St John's perusal of the captain's log reveals some rather strange entries. Entries from previous trips and from the first 2/3 of this voyage seem to be normal enough, charting positions, leagues traveled, cargo loaded etc.
The more recent the entries get, the stranger they become. In some cases several days of entries are missing. What is written there is more troubling. The captain seems to be focusing more and more on one of his passengers -- the Varisian scholar Ieana, with whom the captain seems to have become obsessed.
Several log entries are nothing more than poorly written love poems to Ieana, while others bemoan Kovacs inability to please her or catch her attention.
Near the end, the log entries become more ominous, with the captain starting to complain that other members of the crew are eyeing "his Ieana". In particular, he suspects the first mate is in love with her, and he writes several times about how he wishes Alton would just "have an accident".
The final entry is most disturbing, for in it the captain writes of how he has changed course or Smuggler;'s Shiv at Ieana's request. He hopes the two of them can make a home on the remote island, but notes the crew is increasingly agitated at the new course. The captain muses that "something may need to be done about the crew" before their suspicions get any worse.
The maps are of the west coast of Garund, plotting the Jenivere's usual course to and from Sargava. Smuggler's Shiv is not on that chart, but it is shown on a map of Desperation Bay, though only the general outline is there and a note warning of danger if approached.
Looking at the sea chest Felix ponders if it is portable and useful for carrying all the found items safely to chore, even if some water comes on it.
"This isn't good. It looks like Ieana had some sort of control over the captain. He seems obsessed with her and changed course for Smuggler's Shiv at her request. You all may want to have a look at this log later."
Harbek takes the log and flocks through the last couple of entries. " Some kind of charming magic? Sounds like he was love struck. " he shrugs handing the book back to St John. " Let's go check out below. "
"Maybe she had a golden pot. A real twister. And titts like golden milk.
Still, the cap should remember the ships´s first... always. Nevertheless, we need chow and we need more supplies. Let´s move towards the galley, or carpenter shop, or armory."
The footlocker is probably good to store more items in, but is likely not sea-worthy in the event it got dropped in the water.
With the above decks area thoroughly scoured, the group migrates below. Stairs lead down to the aft mid-decks which still appears to be mostly intact.
Here the heroes expect to find the galley, the larder, and the brig. Entering the galley, the group runs across another corpse, that of the cook.
The attached larder holds enough preserved rations for 24 days of food but is otherwise unremarkable.
The brig is empty, but it is apparent a prisoner spent time here during the last journey.
Any other parts of the ship are ruined beyond your ability to explore, or have been sheared off by the sharp rocks below the ship.
"Praise Cayden, enough chow for a few days..... at least something!
Let us bring all back to the beach!"
"Yes. Let's load the footlocker up and we can carry it back. The food might be best in there. Can anyone tell what killed the cook? It wasn't his food, though that would be my first guess having eaten it."
Harbek shakes his head. " No idea. Let's get all this stuff back to the beach before the tide comes in. "
"If you think it you two can bring the box safely ashore... Ill carry he... and return for the uther. It would be a decent thing, alas!"
The boys load up the footlocker with the foodstuffs and the tools and gear, and work to get it unshipped, while Felix loads up the body of the cook and descends to the shore.
The remains of the Jenivere continue to sway in the surf grinding against the rocks, and its obvious that the tenuous situation will break loose soon, sending the wreck to the bottom.
Felix clambers back aboard and grabs the body of the first mate and the group starts back for camp.
Along the way, the wizard Marik looks at the potions in the leather satchel trying to identify them. the first 4 potions are all the same, and he fails to determine what they are. The second, a pale green color, is identifies as Cure Moderate Wounds. Another group of four are found to be Lesser Restoration. Three more individual potions are Potion of Remove Disease, Potion of Water Breathing, and Potion of Water Walking.
" Indeed. " Harbek replies to Felix.
Once we get back to the beach Harbek takes out his shovel finds a likely spot a little way of the beach and down from the camp to start digging graves for the fallen cook and 1st Mate.
The two sailors are not the first, and likely not the last to be laid to rest on this gods-forsaken island, but soon they are buried and the little group starts back to the surf-side camp.
As they get back, they see the gnome, Gelik, working under the direction of Celine, cutting palm fronds from some low-lying bushes. The moon priestess has been gathering some fruits and berries from the jungle proper, enough for a meal for two at least.
When Celine returns from the jungle, but before the others are back from the shipwreck, Gelik, now hot and sweaty, sidles up to her and speaks softly, and perhaps seriously for the first time.
"Did I tell you I was a member of the Pathfinder Society, priestess? That may be a bit of an overstatement. You see, I am currently 'on probation'...whatever that means. Perhaps, you can help me clear my name with that organization? You see, a Pathfinder ship, the Nightvoice is said to have shipwrecked here on Smuggler's Shiv. IF we can find that wreck, and see what there is to salvage, it might help my standing with the Decimvirate? What say you, help a little fellow out?"
While he awaits your reply he wiggles his fingers, and the soiled and sweaty clothes he wears, magically cleanse themselves, and look almost new again.
"Ah, much better! Care for a shot?" he asks eyeing your stained and torn clothes with dismay.
"My dear Mister Gelik, I'll be delighted to help you in your mission to clear your name with the Pathfinder Society as soon as we're out of this mess! In the meantime, I'm thankful for your help... and I would appreciate it if you would use that neat magic trick of yours to improve my admittedly less than decent appearance..."
As they get back, they see the gnome, Gelik, working under the direction of Celine, cutting palm fronds from some low-lying bushes. The moon priestess has been gathering some fruits and berries from the jungle proper, enough for a meal for two at least.
"Hello, hello, you're back! How did it go? Did you find anything we can use? We haven't been idling about, as you can see, mister Gelik here is cutting palm fronds to build a shelter and I've been gathering some food to complement our rations."
"Aye, some food, some supllies.. and two dead. Maybe you can wash em, and say the words."
"Any sign of the Captain or the crew?" asks Gelik eagerly. "Are we sailing from here soon?"
As you return to camp, the skies open up and a tropical rain pours down on your head for about an hour. The idea of a fine shelter has never sounded so good, while you all sit with a few palm fronds over head to keep the rain off.
As they sit the rain out, St. John says, "There is no sailing off this island on that ship. She's wrecked totally. No sign of anyone alive other than us. We'll need to work together to get out of here. If there is time before dark after this rain, I'll have a scout for some food myself."
" We've got some timber and some sail canvas. We could use it to make a makeshift tent keep this blasted rain off our heads. "
Harbek starts unfolding the canvas and uses the timber and rope to attempt a tent.
" No sign of the Captain and of the crew we only found two bodies " Harbek replies to Gelik as he works. " The First Mate and the Cook. "
After getting a tent up and making sure every one is under it (including Jask) Harbek digs through the chest looking for Jask's things.
" Hey Celine, do you know what religion this is from? Looks like a holy symbol. " He asks quietly
Aiding the others with the shelter Felix will also motivate the others to join in.
"Move it, all, w´re in this together. This ain´t no lazy cruise anymore!"
Harbek and Felix, along with Celine and the gnome Gelik work to get a waterproof shelter up during the rainstorm. Jask Derinidi is still bound in manacles, and tied to a tree, and offers no help. Ishirou gives only a bare minimum of support, and Sasha walks to the edge of the foliage and sits in the lee of a big tree, watching from a distance.
Eventually, the shelter is in place, but not before everyone else is soaked to the bone. The lumber and canvas make an airy, dry space that will serve the castaways well until they find more permanent shelter.
Once the shelter is up, the sun begins to set in the west, and the first full day of being shipwrecked is nearly over.
"Well, folks we do to set up a watch. Mind ya, I am no offcer, but this seems sensble to me. I can see decently in the dark, so I can take last.
Second, we gut us some munch, who volunters for kitchen duty.
Third, we need to improve the shelter and forage.
And last... we do need to explore! Maybe there is a way of the iland!"
"I'll take watch when I get back from looking for more food. We can start our explorations in the morning and get off this island."
" I'm happy to take a watch, we should probably share them around as much as possible. " Harbek looks around the tent at Ishirou, Sasha, Gelik and Jask. He crosses the tent and sits in front of Jask.
" Sorry I was a little rough with you before. I figured you were in chains for a reason, I thought it would be safest for everyone if you were kept that way till we had time to find out why. Maybe that was wrong, I'd like to hear your story, if you're willing to tell it. "
Harbek holds out the holy symbol for Jask to take. " We found this, and some other things on the ship that belong to you. "
"Uhm, let me see Mr. Harbek... Yes, it is indeed a holy symbol of Nethys, God of Magic, often referred to as The All-Seeing Eye."
Harbek pulls up a spot in front of the manacled castaway who is quite dour. The man barely looks at him before looking away again, but as Harbek holds out the symbol the man looks back more forlornly.
"So now you want to hear the story, when before it was lets keep the prisoner locked away eh? All the sudden I'm not the security risk you thought? Yes, the symbol is mine. I am a follower of the All-Seeing Eye, is that a crime now also?"
His tone is hurt and sarcastic. He is not particularly friendly.
"Aye, tell us your story."
Sitting down and giving him some water... to wet his tongue Felix starts shaping his weapons in an efficient, non threatening manner.
" Like I said, I'm sorry for before. You look like a prisoner. Where I come from prisoners are people who have been convicted of crimes. I didn't want to add another complication to shipwrecked, lost and ship with supplies sinking. If I'm wrong tell us your story and we will weigh your words fairly. "
With a sigh, the cleric of Nethys begins his tale. "Some time ago, when I was a younger man, I worked in the government in Sargava. There I uncovered significant corruption -- my superiors were paying the Shackles pirates protection money, and grafting a certain amount back for themselves. I brought this to light, but my administrator turned the tables on me, altering the evidence so I appeared to be the guilty party."
"Without recourse, I fled Sargava, my home, for Cheliax. I lived in Corentyn contentedly for many years, nearly forgetting about the entire affair, when suddenly just a week ago, bounty hunters knocked in my door, and put me in chains. At Corentyn, I was put aboard this ship, and without any trial or judgment, shipped back to Sargava for punishment aboard the Jenivere. And that is where you found me following the wreck."
His bitterness at the injustice of it all is quite apparent as he tells the story. Some of that venom is reserved for you also.
"Just another guilty man in irons I suppose. Yes, I would like my things back that might have recovered from the ship. I would like my wrists out of these manacles even more. I would like a fair trial most of all..."
A tear of anger runs down his face, and his voice cracks as he speaks this last. Then is silent.
Hearing the story Felix shakes his head.
"I heard many a sobbing story in my days, and told many meself. Could be true, could be false. But I say it and say it again. He no prisoner anymore, he survivor. We all survivor now. And either we survive together, or die alone. Me... I prefer... surviving! Me for one.. I want him free of shackles."
St. John looks at the man as he tells his tale. When he finishes, he asks him, "If we get out of here and to Sargava, what is your plan then?"
Derindi shrugs as Smythe asks a question he hadn't considered much. "I had pretty much given up hope of having choices. If we get out of here, I'd rather be given up for dead, and return to my quiet life in Corentyn than set foot in my hometown ever again."
He looks at Felix and nods. "I too would like to be free of this manacles but yet, here I still sit, chained. I don't expect they will be easy to break, and the key is likely lost in the wreckage."
" I suppose you're right Felix, we are all survivors and Jask has the right to prove himself. " Harbek looks from Felix to Jask. " We found a ring of keys in the captains quarters. Did you have them Felix? Maybe the key to these manacles is on it? "
Rummaging through the items found Felix produces the key and opens the manacles, also handing the man the items found next to the holy symbol.
"Maybe yours too? You more useful when armed and able to help. We help you, we all crew now, right?"
After speaking his mind Felix looks around, seeking approval.
"You say you want a fair trial most of all. Then you should go back when you get out of here and not run away. If you will at least consider that, then I have no objection to removing the irons. We will need all the help we can get to get out of here."
St. John then nods to Felix.
At those words Felix suddenly erupts in laughter.
"Fair trial? In cheliax? You are a funny chap!"
"Not Cheliax, Sargava where he was accused."
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As you unlock the manacles, Jask rubs his sore wrists wistfully. "Actually," he says in a low voice, "There may be a coincidence that works in our favor. One of the pirate vessels that was involved in the graft for which I am accused was said to have run-aground on Smuggler's Shiv. If we can find that ship, perhaps we can find some evidence to clear my name as well. It may be stretch, but if we see the wreck of the Brine Demon, I would be most intrigued to go aboard."
He takes back his gear, threading the holy symbol around his neck on a thong. "With this and free hands, I can create enough fresh water to keep us safe. I can also aid in healing and hunting as necessary."
"That sounds fair. Collecting the evidence would be good. If we find her, we will board her if we can."
It is twilight as Jask's story ends. The party starts to bed down for the night. A newly freed Jask banks the fire, and a cool breeze blows off the sea, rippling the canvas shelter from time to time.
Felix will take last watch.
As night falls on the Shiv, the jungle grows loud with chirping insects, monkey calls, and all manner of other exotic noises. The party takes to rest, keeping an alert guard ready at all times. As darkness descends, the waves crashing on the beach become infused with an eerie green radiance.
Now and then, someone watching can spot a brighter glow churning in the water often moving just under the surface in a direction against the surf.
Harbek volunteers for the midnight watch before turning in.
Harbek groans as he wakes. He spends half an hour trying to get the sand out of his beard, dons his armour and searches for something to eat around he camp.
" What's the plan for today? Try to make the camp better? Search for Jasks ship? "