Fenna strikes at the creature in front of her with both weapons.
"You know, I'm still amazed at how weird the things on this island are. I mean, what are these things?"
Urram and Fenna’s strike out at the creatures advancing, Fenna’s target falls to the ground to join Kari’s quarry. Urram’s strike pierces the wing of the creature, but it flaps away.
The creature strikes back at Urram...
but cannot land a blow.
Round 1
Kari <- UP NEXT
Round 2
Urram <- UP NEXT
Fenna <- UP NEXT
Darkmantles
"Horrible creatures, that's what they are!", Kari cried as she shot another blast of water at the remaining one.
"I think they're darkmantles!" Urram responds as he jabs forward again. "Try not to let them drop on you from above!"
Kari blasts the last darkmantle to the ground, and Urram gives it a skewer for good measure.
A cursory look around the dead-end of the cave only reveals the bones of small creatures strewn about the floor.
After looking around, Kari said to Fenna and Urram, "I think that's it; we've cleared the whole complex. Let's go and report to Ramona."
She made her way back to the well, and tested the climb to see how difficult it was.
"I think we should see if there is another way out." Urram offers. "This could be a useful refuge in future - but climbing down a well is not the way to get there!"
"We don't have to go back up the well. There's an exit to the tunnels down here. We just didn't go that way."
Fenna turns Kari and Urram around to take the easier way out.
"We should be sure to tell Ramona about the mineral vein. It could be a good source of income for the colony. Maybe Perrell or somebody else could take a look and figure out how much potential it has."
Urram nods, and busies himself taking whatever valuables can be found on their way out.
The three of you come to the mouth of the cave system to discover thick vines covering the exit. The chokers may have been able to squeeze through, but for the taller ones in your group, you will have to cut the vegetation away.
Beyond, the distant sounds of Talmandor's Bounty rousing for the day can be heard.
Urram uses his spear to part the vines, trying to leave the camoflage intact as much as possible. "A good hiding place, in times of trouble." He suggests. "We should tell Miss Ramona that no more problems from the well."
Kari is able to squeeze through the barrier of vegetation easily. Fenna and Urram take a little longer to make it through without taking down the vine, but eventually, everyone is through.
Within a shot of Fenna's shortbow, you can see the palisade wall of Talmandor's Bounty, and the sounds of work are now in full effect.
Kari returned to the top of the well, where Hrolf was waiting patiently. "Good boy, Hrolf! I knew I could count on you to guard the well."
She sought out Ramona, and reported their exploration of the choker caves. "They weren't friendly at all — not good neighbors!"
Fenna adds in the information about a potential mining operation and offers to escort anyone who might be able to judge the vein's worth to check it out.
"Even if it only yielded in the short term it could be a good early boost for the colony to help get it off the ground economically."
You catch Ramona in a fantastic mood. Having delegated most of the duties, she walks behind the workers finishing the palisade, helping where she can. She takes you all to the Government House to hear your report on the caves. She is thoughtful as you finish.
"I was hoping to have more time," she sighs and begins to pace before she speaks again. "There's plenty of work to do here, of course. But being unaware of what else is on the island puts us at risk as well."
"Okay, I want to start send you all on some expeditions." she speaks up finally. "Short ones, no more than a day. Take it easy for today, and gather whatever you might need. There are many places to investigate, I'm sure. If you have anything in mind, let me know."
"Stop by before sunup tomorrow and I'll have a list made."
Kari agreed with Ramona, "That sounds like a good idea! I think we want to figure out where the monkey goblin village is, for sure. I'd like to see if we can establish a trading relationship; they would be less likely to attack the colony if they feel they're getting something of value from us. They could also tell us more about the 'Island Ghost' that Coconut talked about."
Fenna agrees. "It makes sense to deal with the monkey goblins first. They're our only known potential problem right now."
Urram nods his agreement. "I do not know this island well. These 'monkey goblins' might be able to speak of new things to us."
He spends the rest of the day examining the rocks recovered from the cave, intrigued by the gemstones and a gradually forming idea in his mind - turning them into Ioun Stones. He also makes a pointed effort to stay away from Carver Hastings.
Kari spent the day by the water: relaxing in the sun with Hrolf, going for a swim and practicing diving. She also sat on the dock and fished for a while. After so much excitement, it was good to have a lazy day.
Expedition Day 62: 19 Arodus, 4717 AR; Starday
Fisherman Jim gives you all a wave as you walk to meed Ramona in the pre-dawn hour. As you reach Ramona's residence, you spot a familiar face milling about outside the front door: Anya Sandstrider. Her expression brightens as she sees you approach, and although she shifts as though she might call out to you, she quickly remembers the early hour, and waits for you to approach.
"Ramona only told me to come by at sunrise..." Anya's whisper is full of excitement. "Do you know what we're doing today?"
Kari woke before dawn, since Ramona wanted them to have an early start. On their way to Ramona's house, she waved back to Fisherman Jim; when they reached their destination, Anya was waiting. Kari replied to her inquiry, "We're going exploring!"
"Yes." Urram sounds much less enthusiastic than Kari. "Exploring." It is clear from his tone of voice that he'd prefer a peaceful day to carry on his research...
Fenna gives Anya a friendly wave as she gathers her things to go.
"Yep, exploring. But more specifically we're going to be looking for that monkey goblin village that's somewhere close by."
Kari went to the door and knocked.
I hope she didn't forget our meeting. Kari knocked again and called out, "Romona, we're here for our exploration briefing!"
"Or we could go back to bed?" Urram asks, apparently still in need of further sleep.
"Works for me Urram!" says Fenna, who has never said no to extra sleep.
As Kari knocks for a second time, the door swings sharply away from her hand. Hastily dressed, Ramona nods you in as she fastens her belt. "There's coffee," she points her chin at the table as she puts her hair up. After pouring herself a cup, she puts a notebook on the table and opens it. "With regard to your expedition, I want to give you guys the discretion to explore what you will. With that said, I have a few tasks that I would like you to keep in mind as you are exploring:"
=====
"We definitely want to make the most of the boar, as well as other possible sources of food. We haven't an urgent need, but will rely on your expertise as we start hunting."
"Alba has grown increasingly anxious about searching the island for reagents. If you see any interesting flora, please take some notes for later."
"As I'm sure you know, Lyra is very anxious to create more detailed maps of the island. Any bit of cartography you can do will be helpful when you go out with her."
=======
The room brightens from the rising sun as you discuss. Ramona listens to your ideas, taking notes as she does. As you are wrapping up your brainstorming, she gives a few more notes.
"Please try to return after three days at most, at least for this outing. If you need to sign anything out of the provisions, please leave a note."
Kari gladly accepted some coffee. As they talked, she offered her exploration ideas, "I suggest following the stream east of the the colony, heading upstream. If we climb the mountain at the center of the island, we should be able to get a good view of everything. If we haven't already found the monkey goblin village, hopefully we can spot it from there."
Fenna looks at the map while sipping her coffee.
"Sure, that seems like a good start to things. We could go out that way, then come back along the stream that runs along behind the colony near our house. There shouldn't be a need to backtrack through what we've already covered. It shouldn't take more than what? Two days at most?"
Urram nods, he doesn't seem to have much to offer at this point in the morning...
"Very well," Ramona stands. "I hope having Anya along will be helpful. I also have a copy of the map for you to take and mark your journey. Explorations in the future may have more direct purpose, but for now stay safe and enjoy the wonders of Ancorato."
Kari loaded Hrolf's saddlebags with extra food and made sure all the gear was in order. "Hrolf and I are ready!", she told Fenna and Urram.
Urram collects Five, and his usual bag of assorted trinkets and metal bits-n-bobs before taking a quick dip in the bay and emerging wet but seemingly much more awake.
"Ready."
Kari went to the dock and spent a few minutes watching the birds and observed the behavior of sand thrown into the wind.
Fenna has only a few things to do before leaving. She's already added her bedroll, mirror and grooming kit to her traveling gear. She picks up an extra length of rope and about a day's worth of food from colony storage to add as well.
She waters her rose bush, then takes a few minutes to use a whetstone on her machete and dagger, restoring them to a fine edge.
She's ready to set off when the others are.
"Sorry, sorry," Anya is the last to rendezvous on the eastern side of the pallisade. "I'm afraid I had my things scattered about, but I'm ready to go now."
The three of you, joined by Anya, Hrolf, and Five, set out on your lengthy hike toward the edge of Ancorato's central volcano. The morning hours are uneventful, the sun rises over your right shoudlers as you trudge along, revealing the all of the island's verdant colors. Before the
As you stop for a short morning break, you can see the path ahead more clearly: a lava flow from long ago runs ahead, its lower elevations have been filled in. Ahead, you can more clearly see the track left by an eruption from time immemorial.
After a short break for lunch and another couple hours of hiking, your exploration group begins walking up the steeper slope of the volcano. Visibility is open on all sides as you trudge forward, but your progress slows and more breaks are required. With a few hours of sunlight left, you reach a high landing on the volcanic slope.
"This seems like a good spot," Anya announces, extending her arm toward a flat landing just west of the old lava flow. "We can get an early start, and climb up higher to get a better view."
Kari enjoyed the exotic sights and sounds of the island during their hike, frequently stopping to look at an interesting plant or bird.
When they reached the landing late in the day, she paused to take in the view of the island, before looking around to make sure they were at a suitable camp spot.
"Isn't the view fabulous?", she declared.
"I will watch second." Urram offers. "I see well in the dark." He isn't entirely unmoved by the view but seems somewhat uncomfortable on such dry land, so far from the water.
He does as directed by those more survival practised than he is, helping to clear ground and set up tents.
Fenna is in good spirits at the end of their first day's hike. The view is beautiful, but she largely ignores it in favor of using the vantage point to look for signs of life or activity. There's a whole colony's worth of people out there somewhere. They couldn't have just vaporized....
She hastily volunteers herself for first watch since early mornings are awful, and sleep interrupted into two pieces is worse.
Kari agreed to take third watch (with Hrolf, of course).
After a short walk off the hiking path, you reach the flat area Anya called out. As your packs come off and camp is being setup, Kari is caught up again in the flight patterns of the birds high above. A group of herons flying overhead spins around, descending on the hill. A short distance away, the flock of birds lands in a field of tall grass.
Even at a distance, you all clearly see that these birds differ from the herons you know from Avistan. This large bird has gray-and-white feathers, a long beak, and a bulbous sac on its throat that glows with a pale, sapphire light. They stand almost three times Kari's height (Large size).
"Look at those birds! They're herons, but different from the ones in Avistan!", Kari pointed out. "I wonder why their sacs glow like that?"
Urram glances up and nods. "Old Azlanti magics - it has had strange effects on the life in this ocean. Many creatures are not quite the same."
Urram's announcement seems more like something he knows out of a book he read, but Kari can clearly see he is correct. The magical nature of the glow coming from the herons' throat sacs does seem to have become a part of their natural state.
Hrolf looked up at the birds that Kari pointed out. I wonder what they taste like?
"I think you're right," Kari replied to Urram.
After watching the herons for another minute, she started setting up camp for the night.
Expedition Day 63: 20 Arodus, 4717 AR; Sunday
It feels earlier that the rays of the sun awaken you. Anya, already awake for the fourth shift, begins lighting a fire for breakfast as you all begin to stir. As soon as the food is finished, Anya begins talking loudly with Urram and Kari, smirking as she does. When her jovial voice finally awakens Fenna, the eggs have grown cold.
“Tell me,” Anya asks as you’re all gathered. “Shall we stay up here for the day and circle the volcano? Or do you think we should hike back to the colony?”