Feeling weakened, Inka Gladly takes the Anti-Venom from Amisi, She then drinks it, and Stumbles over her next few words
fort save (-1 poison, +5 anti-Venom)
" Thaank y-y-ou.. Amisi For the help, I am Greatful. Few people are kind to me, and even then, they normally have an Agenda.. Again, thank you for the help"
Inka then Smiles, and hugs Amisi, maybe a little too tight
Atzi cleans her hands in the grass and moves over to where Aerys is sitting and settling nearby her Atzi gives her a small smile before speaking quietly.
"If you don't mind my company, I would like to know your story. Why your journey led you here, but if you want space I shall leave you alone until you are ready"
Aerys gives her a level stare. It takes her a moment to respond. She she does, though, she is succinct: "F*!$. Off." And then she smiles, widely. There is a lot of booze in that smile.
A few moments later, she slumps off the rock and passes out.
Finishing the work on the campsite takes another three or so hours, with frequent breaks for nearly everyone, and several of the spellcasters pausing for castings of create water along the way. The timing, however, works out almost perfectly, as the group is just putting the last touches on things when the first patter of raindrops starts to echo from the jungle canopy above, and with almost no warning, a sudden downpour roars through the area, drenching everything in moments (though it also has the benefit of helping with the insects and dropping the temperature several degrees as well). Once the rain has washed some of the grime and sweat off, everyone scatters to their tents to wait out the storm. Fortunately, the deluge passes almost as quickly as it arrived; ending just half an hour later, the jungle is, if possible, even more humid, but much cooler, and the group can reassemble around the firepit once again (sans the still-snoring Aerys) to lay their plans.
She sighs looking at the unconscious form of Aerys and even though the words she used would have hurt someone elses feelings, it didn't phase Atzi one bit only left a sad smile on her face. She was used to seeing drunkards back in Kibwe and she learned the hard way that too much drink made good people do and say bad things. Even though she was tired from the days events, she retrieved her bedroll out of her pack and unrolled it near the now snoring form of Aerys. Delicately Atzi slowly moves Aerys unto the bedroll and she placed her rolled up travelers cloak beneath Aerys head for some cushioning.
Satisfied with her work Atzi curls up with Quetza to get some rest, she remains near Aerys in case something slinks its way out of the jungle and attacks again. She keeps her spear at hand just in case.
As the rains set in she finds it a soothing lullaby as a deep sleep claims her.
Once the camp is set-up, and everyone is able to retire out of the rain, Uchendu will give a disapproving look in Aerys' direction, shrug, turn-in to one of the more sheltered locations, and give Ruthoc a good grooming session, as he tries to cheer-up the poor wee bairn.
Once that is done, he will begin to brood about the survivors' situation. Then, a thought occurs to him...
"Atzi, when you went through the Captain's Quarters, I know you found a logbook, but did you find any of his sea-charts as well, especially anything that had this island on it?"
Awaking with a start Atzi sits up and regards Uchendu with a groggy smile, she seems to just stare at him for a moment as she thought on what he said.
"Everything I found I gave to Amisi when I came to heal Storian. But yes I found many charts and sea maps along with his log book. Do you need anything else friend Uchendu?"
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Amisi looks like she is preparing for war. But instead of donning some armour she asks Atzi to give her some shelter – so she is able to change into some clean clothes. She than takes out a small vial – for a moment she looks at with as if undecided. She wanted to keep it for a formal occasion like a ball – and it's unlikely she will get any back here in this wilderness – but in the end – if it helps she better should use it now. While doing so she whispers to her:
Seemingly ready she has a last look towards Atzi and then tries to corner Jask while he seems on his own and not busy. She first tries to find out his feelings towards her and the group – but she knows she was always better in swaying opinions as in detecting them.
Sense motive check:
She then starts chatting to Jask
”I'm so glad that we managed to free you from you shackles. As a follower of Nethys you deserve to spread magic and to protect it. I'm sorry that I was such a coward on the clifftop. It wasn't right for me to hide behind you while you were defenseless. I was scared – and I hoped it would buy me time to help us all.
I just hope you are not holding this against me. I would feel so much better knowing you are my friend and you will be able to help me and the others through the dark times that are ahead of us. Especially as wizard there is a lot I hope to learn from you if you have time showing me how it is done. For example spellcraft – I know – I should have learned it instead of dead book knowledge – but it seemed so unimportant when I had the library just next to me.
You are needed by the group – and especially by me.”
She shows Jask a charming smile and waits for his response. Just in case she looks around to Atzi – if she was able to overhear them and if necessary to step in.
Diplomacy check
Looks like this attempt was a little bit 'blunt'. Well - it might just be enough but there should be no harm if Atzi tries to assist. If I get it right I need 10 + Cha of Jask.
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Next Amisi walks over to Storian and Natalyah.
”Storian – you did rescue poor Sasha from the claws of the Giant crab – and Inka – you healed her when she needed it most. Maybe – once I have talked to her you can have also a kind word with her.”
Amisi then moves over to Sasha - just before she and starts a chat she looks at her – like trying to find out her thoughts.
Sense motive check:
”The two of us haven't really had a chance yet to talk. I'm so glad that the giant crab didn't do any lasting damage to you. I'm sometimes feeling lonely her – but I'm glad we have a strong fighter like Storian with us. The way he smashed the crab into two pieces. And Inka – I know she has some Orcish blood in her veins – but it is good to have her around at the time when we needed her and her healing most.
You also seem to be a tough woman. May I learn more from you. There are some hard times ahead and the more we know from each other and the more we help each other – the better the chances to survive. Being not only survivors but rather friends would help.”
Diplomacy check
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Once Amisi seems to feel the talk with Sasha went well, she moves to Uchendu and Natalyah.
”Gelik seems a difficult one for me to fully rally to our cause. He is a bard and full of himself – and these bards tend to be more difficult to sway as others. In addition I doubt my charm will work on him. But I know he is keen on hearing stories and while I'm sure he was glad not have seen the sea scorpion – I hope you two would make me a favour and if I offer it to him, you would retell the story of the fights below deck.”
Not waiting for a reply, Amisi strolls over to Gelig – having an intense look at him before starting to talk.
Sense motive check:
”Oh dear Gelig Aberwhinge – what great stories you are able to tell. I'm so impressed. You know – I'm just a young and inexperienced wizard – nobody worthwhile a story to be told about. Especially not by someone like you. How you managed to rally Storian up on the Cliff and ensured he wouldn't waver in the eye of the beast that came for us – that was impressive.
Too sad you missed all what happened down on the ship. I heard from Natalyah that Uchendu split a seascorpian in two parts with one mighty blow. I did ask them – and they promised me if you are interested, then they will retell to you all they told me.
It is so sad and lonely here - now that we crashed. I'm therefore so glad we have you here who can help keep the mood of the group at it's best.”
With a smile in her face she waits for Geligs response.
Diplomacy check
Uchendu will spend some time trying to get the measure of some of his fellow passengers...
Natalyah looks up from her slouched position as Amisi walks up. She listens with a puzzled expression as Amisi asks for help to charm the gnome.
Rally him to our cause? What choise does he have other than to stick with us? He won't survive on his own. I'd like to see him sing his way out of the claws of the jungle, Natalyah thinks to herself as Amisi walk over to Gelik and starts a conversation with the gnome.
Natalyah listens to the two talk with half an hear, keeping her focus on the trees around the camp.
"Yes, 'twas a mighty beast, with razor-sharp claws and a vicious poisonous stinger - but it was no match for my blade."
He then gives a mirthless smile.
"I also doubt the sharpness of the mindless beast's attacks would have been a match for your own razor-sharp whit."
"Now, after being wrecked here, we may all have a monkey on our back, some of us more literally than others..."
Uchendu gives Ruthoc a friendly scratch behind his right ear.
"...but that is no reason for us to not try working together. After all, we would not want the Capuchin to turn into a Gorilla through neglect, now, would we?"
Having only a small nap before Amisi comes over and asks her assistance, Atzi gets up with a yawn and stretches to loosen her complaining muscles. Quetza gives only a low moan of protest at being awakened and before he gets up . With a happy-huff he curls back up on the ground.
Atzi helps find some adequate cover for Amisi to change and follows her over to talk with Jask. She gives Jask praise for his ability and services he has provided for everyone.
As Natalyah continues to listen it begins to take more and more of her concentration. When Uchendu talks about working together her ears straighten and she looks puzzled at the gnome. She'd never had any thoughts other than that they need to work together, and couldn't imagine that anyone else would have either.
She tries to study the gnome to determine his intentions.
Amisi turns to Uchendu
"Indeed - I took the map and stored it together with the logbook and my notes. It's here:"
"The maps must be somewhere between entry 3 and entry 4 if I remember correctly"
There is, indeed, a reasonably decent map of Smuggler's Shiv among the charts and scrolls. The overall best assumption is that the shipwreck occured on the northern shore somewhere.
Seemingly ready she has a last look towards Atzi and then tries to corner Jask while he seems on his own and not busy. She first tries to find out his feelings towards her and the group – but she knows she was always better in swaying opinions as in detecting them.
Sense motive check: 1d20 + 1
She then starts chatting to Jask
”I'm so glad that we managed to free you from you shackles. As a follower of Nethys you deserve to spread magic and to protect it. I'm sorry that I was such a coward on the clifftop. It wasn't right for me to hide behind you while you were defenseless. I was scared – and I hoped it would buy me time to help us all.
I just hope you are not holding this against me. I would feel so much better knowing you are my friend and you will be able to help me and the others through the dark times that are ahead of us. Especially as wizard there is a lot I hope to learn from you if you have time showing me how it is done. For example spellcraft – I know – I should have learned it instead of dead book knowledge – but it seemed so unimportant when I had the library just next to me.You are needed by the group – and especially by me.”
She shows Jask a charming smile and waits for his response.
Jask smiles easily as he replies, "Have no fears, my dear. You have done much for me already," he raises his bare wrists, now healed from their scrapes through his magic, "and I would be happy to return the favor in any way I can."
He pauses for a moment, seeming thoughtful. "However... It means a great deal to me that you seem to believe my tale of innocence, but the truth is, the courts of Eleder are less likely to be so trusting. I would rather see my homeland once more before I die, but I need not tell you that to do so as a free man would be much, much better. There is a tale... well. I do not even know if I should trust it, but now that I am free and have allies to help me, I find I cannot put aside hope. There is a tale I have heard, of one of the Free Pirates of the Shackles, a man named Avret Kinkarian. It was rumored, not long after I left Sargava, that Kinkarian's vessel, the Brine Demon, had wrecked on the shores of an island called Smuggler's Shiv. I was greatly interested in this rumor, because the papers I found, the papers that were altered to make me seem to be guilty of treason, linked my superiors to Kinkarian, among others. He was one of the Free Captains with whom the Minister was dealing. If it is true that the Brine Demon can be found somewhere near this island... Perhaps I could find some way to prove my innocence there. It would be a fool's chance only, but since I find myself here, I somehow wonder if Nethys, in his two-faced wisdom, wishes to offer me solace even as he threatens me with doom?"
Uchendu will spend some time trying to get the measure of some of his fellow passengers...
Amisi then moves over to Sasha - just before she and starts a chat she looks at her – like trying to find out her thoughts.
”The two of us haven't really had a chance yet to talk. I'm so glad that the giant crab didn't do any lasting damage to you. I'm sometimes feeling lonely her – but I'm glad we have a strong fighter like Storian with us. The way he smashed the crab into two pieces. And Inka – I know she has some Orcish blood in her veins – but it is good to have her around at the time when we needed her and her healing most.
You also seem to be a tough woman. May I learn more from you. There are some hard times ahead and the more we know from each other and the more we help each other – the better the chances to survive. Being not only survivors but rather friends would help.”
Sasha chuckles. "I do enjoy watching a man tear his enemies to bits. Or even a woman, come to that. Something so... visceral... about violence, y'know? Like sex, or shiver... something that gets inside you and doesn't let go," she says. "You want to get to know me? All right. I'm from Ilizmagorti - and thank the Bloodwalker none of you are - and I like to kill things. I'm pretty good at it too, as it happens. I like the outdoors, I like a man who can show me a good time, and I like things that might kill me. In fact..." and here she lowers her voice slightly, even as it takes on tones of a child hoping for a feastday present, "I really like the sound of those flying lizards that attacked you guys while we were down in the ship. What did the bookworm call 'em - dimorphodons? They're poisonous, right? How much fun would one of those be? D'ya think we might be able to find me an egg, or a newborn? I'd love to train one up, have my own little bundle of flying death! Think of the possibilities!"
”Oh dear Gelig Aberwhinge – what great stories you are able to tell. I'm so impressed. You know – I'm just a young and inexperienced wizard – nobody worthwhile a story to be told about. Especially not by someone like you. How you managed to rally Storian up on the Cliff and ensured he wouldn't waver in the eye of the beast that came for us – that was impressive.
Too sad you missed all what happened down on the ship. I heard from Natalyah that Uchendu split a seascorpian in two parts with one mighty blow. I did ask them – and they promised me if you are interested, then they will retell to you all they told me.
It is so sad and lonely here - now that we crashed. I'm therefore so glad we have you here who can help keep the mood of the group at it's best.”With a smile in her face she waits for Geligs response.
"Oh, yes," Gelik says dryly, "it's a great relief to have a musclebound brute with an oversized carving knife ready to hand." However, when Uchendu walks up, his attitude changes somewhat.
"Yes, 'twas a mighty beast, with razor-sharp claws and a vicious poisonous stinger - but it was no match for my blade."
He then gives a mirthless smile.
"I also doubt the sharpness of the mindless beast's attacks would have been a match for your own razor-sharp whit."
"Now, after being wrecked here, we may all have a monkey on our back, some of us more literally than others..."
Uchendu gives Ruthoc a friendly scratch behind his right ear.
"...but that is no reason for us to not try working together. After all, we would not want the Capuchin to turn into a Gorilla through neglect, now, would we?"
Gelik offers a genuine laugh at that, and nods. "Right you are, my overlarge associate. If that's what we need, than Gelik Aberwhinge is your man. Finest writings of slander and mirth on the island of Smuggler's Shiv, that I can assure you! And just between us..." he lowers his voice conspiratorially, "I taught that sea scorpion everything he knew. Why, he was just small fry when I met him!"
Hearing Jask talk of how finding the Brine Demon would ensure his freedom, she places a hand reassuringly on the scholar's shoulder. "If this ship is here then we find it friend. We will secure your hope through the power of our combined strength and will, no matter what." Giving Jask a broad smile and a quick squeeze on the shoulder, she excuses herself from further conversation and wishing Amisi luck in talking to the other survivors, Atzi will begin trying to find some plants that could aid in healing. She will also take the time and try to figure out where they are on the island and hopefully be able to mark it on the map so they have an idea of which way they may need to explore next.
After going over the maps and digging at roots she will spend some time watching the clouds and hopefully predicting the weather in the coming day or two. She will relay her findings to the others as best she can.
After she is done with all that work she will move back over to the sleeping Aerys and make sure she is comfortable. Satisfied with Aerys status she will go and sit down near Quetza, with her shortspear nearby, and begin watching the jungle for possible dangers.
Natalyah rises and walks up to the others and speaks with a low tone: "It's getting dark and nightfall will be here soon. We should organize a guard schedule so we won't be caught unawares during the night. I can take first watch."
I didn't know if she heard any of the additional conversations with the others since she didn't actively follow Amisi around. So unless told otherwise she won't know anything else about the other survivors. Trying to avoid being Metagamish
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Amisi takes Atzi to the side.
"I've talked with Sasha and it looks like she would like to have a dimophodon to train it up - like you have your Quetza. This as all I know from some books and a chat with Storian after the fight"
The creature is a dimorphodon, sometimes called a “fangbird” or a “vampire lizard,” though they don’t actually drink blood and aren’t really birds. Dimorphodons are venomous and territorial, though also relatively easy to domesticate and train if you can manage to catch one at a young age. They are distantly related to the quetzalcoatlus, such as Atzi’s Quetza, but this is clearly not he.
"I guess it would be great if we could get a young one. There is a hunch that tells me the one that attackt us was so aggressive to protect it's own nest. Maybe Quetza could help finding it."
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Amisi slowly settles slowly close to Ishirou. He is still an enigma to him. Apart of the ivory scroll case with elaborate dragon carvings and the matching hilt of his sword there isn't anything she really knows about him. Yes - he is from far away - but does this matter.
Thoughts go through her head and then she comes up with a decision. It's time to move on. There is a need to get the party together and have a direction. The more they know the better. And in the worst case she hopes someone like will back her up - like Uchendu when her chat with Gelig didn't work out as planned.
She takes in some breath and then faces Ishirou.
"I have noticed your marvellous sword. While I was at the wizards academy I learned the language of the dragons. So much magic can be traced back to these marvellous but also dangerous creatures. As a wizard I would assume you could learn so much from them.
But who would try. Could you go to a dragon and just ask. Just knowing the language isn't enough -there should be something of Interest to the dragon as well. "
You see a smile and a blush -at least it would be more easy to see if there would have been more light.
" oh - I just hope I'm not boring you. You sometimes seem to me like a dragon - the way you move - the sword you have - and yes - wouldn't I be here all on my own with you I wouldn't go to you and talk. I probably would rather shy away - go elsewhere.
But maybe you truly are like the dragons - there might be wisdom I can learn from you - or just not being alone would already help. The crash of the ship was horrible. It is just the few of us who survived. And the better we work together, the better the chances of us to survive. So please tell me more about you. Maybe it is just so that the time passes faster, maybe I can learn so ethic g from you - or maybe we even could become friends - united by the fates that have brought us here.
Looking into Ishirous eyes - waiting for his reply - Amisi waits in silence.
Diplomacy check to influence Ishirou
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Amisi turns towards Natalyah.
"You look a little bit down to me. Is there anything I can do for you
sí man i yulma nin enquantuva?"
"Sorry - I didn't wanted to make fun of you. My elven isn't that good. I have no problems reading it - but I never really ever used it to talk. It seemed such a lovely language when I read it in my books - I didn't wanted to spoil it by using the language.
I hope you don't mind. But I noticed you are using the language from time to time when you seem depressed or agitated. We are alive, there is hope, Shelyn is looking after us. How could it be different with a language like the eleven one and such beauty around us. Yes - it can be cruel or even deadly - but only if we let nature triumph over us - and this will only happen if we don't work together."
"I'm fine", Natalyah awnsers in a stale tone. At first she seems abit insulted by the elven phrase but relaxes abit as she realises it wasn't ment to be spiteful. "I'm just a bit tired after the trek we took through the jungle. I'm not used to this enviorment", she adds clumsily in a way that suggest she's rather uncomfortable with idle conversation.
"I have no intention of let nature triumph over me, nor do i seek to best nature in a competition. I intend to find a way off this island. Who will survive is ultimately up to the sky father. You don't need to worry about me. I'm more worried about that lôrotel laati* and that humalin*", she says with confidence returned to her voice pointing out Gelik and Aerys respectivly
Blabber box and drunkard
Amisi takes Atzi to the side.
"I've talked with Sasha and it looks like she would like to have a dimophodon to train it up - like you have your Quetza. This as all I know from some books and a chat with Storian after the fight"
** spoiler omitted **
"I guess it would be great if we could get a young one. There is a hunch that tells me the one that attacked us was so aggressive to protect it's own nest. Maybe Quetza could help in finding it."
Atzi sits quietly listening to Amisi but the usual friendly smile on her face is slowly replaced by a frustrated frown. She boils at the idea that Quetza is some sort of pet or some such, but for Amisi's sake Atzi releases a tense sigh.
"If Sasha is looking for a companion then perhaps I could help her. But, let me tell you and anyone else who wishes to listen, Quetza is not a pet or an animal I train. He is free to do as he wishes and if he leaves then he will leave, he is like you in a way Amisi a companion who I work with to survive, a friend. Our bond is also more complicated then I could ever explain." she sighs with frustration "So long as Sasha is willing to train the young one with out the use of a cage, or any other type of binding, I will be agreeable in this. But animals much like people should never be treated as a prize and caged or used for ones amusement, because it strikes their fancy."
She pauses as she collects her thoughts, knowing full well that Amisi has already absorbed her words to heart, before she continues. "Besides that the one that attacked you could have had many reasons, had its nest been close at hand we would have seen it perhaps, more then likely it saw all of you easy prey for its talons. Also Quetza had been fighting something before we found him, so maybe it had been chasing him i'm not sure. If we want to find a nest though it would be on high and in a hard place to reach... Perhaps along the cliffs high were it can see prey from afar and strike."
"Our best luck will be along the coast for a possible nest. But I will not leave anyone sitting in a camp while we do this, not unless the camp is close... I do not trust this place... This island makes me very nervous... and a saying from my home country comes to mind 'Always beware that which is unseen, for what comes without sound, for it leaves not a trace of the traveler to warn those who follow his trail'" Atzi looks back and forth across the jungle with a wary gaze. After a moment she gives Amisi a broad smile. " I am glad you asked this of me, perhaps I can find a way to avoid the needless deaths of any more animals while we accomplish this... task. But we must learn to travel light and fast or else we will all vanish like those who came before to this strange and deadly place." Atzi's previously wary eyes are now filled with a mischievousness that causes her to look more like a tomboy about to pull pranks on the unwary.
As the afternoon wears into evening, the castaways settle into their tents to try to sleep away the day's strenuous activities and unsettling discoveries. A guard rotation is organized, but many climb into their bedrolls almost at once. For those who stay awake, Gelik tells a series of funny stories about "half-orcs I have known," which Amisi supplements with some dramatic lighting from her light cantrip. Jask checks on everyone (he shakes his head over Aerys' condition), then bids them all good night and turns in himself.
Ishirou, before getting some sleep ahead of his guard shift, asks to look over the maps Atzi found onboard the Jenivere, particularly the one of Smuggler's Shiv. He studies it for several minutes, frowning at first in concentration, then turning it sideways once - and dropping his jaw in seeming shock. After a moment, he shakes his head, rolls up the map, and returns it to Uchendu. He will not speak of what the map seemed to mean to him, however, going to his tent without a word.
Not long after sundown, those still awake hear what sounds like the flapping of great wings overhead. The night beyond the campfire is almost entirely black, though, even to Natalyah and Uchendu's eyes, and the sound is gone after just a few moments. Beyond that, though, there is nothing but sleep for those not on watch.
Hearing Jask talk of how finding the Brine Demon would ensure his freedom, she places a hand reassuringly on the scholar's shoulder. "If this ship is here then we find it friend. We will secure your hope through the power of our combined strength and will, no matter what." Giving Jask a broad smile and a quick squeeze on the shoulder, she excuses herself from further conversation and wishing Amisi luck in talking to the other survivors, Atzi will begin trying to find some plants that could aid in healing. She will also take the time and try to figure out where they are on the island and hopefully be able to mark it on the map so they have an idea of which way they may need to explore next.
In roughly the center of the northern shore of Smuggler's Shiv, there is a "notch" that seems to represent a steep-sided cove. Comparing that cove to her observations of where they awoke this morning, Atzi decides that the "notch" is probably where she and her companions found themselves after the shipwreck. They have moved a short distance inland, but are still quite close to that point.
After going over the maps and digging at roots she will spend some time watching the clouds and hopefully predicting the weather in the coming day or two. She will relay her findings to the others as best she can.
It is likely to continue to be hot, particularly in the early afternoon, and in the tropics, a daily rainstorm of some variety or another is almost a guarantee. It will likely not last long, however, and usually signals the end of the afternoon's worst heat.
Thoughts go through her head and then she comes up with a decision. It's time to move on. There is a need to get the party together and have a direction. The more they know the better. And in the worst case she hopes someone like will back her up - like Uchendu when her chat with Gelig didn't work out as planned.
She takes in some breath and then faces Ishirou.
"I have noticed your marvellous sword. While I was at the wizards academy I learned the language of the dragons. So much magic can be traced back to these marvellous but also dangerous creatures. As a wizard I would assume you could learn so much from them.
But who would try. Could you go to a dragon and just ask. Just knowing the language isn't enough -there should be something of Interest to the dragon as well. "You see a smile and a blush -at least it would be more easy to see if there would have been more light.
" oh - I just hope I'm not boring you. You sometimes seem to me like a dragon - the way you move - the sword you have - and yes - wouldn't I be here all on my own with you I wouldn't go to you and talk. I probably would rather shy away - go elsewhere.
But maybe you truly are like the dragons - there might be wisdom I can learn from you - or just not being alone would already help. The crash of the ship was horrible. It is just the few of us who survived. And the better we work together, the better the chances of us to survive. So please tell me more about you. Maybe it is just so that the time passes faster, maybe I can learn so ethic g from you - or maybe we even could become friends - united by the fates that have brought us here.
If Amisi's blush is clear, then Ishirou's is bright enough to make the campfire unneeded for light in the midnight darkness.
"I... uh... well..." he stammers, "I'm... er, I'm no dragon, miss. Er, my lady." He blushes again, and somehow manages to do so even harder. "I'm just a guy with an old sword, that's all. I mean, it's an important sword - I mean, it's important to me - but, I mean..." He stops again, looking down at the dirt like he's trying to find some way to burrow into it. "My family's from Minkai, though it has been years since I last saw my home. The sword was... ah, a gift, I guess, from the people I used to work for, the Aspis Consortium. I don't know if you've ever heard of them. Not always the nicest of people, but they paid me well, they took me in when... when I needed someplace to go. I've been working for them for about ten years now, I just left them behind when I left Bloodcove. I thought Sargava might be a better place to be, but now..." He trails off, looking frustrated. "It's like, every time I think I'm going to make things better, some kuso like this happens, and it's worse than before."
He falls silent for a long time, staring out into the darkness away from the campfire, before speaking again. "And now it might be happening again. Because that map... It's like the kami are taunting me." He looks at Amisi, with an expression that amost looks desperate. "Maybe you can tell me, because I know my judgement's bakemono dung anymore."
He pauses again, but this time, it is as though he were readying himself for something. He takes a long breath, letting it out slowly, before continuing. "The Aspis Consortium," he says hesitantly, "is... well, they're in the business of artifact hunting. They're pretty cutthroat about it. I mean, hell, you're from Osirian, right? They're everywhere there, you probably know that. But while I was working with them, I found a few things myself, things I didn't share with the upper levels, because, well, I couldn't tell if they meant anything. Mostly, I'm talking about maps, you know? Buried treasure, that kind of thing. The ones I kept were ones that didn't have markings or labels, so I had no idea if they were real or where they might link up to. But one of them... well, did you look at that map the Anghazan guy's got? You know how the island's got that long, curving peninsula in the north, and the whole island looks like a backwards 'S'? Well... one of my treasure maps looks like that. Exactly like that, in fact."
He raises his eyes to Amisi. "I think I might know where there's treasure buried on this island," he concludes, "but I'm seriously afraid that I might get us all killed if we try to go find it."
Before turning in, Inka Goes aroudn to each tent and Checks on each person, Making sure everyone is ok physically. Besoying her last healing Spell on the one that is injured the worst..
While Tending to the wound, Inka thinkgs to herself
"I hope no takes my Healing in the wrong manner, I don't give half a gnome about their Health, I just don;t want them slowing us down."
Natalyah recoils at first when Jask comes over to check on her health. She watches his with suspicious eyes and says "I'm fine.", in a dry tone.
She spends her watch quietly watching the darkness of the edge of the camp while tapping on the hilt of her short sword.
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Amisi needs a while to think about the information that Ishirou has shared with her. Also about the fact he seems slightly uncomfortable in her presence but still seems to trust her.
"Ishirou - I'm honoured that you have trusted me with this information. You might have been right asking my opinion. When we crashed I felt that the gods have turned their back on me. But somewhere deep inside I feel Shelyn hasn't abandoned me - to the contrary. This is just a test and she will show me the beauty of the world. When I was on the cliff - fighting the dimorphodon I was scared to death. At the same time I felt that seeing the beast as a deadly challenge also opened my eyes to it's beauty.
Look as Jask. He was in manacles when we arrived - and haven't Nethys given him a second chance. Or Gelik - he likes to tell stories - but maybe what he really dreamed of but never dared to do was being part of it. And then there is Aerys. I don't know what her issue is - and right now all my instincts tell me to leave this sorry drunkard on her own. But the gods have a role - even for her. Soon the bottle of brandy will run out. She will cry, she will sob - but maybe for the first time in a long while she might soon wake up sober - and when that happens and she reconsiders her life she will need others to help her on the future way.
You say that the treasure might be deadly - maybe you are right and what I tell you is just the babble of a naive young girl. In his case if we go there we might all find our death. But maybe what I'm telling you isn't just the innocence of youth. Maybe it allows me to see clearer what others haven't seen yet. And maybe the treasure is one more test and whatever we will find there will help us to get off the island and you are the key to help this group to achieve this.
I won't talk to the others about the Aspis Consortium. Some people regard this group as not trustful. I would even go that far that I wouldn't be surprised if the new lover of the captain is a secret agent of that group. But if you allow me I would like to let some of the more brave ones in the group know about the treasure location."
For a moment she isn't sure about the next step - but then she gives Ishirou a shy hug
"Just believe in me - all will be good. All will be good. Yes - all will be good."
With this words she turns away from him - tears in her eyes. Frantic thoughts go though her mind. Yes - all will be good, all will be good. Anything else would just be unthinkable. This has to be the solution - all will be good. The gods might be playing with them but they haven't abandoned them. No - Shelyn would never do that. Not to Amisi ...
Marking their location on the map Atzi studies it for a few moments before turning for the night. As she curls up with Quetza, who is still defending the sleeping Aerys, she can't help but feel afraid... Of what she didn't know, but of one thing she was sure was that surviving this place would be difficult. As she turns in for the night for some much needed rest she dreams of empty darkness, before being awakened for shift.
She checks on Aerys to make sure she is okay before performing her watch duties for the morning. After everyone starts to stir she will replenish her spells through a quiet prayer. Then she will go hunting for food this morning, before the group decides to go scout the area to the west.
Hopefully coming back with leftovers she returns to the camp and begins cooking her catch, while throwing some choice bits to her hunting partner Quetza of course. She purifies the slices of snake meat and goes about wrapping it around what she is cooking to give it more taste and more protein for the long trek ahead.
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The watch together with Ishirou had been more disturbing as she wanted to admit to herself. She couldn't remember when the last time was that she had struggled in the morning to memorise her spells. Yes - when she had just started with her first spells it sometimes had seemed like a struggle - but this had been years ago.
But Shelyn had set her on a path. There was no turning back. There was no defeat. She dreaded to talk to Aerys. Yesterday her tongue nearly had lashed out at Atzi. She couldn't let that happen to her. But it would be hard to find a topic for idle chatter to learn more about Aerys. What was her role - what peace of a puzzle did she represent that would help the group to get off the island.
Aerys was a drunkard and didn't talk to anyone. What a great start. But you have to work with what you have.
Carefully Amisi waited for a moment to talk to Aerys on her own. That didn't seem to be a problem. After all - everyone seemed to avoid her. She just had to ensure Aerys even let her finish the first sentence. Bracing herself Amisi walked over to Aerys.
"Do pirate ships have a barrel of rum as part of their rations for the sailors. I did read about that in one of my books but thought you might know better."
Play dumb - but get her attention. It might be revolting to use her need of alcohol - but in the end it's for her own good. Only once she trusts others of the group will she be able to make peace with herself - whatever devil is driving her to what she is doing. So carry on talking while you can.
"Jask did tell me about a pirate ship that he assumes was lured to the cliffs of this island. I can't promise it's here. I can't even promise there will be anything left on the ship. But it seems to me since the ship went on the cliffs that whatever I was doing - it somehow followed an unseen script.
I might be naive - I might be wrong. But if I'm right then the ship will be there and it will be part of the solution to get off this island. And somehow I'm convinced you will also play a role - one way or another."
Amisi wasn't sure if she now had ruined it completely or if she had been able to put a first spark back into Aerys. She was sure she would find out once Aerys regained her speech.
Diplomacy check
"All ships have a rum ration; not just pirate vessels," Storian says. "The idea, I believe, is it helps the crew to relax after a hard day working, and it is one of the small pleasures that makes the crew more willing to put up with some of the harsher aspects of sailing. A happier crew is a more efficient crew - so long as they're not drunk on the job, which is why it's rationed."
Taking one last look at the surrounding jungle, Atzi goes over to see what Amisi is doing with the now, groggily, awakening Aerys. As Atzi approaches she hands Aerys some of the freshly cooked 'snake wrap' and a waterskin full of purified water and the asks politely if she can check her for wounds.
With the fatigue gone, Natalyah wakes up in a much better mood. Feeling refreshed she figures she should make the best of the day. She needs to gather more knowledge about the new enviorment and as she sees Atzi move out she sees her chance. The druid already seems familiar to the jungle.
As Atzi begins her hunting trip Natalyah calls out to her: "Do you need help?", in the friendliest voice she can manage.
Aid another survival check:
If she's turned down Natalyah stops, then heads the opposite way to make her own atempt to scavanger food.
:
When he wakes up in the morning, after performing his morning ablutions, and feeding Ruthoc, Uchendu goes for a stroll around the camp, to see if he can get a better bead on the dispositions of the various party members...
When he regards Aerys, his lip curls in a barely detectable hint of disgust.
Fear in the face on danger and uncertainty is normal; overcoming such fears is what makes a warrior strong! Seeking refuge in a booze-addled reverie is worse than committing suicide - at least that is final, whilst alcoholism makes everyone around the coward suffer for their weakness!
Still...
Uchendu lets out a great sigh, and puts on a more neutral expression.
Getting rid of her is probably not an option; I am sure some of the others might object, so I guess I will just have to make the most of the situation, and try to humor her, and the others... Not that I hold much hope of her proving useful, but still... a helpful alcoholic is probably better than an adversarial one; the latter is more likely to poison the morale of the others...
Uchendu then moves over to where Atzi and Amisi are talking with Aerys, catching the tail-end of their conversation, interjecting with a sickly grin:
"Yes, it is entirely possible that any wrecks we find might still harbor stocks of rot-gut, if we are lucky... I trust that would interest you, Aerys?"
Feeling Refreshed, and a bit more cheerful after a good nights rest, Inka Exits her tent just as Amisi, Natalyah, and Uchendu are speaking with Aerys, on a whim, She decides to join the Conversation.
"Good Morning! Did I hear there was a ship wreck we could explore? I'd love to get out and stretch my legs, Mind if I Tag along?"
Frustrated over her inability to adapt to her new enviorment Natalyah listens to the conversation while spying around the camp for suitable spots for traps to hinder any hostile creatures from entering the camp unoticed.
Distant and almost unaware of her own words she says to Aerys: "Eyt niin tyet jumi têll saella kuin olen. Para kositin teh loman mei muin *"
You seem as unhappy with being stuck on this island as i am. Your best bet to make leave is side with the rest of us.
With the fatigue gone, Natalyah wakes up in a much better mood. Feeling refreshed she figures she should make the best of the day. She needs to gather more knowledge about the new enviorment and as she sees Atzi move out she sees her chance. The druid already seems familiar to the jungle.
As Atzi begins her hunting trip Natalyah calls out to her: "Do you need help?", in the friendliest voice she can manage.
Pausing on the edge of camp Atzi looks back to see who had called, seeing that it was Natalyah she gives a friendly wave to show she accepts her assistance. When Ntalyah is up close to her she gives her a big smile and says "Another companion is always welcome~ Besides carrying the food by myself can get burdensome, especially since Quetza likes to sneak the best food for himself." Quetza gives a light grunt at the accusation before taking to the air and helping to hunt from above. Atzi shakes her head as she points after his retreating form "Don't try and deny it, you remember what happened back in Nantambu!" after a moment she sighs "Let us have a great hunt this day!"
As they hunt Atzi will try and answer any questions about how to move, survive and what to expect in the jungle. All of this she says in friendly and casual tones, as if talking about the weather, so she doesn't come off as condescending or a no-it-all.