I think acid would do better for the dissolving of bodies without the corresponding risk of a wild conflagration ensuing. As for fixing wounds, I have no healing magic unfortunately but I do know enough about manipulating the magical energies of objects that I will have a good chance of utilizing any wands or scrolls we come across that are healing in nature.
"How much acid does it take to melt a body?" he asks, but more out of conversation, his mind docketing the fact that Aeracian can indeed use healing powers if they find a wand.
"That order makes sense to me, Darryl. Though I too wonder about healing. Aeracian here does seem to have notions on that score, so surely we will do fine."
"Maybe, but I reckon that depends on how you define "fine"," he answers.
As the ship moves closer to the bay Daryl's eyes narrow suddenly.
"Oye - starboard side - something or someone's in the water," he says to the others and drops his oar onto the oarlock (but not off the boat).
Realizing that Taldo can stab and shoot he turns to him and utters a full and concise set of plans and strategy.
"Cover me, chief" he says.
Then, utilizing the full range of tactics and planning at his disposal, he quickly slides a pair of goggles over his face to shield his eyes from the water and flings himself into the water.
Daryl put on his goggles and jumped out of the boat and into the water on the starboard side. As he breaks the water he discovers the water is only a little over 5 feet in depth, due to the sandbar nearby. Even moving his face into the water and looking beneath with the crystal lenses of his goggles, he isn't able to discern anything more than other, nearby sandbars and small tropical fish zigzagging around him. He can see that the water has been disturbed by more than the usual currents on this side of the boat. But whatever the blue strands were, they seem to be gone now.
As fate would have it, at the very same time Daryl jumps off the boat, two small creatures surface on the sandbar on the port side of the ship's boat and stab at the closest quarries, Taldo and Uzziah.
The spear head manages to pierce Taldo's arm for 3 pts of damage, but the second spear attack goes askew with the slight rocking of the boat and misses Uzziah.
With large heads and numerous teeth, these small, unsightly creatures which resemble a goblin from the waist up and a greasy octopus below are Grindylow.
As a free action he calls out -
"If you can't fight, row - get to the shore!"
Round 1
Gleeful at striking blood of one of the new colonists, both creatures are inspired to try their luck again and attack Taldo and Uzziah, their nearest quarries.
Both spears manage to find quarry this time and score the arms of Taldo and Uzziah.
--------------------------------------------
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Daryl will try an untrained knowledge check -
He will swing his loaded crossbow out as part of his move action and fire at the creature -
Daryl is unable to discern the identity of the attacking creatures, yet even behind the cover afforded by the boat, the bolt ace manages to find his mark and the bolt hits the first enemy in the side of its large head, wounding it badly.
From the direction of the Peregrine, a roaring/uplifting cheer can be heard from the colonists/crew on the upper deck at Daryl's expert aim.
From the direction of the ship, a roaring/uplifting cheer can be heard from the colonists on the upper deck at Daryl's expert aim.
Daryl tosses the crew a snappy salute, but his face is grim; Taldo is bleeding badly - but then, so is the enemy...
"Don't know what the hell that is; but if it bleeds, we can kill it," he calls out to the others.
Taldo scurries to grab his spear and attack the annoying creature adjacent to him. Unfortunately, with his seated position and that of the creature in the water, his spear does not find quarry and the creature does not suffer any further wounding.
"Don't know what the hell that is; but if it bleeds, we can kill it," he calls out to the others.
Everything happens so quickly.
One moment, there is a pleasant discussion with an undertone of risk.
The next, chaos and blood. His arm, wounded.
But Uzziah does not shy from the danger, and stands, ready to fight.
He whistles sharply as he drives his trident at his attacker's face.
Ezekiel reacts to the whistle. He reacts by instantly going from being a placid, if large, avian to a ferocious billed beast. He lashes out at the other attacker with fury in his golden eyes.
Uzziah steadies himself as he stands in the boat, making sure his footing is sound as he strikes. He would prefer to be fighting from in the water, but his allies need aid *now*.
Ezekiel displays a steadiness that belies his prior ungainly appearance as he savagely pecks at his foe.
Standing and steadying himself, Uzziah drove his trident down hard into the head of the creature who recently wounded him. The attack was true and the creature's head split; blood flowing rapidly from the nasty and deep gash. The creature however remained upright, even for the ferocious attack.
Ezekiel reacted immediately to the whistle, stood steadily and lashed out at the wounded creature closest to him. The giant dodo's attack was mighty and deadly and the creature fell down into the water, blood flowing all around it; unmoving.
From somewhere on the Peregrine, you can hear the shout, "Finish it off!"
Aeracian looks around, having been absorbed in his conversation, and having continued for 3 sentences before realizing they were under attack. Seeing his compatriots attacking, and doing quite well for themselves, Aeracian conjures a ball of acid and sends it at the last one.
After shooting he says delightedly "Oh look, Grindylows!
The acid hits the remaining Grindylow in the head and it screams in agony as its skin burns. However, it is not enough to kill it. The creature seems very weak and it does not look like it has long to live.
Round 2
The remaining Grindylow seems unsteady, yet it grips its spear and stabs at Uzziah as reckless payback for the heavy injury perpetrated against it.
It makes a series of dense, throaty sounds, most of which, to the average ear, sound like crashing waves and rising wind stirring waves.
"With my last breath, you will feel the sting of my spear, colonist!"
The little creature's vindictiveness and stubbornness prove successful and his spear connects and tears a new gash in Uzziah's shoulder.
Yet the effort to perpetrate such an attack was so taxing that it sapped the last of the Grindylow's frail vitality and its eyes closed and it fell down into the water, bleeding out and dying.
Taldo's search of the two bodies proves rather fruitless - the only things of any value the two Grindylows possess are their spears and they are designed for small creatures and not suitable for use by any of the people in the boat.
As Taldo lingers in the water, determining any vibrations and healing himself in the briny shallows, he cannot sense the presence of any other larger creature within the 30ft area; only the small, iridescent fish darting in and around the sandbars.
With his keen sight below water, he can distinguish the various shoals and troughs, and the loose sand clouding the crystalline water; yet nothing more ominous or threatening than the usual sea creatures - the odd crab or three, a large sea turtle and fish of various shapes, colours and sizes. He cannot see any other Grindylow at present.
'Grindylows? What the crap are Grindylows, the look like part goblin to me... I need to heal theses wounds and this boat is a trap apparently.' Watching the grindylow creatures fall. Taldo looks first toward the two wounds on his left side, then to Aeracian "What the crap are Grindylows and what language were they speaking?"
Daryl grunts.
"Whatever they are - they're dead now," he says and spits into the water on the corpses.
Leaving his pack in the boat, spear in hand; he slips over the edge into the water. Making a point to fish out the nearest body and tossing it in the boat. "So what are the odds these fellows had something to do with the burned buildings?"
"Don't know - maybe," he says, but his attention is more focused on the ship to their lee and he studies it with a frown, his eyes thoughtful.
He starts to say something, but instead he stops and just keeps his mouth shut, but his eyes are still on the ship.
"May father always said not to waste anything."
"Your dad's a smart guy," he adds, peering at the corpses but leaving Taldo to take care of the business of searching the dead.
He then dunks his head and takes a quick look around in the water, also using his Water Sense to attempt to feel vibrations in the water caused by anything he can't see. Looking back to the others, "Do we need to inspect the corpses any more or can I feed them to the fishes?"
He shakes his head.
"Dump 'em. We don't need rotting bodies near to the shore or where people are living," he says, then looks at the ship again.
He then studies Taldo and Uzziah for a moment.
"You two look like hell," he says, then swings himself into the boat and grabs the oars.
"Gimme a hand; when we get to shore we'll dress your wounds," and then starts to row.
Once the boat is on the shore he hops off and helps drag it out of the breakers up on to the shore and then points his now loaded crossbow on the terrain around them.
He then turns to Taldo and Uzziah.
"It ain't much, but I'll do what I can..." he says, then pulls out his Healing Kit.
"Oh look, Grindylows!
Breathing heavily, Uzziah whistles softly. Ezekiel immediately calms down and begins to preen himself.
Then Uzziah turns to Aeracian.
"What are Grindylows? You seem to know of them."
Watching the grindylow creatures fall. Taldo looks first toward the two wounds on his left side, then to Aeracian "What the crap are Grindylows and what language were they speaking?"
"Whatever they are - they're dead now," he says and spits into the water on the corpses.
Then Uzziah turns to Taldo and Daryl.
"Aquan. It spoke Aquan. A spiteful creature, it wanted me dead even as it was dying itself."
Leaving his pack in the boat, spear in hand; he slips over the edge into the water. Making a point to fish out the nearest body and tossing it in the boat. "So what are the odds these fellows had something to do with the burned buildings?"
"They would certainly bear colonists harm, but I am unsure if they could make it onto shore and survive."
Breathing a sigh, as the refreshing salt water heals some of the wounds. He pulls the second dead grindylow near, and removes anything of value from it, tossing the items in the boat as well. "May father always said not to waste anything."
"Do we need to inspect the corpses any more or can I feed them to the fishes?"
"Don't know - maybe,"
"Your dad's a smart guy,"
He shakes his head.
"Dump 'em. We don't need rotting bodies near to the shore or where people are living,"
"You two look like hell,"
"Gimme a hand; when we get to shore we'll dress your wounds,"
"It ain't much, but I'll do what I can..."
Uzziah notes how much better Taldo seems when the saltwater reaches his skin.
"I agree with Daryl. These creatures would only do us harm even in death. And I would appreciate my wounds bound. At least Ezekiel is unharmed."
On the remainder of the trip to shore, Uzziah casts his eyes over the shore.
"These creatures would only do us harm even in death. And I would appreciate my wounds bound. At least Ezekiel is unharmed."...
He nods his head.
"No worries," he says as he works on the wounds, his eyes flicking up over Uzziah to study the shoreline.
"You got a copy of that map from the ship? I'd kind of like to know about any rivers on the island; if those basterds like water so much we may see them pop out of the water somewhere upshore - if we know where the rivers or streams are, that might be handy..."
Then Uzziah turns to Taldo and Daryl.
"Aquan. It spoke Aquan. A spiteful creature, it wanted me dead even as it was dying itself."
As Daryl does what he can to ease Uzziah's wounds, his eyes flick up at him.
"You understood his lingo? What'd he say - can you translate it literally?" he asks, his eyes intent as if wondering something.
As he waits for an answer he glances at Aeracian.
"Hey professor - how about you? You know anything about these whoresons? If you do, I'd like to learn more..." he adds, seconding an opinion to learn about potential threats.
"You got a copy of that map from the ship? I'd kind of like to know about any rivers on the island; if those basterds like water so much we may see them pop out of the water somewhere upshore - if we know where the rivers or streams are, that might be handy..."
"A good idea. I believe I do."
Uzziah rummages in his gear for his copy of the map.
"You understood his lingo? What'd he say - can you translate it literally?" he asks, his eyes intent as if wondering something.
"He said" - Uzziah coughs - 'With my last breath, you will feel the sting of my spear, colonist!'. So at the very least, these Grindylows were no friends of the colony, whether or not they wreaked havoc here."
Aeracian nods and say "Well translated Uzziah! The inflection on the word "glurrgouraoul" was a bit difficult to translate, I almost thought it was "invader" but the second syllable rose in intonation at the end. Ah well, it is not one of my better known languages as I only recently began learning it when I was accepted into this company. It is one of the more difficult of the seven languages I speak due to the subtle shifts in tone and inflection.
Aeracian looks over the side of the boat until they get to the beach, attempting to keep watch for any other attackers. He breathes an audible sigh when his feet hit solid land.
When Daryl asks his question he says "The Grindylow, or Cobalus Octopodus, are ravenous, evil creatures that are not dissimilar to their land bound cousins, the goblins. They will kill and eat anything they can. Many a galleon has fallen to a swarm of Grindylow. That is all I know unfortunately as I have not made an extended study of them.
"A good idea. I believe I do."
Uzziah rummages in his gear for his copy of the map.
Daryl cranes his neck to peer at the map as he cinches the wound...
"He said" - Uzziah coughs - 'With my last breath, you will feel the sting of my spear, colonist!'. So at the very least, these Grindylows were no friends of the colony, whether or not they wreaked havoc here."
Daryl finishes his aid and leans back and thinks a moment, then looks at Uzziah, his eyes glancing toward Taldo, then Aecacian.
"These whores live and fight in the water mostly - but they know the folk here are "colonists" and not some damn slur... I'd bet they've had done more than run into with the folk in the colony - enough to know they're colonists at least, and not just a passing raid on some folk living on an island - and if they know they're building a colony then maybe the got more knowing on what we're planning..." he mutters to the others while thinking aloud, then shakes his head and shrugs.
"What about you, Ace? You got any knowing on these things?"
Aeracian looks over the side of the boat until they get to the beach, attempting to keep watch for any other attackers. He breathes an audible sigh when his feet hit solid land.
Aeracian nods and say "Well translated Uzziah! The inflection on the word "glurrgouraoul" was a bit difficult to translate, I almost thought it was "invader" but the second syllable rose in intonation at the end. Ah well, it is not one of my better known languages as I only recently began learning it when I was accepted into this company. It is one of the more difficult of the seven languages I speak due to the subtle shifts in tone and inflection.
Daryl digest this a moment.
"So what languages do you know; specifically?" he asks.
When Daryl asks his question he says "The Grindylow, or Cobalus Octopodus, are ravenous, evil creatures that are not dissimilar to their land bound cousins, the goblins. They will kill and eat anything they can. Many a galleon has fallen to a swarm of Grindylow. That is all I know unfortunately as I have not made an extended study of them.
Daryl thinks about this a moment.
"Goblins use poisons sometime - and they're sure as hell not clean - you reckon it's possible they used something like that on our lads here, or maybe the colonists?"
As he waits for an answer he turns and stares back at the ship again, his eyes clearly troubled.
Finally, his uncertainty bothering him, he glances at the others and jerks his head toward the ship.
"Anyone else thinks what happened there kinda strange - or am I just being paranoid?" he asks them.
As the boat is brought up from the shoreline and settled securely on the higher slope of the the beach, the party cast their eyes about; Daryl, Uzziah and Ezekiel on the look out for possible threats. Fifteen feet to the north of them, they see the solitary dock and its forty foot reach from shore into bay. It is solid built, which is good news for any new colonist - though it seems rather strange that there is no boat visible or tied off at the dock. You note that the pristine white-sand beach inclines to the east before giving way to grass and trees. There is a well-worn path in the grass, there; it appears to be around 120 feet long, leading toward a cluster of buildings.
Yet, from the north and east, you see no soul, and there are no footprints in the sand leading from the dock to the path and beyond. You find this particularly strange in a supposed growing settlement.
Daryl removes the healer's kit he carries and attempts to clean the wounds; adding a cooling salve to reduce the risk of infection and fever. He manages to staunch the bleeding. The bolt ace does what he can for Taldo and Uzziah as quickly as he can.
Suddenly, Ezekiel gives a deep screech, his bill swinging to the south; having marked a presence.
In the distance, you can see a lone figure, and as it draws nearer, you can see it is a female, barefoot, a leather sack and tied off boots slung over her shoulder. In her hand, she carries a fine shortspear, but it isn't threatening; just in hand. The most marked aspects of her appearance is that she has long, cascading cornflower-turquoise coloured hair and strange blue tattoos along her hairline, sides of neck and along the top of her shoulders/arms. You note her graceful movement and posture. She is beautiful in a strangely uncommon way. Image of woman - except she is underwater
The young woman, who'd heard the large dodo's earlier screech, begins to *coo* softly, the sound gentle and melodic to the ear. She smiles at you; her eyes changing hue from a pale blue to a warmer light green, and, you note her blue hair is wet and dripping on the her softly peach-toned skin. She is dressed in simple vest and breeches; a vial tied around her neck with leather cord and two silver hoops in each lightly pointed and ridged ear.
"Hello. You made it to shore. That is good." Again, you note the sound of her voice - it rises and falls in cadence like the ocean; rhythmic, melodic with a slight accent that speaks of something foreign even as she addresses you in the Common tongue.
As he waits to hear a response from both Uzziah and Ace, he suddenly hears a noise from the trees. Swinging himself into a low crouch he lifts his loaded crossbow to a firing position and advances forward to move himself somewhat diagonal of his wounded allies.
"Hello. You made it to shore. That is good."
His eyes narrow as he notes her ears, sure she's not human, but not sure at her species.
And while it's clear she spoke kindly to him and his comrades and has not threatened them and does not seem to be threatening them, he is absolutely clear what magic can do - and he knows you don't need to hold a weapon to threaten someone.
So, keeping his weapon trained on her he studies her, not sure if she's a witch, siren, illusion, or some other dark threat from the depths of the dark waters which surround the island.
"Morning," he says with a cagey yet courteous voice, knowing full well that there is a long history of sailors cursed by dark gods and goddesses for displaying discourtesy to veiled beings of power.
"Don't think we caught your name, ma'am; how can we help you?" he asks her cautiously as he studies her, his weapon still ready, though he's clearly not threatening her after realizing she has no weapons present.
"Morning," he says with a cagey yet courteous voice... "Don't think we caught your name, ma'am; how can we help you?" he asks her cautiously as he studies her, his weapon still ready...
"My name is Morwenna Blue. I sailed on the Peregrine with you all. We did not keep company, well not with all of you, but I do know your names, Daryl Bohannon." Again, you note the curious accent and melodic voice. Her eyes stray to your fine crossbow and then back to your face, "You may lower your weapon. I do not mean to attack you." Once again her eyes change colour, and the silver becomes filled with a bright green. "I have been tasked by Ramona to aid you in investigating the settlement."
"My name is Morwenna Blue. I sailed on the Peregrine with you all. We did not keep company, well not with all of you, but I do know your names, Daryl Bohannon."
He frowns.
"Sorry, ma'am - don't mean to be an ass, we just had some rough action now."
He shakes his head.
"After all the time we had on the ship, I'm sorry we didn't meet sooner."
Again, you note the curious accent and melodic voice. Her eyes stray to your fine crossbow and then back to your face, "You may lower your weapon. I do not mean to attack you." Once again her eyes change colour, and the silver becomes filled with a bright green. "I have been tasked by Ramona to aid you in investigating the settlement."
He slings his crossbow over his shoulder and nods his head.
He then bends down and grips the frame of the boat's hull and drags it up on to the sand about twenty feet above where the tide line would be. As he pulls it, his eyes tack back to the ship somewhat suspiciously.
Then he stands straight and stretches his back and looks at her again.
"You said you're here to aid us, ma'am? Well, that's good... Begging your pardon, what exactly can you do to aid us?" he asks, curiously.
Meanwhile, his eyes scan up to the trail where the burned out buildings of the village lay.
Whatever he is thinking he keeps to himself and politely waits to see what she will say next.
"Sorry, ma'am - don't mean to be an ass, we just had some rough action now."
"After all the time we had on the ship, I'm sorry we didn't meet sooner."
As Daryl lowered his weapon, she smiled. "There is nothing to apologise for. And the ship was filled to the brim with colonists and alike - that we have not been acquainted until now is reasonable." She watched as Daryl dragged the boat from the tide line and she nodded at the wisdom of it.
”Don’t mind Daryl, he just shot a Gindylow. You may have seen the action from here. Or heard the cheering coming from the boat.” He nod’s back to the ship.
"You dispatched the two in the water quite swiftly. I chased the third out of the harbour - it was sneaking up to the boat as I was swimming to shore. I managed to stab it once with my spear before it jetted away and I would not follow. If there were three in the bay, then I would hazard there is a tribe of them nearabout. Best one doesn't take on a band of Grindylows on their own. They are brutish terrors relishing in the misfortune of others."
Seeing the strips of cloth binding the wounds on Taldo and Uzziah and noting the others did not appear similarly injured, Morwenna placed her gear and spear on the white sand and moved to the shoreline where the water lapped playfully at the sand. She immersed her feet into the sea and then taking the vial around her neck gently in hand, Morwenna drew upon the power of the Guardians of the Deep and the fluid inside the vial began to glow iridescent blue as did her eyes. A soothing wave of healing energy moved out from her, enveloping Taldo and Uzziah. Drawing again on the power she felt within her, Morwenna released a second wave of healing energy toward the two.
"Do you feel better now?", gesturing to their bandages. Then her expressive eyes fell on Uzziah and she smiled a little brighter, "Good to see you again, Uzziah," and remembering her manners, nodded to the giant dodo, "and you, Ezekiel."
"You said you're here to aid us, ma'am? Well, that's good... Begging your pardon, what exactly can you do to aid us?" he asks, curiously.
and watching Miss Blue. ”Yes, please tell us about yourself.”
Daryl's question brought her to attention as did Taldo's sweet request, and she moved from the water and collected her belongings before speaking, "I am a capable scout and can make my way on land and in water. As you have just seen, I have been trained in the healing arts and can, by the grace of the Guardians of the Deep, call forth a little magic to heal those in need. I can fight somewhat, too; enough to protect and be in battle alongside others. And I have a certain way with animals - better with those in the ocean, yet capable with the land varieties."
'What a lovely creature, I wonder if she is more like Uzziah, or me or something entirely different.’
Just looking for similarities or differences between the three of them.
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
”Don’t mind Daryl, he just shot a Gindylow. You may have seen the action from here. Or heard the chearing coming from the boat.”
Daryl glances at Taldo - however, he doesn't deem to repeat his question about the ship from earlier, though he does look back at the ship again with the same expression as before. However, this time he doesn't bother to press his earlier question and instead he merely shrugs.
He nod’s back to the ship. Slapping his associate on the back. ”You might be an ass, Daryl; but your our ass, right?”
Daryl merely turns and looks at Taldo, but whatever he is thinking he keeps to himself.
He then shoulders his rucksack, and asks as the others load up. ”should we turn the skiff over so it doesn’t hold water?”
"If you want; it don't look like rain, though, and I don't figure to be gone that long anyhow," he responds.
"Do you feel better now?",...
"You can heal... that's good," he says, nodding his head.
"Begging your pardon, you a priestess? And, uh, if you are, what god or goddess you pray to?" he asks, curious about Morwena but not pushing the issue overmuch - knowing that if she has anything to share with the group she will do so.
Confident that she'll respond in time, he turns a glance to the path to the village and the terrain in general.
He turns a glance at the dock, his eyes flicking to the bay and the ship again and he seems to be thinking something, but says nothing.
He then glances at the sun and his eyes narrow as if he is calculating something. He turns and watches the interaction between his comrades and the new arrival, then he turns and heads up the trail with his crossbow ready.
Morwenna noted Daryl's glances to the Peregrine, and she turned around and watched as if waiting on something to happen. It was then the party on the beach noted the shouts coming from the ship just inside the bay. The anchor had been raised and order must have been given to start heading north toward the second, designated landing spot. Morwenna lifted her hand to bid them farewell - yet, only those with the scope would see her doing so. Like Ramona.
She watched the ship catch a fair wind and gain speed before turning back to the others on the beach. "We will meet them in two days."
"You can heal... that's good," he says, nodding his head.
"Begging your pardon, you a priestess? And, uh, if you are, what god or goddess you pray to?" he asks, curious about Morwenna...
”My father had similar skills, some trained, some innate, he said they all came from nature. Is it something like that or are you a priest like Daryl asked?”
She inclined her head when Taldo assured her he was hale and well after her magic. "I am not priestess. I am druid and my powers come from the ancient spirits of the seas whose powers reach as high as they do deep; into the heavens themselves to stir the squalls and storms. I call them the Guardians of the Deep as my father's people have done before me." As she spoke, Morwenna's eyes swirled, turning all the colours of the ocean in each moment and then settling on a clear, light blue.
...he asks quickly ”Morwenna, Which way did the Grindylow swim? It might be good to know the direction that they are coming from?”
Pointing westward, past the entrance of the bay, she replied, "It jetted too fast to catch its exact backward path, yet it seemed to be heading toward the entrance of the bay, just behind the Peregrine. It does not mean that is where its tribe is hidden. They are cunning creatures and if they do not fight to the death, they move with speed and stealth and lurk. It may have reported our presence and the deaths of the other two. Be must be mindful."
He then glances at the sun and his eyes narrow as if he is calculating something. He turns and watches the interaction between his comrades and the new arrival, then he turns and heads up the trail with his crossbow ready.
Morwenna noted the movement of the arbalist and then Taldo's swift pursuit, "We are strangers, here. Best to move as one." With that, she took her boots off her shoulder and put them on her feet. Securing the leather sack more comfortably over said shoulder, Morwenna made her way to the path leading into Talmandor's Bounty; her footfalls graceful and quiet; shortspear ready in hand.
Perception 22 for threats: You spy none. The only voices to be heard are the ones from your party. There is an uncanny quietness/stillness.
Survival 11 to notice terrain and tracks: The beach inclines to the east and gives way to grassy shrubs and trees on each side of the worn path. Looking down you see no tracks leading into or out of the settlement which strikes you as most strange.
You move up the path toward a cluster of buildings. The buildings are arranged in a rough triangle, with each point ending in a wooden circular enclosure with rectangular notches cut intermittently, like battlements. These round enclosures are clearly meant to be three points of a palisade fence, which would enclose the first group of buildings once complete. The palisade fence, however, is complete only along the southeastern side of the triangle and is obviously unfinished elsewhere. The grass around the settlement looks like it was cropped at one point, and many paths exist between locations in the settlement, but in less well-trafficked spots, the grass has started to regrow.
All the buildings are constructed of either rough timber or mud bricks set in a wooden frame, and have pitched thatch roofs. Many have open window frames, but only a few have actual shutters or even a canvas curtain for privacy. Doors are basic, wooden affairs, too simple for locks, and some buildings lack them entirely. The construction is new, quite rough and unfinished.
"Your healing skills are appreciated, Daryl. I do not feel any pain or numbness beyond what I would expect from being stabbed with a spear.", he adds with a chuckle. And a pained cough.
"I do not think you are being paranoid. Things are very strange here. I too would know whether the Grindylows are opportunists - or an instrument of doom."
"Taldo, I would be more than happy to teach you Aquan. It's already proving useful in this place!"
Uzziah smiles at the familiar sight.
"Hello Morwenna! It seems stranger to see you on land than in the seas. Did you have any trouble reaching here from the Pergegrine?"
He listens to her explanation, and enjoys the healing.
"I certainly do feel better! Ramona has done us a good turn by sending you, that is for sure.", he says with a wide smile.
"If you do not mind me asking Morwenna, who are your father's people? If any have visited Outsea or the surroundings regions, I may have run across a few of your kin."
"Ezekiel and I can leave straight away, now that I'm not likely to bleed all over the place!"
He hops up onto the bird, taking a lance in hand.
"Shall we?"
Enjoying the sun, breeze, and company, Uzziah is quite content.
A quick dip in the water before we leave the colony and I will be fine.
"How about we go straight to the town centre and see what we can find there?"
Aeracian had been about to answer the various questions when the incredibly beautiful woman approached from out of the sea. Recognizing her from glimpses on the ship during mealtime, he greets her warmly and says "Welcome Morwenna! A timely arrival indeed and when next we see Ramona I shall have to thank her for her foresight. My thanks for the assistance with the additional Grindylow. I suspected there may be more as a pair of them is not very common. They tend to travel in larger groups from what I know." Turning to Daryl he says "Oh and I speak the language of waves, Aquan; Ancient Azlanti; the ancient tongue of the Aboleth; Draconic, language of dragons and magic; Elven, Infernal or the primary language of Hell and it's denizens; and of course, the Common tongue."
Seeing Daryl move up the path, and hearing Uzziah's suggestion, he follows along.
’Huh, no answer, he did say he was a, oh never mind.’ looking from the boat to the sky then back to Daryl. ”Are you thinking we should row to the meeting point instead of walk? Miss Avandth said we have two days, we probably could row there on time. It may be easier.”
He nods.
"I figured on it..." then he looks to the west where the ship disappears.
"But the Grindy went west hard and fast - if we sail west we hit wherever they came from... still, I ain't ruling it out," he adds.
Daryl turns and looks beyond the colony to the rise behind it.
"Oh and I speak the language of waves, Aquan; Ancient Azlanti; the ancient tongue of the Aboleth; Draconic, language of dragons and magic; Elven, Infernal or the primary language of Hell and it's denizens; and of course, the Common tongue."
Daryl nods.
"Thanks for the run-down, Ace."
"Your healing skills are appreciated, Daryl. I do not feel any pain or numbness beyond what I would expect from being stabbed with a spear.", he adds with a chuckle. And a pained cough.
"Yeah, getting stabbed's a pisser," he says with nod of assent.
"I do not think you are being paranoid. Things are very strange here."
He nods at Uzziah's response, but looks at the bay again, a frown on his face.
"New colony needs food - good place for food is fishing - they got a dock there but not one god's damned boat."
His eyes narrow as he peers at the water.
"If we're looking for colony folk maybe they sailed off?"
He glances at Morwena.
"Miss Morwena - you see any sign of wrecked fish boats in the bay when you were swimming?" he asks.
"I too would know whether the Grindylows are opportunists - or an instrument of doom."
"Dead one's ain't much of anything..." he says with a grunt.
"How about we go straight to the town centre and see what we can find there?"
He glances at the town as they advance.
"Maybe... But I kind of want to sweep the perimeter first.."
He frowns, thinking for a moment.
"Still, sticking together ain't bad... But we should check out those trees on the way," he says, gesturing to A:2 "after all, it's Pharast, and fruit's in season - extra food can't hurt if we're here for at least two days."
"A perimeter sweep and scouting out the trees will take longer, but we are not so short on time. That is sound thinking, Daryl."
"Hello Morwenna! It seems stranger to see you on land than in the seas. Did you have any trouble reaching here from the Pergegrine?"
Morwenna smiled and her eyes shone with a turquoise light, "I must admit that I did not. I enjoyed the swim and the challenge of reaching shore before you." She gave a gentle, sweet laugh as she looked to each of the people around her.
"If you do not mind me asking Morwenna, who are your father's people? If any have visited Outsea or the surroundings regions, I may have run across a few of your kin."
Morwenna's demeanour turned thoughtful and she replied steadily although still pleasantly; her accent pretty on the ear the more you get accustomed to it, "My father is one of the Merfolk of Stormshoal, beneath the waters along the edge of the Eye of Abendego. I cannot say if he has visited Outsea for I divide my time between my mother and father, when I am not exploring on my own. Most of the Merfolk of Stormshoal are isolated and keep to themselves due to the stormy waters of the Eye."
You have heard the tales of Merfolk who distrust land dwellers so much that they do all in their power to conceal their presence from them and protect their territories. Yet, there have been great and tragic stories that tell of romances between Merfolk and landwalkers - but that their love is always doomed to tragedy and separation. Children born of these momentary and rare unions are called Mergs - half Human, half Merfolk. You believe Morwenna to be such a child.
As he turns to follow Daryl, he adds, ”Men called my father a druid. When I asked him, he said he was just a hunter who learned to follow the jungles ways. But never denied the other.”
Another Morwenna grew thoughtful as she reflected on the man's words, "I, too, have been taught to hunt; mainly for protection of my family. I was born with a certain grace - it makes me quiet on my feet. It helps during a hunt."
"Your arrival was a welcome surprise, and we are glad of it! And thank you for explaining. I think I understand something about you now.", he says with a warm smile.
With that roll, does Uzziah know anything more about Mergs or their nature?
He glances at Morwena.
"Miss Morwena - you see any sign of wrecked fish boats in the bay when you were swimming?" he asks.
Morwenna turned her gaze to Daryl and replied softly, like wind brushing waves, "I saw a dark shadow 'neath the dock. It looked like a sunken boat, yet I swam further down the bay before coming to shore, so I cannot say for certain. I, too, think it is strange there are no fishing boats. You are clever to notice such things."
The few tales that have been written down or told through story speak of Merg being adventurous souls - a wanderlust and daring/boldness born from being raised in two worlds. They are naturally curious for they spend half their lives discovering the hidden wonders of the sea. Unlike their Merfolk relations, Merg enjoy travelling afar, broadening their horizons and finding new places as thus are open-minded, optimistic and enthusiastic. They love a good challenge and attack all goals, even the impossible ones, with zeal and verve. However, their boldness can make them appear foolish to some who cannot understand the Merg's overabundant enthusiasm to learn, grow and explore. Wherever their ambitions lead them, Merg bring their cool practicality and verve with them, making them welcome companions on the road or in the sea. Merg tend to be open-minded in regard to other races, though they have limits. Merg mostly don’t care about race and are delighted to hear about new cultures and meet exotic new people.
He frowns, thinking for a moment.
"Still, sticking together ain't bad... But we should check out those trees on the way," he says, gesturing to A:2 "after all, it's Pharast, and fruit's in season - extra food can't hurt if we're here for at least two days."
You all move mindfully along the well worn path; the only sound being your footfalls, even as quiet as some are attempting to be, against the sandy rock.
As you take the path, you can see clusters of sea rocket among the dunes and a little beyond - a native to such seashores with its waxy, thick lobed green leaves and small, pale lavender flowers. The plant is considered edible by some, with a hot, pungent flavour. This gives way to a handful of young coastal pines on either side of the path.
When you veer right off the path to investigate your chosen area (A2), upon closer inspection you note they are not trees, but a pavilion of tents. Seven canvas tents were once set up here; each large enough to shelter two or three people each. All but two have collapsed or are in ruin possibly due to wind, rain and lack of maintenance. The two which remain standing are leaning haphazardly and do not appear to have been entered for a long time and one of the tents reeks of some musky animal scent. You note that grass has started to grow around them.
Seeing the ruined tents, Uzziah hops off Ezekiel. He pats the dodo, and whispers:
"Be ready, Ezekiel, there may be trouble soon."
He then makes sure his cestus is tightly affixed to his right forearm and gestures to the tents. He then advances carefully towards the tent with the animal scent.