad for a stuck up old rag.
The shelter got finished much more quickly than Angada planned. Having some tools from the ship sped up the process considerably, the little covering being built by noon, rather than in the heat of the afternoon. [ooc]If you have non-lethal damage from heat or otherwise remove it[ooc]. Later everyone took a rest while it was so bloody hot and sat around the lean-too, eating there bananas drinking a bit of water. Distance bird call, the screams of strange animals, and the ever present crashing of waves surrounded them. Many of the sounds did not sound friendly.
Towards late in the afternoon, the rain began. A short hour long downpour, those of the jungle or quick thinking enough gather big leaves to catch water for yet another good drink of fresh water.
Sometime after the cloud burst Ishrio approached Angada.
Having everyone here working or eating is making it somewhat crowded. I am going to the beach to bury those bodies. Care to cover me with that bow of yours? I think there are more of those monster crabs about.
That sounds like a good plan. The bodies will also bring in more trouble. I will help some on getting the bodies together quickly so it can be finished as quickly as possible. Glad to have finished the shelter early.
A few quick shots with his bow Angada drives off the vermin feasting on the manflesh.
While the task of burying the dead gets on trek with earnest intent, Ishiro begins chatting up the Varnan. Angada begins to see a different Ishiro.
Um, I don’t mean to sound offensive. But what in the Nine Hells are you? I have traveled ten thousand leagues and I have yet to see a creature such as you. I have heard tell of fantastic stories about tribes of demon worshiping monkeys, but never gave it much thought until now. ER, I hope you don’t worship demons. You don’t do you?
No, I am Vanaran. We are not demon worshipping monkeys. We may have similarities to monkeys but we are intelligent and have our own societies. We live mainly in warm forests and jungles. We try and live with nature. My tribe was assaulted when I was younger and with my mother ran from the Mwangi Expanse. I was on my way back to meet her when the ship wrecked.
Angada looks sad when he brings up his mother. He does shake it off and continues with what they are doing.
I took no offense to the question as I learned when young that I stand out as different. You have traveled well so what do you do? Sounds like you could impart a lot of information.
Ishiro, looks sadden by the words, You may look different than I, but we share more than you know.
Ay I have traveled a bit. I sailed on many a ship too. Though I havn’t had this bad of luck in a while, still we are alive. There is that. Have you know the sea long?
Grunting as he rolls the last body over into the remainn shallow grave, the Tian man straightens his back and wipes sweat and grime away with the corner of his torn jerkin.
Shall we have one of the holy men say a few words? These were good men, slain by foul sorcery, they deserve a good rest. saying his name for magic with a foul expression and a spit.
A blessing by the holy men could do nothing more than be good for them. I have not known much of ships except to travel once when young and this trip.
Angada helps to cover the grave and looks for some stones that would help to make a memorial of some sort for the men.
I would be happy to hear more of your story when you feel it would be appropriate.
"I no like fight. I must." She takes the proferred potion from Angada. "Thank you." She gives him the smaller potion.
She helps Angada and Ishiro bury the bodies in silence. She gathers large leaves from the fauna, and wraps the bodies in them before burying them, and then puts layers of dirt and more leaves on top of them. "For smell." She says when questioned.
Ishiro gave nervous glances at Blythe the entire time they spent working.
Chance of a wandering beasty
Chances for disease exposure, shelter in effect.
Aryes
Gelik
Ishiro
Jask
Sasha
Angada
Blythe
Harper
Linard
Nngara
Everyone sleeps comfortably without catching some strange jungle disease or being eaten.
Nngara takes out her spell books and begins to research something while muttering to herself in broken common.
What is spell. Hide place. Use rope and . . .
Nngara watches the rest of the people wander about and simply wonders how many of them will die tonight or early tomorrow in this jungle.
She does not actively engage anyone in conversation, but stays away from the obnoxious gnome.
With my better vision, I will serve as a guard at night and get any necessary rest in the evening or morning before memorizing spells. I assume that I can get rest during the heat of the day as well.
Correct Nngara.
Anybody else for jobs, otherwise the night closes and the roles above are locked in and affected by your choices.
Blythe will guard with Nngara.
Angada says he doesn't know a lot but figures he can lay some obstacles out for anyone trying to get to the camp. He states it should at least slow them down a little.
The rapt progress of work awakens everyone, except for those keeping watch. The source of the racket being Ishiro. Working feverishly he appears to be gathering wood. Arranging his collection in pyramids surrounding the shelter at eight different point. The piles are fairly small and it appears that he has not been working at them too long.
His words are fevered and hectic, and quite Tien.
His manner of speech and fast pace work is unnerving. Stepping on a log, he swings with quick powerful chops mere inches from his sandaled foot.
Gelik @ no one in particular
I imagine that someone should do something about this. I wonder if the holy men can heal a chopped foot?
Ishiro! Are you ok? Is there something you need help with? Come sit down and get a drink while we discuss what is needed.
He waves off Angada with a chaotic frantic flipping of his arm.
Angada tries to look and see if he can tell if the man has went insane.
Angada steps up behind Ishiro and attempts to pin his arms.
Nngara awakes to all the noise and attempts to figure out what the crazed man is doing.
Knowledge(nature/local/arcana): <-- Do I have any clue what he is doing?
Linguistics: <-- can I understand what he is saying?
Blythe awakens, listens for a minute, and rolls over, trying to sleep.
With a twist of hip Ishrio rolls out from Angada’s reaching hands.
Ishiro @ Angada.
Keep your hands to yourself, Angada! We are friends of a sort, but try to touch me again and you are sure to find out just what my blade was made for.
Nngara you get a smattering of what he is going on about, but not speaking Tein you only get a few words, those being something about ‘Fire Eyes’ and ‘Make Fire’ or is it ‘Make burn’.
Clearly Ishiro is manic about something but he is clearly not insane.
It looks like he is surrounding the camp with bonfires. Typically natural animals dislike fire and will only come so near. However with all those fires going, it my get a bit uncomfortable in the shelter.
If you don't want me to touch you then you need to explain what is happening. I did ask before I tried anything so we could know what is going on. You are not alone here and we all need to work together. I don't wish to make an enemy of you but we can't afford to make us a beacon to everything living here either.
Angada is preparing to have to physical stop the man if he does not stop and explain himself.
Awakened by the shenanigans around the camp, Linard approaches Ishiro and Angada.
"Whatever is going on here, there is no need to use force unless a misdeed has been proven. Ishiro, why are you doing this? Did something happen to you during the night? The rest of us did not have their sleep disturbed."
Ishiro speaks
I awoke just before the sky lightened, for an impolite need. Not to far away, I was completing this business when a sound came from behind me. I looked and saw two red glowing eyes in the night. They blinked, so I ran. When the light finally came I started to take precautions. Evil does not like fire. The more fire we have the better.
Knowledge(Nature/Local/Arcana): <-- Would I have any clue what might have glowing red eyes here in the jungle?
It could have been anything Nngara, but certainly something magical. Normal animals eyes reflect light but do not glow. It might be a outsider or even a magical beast.
Ishiro goes about his task, unimpeded.
I will set fires to burn as night falls.
.
I assume we survived until morning.
As we are eating whatever we managed to scrounge for food:
Well. Where we go today? If stay here, the jungle kills us in few days.
Spells memorized:
0 Level
-Detect Magic
-Detect Poison
-Mage Hand
1st Level
-Mage Armor
-Color Spray
-Enlarge Person
"Didn't Harper mention a lighthouse? That seems like a fitting target. If we enable it, we can get the attention of other ships which pass by the island."