It has been several weeks since the merchantman ship Jenivere has stopped to take on supplies, but the end was in sight. The ship plows the water of Desolation Bay, the site where the Chelaxian fleet of House Thrune met it's end and the gateway to your destination, the former colony of Sargava.
Yet something is off. The crew, usually friendly and cheerful, seem oddly tense and watchful. The captain, Alizandru Kovack, rarely appears on deck any more, and seems strange when he does, distant, angry and suspicious. But when he calls for a meal for the ship's passengers it seems things are looking up.
That meal is the last thing anyone remembers.
A strange, high pitched shrieking disturbs your rest. You are lying on a sandy beach, soaking wet, a hideous feeling of nausea sweeping through your stomach and threatening to force out however food you have managed to consume. As you sit up you realize the shrieking is Gelik Aberwhinge, a gnome from the Jenivere who had hinted at ties to the Pathfinder Society. Gelik is being attacker by three hissing creatures - Sea Scorpions, there tails raised alarmingly.
Around you are several of the ships other passengers, some rising up at the gnome's fearful screams, some of whom are still unconcious. Your equipment is not on you, but piled neatly a few feet away along with some basic supplies.
One of the Sea Scorpions turns, hissing as it spots movement.
Havel quickly sat up. His head swam and his muscles ached. Upon hearing the cries of the gnome Havel staggered to his feet.
"Mr. Aberwhinge!," He coughed. "Get behind me."
Havel moved in between the sea scorpions and the crew. He cursed as he remembered that he hadn't picked up his halberd.
The scream instantly awoke Eran, fighting of his sickening feeling he carefully rolled out of his bed to land on all fours.
Hoping that the scorpions are more focused on its current target he carefully sneaks towards his weapons, fighting off every urge to convulse.
Katarina moans and wakes up , mumbling as she does " are we there yet ? " she looks round , sees what is going on and exclaims " oh fiddlesticks, seems trouble is in store . Luckily I am prepared " as she readies a burning hands spell .
She knew she shouldn't have had the fish, no matter how much they tried to convince her it was fresh caught, it's obviously been salted and in the hold for weeks if not longer, but after a month at sea, needs must. Now the fish was bringing back it's revenge, her entire body ached and the sun burned her eyes. She tried to shield her eyes with her hand when her mind finally mostly caught up with what was going around her.
She could feel the sun beating down on her, all over her rather than the pierce through the window. She slowly opened her golden eyes and peered through the fingers of her grey gloves. She was on a beach, which explained the fish smell, and covered in sand. She hoped her grey, brown, and black clothes were not too badly torn.
Pandora sat up, reaching to her face and feeling the smooth mask was still in place. Those straps really were worth the extra. She ran her fingers over the strap clasps and fine hinges to check their condition and she slowly looked around. Nothing felt wrong, but like her clothes she would properly check later. She spotted her scythe and bag in a jumbled mess of other people's possessions and bits of ship wreckage. She also spotted just beyond the was Havel and Mr. Aberwhinge being attacked.
Pandora stood up, her belongings first priority. She looked around her as she approached the pile, pulling her bag and scythe from the pile. She felt the weight on the bag in her hand, it felt the right weight, but like her clothes and maps, these things would have to be checked later. For now, she would have to hope she hadn't lost all the things she had gone to Cheliax for. It hadn't been a pleasant trip and she surely didn't want to repeat it. She slung the bag on, spotting Havel's halberd in the pile. Of course he's run into the fight without his weapon, likely against a wild animal. She swiftly plucks it from the pile.
Scythe in one hand and the halberd in the other, Pandora prepared to head towards the fight. She took a deep breathe, hoping that her Druid skills and wild empathy would be enough, but she doubted it. Pandora hadn't ever been very good at it. But that's why she was here, to improve and gain her skills and knowledges for the Test ahead. If she was a normal druid, she'd have an animal companion and make animals happy with a wave of her hand, but fate seemed to have tricked her family when it came to her. Thankfully for her, she learned the love the tricks and was hoping to put a few more up her long brown and black sleeves.
The gnomish bard scrambles behind Havel, on the theory that having a large slab of human between him and a venomous sea insect was never going to be a bad thing, and his breathing was more controller. He was bleeding in a couple of places where the Sea Scorpions had taken a bite and his fine clothing was covered in sea salt but seemed mostly intact.
The three Sea Scorpions turned, hissing warningly at the meat that was daring to get up and move, there venomous tail waving threateningly. Unwilling to give up there meal they scuttle in, aiming to use there venom to disable a foe and enjoy a meal.
Sea Scorpions -
Eran -
Havel -
Katarina -
Katsuo -
Panthea -
Havel quickly looked around and noticed the mysterious masked lady holding his halberd. He hadn't really talked to her, partially from respect and partially from unease. Havel raised his arms in a defensive stance, hoping to weather the Coming blows.
(Hold action untill either Pandora passes me my halberd Or it gets to the end of the turns, at which point ill make a 5 foot shift towards anyone in trouble.)
The first scorpion turned it's attention to Havel. Irritated that it had missed out on the whole of Gelik's foot instead of just getting a few nips in it decided the warrior before it would do as a meal. Already driven into a frenzy by the taste of blood it lunged forwards.
Attracted to the sound of her voice, the second scorpion peeled off and went after Katarina, it's claws clicking furiously as it approached.
The third one seemed to focus on Panthea, it's hiss reverbeating through it's small frame.
Panthea winced, jumping back as the small scorpion's claw nipped her leg. She gripped the the weapons tightly and took a deep breathe. She flung the halberd in Havel's direction before taking a step back, trying to focus, trying to reach that part of being a druid that is connected and empathic to animals.
This part did not come naturally to Panthea yet, talking to animals was as weird as talking to the uninitiated or the uninspired, but just as with talking to people, needs must and the practice might be helpful in the Test. Now what would get tiny scorpions to go away?
Panthea tried
She knocked on her stone armour "Not really good for eating and a bit tough, the boat as far bigger and easier pickings, go on, none of us will stop you if you go without hurting us further". She raised her scythe to allow it pass, but held it in a way to use if it should come for her again.
Eran finally approached his bow, thank the heavens he thought, he wouldn't of wanted to lose his masters longbow that he inherited before he started this journey.
His sharp hawk like eye's pierce around looking for its prey, and observes the scorpions as they attempt to attack their current targets.
breath deeply he thought to himself take in the surroundings and let it all fly.
Eran rose sharply and pulled back his bow, his feathers glistening in the bright sunlight, shimmering as it shifts with the wind remember what the master taught you, feel it in your blood, feel it in your soul, embrace the flurry of blows and overcome the enemy
Eran takes in a deep breath trying to fight back the sickness still, and begins his assault:
The First arrow charges through the air aiming for the lowly scorpion attempted to harm the lady with the dark black hair:
And almost within a split second of the arrow being loose, causing the air to shift around him produced by the feathers on himself, he had then notched another arrow aiming at the second scorpion, to which nipped at the feet of a masked woman.
Just for a split second his thoughts shifted somewhere else, as to why she was going to let the scorpion through, and before he realised he had missed the second scorpion.
Now that the spell was finally prepared Katarina made sure to catch as many of the scorpions in its cone as possible
Now the spell is away , Katerina checks for any wounds from the damn scorpions .Realises there are none and smiles ryely . :-)
Havel nodded his thanks to Panthea, intending to thank her properly later. With a deft motion he dropped and picked up his halberd. Locking his eyes on the scorpion and tightening his grip, Havel brought his weapon up in a slashing motion.
Between the gout of searing flames, the arrow from Eran and the savage blows from Havel and Katsuo the Sea Scorpions go down, there thin exoskeletons crushed, baked and punctured. A moment passes with the only sound the lapping of the sea on the shore, but it seems unlikely that any more of the creatures are going to arrive in the near future. For now, at least, things seem safe enough.
Gelik rises from behind Havel. "My hero," he mutters at the warrior, but pauses and nods his thanks before heading towards the pile of gear and pulling his own weapon and pack from it. The gnome rubbed his stomach. "I feel awful. And why are we on the beach? I sat for my meal and..." He glanced up, and then his eyes returned to the waterline. "Oh."
Behind you, tangled on the rocks out to sea, is the shattered hulk of what was once the Jenivere. The once nimble little ship has seen her last - her stern has been torn off by the crashing waves, and the bottom of her hull ripped out on the rocks. Other than a flock of sea gulls the ship shows no sign of life, only the limp fluttering of the now ragged sail when the wind catches it.
Gelik gestures to the ship. "I suppose that explains why we're on this beach, at least. Damnation. My report will be late at this rate." He glances over at the four other passengers on the beach, and adds, "I suppose we should probably wake them up?"
Eran looks into Gelik's eye's and nods in acknowledgement.
With a sense of relief that his life is no longer in danger, he begins to relax and follows on with this task, he proceeds to check each individuals heart beat: to check to make sure they're are still alive, and had not drowned in the night from the wreck, and so continues to wake as many as he can up.
As he does so, he looks around at the group who assisted in the destruction of the scorpions. Havel, I think Gelik said his name was, interesting fellow, strong arm it seems, best stay clear of his swings.. Eran then looks over towards the next individual who look very confused upon his awakening poor guy, i heard rumours he lost his lord, best keep watch over him, I wouldn't know what i would do if i lost my master.. He then continues to peer over to the woman with the flaming hands I'm glad i wasn't near them scorpions, or i would of had my feathers cindered.. seems very wild with her magic, still a novice perhaps? i hope the people in line of fire are ok and didn't get burnt... he then peers over to the woman with the scythe and the mask hmmm.. not quite sure with this one, I am unable to read her, but what i do know is her spark of intellect, heard some intriguing conversations at the table, including how much she profusely refused to want the fish, but still ate the god awful thing he begins quietly laughing to himself as he goes about waking the others.
He looks up into the sky, clear as day, hot as the desert, and humid as hell, he sighs at this predicament and hopes fortune is in his favour this day...
Well, the attempt at Wild Empathy had been pointless. Panthea will have to remember that her former shipmates were skittish, stabby, and blasty around small animals. She would have to stretch her druid skills out later.
Panthea took a moment to examine herself, dusting the sand from her brown and black clothes, she saw nothing else upon them thankfully. She did not wish to try to mend clothing out here. Checking her bag and relieved to find all the maps, writings, and items she could recall in place and intact, she made a mental note to check her masks more carefully later, after the sun went down and they were hopefully in some form of shelter.
She still felt sickened, Panthea glanced at the one checking those left on the beach. She put her scythe to her back as she did not want to spook him or those waking. Panthea had found many had a strange reaction to coming to to find a shrouded person with a scythe over them for some reason. She walked lightly on the sand, her eyes glancing over the shadows on the upper edge of the beach, and approached Eran as he examined them.
Panthea did her best to speak cautiously, she did not want to upset them but that desire was overridden by her want for information. "What are your findings?" she said softly, her speech not blocked by the mask due to the fine crafting of the hinged jaw, and her tone hoping to carry her intent about Panthea's concern not simply for their well being, but about whether there was any evidence of foul play that could explain her ill body and the crash beyond nature's waves.
Eran's check quickly found that the four passengers were not dead, but only a little more heavily asleep than the rest of you. Soon the four are waking, feeling the grogginess and nasuea that are already starting to fade from your own own systems.
The first to awaken is the half elf fighter Aerys Mavato. You don't know too much about her, as she got into a fight soon after comming aboard when a crewman suggested she bunk down with him - and got a solid pummeling for his trouble.
The next to rise is the human rogue Ishirou who quickly scrambles to his feet and retrieves the long bladed katana from the pile of equipment. He also obviously avoid making eye contact with Katsuo, as he has done the entire trip.
The third is the human ranger Sasha Nevah, who rises while making a face. She glances out at the wrecked ship and simply shrugs, before turning her attention to the island.
The last to be awakened is Jask Derendi, a well built man rumoured to be a Cleric of Nethys. He is still manacled from his imprisoment on the ship, but lies back on the sand and laughs, murmuring, "Free."
With Aerys, Sasha and Ishirou all taking there possessions from the pile, the remains are depressingly small. Enough emergency rations and water to keep then ten of you alive and fed for two days remain. Eyeing the pile, Sasha looks out at the lush green island beyond the beach. "We could probably get some food and water out there," she suggests, "It should be easy enough to hunt."
"Or," Gelik replies with a snort, "We could just taken the food and drink from the ship that had, oh, enough to feed fifty people for the next week at least. Should be enough for us, and better than whatever half cooked monkey you can find us."
Jask sits up. "If you take these chains off me," he adds, "And get me my holy symbol, I can cast Create Water. Should stop us getting thirsty."
Eran looks towards Panthea and for a few moments just stared into her masked, he then relaxed and smiled gently towards her exclaiming "they will be all right, few scratches here and there from the rocks, nothing but time could heal."
Eran gets up and brushes himself off and goes to pick up the rest of his things, or what's left of them.
After hearing the conversation from those that had awoken, he looks towards Gelik with a stern gaze, "I suggest we not ever touch that food again, unless you would like to be poisoned from the rest of your trip?"
Amidst his rummaging, he finds a form of holy symbol that jack described, and proceeded to wander over towards him, peering into his eye's he tries to get a sense of what he would do
and proceeds to attempt to remove his cuffs first with brute force with a solid arrow, hoping to snap the chain to which the arrow snapped in half, he then goes back to the pile for a small blade, bringing it back to try once again for some reason he was unable to removed the cuffs from brute force and sighs.
"Sorry Jask, these cuffs don't want to break by me," Eran looks around to see if anyone is capable, and remembers the strong armed Havel.
He Proceeds to shout over,"Havel? If you may?" as he smiles and points towards the hand cuffs, Eran then places the holy symbol on his lap and steps back to await help, he could've asked Katarina, but didn't want to risk having the cleric set on fire, or himself..
With Every one awake katarina takes a moment to take in her surroundings . "Oh dear , what a pickle " she mutters to herself . She looks over the assembled group in front of her and scowls . It seems there is no sign of her servent Magda . She smiles at Havel . " A big strong man , to protect me " she thinks to herself . She then proceeds to poke through the remaining supplies to see if she can find anything of use .
Whatever she finds she then proceeds to cast her gaze about the beach as she looks for Magda and starts calling out for her .
Panthea stepped back from the waking passengers, giving them room to breathe and take in their surroundings. She nodded in response in Eran as his words became apparent in the actions of their shipmates.
She looked to the jungle. "I would likely do better in their than I would in water, though the boat would likely have any answers we can get for now on what has happened. Poisoned food cannot be purified, but it's unlikely that if it was done that it was done to more than the pot we were given".
Panthea rubbed her neck, feeling the sun beating down upon them. She was far more concerned about finding shelter as soon as possible, in order that any food could be prepared and plans could be made. A dry surface to roll out a map would be good. Her eyes trained upon the jungle, trying to remember as much of the map as she could. but struggled as the sickness rolled over her. "Shelter should be sought once we decide on a course of action, we will be able to prepare any food or plans better once we feel secure and have space to do so".
Panthea's memory is too badly rocked by the wave of sickness that consumes her to remember much, but she does remember one thing of note - a large island in Desolation Bay known as Smuggler's Shiv, well know and usually avoided for the dangerous currents and vicious rocks around it. With a solid crew and a skilled captain, however, it's quite possible to land there. Panthea can't recall much of the internal geography of the island, however.
Katsuo doesn't spot anything unusual. The beach is covered in the tracks of small animals, especially the Sea Scorpions hunting for pray, but nothing large enough to be a likely danger to ten armed people.
Katarina's look around the supply pile doesn't find anything exciting. Just canteens of water and iron rations marked with the name of the Jeneviere. There's no sign of a key for Jask. "The captain kept both of the key to the cuffs and my symbol close to him," the cleric added.
Ishirou glances in the direction Katsuo. "Honoured Samurai," he murmured, his voice unaccented despite his obvious Tian heritage, "I am sure none are fool enough to be false with one such as you. It is wise that we work together to survive a place such as this."
Nodding at Panthea, Aerys says, "She's right. Shelter will be useful. I say we get what we can from the wreck. Might have some camping gear we aren't going to find in the forest. If the food is poisoned there are still tools an equipment we can use, and it'll only take an hour or two. Then we can find shelter and start hunting in the morning, if we need it."
Eran stood up and sighed, feeling ignored he puts his hand under Jask's arms and helps him up.
Brushing himself off, he looks around and shouts to everyone in a stern voice: "Has anyone seen the captain? If you have please let me know."
where could he be? Eran thought to himself, and then looks over towards the broken ship, he hasn't seen the captain when waking up the rest of the passengers.. dammit I've just dried off too.. knowing that he's going to have to swim and have his feathers soaked, he isn't too happy about that..
Havel sighed as his sickeness started to subside. The Jeneviere had been his home for a little while, so now he had to find a new source of income. He quietly kicked at the sand. "Damn."
He looked over at the strange lady giving him the eye. Another one of the passengers he hadn't spoken to. Havel decided to ignore her fluttering eyes.
He overhead the archer, at least he thought he was an archer, talk to the masked lady. Shouldering his halberd he made his way to the pair.
"I think I can swim over to the ship."
(I don't know my swim check off the top of my head, ill post later if you respond to havel. But im pretty confident that I can make it)
Katsuo slowly paces up and down the beach with a stone like gaize taking in the surroundings, again looking for Lord Hibiki and any other signs of life either moving from the beach to the forest or away.
He turns to the others and asks:
"Has any one seen a youth, short black hair, about 15 Years Old? He was wearing quite brightly coloured silks"
The more the situation presents itself, the less Katsuo wants to face the inevitable, that he has lost his charge.
Katarina gives up shouting for Magda , her voice is now hoarse and she realises her poor servant may be dead . With a tear in her eyes she turns to the assembled group and says " well as we seem to be stuck in a very difficult situation perhaps we should see what we can make of what we have , and perhaps follow the masked ladies advice and get off the beach " she looks around to see if any one agrees , while trying to stifle the tears which are threatening to well up .
The various cast aways glance around at each other. No one seems to have seen the captain since they were called to the meal. Nor has anyone seen a well dressed youth nor a ladies maid. The ten of you seem to be alone on the beach.
There's no sign of movement aboard the shattered hulk of the Jeneviere. All any of you can see is the water lapping gently against the broken hull. Although the ship is on the opposite side of the cove you're in, it should be possible to reach her in a half hour or so at a decent walk, faster if you ran.
Eran sighs once again as things are not going smoothly, he looks around pondering the situation, and agrees that we will need to head inland for supplies but we need all people functioning. He looks at Jask and then the ship and speaks up:
"Okay, I understand we will need to head into the wilds in need of supplies, but may i suggest we head to the ship first, make sure we got everything we need as well as helping Jask out of his cuffs, as he is probably the only one here who could help us in procuring a constant clean and fresh supply of water?"
He looks around for everyone's confirmation as he begins putting his stuff together in readiness for the walk ahead,
Katsuo turns and asks Jask:
"I am not too comfortable with just releasing anyone. How did you come to be in shackles?"
and rolls sense motive:
Katharina nods agreement with the strange feathered bowman .
"But before we leave perhaps we should introduce ourselves . I will start , I am lady Katharina Evanista . I was heading home for a break in my studies of sorcery "
she looks expectantly at the others , hoping to hear from them also , as she gathers the remains of her goods from the beach .
Jask nods to Katsuo. "Fair point. I'm accused of aiding some of the more renegade Shackles pirates, skimming gold from the tributes for them and myself, things like that. I'm innocent, but it doesn't really matter. You just need to know I'm not accused of murder. If you go to the wreck you should find the papers about my arrest - they'll prove my story." He nodded over to Katarina. "And my name Jask Derendi, a disciple of the God Nethys, Lord of Magic."
The gnome added, "And I, of course, am Gelik Aberwhinge, a bard of renown and some standing within the Pathfinder Society."
Ishiriou nodded. "I Ishiriou. I am seeking a new home in Garund."
The red headed woman shrugged. "I'm Sasha Nevah. I got kicked out of home - which was just as well really, since I never was good with the rules - and decided to see the world." She glances around. "I really would like to see a bit more of it than this island, though."
The half-elf warrior looks up. "Aerys Mavato." She looked back down, checking her longbow for water or salt damage.
Eran looked around, seeing everyone's gaze upon him in wait. This made him feel a little uncomfortable, he isn't used to this, after training with his master and secluded from most civilisation Eran finds it hard to make decent contact with other races than who he already knows.
He straightens up and brushes himself off after organising his boy onto his back and fletcher of arrows onto his hip:
"You all may know me by my common name Eran, that is all" Eran feels bad for his lack of sharing, but feel's uneasy and does not trust anybody yet to share further details of why he is doing what he is doing.
With complete uneasiness he moves away from people slightly to check over his equipment properly so that all is usable, Eran hates the thought of having to attempt to make more arrows, the part of his teachings he didn't like..
Panthea glanced over them all. They really needed to get going, but organizing a group of near-strangers, weary and ill from disaster, who were unsure of their own and each others skills and trustworthiness was difficult. She felt the delay had just as much to do with this as indecision, but they needed to get going if they were going to complete what needed and what many wanted to do before it was to dark for most to see.
She rubbed her neck, she was used to leading herself around on wild chases, but other people...not so much. Not that she was anti-social, but being a visible acolyte to an often banned sect for the pure purpose of learning it's deity's secrets to imitate them does not make one many friends or make for easy conversations with strangers.
Panthea felt that the best way to get moving, and to get peace, was to head towards the boat, and use the time travelling to look for paths that would easier lead into the jungle and away from the beach. It was best not to be here come nightfall.
She spoke clearly, the hinge of the mask making her speech unimpeded, but Panthea tended to make extra effort with it to be heard and understood, "I am Panthea Sonder, of Absalom. I was travelling from Chelax having finished business there, and happy to see the back of it, and I have some maps and documents that may be of use here. I believe we are on the upper part of the aptly named Smuggler's Shiv, but can't recall more until we make camp and I can examine them further. I think for everyone's peace of mind, we should first examine the ship to make sure nothing - and no one - is left behind if possible, and use the travel there to find paths into the jungle. It is best we are off this beach and make shelter before nightfall, so we should get going".
She paused, debating over whether to tell them more about herself. Following the deity of secrets meant one tended to keep most things to themselves, and she did not know whether there was a paladin or anyone else among them who would harm the acolyte of an evil deity purely for being one, even when one was neutral and followed an unviolent quarter of the faith. She doubted those from cities where it was banned would know that what their cities called a cult was divided, let alone divided into four section that never thought or cared about the others. She began walking towards the boat, her steps smoothed and her scythe barely moved as she walked, before turning back to the group.
"and yes, I am a Daughter of the Mask, though not of the Father, not of the fingers, and not of the Master, nor of the same mask as him" she said, motioning towards the shackled Cleric, as their deities were known for their masks and concerned many through reputations alone. She imagined that they had many similarities, but she wanted to distance herself to find more of him before deciding if he would be an ally or a foe.
"If you have a problem with that, let it wait until everyone is secure and fed, please" she finished, pulling the scythe from her back into her hands, and motioned towards the boat before returning to walk towards it. She hoped distancing herself from the shackled priest as well the more violent, deadly, thieving parts of her deity's followers would soothe concerns and prevent unneeded barriers to the immediate of securing themselves for the night, the longer goal of getting off this island, and her own personal goals - for those who had any idea of what she was talking about, and that her open and calm manner would calm those who didn't. She listened carefully for steps following.
With the majority wishing to check the wreck before trying the jungle for food or looking for a suitable campsite you all head for the wreck of the Jeneviere. The trip is without incident other than the noises of wildlife and the tingling sensation that you have been noticed by more than one of the island's inhabitants.
The ship is perched on a rocky section of shoreline too dangerous for a longboat - hence why you were transported across the bay. The likely means of your travel is obvious as you approach the boat. One of the ships longboats is moored by the wreck, which has with the motion of the waves shifted and crushed the smaller boat. There is no sign of the second longboat here.
A rope ladder dangles down to the slipper, partially submerged rocks next to the wreck, allowing access to the upper deck. It is obvious that the lower decks, including the hold, are flooded and it's unlikely that much of use survived in there, but the captain's cabin, the guest quarters, the upper storrage room and the galley are all above the waterline.
Eran wipes the sweat off his brow as he arrives this hot climate, can't wait to see the end of it He looks towards the longboat and sighs at the misfortune, he was hoping that a small boat may still have made it.
Eran decides to have a look over the ship, he thought he noticed something but must be the wind battering through the hull of the ship.
"does anyone notice anything out of place? I can't see anything myself.."
He says to everyone else in midst of getting ready for a swim, wishing there was another way so he doesn't soak his feathers..
Panthea looked over the ship, the damage to it made her doubt that there would be much left that could be salvaged. But, best to get and find out what they could, and be able to make total peace with the loss before moving on.
She couldn't see much beyond the damage, but it was sounds the pricked her attention. The scraping, clacking noise sent an unpleasant shiver down her spine. She motioned for Eran to stop. "Listen" she said softly, trying to figure out what part of the ship the sound was coming from, "We are not alone here, and it doesn't sound like any of the other people we knew before the crash..."
Panthea gripped her scythe, trying to consider whether what could remain in the boat was better left to its new, loud occupant or if it was worth the likely fight to get supplies for what could be a long detour on her path to the Test. She took a few steps back from the ship, trying to get as much of it in view as possible, as she considered their options.
Eran stopped and listened to what Panthea had to say, and understood what she meant.
"could there be a possibility that what you heard was what took down the ship?"
Eran paced back and forth thinking of the different possibility's and outcomes that could come from this situation, trying to learn from past events when training to become what he is today, then a spark in his mind and he turned towards Panthea:
"Panthea, with your geological documents, does it also describe the wildlife of this island? specially in specific areas? if we knew what we were up against we could take it down quickly, and efficiently."
Eran pulled himself together and looked over to the rest contemplating if they were able to detect anything from the ship..
Havel looked up. He hadn't been paying attention to any body's conversations. Change always made him a bit withdrawn. What made him look up was the warning from Panthea.
"I think we need to take this cautiously, is it possible to draw whatever it is out of the ship?"
He paused, having forgotten something.
"My name is Havel Ornstien, I am a wall of solid defence and iron. I put myself between harm and those less able to defend themselves."
Katsuo cautiously looks around:
and spots nothing.
Katsuo ponders the situation...
"It would be good to know what we may be faced with. At the moment we do not want to get caught off guard.
Maybe it would be best to announce our presence, if it is friendly it may answer back, if foe and stupid it may simply charge us but at least we would be prepared.
However, if it is smart it could lead to it taking up hiding for an ambush.
I say it would probably be best to be friendly as we do need all the allies we can muster, rather than leaving destruction in our wake."
Katarina looks confused by what the rest are discussing as she has heard nothing . She has had a lot on her mind . What with being marooned with strangers , and losing her one and only friend , Magda . It has not been a good day . Trying not to choke again as the feeling of loss overwhelms her she says .
so , is there something inside the ship we need to kill too. Oh a wonderful day we are having . She pulls put her dagger and prepares again for a fight , with a resigned look on her face
Eran Looked over to Katarina rubbing his hand through the hair on his head, watching as she readies for battle on the shore line.
Eran walks up to her: " unless you're preparing to fight the waves with the dagger i suggest you sheath it, I doubt you could swim with it in you hand, and i don't think what ever's in the ship would risk swimming all the way here"
Eran steps back and paces a little bit pondering and looks up to Katsuo, "it is true we may need more allies, but by the sounds on what Panthea heard its most likely not human, but... if its possible to communicate or at least show friendliness, it may back down and reduce bloodshed."
Eran walks back to the sea and prepares and tries to waterproof his belongings, grabbing a few large leaves here and there wrapping it tightly around the bow.
Since he barely wears clothes to begins with apart from simple half length trousers, he begins stepping into the sea in preparation to swim over to the ship.
Katsuo pauses for a moment then turns to Eran:
"I think the poison may be affecting your vision or memory, the wreck is just there" and Katsuo gestures towards the wreck and the conveniently placed ladder to get up on deck.
"Whatever you are about to swim to is just a phantom in your head"
if we are gonna check this out , we might as well start now , this sun is starting to affect me now . Let's get the ship checked out and then find some cover and make camp she clutches tightly to her dagger and grits her teeth as she heads toward the ladder . She looks toward Eran I am not as foolish as you may think friend
Eran sighs and looks towards the floor, raising his hands in front of him, the sun beating down hard on the back of his neck and sweat dripping from his brow, he tries to focus on his hands moving them back to front feeling slight dizziness. Curse this insufferable sickness.
Eran looks around and eventually bows "I am sorry all, it seems this sickness is effecting me more than I thought and making my vision a bit messy I do apologise" He looks towards Katarina and thinks back only towards his first impression, turns around and shakes his head gently.
Eran moves back away from the wreck and sits down "if you would excuse me I need to focus and rest before I lead myself and other into danger"
He then rests his hands on his legs and begins meditating focusing it all on keeping a still mind focusing on beating what's effecting him.
my dear Eran , your apology is accepted wholeheartedly . I appologise for my tone . This is not a normal day for any of us . The sooner we check out the boat ,the sooner we can find shelter She mounts the ladder and thinks to herself , "well at least the archer has manners . "