Aya pulls 3 empty glass vials from her backpack and fills each with the water. She then casts detect magic on them to see if there is any magic left in their content. Then turning her attention back to the group, she asks, Shouldn't we explore this island quickly. I am really curious to learn what else is here.
Antonio grinned at Aya.
"Good idea! Let's split up so we can cover more ground, then meet back here."
When agreed, he'll march down a convenient path, whistling a sprightly marching tune and twirling his crossbow.
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From where you are - the highest point on the island, you can see better than anywhere else. Were it not for the riotous plant growth everywhere else, you'd be able to see the little beach from here - actually, it's hardly that far away. Nothing is.
You can see the lake to the north, and a little to the south, but the shoreline isn't far away, either. Lakeroot is visible to keen elven eyes, but others have trouble telling it apart from the other along the shore to the northeast. It really gives you the perspective - were it not for the festival crowds, Lakeroot truly is a tiny community.
Elven eyes can also make out the little blip that is the monastery, out in the lake, itself, close to the northwestern shore.
The water of the lake is incredibly clear, but from here you can also see that it's deep enough that it quickly becomes inky, foreboding depths.
"Antonio, I don't think she meant split up. We already ran into things we could ride that are normally no bigger than a small dog." She trails off as he marches down a path and sighs.
"Aya, what do you think?" Looks around part of her wanting to stay and explore and study but they didn't have time. Other needed them.
"Do you want to head back and see if we can notice anything that may be of use? Maybe there is a magical folding boat or something nearby." She said looking around. "Or if we are really lucky a boat or raft period. And I think someone should go with Antonio so he doesn't get hurt. I think the people that built the barge or at least repaired it may have an idea on what to do."
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The peak of the island itself isn't large, and other than the beach, it seems to be the only area that's very clear. Here and there are some spots where there is less growth, but they're precisely that - spots - places where rocks jut out, or the like. There's a bit more clear, here and there along the stream, where the bank can be fairly steep at times.
The peak isn't without plant growth, mind you. It's almost like a little chaotic garden, with beautiful little flowers all around. Vines make their way up the stonework of the - shrine, for lack of a better word, producing both flower and fruit. Squirrels and other small creatures watch you all warily, ready to dash for cover should anyone prove aggressive.
I have to agree with Nia'Nikta. I don't think it would be wise to split up. The island is small and we can see most of it from here. What we cannot see is concealed within the heave growth.
"I heard of a place that bore majestic flora and fauna, but did not play host to mankind... it piqued my druidic interests, and satisfied my desires." she smiled wistfully, "Turns out that the rumors were not entirely true." She looked around at the group as a whole.
"I do not know how to get off of the island, that is not something that I sought to do. Perhaps we are better off searching the viscinity more thoroughly, and then searching the rest of the island from there."
Nia looked to Nala and nodded. "Lets search this area thoroughly and then move down to the others. That is my suggestion. Then from there we search outward. That way we know they are still alive and we have a camp set up."
"We should also identify the items of Alyra's. Maybe they have a clue. Aya, Sakuro, you want to do that while I search?"
Reiko nods.
Perhaps this island even has some answers as to what we are facing. Exploring it is probably the best idea.
I'm in. What needs identifying? Aya moves to Sakuro.
Nala looked between the two wizards with a frown. "Alright.." and then sets about looking over the majority of the temple, looking over each individual statue, and looking into the crumbled remains of the statues that they'd destroyed.
Nia'Nickta would put the jewelry Alyra had on, in front of the statue that looked like Alyra and looks up at it before starting her searching.
The most prominent piece being the Tiara with a pearl in it.
Nia shook her head. "No, let's head down to the camp. Its been a long day. We keep an eye out as we go for anything. Also, to see if we can find Reiko and where he has wondered off too."
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Ok - nobody finds anything of interest beyond the little shrine, or the odd little island, itself. The wildlife now seems to give you deference. The feeling is, perhaps, a bit surreal, if anything.
Anybody heading down to the little beach can easily be there in a handful of minutes, and fairly easily.
Nala feels terribly out of place as nature bends to the party's whims. It was one thing when one that had developed a rapport with nature - such as herself - was allowed to pass without fear of fickle thorns and tangling ivy... still another for nature to outright bow to the others.
She was careful to take the path of least resistance, even as the others came along. As there was nothing above... so below.
Once the arrived at the beach, she began to collect the ruined wooden fragments, piling them together as best she could. "If you would aid me, I can attempt to repair the ship... I need as much of it as we can manage."
"Of course. Once I've finished, there will likely be much that needs repairing. Things that will need to be broken and repaired as well. The magic I employ will not be exceptionally ideal for moving parts... of which, ships have many."
Nia would move over to the people when they return. "Is everyone alright? Anyone need healing? And do any of you have knowledge on rebuilding the barge. We can mend it to our best capability. Or remake one."
Reiko helps move the pieces of the barge so that Nala can repair it, and aids in any other way that he can.
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As the party first reaches the beach, the riverboat captain looks quite dismayed. He's been doing what he can to cobble the boat back together, but with very little success.
I'm hopin' ye all like it here. We ain't goin' nowhere no time soon.
As the magic starts to reassemble the little craft, he looks astounded, mouth agape, and the boys' eyes open so wide you're sure it's painful.
WOOOOWWWW!!! LOOKIT THAT!
The little group gathers close, watching every movement, and mumbling to themselves.
How much longer does the group plan on staying on the island?
Nia would also assist in repairing the boat. After all each casting was 10 minutes and three doing it made it go faster.
After the boat was done she frowned. "Do,... any of you feel like the energy has faded? I....don't think we have done what was needed. I don't think that was the source."
"A small fountain is unlikely to be called a 'source' of anything." Nala agrees. "I suppose after rest... we should search the island. Clearly something has been missed."
Reiko nods.
Indeed. We should rest here overnight, and set back out in the morning.
Antonio nodded. He took his hat off to wipe his sweaty brow after working much of the day.
"We should watch for a basin as well. In one of my Fathers' books there was a tale of a hero of ancient days; Acheon? Akilos? Something like that.
"His mother gripped him by the heel and dipped him in the River of Souls. After that, no normal blade could hit him; it would just pass through without effect. Except where she held him... but that's a long story.
"Anyway, what I was getting at was that maybe we have to totally immerse ourselves in the 'source', and not just drink." He theorized aloud.
He frowned in thought.
"Or maybe make some kind of heroic effort, demonstrate worthiness, make the proper supplication to the god, goddess, or whatever. Something."
This is a mystery indeed. We need to remain here on this island until we solve it. We need to help the sailors complete the repairs to the boat. Before they leave we need to figure out how we get back to the mainland. Perhaps we can pay them to wait for us to solve the mystery. Anyone else have an opinion or suggestion?
"We are already giving them a boat." Nala spoke plainly, as she looked over the vessel the others had repaired.
"Also its possible the source is underground. Since that was welling up from that rock, there may be something underneath. All of us should search around that place to see if there is a hidden entrance. For now though. We should rest." Moving to Aya Nia would ask quietly.
"I saw you took samples. Do they still have magic?" Once she got the answer she would look at the boat crew.
"Are you willing to spend the night here with us as we complete our searching? I know you have had a rough day but we will provide protection and we can provide food. We have had a rough day and need a little time to recover from our wounds."
Aya pulls one of the 'samples' from her pack casts Detect Magic, and concentrates on it for a moment. Then she returns the vial to her pack. Looking at Nia, The magic is still there.
Reiko sits and eats, and converses with his friends about where the likely source is before heading to his rest and subsequent watch.
Antonio accepted the Captains offer and sampled the crab.
He will spend the evening in pleasant conversation before turning in to rest before his watch.
Nia smiled and would accept the crab and grin. "Thanks Captain. Ill tell you a bit about myself since we have time to kill and it is my job to keep people entertained. Myself, I am a traveling court bard. Hence the fancy accent and eloquent speech patterns that are out of place. I came to gather stories from all the towns on our various histories only to land in the middle of one here. Now that is a story I am not sure if you have heard...."
Nia'Nickta would start to tell the story of the events that had transpired, building up everyone else in the story as great hero's. She was in the stories but she downplayed her part and focused on everyone else. Explaining about Alyra and her sacrifice to save them. Also how her spirit lives on in each of them protecting them. She even added their island adventure and Nala's wisdom, courage, and ingenious use of summoning a child of the earth to help them in their plight.