Alistar smiles at the elf in her remark.
A slanty folk He chuckles a bit. Ah I haven't laughed in too long...The Azlanit are an ancient people from the first world. I can't speak their language but I know of them. It seems the put a beast of great power hear in this temple to look over and guard one of their artifacts. Seems they gifted the beast with the riches inside as well as a army of undead to guard them. It also seems the island is thought to be on the outskirts of the Eye of Abendago, but we are no where near it and infact are on the outer edge of the shackles. Guess thats why its thougt to be a legend. One would have to be off course to find this place. So why is it this Hanscombe know where its at? We should be cautious.
He paces a few times rubbing his chin, glancing back toward the fortress a time or two.
Captain who is the Hanscombe what business does he have with you or you with him. I don't like the idea of gathering treasure for others as well, but this could prove to be a lucrative piece and possible bargaining piece for future things. I will go with you if I may have my gear back. I'm interested in the history this place holds and I'm sure the riches will please the crew.
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Urlak smiles at Noro when she makes her comment.
Wefight when the cap'n tells us to fight, an' we die when says too.
After that he remains silent, watching the events unfold.
Noro simply turns away looking off toward the island I fight when I need to, ash for dying, well, that ain't happening on anyone'sh command excshept my own
Looking back at the captain provide me with my equipment, an I'll fight beshide ya, shimply caushe I don't have any other choice right now. show me reshpect, I'll give you reshpect back.
"This Hanscombe is a dangerous merchant infamous for dealing with and controlling pirates. He controls the trade of possibly hundreds of pirate ship's takes, and his agents are apparently far-reaching. A dangerous individual to be sure. We have taken some of his "cargo", the foul-tempered dinosaur you might have headed mentioned, and we were on our way to sell it off when we came across this island."
Delben will stare at the fortress a moment.
"I thank you both for volunteering, but do not worry, I have never ordered the death of any crewman and I don't intend to start, that was the purview of this ship's former captain. And think not of this task as a chore. As the only crew members accompanying our expedition, your take of whatever treasure we find on the island will be considerable. And if you deign to leave our crew when we at last make port, I imagine having a bit of gold in your pocket would be advantageous to say the least, though there would undoubtedly be more if you decided to remain with us."
Before he motions for their gear to be returned, Delben will turn to Sunny.
"I have not heard your answer yet. Are you with us, or will you remain here?"
Sunny grins at Master Petch's comments, though she nodded and acknowledged Alister's reply.
"Oh aye! Sounds like fun!" And she bounces to attention in front of the Gnome.
(^_^)
"Excellent! Then let us get this venture under way! Laurestine, if you would please gather our fine volunteer's equipment, let's be off."
Delben will help to organize the mooring of the ships, and prep his pack in case he has to fully submerge himself. Later, Delben will catch Ulrak, and say,
"I want you to keep a close eye on those soldiers and slaves alike. I don't want anyone trying to make off with our ship while we are in the fortress."
Sunny claps her hands and emits a 'squee' seeming of joy at her gear being returned to herself.
In a few moments she's divested herself of the ragged canvas shirts she'd been wearing, replacing it by deftly wrapping the length of netting about herself which she'd draw forth from the insides of her Sea-chest. This is quickly affixed in place with numerous bits of jewelry.
Other necklaces, armbands and such are also slipped about the tanned Elf's lithe figure, followed by a sleek quiver and supple pack nestled at the small of her back.
Slipped into her belt are a pair of short sticks with cross handles. While a lean, large elegant curved blade is secured diagonally across her back. In the reverse direction a different style of slightly curved blade, though of shorter and more 'Single handed-ness' in shape, completes her ensemble.
Flexing and twisting she examines herself and her accoutrements as best she can. Her whole change of gear taking but a few seeming moments.
"Okeys...so where does we go from here?" She asks.
"Well for now we wait for master Wavecrester and his companions to scout us out an entrance to the keep. We believe there to be an entrance somewhere under there. In the meantime, let us prepare a rowboat and aquire some rations, we might be in there a while."
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Noro glances toward Urlak as Sunny changes. (probably rolling her eyes as he gawks)
Once she is handed her small duffel with her meager stuff,
Noro suits up in her ragged leather armor. slips on her pair of metal lined gloves and goes through her pouch checking some things. she pulls out an old battered compass and ties it to her belt. slips on and ties her leather armbands.
she pulls out a wineskin and gives it a shake. hmmm, they musht have mished this. she takes a swig from the skin and replaces the stopper.
ready
Anyone who can swim well follow me!
Jumps overboard.
Sunny steps up onto the railing of the ship. Checks the water depth, and looks for any thing which might be submerged near the ship,
Before diving gracefully into the waters below,
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Aye Cap'n Petch. That'd be a terrible thing fer tha crew ta do, seemin' as ye promised 'em all riches, an' that's what yer goin' in thar fer. I'll make sure tha ships are here when ye return, on me own blood. Urlak replies as he makes his way to the aft deck to address the crew.
Alright ye maggots, listen up! Cap'n Petch told us he'd be bringin' us loot and treasures, an' that's what he be doin' now! If any of ye even think o' trying to betray him while he be gone, I'll kill yer sorry ass myself! Am I clear?!
Searching while underwater, you see that the island continues into the depths of the ocean until in simply disappears, all while maintaining its mountain shape, as if the island itself is a spike driven from the sea floor. As you approach the fortress walls, you see something strange. Carved into the walls of the fortress are two MASSIVE doors, that are all but invisible to the naked eye. You can only make them out because of the decay from being underwater so long, and them being slightly ajar. A closer inspection reveals that this is a hidden dock, located between the feet of the statue. Before the partial sinking of the fortress, they would have been several hundred feet tall. Now, they would just barely be taller the tip of the main masts of the two ships, which would both fit, with about twenty feet to spare between the two, and the walls.
Inside the docking area is an artificial floor, making this a part of the fortress proper. Littering this floor are bodies, mostly skeletal, some with bits of flesh still hanging. All are motionless save for the gentle motions of the currents. Against the far wall of the fortress is a platform with a doorway leading into the fortress. The heavy wooden door there rotted away long ago, and has been replaced by one made of leaves and tree bark.
Well ain't this creepy
Noting the bodies littering the floor...and the state they are in,
"Here...them folks in't bin dead that long." She points out. "How long ago d'ye reckon this place had its sinkin' feelin'?" She asks those who she can converse with.
She scans the interior walls, ceiling and then the floor. Still floating at the door's entrance.
Alistar takes a few moments to examine his gear. Once satisfied everything is here he starts to put on his shinny armor. The mithral sparkles as rays of sun are reflected about. He takes a moment gripping and squeezing the sword as if greeting and old friend. He takes the simple blue sash and ties it around his forehead. He slides on and ties down his wrist sheathes before ejecting out the wand testing the mechanics again.
Much better. I am ready.
upon getting closer and seeing the docs and the skeletal bodies. Alistar will attempt to detect evil to try and identify if the skeletal bodies be just dead or waiting to rise again.
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Noro gets the longboat ready for launce and loads herself along with required gear for departure. Once set she will man the oars. It is apparent that she has done this kind of stuff before probably under penalty of torture. It is almost second nature to her, perform your duties as required and avoid the lash.
Upon spotting the hidden harbor, Delben will signal back to the Inauspicious Grin to lead the two ships in. Cautious of numerous corpses, Delben will tap lightly on his drum, casting Ghost Sound to mimic the sound of feet stepping across the creaking boards of the dock. Delben's unique melody thanks to years of practice , lends his spell the ability to effect even the dead (and undead).
"Careful in here..."
Delben will whisper to the occupants of the boat.
Hums along quietly to Master Petch's jaunty beat.
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The bodies don't move, even when Delben performs his little melody. the ships are able to easily move into the harbor, and dock easily. Upon a close inspection, the bottom of this harbor is actually the roof of a room that was once above water, and the dock is relatively new, weighed against the age of the building. The planks are lashed together with sea vines, rather than rope, but is sturdy enough to support the weight a normal dock would.
Anyone getting onto the dock will notice a pool of water on the stone floor the dock is connected to.
Upon inspection, it seems to go deep, until darkness obscures seeing any deeper.
Sunny swims over to the long boat and bobs to the surface beside it. With a quick flick to remove most of the water from her face she smiles,
"So..is we goin' in through tha' big doors down below? Or is we walkin' along these planks?" She asks brightly.
Capt. I have a bad feeling about this. I think that those doors would be best bet if we could breath under water like her.
pulls a bottle out of his pocket this will allow me some time underwater but not enough to survive forever
Alistar hops out onto the dock as we get close enough. After looking around a bit he looks back to the others.
Seems safe and stable enough. There is also a pool up here. Probably leeds to the inside.
Sunny climbs up onto the walk way with some effort (Eventually simply getting their via using the long boat the party has arrived in), shakes herself free of most of the water about herself, and looks about.
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Noro was manning the oars, putting her strength to good use, besides good exercise after the time spent in chains.
Makeing her way to the dock ties the long boat to the makeshift pier.
hoping up to the pier with the others.
maybe we can shend missh fieshty fish girl down the hole to she where it goesh. Noro offers her suggestion to the captain.
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The bodies under the water still do not move, and there is no movement in the fortress itself. It is, in fact, eerily silent and still. The sailors on both ships moored in the harbor are uneasy, and their nervousness shows in their work as well as on their faces. The water in what you now realize is an underground tunnel is also still, and black with darkness.
At Noro's assessment of herself Sunny replies eloquently with a poked out tongue. :P
"I'll be askin' ye ta' talk nice about m'self, lass. Y'dun't see me callin' ye names now, do ye?" She waggles a warning finger in Noro's direction.
"So then? Who's up fer checkin' out that door over yonder?" Sunny changes the subject with seeming randomness. (^_^)
What door? This seems to be the only entrace from up here. Suny if you would check it out maybe it can get us inside and to somwhere above water. Be careful though. But if you say there is another way we can check it. Please show me.
Alistar walks over to her.
Delben will nod when Harvey mentions his potion.
"A handy thing to be sure, but I would suggest you save it for an emergency, or if Sunny or Nalgi get into trouble scouting these passages."
Wanting to explore the dock a bit before the ships arrive, Delben will hop off and wander about the rotted boards.
When Sunny speaks up, Delben will ask her,
"Which door? Did you find another?"
Sunny blinks, seeming puzzled for a moment before she skips over and pokes at the bushes,
"Aye! This un'!" She indicates the well hidden, above water, entrance, cut into the wall of the fortress. It's designed to look like wild growth over the wall, but is in fact a shrewdly built wooden hatch, painted with natural sea substances and covered with plant growth.
(^_^)
"See?"
Well done Suny He walks over and nudges her. Don't suppose those keen eyes can see if it may be trapped can they?
Sunny looks pensively at the door at Alistar's question,
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You could take 20 on perception, but there are no traps. It's simply fitted into an existing doorway that once held a thick wooden door. As the group stands there, though, letting Sunny check, the pool of water erupts, and two massive creatures burst out, one holding a dead squid, roughly the size of your keelboat. The squids' body has been painted with swirling flourishes, the colors of a coral reef. The creatures are reptilian looking, with clawed and webbed hands and feet, with oversized heads. You recognize them as Sahaguin, from personal experience, and sea faring lore.
They are surprised as you are, when they see you. The lead one drops the squid, drawing a crude long spear, and the second follows suit.
Initiative:
Delben:
Nalgi:
Harvey:
Noro:
Sunny:
Alistair:
Sahaguin 1:
Sahaguin 2:
(O_o)
"Oh...skund!" Sunny exclaims upon seeing the fish men emerge. as they draw their weapons, she instinctively draws her biggest weapon, sliding the graceful Elven curved blade from its sheath. Though she looks from its length to that of the spears the Sahaguin are holding.
"Who were it wanted me ta' jump in there...?" She asks rhetorically.
Alistar shifts his feet into a stance ready for combat as the two fish folk burst from the water. With a hand reaching back he grasp the hilt of his blade. He holds the other hand up palm facing the the two.
"I was wondering what called this fortress home. Don't give them a chance to summon reinforcements!"
Unwilling to reason with the dangerous fish men, Delben begins a slow somber melody on his drum, that nonetheless inspires his crew to action.