RP anything that you want to about the battle or what you have discovered, and when you are ready to move on click the spoiler to continue travel the next day.
You see signs of Dimorphodons again, this is probably where they flew in from. Sasha begins asking the group if they think that one can be tamed if it is raised from a baby, and seems convinced that she would like to try it, and promises to keep it under control if she is allowed. She has a good handle on toxins and is regularly pointing out poisonous things in the jungle, and she feels that she might be able to develop an anti toxin for the poison of the Dimorphodons, with Os's chemical set and experience.
You find a smaller and a larger nest in your travel. She would like for the group to help her out with this, and promises you something in return.
415 gold pieces, some silverware and plates (eating utensils, pots, pans etc), 15 arrows, 11 bolts, 5 broken scimitars, and one torch that seems to have magical properties. You also find a book that seems to explain how one that had the proper knowledge could create food and knowledge. The text seems to be religious in nature.
Wren examines all the items, casting Detect Magic and cooing softly herself as she identifies auras.
Spellcraft - Torch
She will also try to interpret the book, either now while they camp or during her shift at watch.
Know (Religion)
She will be happy to explain what she learned to all.
"Well, that was unexpected." states Alphonse, somewhat lamely.
"Anybody hurt?"
"I'm still a little hurt from a bite from one of those reptile-birds we fought yesterday." Travis shrugs. "If I don't take more damage, I should be back to normal in a few days, I think."
"I have no need of them. I appear to have lost my spare bow somewhere along the way."
Wren is happy to offer the arrows to Shilyn.
"Well, here you go, Halfsie...don't worry, it will be our little secret," Wren whispers conspiratorially.
Travis spends some time searching any accessible areas of the ship.
Alphonse goes with him.
You don't find much else. There are some documents that suggest the name of the ship is "The Seaward."
"Looks like the name of this ship is the Seaward... not one of the ones we're looking for... " Travis climbs out of the pit and moves to some more solid ground before setting up his bedroll. "Well, that was an interesting interlude, but we should get some sleep before traveling on in the morning... shall we set the same watches? If not, I'll still take the last watch so I can make breakfast in the morning."
"I'm fine with you taking last watch, Travis."
In the morning:
"Well, from what I know Sasha that could very well be the case. We'll need to be careful retrieving it, but I'd be willing to try and grab an egg if the rest of the group has no objection."
"I think it's a great idea... I'm in for collecting an egg for Sasha."
Wren watches the egg collection team, happy to help out in any way possible.
While she doesn't exactly think it's a good idea, she is happy to help in the process for the sake of magic and science.
Shorga climbs out the hole with the others, dusting himself off and overall pleased at how things went. He checks Ursa right away, but she seems fine, if a little dusty. He stands watch during the dark of night, eyes scanning for danger or interesting things.
----------
The next day Shorga is happy to volunteer to help Sasha, seemingly interested in the mysterious and largely solitary woman.
I am guessing that either Shorga or Travis is climbing, since they probably have the best strength / dexterity balance.
Anyone feel like helping? (And let me know how you plan on helping... )
As far as what needs to be done, on the smaller location there is a pathway that leads up that isn't too hard to climb, but there are some areas where the path has eroded and said person would need to jump or climb over the area.
You spot a nest about 150 feet in the air, that doesn't look too hard to climb.
Alphonse begins climbing the cliff, steadily but carefully.
Shorga realizes what being asked and starts removing armor, intent on getting to the nest as safely as possible. He does take out his rope and grappling hook, and after several attempts manages to tie them together. He looks around at the others, "More rope?" he asks simply, then starts climbing, intending to use the rope and grappling hook wherever possible. If someone else does produce a rope, he'll tie them all together, securing the rope around branches or large rocks on the way upwards.
Ursa watches him for a time, but then loses interest as he gets higher and starts munching on some grass.
Travis hands over his 50' silk rope, one of the few items he was able to salvage from the ship. "Good luck, my friend."
"Please be careful, up there," Osmillar says, looking on carefully.
"Curious as I am to see one of their eggs up close, this is quite the dangerous climb."
Shorga just looks down at Osmillar, grinning hugely, and continues to scale toward the nest.
Alphonse follows Shorga, who is blazing the trail armorless, weapons ready to spring in case of anything happening. Those with ranged weapons have their weapons at the ready, just in case. With helpful pointers from Wren, Os, Shilyn and Travis pointing out helpful trails and handholds they make it up and down and manage not to disturb any of the poison filled birds, who are away interestingly enough. (Three of them possibly went out hunting a nearby spot, and didn't come back...)
There is a small baby that is very undernourished that you are able to scoop into a small bundle and lower down with you. Shorga pulls it out of the pack and hands it to Sasha, who thanks him briefly, and then approaches Alphonse (who by all accounts didn't do much) and strikes up a conversation with him wondering what "we" should name him.
She has stars in her eyes, and promises to start in the morning to find a cure for the poison. She also has some news for the group, once you settle down for the night, which you do after a day of travels.
Wren stands watch while others climb.
Alphonse looks to be taken aback somewhat by Sasha's sudden forwardness, but recovers quickly.
"Hmm, I'm not sure. He is yours, after all. He does seem quite the hungry little fellow, and he likes sitting on your shoulder it looks like. Perhaps...Scarf?"
"Scarf... sounds... WONDERFUL!" she says enthusiastically.
At the campfire Sasha tells you a story of her youth. Apparently, Sasha Nevah is a daughter of the Red Mantis. Being a natural fighter, they had high hopes for her. She had other plans. "I don't conform well to the expectations of a structured society. My mother always told me that my free spirit would be the death of me. I almost made her a prophetess a few times. The people at the top of organizations don't like questions, and I don't like not getting answers, so it just wasn't a good mix."
"They offered me training and a place to fill curiosity of combat, and I learned a lot, but I had no interest in joining them. The pressure built up to join as I got older: it is seen as disrespect to turn down an invitation to the Red Mantis, especially to someone as well known as my mother. She made me an offer I had to refuse one day, and - let's just say that our discussion didn't go well..." She looks down at the missing pinky on her left hand as she trails off.
"The next day I was given "orders" to deliver a message to Sargava to some contacts in Eleder. It was made pretty clear that it was a one way ticket, and that if I ever come back to Ilizmagorti, that I would never leave it again, breathing. Then, as fate would have it, I find myself on Smuggler's Shiv here with you. Who knows what the next chapter holds. Hopefully something better than the last..." she says, looking around the fire at everyone, and possibly looking at Alphonse more than any of the others.
"I've noticed in our combats that you all move a little slow, and lack proper quality training. I have held off fighting until now because I didn't know if I could trust any of you. I didn't know whether or not one of you were spies sent by my mother to escort me to the island. It is, I think, clear that you aren't because watching you in combat none of you have the precision of an assassin, though some of you show potential.
"If we are going to survive together, I would like to show you a few things that might help you not get killed. If that is agreeable?" Also, I understand that we need to trust each other to survive, so if you have any questions I would like to address them as best I can at this moment.
"Your input and the benefits of your training would be most welcome, Sasha. I am always willing and interested in learning new combat skills." Travis looks at her impassively, but his eyes sparkle with interest and his tail lashes from side to side with a bit of impatience.
Alphonse smiles to himself as he catches her glances.
I don't know what I did...but I'd better keep doing it. he thinks to himself.
Outloud he replies "Thank you for sharing your story, Sasha. I know you value your privacy, and this means a lot. I would be grateful to learn anything you'd be willing to teach us, surviving out here will take all the skills we can muster, I think."
Wren coos happily upon returning to roost, excitedly babbling to all the 'staybehinds' about what they encountered on the trail...
"...so then they fell through the grounds...blahblah...Alfonse hooking up with a zomb-...blahblah...some cliff with some flylizards...blahblah...itchy red scabs. And so here we are."
After listening to Sasha's story, Wren will seek our Jask for discussion about the dimorphodon scales/feathers, seeing if he knows anything about them. She will also opine about general magics and Nethys, as appropriate.
Know (Arcana/Nature)
That is why I had Sasha talking to the group. I just imagined her there with everyone else trucking along.
"Any knowledge you can impart would be greatly appreciated," Osmillar declares, inspecting a container of water and confirming that he's treated it correctly.
Shorga seems a little down that Sasha's attentions go to Alphonse, but he just shrugs unconcernedly. Sitting at the fire with the others he secretly wonders how skilled this woman can actually be, and comments on it, "I think we all want to better ourshelvesh, sho when do we shtart?" he asks, speaking somewhat more normally than he has in days.
So you spend the next day training with Sasha. She teaches you all how to anticipate the fight, by watching the reactions of others. "When someone goes to punch you with arms at their sides, their first arm movement is never forward, it is back to gain their strength for the punch. With that knowledge, if someone goes back to back then reflexively you can anticipate the forward motion. Good. Now try again. That was close."
You spend the day getting repeatedly punched in the face by your teammates and the NPCs, and learning how to anticipate arguments.
"It is the role of a fighter to get pummeled, and then pummel back. But an assassin does not receive blows. An assassin delivers death."
Sasha seems particularly pleased with the progress of Shorga and Alphonse, and seems to give them a little more "hands on" training. She is impressed with Wren's abilities as they are, and frequently uses Wren as a demonstration of good form. Travis and Shy "have potential". All of the NPCs join in as well, but Aerys is still shaking from her withdrawals so she has to quit midway through and go lay down.
That night around the fire there is much camaraderie, as you all feel very accomplished with your training and what you accomplished. Good feelings abound as you joke about who punched whom where, and about the minor scuffles that broke out.
As you are at the fire, you all hear the distinct whooshing of what sounds like wings, and some of you that are paying attention feel eerily like you are being watched by something.
drink. But something big goes into your mouth as you do so, and you feel a sharp bite on your tongue. You drop the bowl, only to reveal a serpent had hidden in your soup that now dangles from your tongue as it chews furiously. You start awake, biting your own tongue in an attempt to bite
through the snake's body.
Shorga soaks in the training, as much as he's able, going over and over the instructions, and repeatedly getting socked in the face. By the time they've finished training he's got a black eye and is bleeding from one of his teeth, but the good feelings of learning and using his muscles remains. When the whooshing sound occurs, Shorga scans the skies, one hand reaching for his falchion propped next to him.
-----------
The next day Shorga spots the dead monkeys and calls it out to the others, "Shomething ish not right here. Watch your shtep." and slowly leads Ursa closer, scanning all around.
Wren follows ShUrsa, her mind still delighting in the exploration.
"Are those monkeys? Who would do a thing like that? Unless they were bad monkeys...blahblah...probably deserved it...blahblah...eating too many bananas, the lazy jerks," Wren gossips about what could have lead to the monkeys being killed, an intrigue in her mind.
"Maybe we should look about for clues?"
In the night, Alphonse hears a loud whooshing.
Startled, he scans the skies for any sign of a creature.
--------------------------------------------
"This seems very deliberate to me. Why would someone just tie them there if not to send some kind of warning?. We should be careful." Alphonse says, as he searches the area for any sign of who might have done this.
Travis takes part in the training, and recognizes some of its aspects from some of his training at the monastery... techniques learned from a monk from distant Tian. He is an avid pupil and learns quickly.
That night he scans the canopy for whatever flyers might be nearby when he hears the whooshing sounds.
Seeing nothing except vague shadows among the treetops, he stays alert for a bit, then relaxes.
--
The next day, when the monkeys are spotted, he examines the site casually, shrugs... "Someone is sending us a message perhaps.... a warning? As Alphonse has already ststed. But who... and why and what are they warning us about?"
He looks around to see if anyone is watching the party.
"Oh my... how awful, how abhorrent, how horrible. Those poor, unfortunate, pitiable animals!"
Osmillar takes in the strange scene, hoping to glean some information.
to attempt to spot something.
to attempt to discern a cause of death. Specifically: Were the monkeys killed then hung, hung then killed, or was the hanging part of the killing in the first place?
Any relevant info on the monkeys?
Thanks to the obvious wounds and signs of strangulation, Osmillar determines that the monkeys have died due to a trap involving ropes and spikes.
"Be careful where you step! Traps are afoot!" Osmillar shouts, looking to find any traces of remaining traps.
Go ahead and read Os's post. He thinks that it is a trap, though upon further inspection and with Shilyn and Sasha looking over the area really carefully, they can find no sign of a trap.
From your perceptions and tracking skills, you can tell that there actually ARE no tracks other than monkey tracks leading up to the trees.
Os's heal check reveals that there are two large puncture holes in the body of each the monkeys, and they appear to be almost devoid of blood, upon inspection. There is a little blood on the floor of the ground near the tree, but not nearly enough to presume that they bled out.
Also, as you look around you have an eerie feeling that you are being watched.