Hamuals chest puffs out a little.
"I can prepare more ranged attack spells but it will take a day to prepare some scrolls. I should have enough magic to handle this vine creature."
With that he stomps off. Walking a short distance before stopping and looking back.
"On second though I am not the one to lead, someone else do that."
Corin draws his swords and looks up at the jungle canopy.
"No need to travel further, wizard. We are here."
With the shorter blade he points at the berries in the canopy.
"The creature is nearly impossible to spot until it moves. Can any of your magics retrieve the berries?"
Sasha elbows her way between Corin and Hamual in a huff. "I see no-one has bothered to introduce me or Archibald." she complains.
"I am Sasha, and I ran away from my mother because she wanted me to kill people for a living. These are my friends, and they have been nice to me, so may be they will be nice to you too. Corin doesn't say much, Sizara thinks she has animals inside her. Corliss can't remember stuff but wants to sleep with Karia, and Karia pretends she doesn't, and can do funny things with her voice. This is Archibald."
She holds up a small, scrawny winged lizard creature. It is obviously an infant, barely able to hold its enlarged head up, let alone fly.
"Peep!" says Archibald feebly.
"You are lucky, because Archibald has decided he likes you and you can stay."
It is clear that Sasha is not entirely sane.
"Charmed, you have an interesting way of talking to people. I thought the Magisters of Cheliax were forward but you would give them a run for their money."
He turns back to Corin, "I have no retrieval magics that I know, once we have flushed this thing out I will crush it with the magics that I do know. Who is going to flush it out?"
Corin sheathes his swords and starts to climb.
"Me."
Hamual touches Corin on the shoulder stopping him from moving forward.
"I just remembered that I do indeed have the right spell for this, slipped my mind with being woken up, storm, meeting new people and general fatigue going on."
Hamual closes his eyes, he opens them slowly as they turn blue, he scans the area and makes a grabbing motion towards a group of berries, slowly and carefully picking a few and moving them back towards himself.
"You will have to warn me if something is coming to attack from the sides or back"
Corin looks impressed at the Chelaxian wizard's magic. He re-readies his swords as he scans the tree branches for danger.
Corliss readies himself for battle, prepared to use storm burst the moment the vine moves...or he sees it.
The new addition to the group proves his worth – whatever magic empowers his grasping hand, it does not attract the attention of the assassin vine. In short order, the group takes possession of one of the large, stalactite-shaped clusters of berries.
It is getting late in the day when the group finally makes it back to the camp on the north side of the Shiv. Squalls of cold rain that would have been welcome during the heat are now troublesome, lashed up by the inconstant, gusting winds that have started to swirl.
When the group finally makes it to the top of the ridge, the view is almost shocking – the normally azure sea is a slate grey, reflecting the low, scudding clouds overhead. The breakers that pound at the reef have almost doubled in size, responding to the great swell of the ocean beyond They pound at the reef with a fury that reverberates like thunder, each crash of water against rock sounding like an explosion, causing vibrations in the earth that can be felt through the soles of your feet.
The energy in the waves have caused the normally calm waters this side of the reef to swirl, making them advance up the beach. The other castaways have been busy – the shelter has been disassembled and much of the equipment moved to higher ground.
Jask greets the returning group as they make their way down to the beach, staring curiously at the new arrival. “Good ta see ya back, mon.” he says. “We done what we can – dragged the boat into the jungle, put some o’ the supplies in it, and weighed it down wi’ planks an rocks. The gnome be gatherin’ the last o’ the food - we can’t be fishin’ in this weather, an’ Ishirou be lookin’ out for beasties.”
He lowers his voice. “Aerys, mon – she be in a bad way. She shakin’ an’ bein’ sick. I hope you somethin’ to help her.”
Hamual looks around the rag tag camp. "This is my rescue? I expected a bit more."
He notices Aerys shaking alone, he walks over to her kneeling down in front of her. Pulling out the berries that he gathered and handing them over to her. "I assume your the one we gathered these for, the signs of withdrawal are there. This is very common with the natives back in Sargava, they don't handle their alcohol very well and end up like this."
Hamual stands up and walks back over to Corin "Are we preparing to leave?"
Corliss claps his fellow healer on the shoulder. "Well done, matey. We found some berries like the ones Lady Aerys mentioned; with any luck, she'll be up an' about soon enough." Looking out at the angry surf, the ex-pirate mutters, "Leastways I hope it'll be soon enough."
"Jask--this be Hamual. Hamual--Jask. I'll leave it to the others to introduce you to our other survivors here--I need to tend to Aerys as soon as possible."
Aerys is in a bad way. Her inability to keep food or water down has weakened her.
She stares up blurrily at the stranger, and then Corliss.
“You got the berries?” she says, half-disbelieving. She reaches out and grabs one, raising it to her lips, then pauses. “What if it doesn’t work? What if the drinking isn’t a sickness – what if it’s something in me?” She coughs, shrugs and pops the berry into her mouth, pulling a face as she chews. “Sour.” she says.
“Thank you, pirate boy. And thank Silent and Intense and your mad wenches too. If it doesn’t work, I’ll give the Lady your regards.”
She lapses into unconsciousness.
Corin squats down in front of Aerys and lays a hand on her shoulder as she asks her question. "You are strong enough to defeat the demon inside you. You've already proven that. Now get well."
As Aerys eats the berry Corin rises and looks about the camp.
"I'm proud of all of you. I couldn't have asked for more from any of you and don't have the right to, but I'm afraid I must. We need to move Aerys and as many of our essential supplies to higher ground and away from the storm surge as we can."
Hamual will look around the camp again "Are we taking it all through with us? Seems like not everything is essential."
"Aye--well done, one an' all," Corliss says to the other castaways in an effort to drive home Corin's point. "We're all a bit tired to be sure, but there still be work to do an' little time to do it. We all need to dig deep now for the final push. We be down one woman at the moment, but there be hope Lady Aerys'll be able to pull her own weight an' then some if we can survive this comin' tempest. Together."
The ex-pirate relates the chase after the cannibals while he helps to break camp, admitting that the group never found the savages' village but pointing out that it's apparently distant enough that there'll be no more raids from it until after the storm. As time passes, however, Corliss seems to scowl more often and his mood seems troubled. At last, he can hold it back no longer.
Marching up to Karia, he unconsciously begins rubbing the bump on his skull while managing a nervous smile. "So...I been wonderin'.... Any chance ye'd be interested in havin' a drink or three--an' maybe a bite to eat--with me once we git off o' this rock?"
And just in case he gets shot down, the ex-pirate blurts out the other question he has for the half-elf bard: "Oh yeah--did you find anythin' interestin' in that ratty backpack you saved from the yellow musk creeper?"
Corin produces some items and shows them to Hamual. A suit of leather armor, a cutlass, a wand, and an amulet.
"Do you think you could tell us what these magical items do?"
"I can today or tomorrow I can prepare a spell that will help me identify them much easier. Unless you have some paper and a quill with Ink then I can make a scroll to help me."
Hamual says a few words in magic, his eyes taking on a blue hue and he looks over each item carefully.
Sizara watched as Hamual began to study with his magic the items they had discovered while on this treacherous and dangerous island.
While some thought that elves were beings who knew the ways of magic, Sizara wasn't like most other elves. She was a warrior and damn good one too.
"Hopefully, we put a dent in the cannibals' forces. Still we should post at least two guards at all times just in case," Sizara said to the others.
The amulet is an amulet of protection +1 - like the ring, but takes up the neck slot.
The armour is +1 leather armour that has a permanent endure elements effect on it.
Did we spot any good campsites while moving through the interior?
Defensible, clean water and out of sight where what we were seeking.
Karia responds to Corliss with some surprise, but is interested. "Yes, once we're off this island a few drinks, an a good meal would be very enjoyable.'
Now she has a moment Karia checks what is in the bag she found?
"I would take the wand, think of it as an advanced payment for things I will do to help us out."
"Feel free." Karia responds to Hamnul. "I don't think anyone else can use it anyway?" She adds, looking at the others.
"That is true. I'm more of a fighter than a mage. Let's hope we can move our camp before the storm gets here. I don't like the look of how the sky looks. I pray that the animal spirits bless us with both speed and protection for when the storm hits the island," Sizara says, quickly making a prayer to her gods and the animal spirits, particularly the spirit of the cheetah, to aid them in finding shelter before the storm arrives as well as to give them strength for the coming days and battles ahead.
"So we have no place to weather the storm? I can help move things but magic is my strength and I use my carrying spell already. I would just hide in the jungle when storms came, we have to much.." He looks around the camp " Items to take with us and keep secure. Maybe lightening the load a bit? You crew seem a bit over taxed."
"Maybe we ought check out that ol' campsite we spied near the cove northeast o' Aerys's berries," Corliss suggests to Corin. "We can use the canvas we've got to shore up the place. Biggest problem might be run-off from the highlands, but if we be smart we can find a safe spot...maybe even build li'l dams to divert any run-off away from our shelters."
Karia is looking through the bag?
Sizara begins to search for a better spot to help the group withstand the storm that was about to hit, in addition to preparing said spot for the group as well.
Opening the old backpack for the first time, Karia finds a decayed mess that might once have been cotton clothing. Buried at the bottom, however, is a curious object, looking much like a lady's powder compact - circular and hinged at one side. It is engraved with an unusual rune.
Turning it over, and cleaning off the much, reveals it is inscribed - To Thomas, on his acceptance into the Society.
The new campsite.
Having cached much of their heavy equipment in the jungle, including the boat, raft, block and tackle, shovels and much of the spare lumber, the group carries the rest on the short trek to the new campsite. Aerys is barely conscious, and has to be helped along by Jask at a very slow pace.
For Jask, Aerys, Ichirou and Gellik this is their first time in the jungle, and this, as well as the dropping pressure of the storm, the strange keening wind, and the occasional lashes of rain, make them fearful. Progress is slow, and the destination uncertain.
Upon reaching the campsite, it is clear that it is a good one - a high sloped beach protecting from the sea, clean water nearby and cliffs that shelter from the wind. It is also clear that you are not the first to use this place as a camp - there is a fire pit, a pile of collected wood, and what looks like a small, one person makeshift shelter of driftwood and canvas. There appears to have been no-one at this camp for several days, however.
There are two other things of interest. Sitting in the shelter, damp but easily recognizable, is a tricorn hat, of the sort worn by naval officers. And fluttering in the wind, trapped under the pile of firewood, is a woman's silk scarf.
It takes you a few moments to place them - the hat is that worm previously by Captain Kovack of the Jenivere, while the scarf is one of those worn by the scholar woman Ieana.
Corin glances at the compact. "That is the Glyph of the Open Road, the symbol of the Pathfinder Society. Gellik, didn't you say something about being involved with the Pathfinder Society? Do you have any idea what this is?"
As Corin recognizes the scarf he immediately draws his weapons and begins looking for signs of Ieana.
[dice=Survival to track]1d20 + 7 + 1[/dice]
The campsite looks like it has been abandoned for several days. Whatever tracks there may have been have been obliterated by the wind and rain.
Gellik rushes forward to examine the item. "It's a wayfinder!" he announces excitedly. "See, this little needle always points north. And if you twist the casing like this..." the item begins to glow with a soft white light "...it's quite harmless - it's just a light to find your way." He cracks the device open, revealing a mesh of intricate wiring inside. "No stone in it, but still..."
He snaps it shut and hands it back triumphantly. "The Pathfinders were here! If we could find their ship, and get more details, then that would be our way into the Society's good books. And by 'we' I mean you, and by 'our' I mean mine."
"Pathfinder Society? Ah yes, I remember helping some of their expeditions by guiding them to lost ruins and treasures. I must say Pathfinders have exciting lives. They are blessed with wanderlust. Although some of my elders thought they would live longer if they leave some ruins and treasures alone. But I guess when the spirit of adventure blesses you, it's hard to say no to it," Sizara says with a smile.
Corin warily eyes the treeline.
"Hamual, Karia, see if there are any magical auras here. Sizara, Corliss, and I will search the area for any booby traps that might have been left for us. The rest of you keep a lookout."
"Why is everyone so anxious to meet the Pathfinder society, there is a lodge in Sargava but they don't really do much."
Hamual eyes Corin suspiciously, looking to Gallik and Sizara "Why is he ready to kill someone? Is there something you're not telling me?"
Hamual will look around the camp for any ink and paper, hoping to make some scrolls while they set up camp.
No sign of traps or anything else of interest - the camp seems simply to have been abandoned.
After confirming that the camp is safe, at least for the moment, Corin sheathes his swords and turns to Hamual. Corin digs in his pack until he recovers the log of the Jenivere and hands it over.
"Ieana bewitched the captain of our vessel, the Jenivere, and had him shipwreck us here."
Corliss nods and sets about following Corin's orders. "Aye cap'n--strange that they left behind just enough for us to recognize who'd made this camp. You think mayhaps they were taken for a cannibal stewpot?"