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Not seeing or hearing from Chi and Ambroze, Tun'ada spreads serpent blood over the statue, transforming into mist. Arriving in the hidden chamber, Tun'ada resumes his natural form. Seeing the bat-like creature, Ambroze, and no sign of Chi, Tun'ada extends his claws and lets out a gutteral growl...
Perception (to recognize the bat creature as Chi):
Just before launching into an attack on the bat-creature, Tun'ada notices the twine necklace with the green stone around the creature's neck and stops, his clawed hands dropping to his side in shock...
"Chi?" turning quickly to Ambroze, "What happened?"
Chi sobs and tries to make herself as small as possible in the corner, through the crying you hear,"Don't look, its hideous, go."
Worried, Marcus follows Tun'ada, still a bit unsure of the turning to gas thing even after now doing it a few times.
Seeing Chi his initial reaction is pure shock but he shakes it off quickly. Pulling his blanket from his backpack he wraps the deformed elven girl up in it tenderly, trying to soothe her crying.
We need to get Chi out of this awful place. We'll find a cure. If Gwen or the dryad can't do it, we'll find a priest. You hear me Chi, we'll find one if we have to go to every temple in Garundi, I don't care what it takes, I swear it.
He looks at Ambroze his voice suddenly commanding. Ambroze, clear out that drawer and take whatever else you need. We're taking Chi now!
Appearing just behind Marcus, Gwen rushes to Chi's side.
There, there, dear. It will be as Marcus says, we will have this fixed. Besides, your cat still recognizes you, see?
As she turns away from the elf, though, her eyes shine with fury.
I'll be back.
Gwen, obviously tense, smears another daub of blood onto the stature and floats upward, seeking any type of fissure or vent leading to the surface. She does so first within the hidden antechamber, and then within the unholy temple.
Gwenyth is unable to find a way out of the structure using Gaseous Form. Taking the articles from the drawer, you eventually leave the temple by the same door you came in, the lever next to it allowing the water to drin and the great stone doors to open in the same way applying blood to the tide stone did. Before you do leave, Ambroze gets enough time with Ieana's notes to realise they will take several days to study. He does cross-reference them with all the wall carvings and makes his own before you leave though, fairly sure he got everything.
You return with a somewhat despondent Chi to the village previously inhabited by the cannibals; made far more home-like after the efforts of your companions. The other castaways are overjoyed to see you alive, even if their sympathy and discomfort at Chi's condition is clear. Jask and Ishorou stay with her much of the time, trying to comfort her. Sasha seems particularily pleased to see Marcus still alive and starts to flirt with him even more heavily. Gelik and Aerys have been working hard and expect to finish fixing the lighthouse within a couple of days, or tomorrow if most of you pitch in. The Gnome is still dong his best to keep everyone's spirits up, his harsh and unfair comments seem to be a thing of the past. Aerys seems a lot happier too.
The Dryad is sad about Mawj's death, which she seemed to know about before you got to her. She absolves you of any guilt, saying she is sure he is in a better place now. She promises to go and get Uli and look after the animal.
Unfortunately, Chi's condition does not change as time goes past. Jask is confident that she is the victim of a customised curse, powerful magic that will take equally powerful magic to dispel the effect.
Gwenyth seeks out Pezock and is able to explain that they will be able to escape the island soon. He agrees to come with you and has set up camp a little outside your village. He is strange as ever but seems a little indifferent rather than hostile, albeit grateful for the chance to get off the island. Your sure you've seen him speaking to his sawtooth sabre from time to time.
Chi spends most of her time inside, alone. She wears a blanket over her whole body, she might even cut holes in the blanket so it covers her whole head and body. She is prone to bursting into tears and sobbing. She only really let's Gwen anywhere near her without objections, from the others she hides even her eyes and doesn't look at them, saying "I am unclean." She confides in Gwen, saying that she fears that she will gradually be turned into some evil bat creature and that her friends are better off without her. She voices that they should leave her on the island as she will only bring shame on them by being a fellow traveler with them. She listens to Gwen's consoling words and is faltering on her desire to be left behind. She let's Gwen know she doesn't want anyone to see her like this...
Back at the former cannibal village Ambroze attempts to identify the items retrieved from the trapped drawer in Ieana/Yarzoth's hideaway, hoping at least one of the items might hold a cure for Chi's condition.
Ambroze identifies the candle as a Candle of Truth, the Incense as Incense of Meditation and the Stone Cube as a Stone of Alarm.
Over the next few days Marcus' jubilance at defeating their foe and having a clear path to escape is dampened by the knowledge of Chi's condition. On several occasions initially he tries to visit and lift her spirits only to be driven away. With neither the smarts nor charm to figure out a way to get through to her, he reluctantly leaves the elven girl in Gwen's care although he leaves a steady stream of little things for her, some fruit, a few pretty feathers.
Not being much help with the lighthouse, except for heavy lifting, he borrows the ring of swimming and Sasha and treks out most afternoons to the point where the group discovered the pearl beds. He comes back from these trips smiling stupidly at least until he is reminded of Chi again.
Gwen spends the better part of the next few days consoling Chi, trying to make her see that it is only because of her bravery that she is disfigured.
Now, not another word of that, the young oracle says lovingly, with her hands on her hips and a gentle smile upon her face. If not for your bravery, Ambroze would be like to be cursed, and if not him, me. Jask assures me that you're unlikely to get worse, and that we will be able to get rid of the curse once we reach civilization. Wear it like a badge of honor, journey-sister. Your tribe is honored by your bravery; both your new and old tribe, that is. The others will understand your condition - just as you understood Aerys' alchoholism and Gelik's frightened cynicism, just as you saw the truth of Jask's heart, so they will welcome you and accept you despite your temporary cosmetic appearence. Come, I will tell them - and I'll hear NO arguement.
Do you share your adventure with the other castaways?
Over the course of the next few days, the lighthouse is fully repaired and is now a flaring beacon that will no doubt be seen from the main shipping lanes going to Eleder.
Marcus and Sasha go to the pearl bed most days, but they have little luck- these are the same pearls that the cannibals have been wearing and you suspect they have fished this spot dry. They manage to recover three pearls, each worth 50GP. Sasha keeps one for herself, pouting if Marcus insists she hand it over.
The tale of the battle against Ieana is told wonderfully by Ambroze, and Jask has a private talk with Gwenyth about it all in detail.
During this conversation, Jask also points out that each of the group has connections to a powerful organisation- Ishorou, the Aspis Consortium. Gelik, the Pathfinders. Himself, the Sargavan government. Sasha, the Mantis. Aerys- the Free Captains. He doesn't try to advocate the Sargavan government over the other options, but points out that each faction would potentially be interested in the information Ambroze is studying and whatever Yarzoth was doing.
Ambroze busies himself attempting to study Ieana's writings. Despite his understanding of Aklo, Yarzoth's archaic writing style is giving him trouble. He does however, spot several more references to Saventh-Yhi; the legendary Azlant city...
Tours of the other nearby shipwrecks finds little of value, but you do note one strange thing- everywhere you go you find crumpled undead bodies, apparently de-animated without a wound on any of them. Likewise, the strange ghosts in the surf of the sea seem to have gone, leaving the tide that comes in simply blue with no unearthly manifestations. You dont believe the events in the altar room and this happening are unrelated- and you believe the island could perhaps even be colonised someday if the strange aura causing so much undeath has now been destroyed.
Finally, a large ship seems to see the signal a few days later and sails towards the lighthouse. It weighs anchor and a large rowing boat is being rowed towards you. Salvation, at last?
Marcus graciously "gifts" the pearl to Sasha. He also brings one back for Chi and one for Gwen hoping to both help lift the elven girl's spirits and thank the oracle for keeping him alive.
At the sight of the ship he has to struggle to keep down a giant WHOOP. Careful, careful, your not home free yet. Knowing all to well that not everyone sailing these waters is friendly, he tries to make out the ship colours.
Perception
Bah! Tun'ada your eyes are better than mine can you see what flag they're flying?
Perception:
The ship does not appear to have a flag, which is not an uncommon thing along trading lanes. The rowboat continues to approach- do you meet it or hide?
Feeling slightly better from Gwen's kinda words and the gifts from Marcus, Chi is still unable to be very sociable. She hides when the rowing boat is spotted. Though a slight smile appears, as she believes getting back to the mainland might just provide a cure for the curse.
The rowboat lands and a small group of heavily armed sailors steps out onto shore. They cautiously approach, their leader a snaggletoothed but friendly man named Aulek Tegerten. After introductions are made, the grizzled seafarer invites you aboard.
There've been signal fires a'fore on the beaches o' Smugglers... But never tha' light'ouse! Half me crew were beggin' for us not to invest'gate, as them fires are usually a cann'bal trick! Gather yer' things on the beach, i'll send a'nother boat for 'em. I imagine ye miss hot food eh?
Aulek looks rather curiously at your whole strange group, especially Chi who has almost completely concealed herself with clothing to hide her disfigurement.
Captain, you don't know the half of it! Abadar's oath you and your men are a welcome sign. Now that rescue seems at hand, Marcus is jubilant.
Though at least you won't have to worry about the cannibals anymore. We had a little war and fortunately they lost. I won't be retiring here any time soon but you should find things here a whole lot safer.
Warm food would be quite welcome! But..., her eyes narrow slightly, Your cook isn't overfond of watery soup, is he?
Chi is silent in the exchanges and averts her eyes from the sailors or Aulek Tegerten their leader.
The captain assures Gwenyth that watery soup is not part of the standard fare of the boat. He apologises gruffly that he has no cabins spare and puts you and your equipment in a storage bay with simple hammocks set up for you to sleep in. The crew seem mostly indifferent to you throughout the voyage, but your companions are by now all good friends with the five of you, even if they aren't all exactly enamoured with each other. Pezock remains strange and elusive, but has warmed to you as a result of securing him passage off the island.
Ambroze has begun to make some more progress on Yarzoth's notes, although even as the short voyage to Eleder begins to come to an end he realises he'll need another week with them. So far, he has translated the first section-
The Azlant hero Savith, who led an army to Garund to defeat the serpentfolk empire once and for all. After leading her troops on a fierce campaign through the Screaming Jungle and into the Mwangi Expanse in search of the serpentfolk city of Ilmurea, Savith built a small fort in a secluded area a mere stone’s throw from the deep scars in the earth that led to Ilmurea from the surface. Within this stronghold, called Tazion, Savith built a map of the region to plot her final assault on the serpentfolk city. When Savith ultimately perished defeating the serpentfolk god Ydersius, her followers built a city in the jungle above Ilmurea and named it Saventh-Yhi (“Savith’s Grave”) in her honor.
After a mere two days at sea, Aulek comes rapping on your door to tell you that the ship will be making landfall in Eleder within the hour.
Marcus stands eagerly on the rail, willing the ship to reach port and for the horrible nightmare to be over.
Bath first? No. Haircut, shave then bath. No. Wait. New clothes, then harcut, shave, then bath... I've heard about this inn so expensive the tea cups are plated in gold.
Marcus stands eagerly on the rail, willing the ship to reach port and for the horrible nightmare to be over.
Bath first? No. Haircut, shave then bath. No. Wait. New clothes, then harcut, shave, then bath... I've heard about this inn so expensive the tea cups are plated in gold.
While certainly more than pleased to be off of the Shiv, Tun'ada grins and chuckles to himself hearing Marcus's debate over what to do upon reaching "civilization"...
Wandering up to the deck, her eyes fighting the sun, Gwen stands next to the men on the rail.
You know, Marcus, this isn't merely my exodus from a shipwreck. This is the first time I won't be on an island in my entire life. I'm...actually not sure what it's going to feel like, not being embraced by the ocean. And these people...I have no idea what people are like outside of Hermea.
I feel like I should be frightened, but it's really rather exciting.
Oh, and a bath. Definitely a bath.
The young oracle grins impishly, giggles, and scampers away.
Chi does not share the enthusiasm of the rest of the survivors, she does not come up on deck. She calls out to Jask, "Where might I go that I might not be seen? Surely they do not allow such creatures as me to walk about freely. How soon before I can see one of those holy people, you have told me about? What am I to do? Will I need money or will they take my work to pay for a cure to this ...this .. deformity."
In the darkness underneath the desk, a spark of excitement in Chi sparks in her heart, but just briefly before the gloom of her situation returns.
Something seems to occur to Marcus as Gwen scampers away.
Ah.. Gwen if someone tries to sell you something best come and see one of us first. Oh and don't let anyone hold anything of yours or give you anything to hold. And keep your purse out of sight. And don't tell anyone where your staying. And don't walk around alone after dark. Come to think of it, don't walk around alone during the daytime... Gwen. Gwen! Are you listening to me?!
Barring no interruptions as soon as the group makes landfall, Marcus will try and bundle them off to an expensive inn, completely oblivious to the fact that the Mwangi might be uncomfortable or discriminated against. He'll bully and/or flash gold at any snooty servants that get in his way.
Jask attempts to reassure Chi.
The very worst case scenario is that you will be arrested; something I will be able to swiftly clear up once I am pardoned, thanks to the papers you found me. You can see the temples but... probably only the Church of Abadar has the power to remove such a curse; and such a powerful spell will likely come at a high cost, if they even allow strangers to purchase it...
Before too long, you find yourselves stood on a long pier at the main harbour in Eleder, having disembarked. While you are not on completely stable ground just yet, Gelik begins to passionately falls to his knees and literally kiss the wooden planks beneath him.
Sasha seems excited and looks around with quick motions of her head, as though expecting someone to greet her. She proudly wears the red pearl around a simple chain, having gouged a small hole in it in her time on the ship.
Aerys looks in her element here on the docks, as much as she did on the ship. She takes a long deep breath and then addresses everyone.
My friends... I can't thank you enough for your efforts and assistance on Smuggler's Shiv. I feel like I finally have been given a second chance in this life. I am going to seek out an old friend, so now we have made landfall i'll bid you farewell. We may yet see each other again soon enough...
Chi feels the warmth of Jask's emotions as he comforts her. "Yes, once you have cleared your name, then perhaps you can introduce me to the Temple of Abadar. For I fear, looking like this will do nothing to help you in your quest to prove your innocence. If I could help more I would, know you will always be my friend." Chi asks Jask to follow Marcus and the rest to the Inn, where they are to rest. "Marcus, you can help Jask clear his name can't you? Let him stay with us at the Inn, knowing he has our support, should he need it."
Marcus nods with respect at Aerys as she leaves. The mercenary never quite managed to like the sailor but couldn't help respecting her for her prowess at the great cannibal battle.
Hmm with the Abadarans we'd be lucky to come out with a chipped copper between us... Marcus seems to realise what he's said. Don't you worry Chi we'll find a priest if I have to haul him out of bed at sword point.
Of course I'll help Jask, we're one big family aren't we? He says blithely. If anyone tries to arrest him before he gets a chance to show those papers we'll make them think twice.
Jask attempts to reassure Chi.
The very worst case scenario is that you will be arrested; something I will be able to swiftly clear up once I am pardoned, thanks to the papers you found me. You can see the temples but... probably only the Church of Abadar has the power to remove such a curse; and such a powerful spell will likely come at a high cost, if they even allow strangers to purchase it...
"Don't you worry, Chi," Ambroze pipes up. "We'll get this curse lifted, no matter what the cost. You'll be back to your old self in no time!"
Aerys looks in her element here on the docks, as much as she did on the ship. She takes a long deep breath and then addresses everyone.
My friends... I can't thank you enough for your efforts and assistance on Smuggler's Shiv. I feel like I finally have been given a second chance in this life. I am going to seek out an old friend, so now we have made landfall i'll bid you farewell. We may yet see each other again soon enough...
"Take care, Aerys!" Ambroze exclaims, giving the woman a big hug. "You better see us again! After what we all went through together on Smuggler's Shiv we're family now. Besides, we've got to make sure that you get your Abendego Cantos published!"
Aerys grins as the scholar hugs her, patting him on the fond fondly and returning the embrace.
Gelik is the next to step up and say his farewell- promptly finishing his worship of Sargavan land.
Well.. erm... you weren't completely awful company I suppose... You did blunder your way through several tasks without my help; but lets not forget who brought the engineering knowledge to the table to get the lighthouse fixed up eh? Anyway- farewell my fellow castaways- i'm going to report to the Pathfinder lodge and get that last misunderstanding cleared up; I suspect we'll see each other soon, as they will no doubt be interested in that discovery Ambroze made. Bye for now! Look me up in a few days!
Gwen embraces Aerys, a bright smile on her face.
Farewell for now, ship-sister. If you should ever need anything, anyone to talk to, seek me out. Turn not to the hollow comfort of the bottle - remember your struggles, and come to me if you feel inclined to slip! Remember, drinking poison is, at it's basest level, stupid! And you are NOT a stupid woman!
Turning to Gelik, the oracle sticks out her tongue playfully, blowing a raspberry at the bard. She then smiles.
We'll talk soon, Gelik. In the meantime, I'll miss your stories and jokes. We couldn't have done it without you, but of course you know that. May you find the Path!
Turning to Ishorou, she bows formally, before clapping the man on the shoulder.
If there is aught I can do for you, Ishorou, I trust you will seek me out as well. We were honored by your help and guidance.
The oracle reaches into a small pouch, pulling forth a strip of dried meat, which she tosses to Sasha's dimorphodon pet. She smiles warmly at the warrior-woman.
Sasha... thank you for everything. Your pearl looks lovely! I have forgotten to ask...what did you name this little fellow?
After hearing her reply, Gwen approaches Jask, giving him a daughterly hug.
Thank you so much, Teacher. Will you be safe, or should we accompany you as Marcus and Chi suggest? I couldn't bear to think of you in chains again, even for a day. Without your guidance and aid, I would be lost...even if I had managed to be found.
Ishorou returns Gwenyth's bow, smiling as he flourishes the katana and starknife he normally keeps sheathed at his waist.
My time on Smuggler's Shiv was more profitable than my entire time with the Aspis Consortium. For now, i'll stay in Eleder for a few days. Perhaps i'll return to my homeland; though it has been many years. It was an honour to be shipwrecked alongside you.
Marcus slaps Gelik on the back and shakes hands with Ishorou.
For me as well, he says in genuine appreciation of the Tian warrior's efforts. Lets both stay away from the Consortium hey.
Are you leaving .. us as well, he says to Sasha a bit plaintively.
Tun'ada stoically nods in acknowledgement of each of the other castaways as they depart the group, now that we have reached "civilization"...
Chi watches as the other shipwrecked compatriots leave to go on their separate ways, with the exception of Isharou. In her disheveled state she approaches her mentor and friend, doing her best to bow in reverence. "Isharou, before you go, here take this small gift to thank you and remind you of us." as she passes him a pressed dried flower, Chi had been preparing on the island. "I am here for you should you call, thank you teacher, mentor and friend. I couldn't have got through the challenges on that forsaken island without out you. Farewell and sucess in your own adventures to come." She bows again, starts to rise up and kiss him on the cheek, but then remembers her transformation and slowly retracts the embrace, preferring just to watch as he leaves.
His name is... Galti. Sasha says, smiling warmly at Gwenyth. When Marcus asks her his question, her eyes have taken on a far away quality before she snaps back to the present.
That depends... Sasha says teasingly, laying a hand on Marcus' cheek. Is there an offer for me to stay?
Jask embraces all of you fondly, resolved to go to clear his name. At the offer of help he thinks it over but then shakes his head.
You are kind to offer, but this is a path I would like to walk alone. I'll seek you out this evening and we'll drink to our survival; and the end to my life as a fugitive!
Well.. erm... you weren't completely awful company I suppose... You did blunder your way through several tasks without my help; but lets not forget who brought the engineering knowledge to the table to get the lighthouse fixed up eh? Anyway- farewell my fellow castaways- i'm going to report to the Pathfinder lodge and get that last misunderstanding cleared up; I suspect we'll see each other soon, as they will no doubt be interested in that discovery Ambroze made. Bye for now! Look me up in a few days!
"Of course we'll look you up, Master Gelik!" Ambroze promises as he shakes his fellow gnome's hand warmly. "Once I finish translating these notes we may have enough information to mount an actual expedition into the Mwangi Expanse! And who better to accompany us than an experienced Pathfinder!" the gnome scholar exclaims.
"In fact, we'll need several experienced people if our expedition is to be successful," Ambroze continues excitedly as he looks around at his fellow former-castaways. "Forgive me if I'm being presumptuous, but after all we've been through I've just assumed that Tun'ada, Chi, Marcus, Gwen, and I would pursue whatever Ieana was after. But Master Ishorou and Lady Sasha, your blades and skills would also be valuable assets to our endeavors. As would your wisdom and knowledge, Master Jask," Ambroze says to those who seem about to depart. "I know you each may have other obligations here in Eleder, but please say you'll at least consider accompanying us if we organize an expedition."
"Maybe we could even draw Mistress Aerys away from the sea and convince her to join us, too," Ambroze adds, giving Ishorou a knowing wink and a grin.
They promise to consider it, but even Sasha who seems inclined to stay with you apparently has some business to see to in Eleder. Soon enough, you are stood on one of the many docks in Eleder, just the five of you.
Chi does her best to hide herself behind her friends, "Let's go, do we have somewhere we can get off the streets, or do we try and find that Temple?"