Karia looks at Corin. Might as well let him go and give him his gear."
She looks at Jask, "A holy symbol, are you a Cleric?" Thinking more healers is a good thing.
Then back to Corin. "Maybe you and Sizara should see if you can track Pamela? Corliss and I can get a camp set up."
Corin takes the lay of the land and tries to determine the best place for a camp.
He nods at Karia's suggestion. "I don't like splitting up, but we need to find Pamela. Sizara, are you up for this? Lets fill our waterskins with fresh water before heading out."
Corin gathers his gear.
He clasps hands with Corliss and Karia before setting off with Sizaria, "If you have some time, see if you can read the ship's log. I'd like to find out what happened aboard the Jenivere."
Sizara nods her head as she turns from looking at Sasha. She is concerned for the red head but she is just as concerned for all of the survivors.
"Indeed, lets go quickly. I pray to the animal spirits, especially the swift cheetah, that we find her and she is alright."
When Jask makes his case for freedom
"Pirates cheatin' an' stealin' to get ahead...whatever is this world comin' to?!" Corliss says with a smirk after Jask makes his plea for freedom. "I vote to free him. This be an emergency, so we need all hands on deck."
******************************
When Corin clasps hands with him, Corliss offers a more genuine smile. "I be just a humble ship's healer in need o' a cap'n, an' I think you fit the bill, sir. You've got a fine an' fearless first mate there as well" . "I think Karia an' I ought come with you--no tellin' what trouble the young lass may've run afoul of, and you may need a healer or two."
"An' before we set out, everyone gather 'round and I'll channel some more healin' energy. That poor fella's still out cold" .
The only acknowledgement Corin gives to Corliss's praise is a brief nod.
As he unlock's Jask's manacles Corin says, "Then I think the consensus is we free you, Jask."
He hands Jask back his possessions. "I believe these belong to you. We're all in this together."[b]
[b]"You're most likely correct, Corliss. Strength lies in unity. Karia, Corliss, if you wish to accompany Sizara and myself you are of course welcome to do so."
He turns to the rest of the survivors. "If we all leave to find Pamela, it will be up to you to set up our camp. Before we go we'll go over where to do it and what our priorities are."
Corin distributes two potions to each of the expedition members.
"Karia, you should drink this potion of lesser restoration now. It will help heal the damage to your body caused by that creature's poison."
As the party moves slowly through the jungle Corin attempts to help them avoid the worst of the heat.
He does his best to follow Pamela's tracks.
[dice=Survival to track]1d20 + 6 + 1[/dice]
Karia nods, eyeing the jungle with disfavor. Making sure Jask has been freed and has his gear Karia drinks the potion.
She will follow, and listen carefully to those who know how to survive in such territory.
She also takes her light crossbow and bolts, holding the crossbow and strapping on a rapier. She fills up a waterskin to take as well.
Into The Jungle
It would normally be no effort to climb the vines and roots to reach the top of the cliff, but the head of the day makes even the smallest movement tiring, and armour only makes it worse. At the top of the cliff, the green jungle canopy provides relief from the sun, but the air trapped underneath is hot and humid. The vegetation is close, and seems to grasp at you as you pass. The land rises rapidly away from the sea.
Following Pamela's tracks is easy - she seemed to be heading uphill, maybe looking for a vantage point. As you progress you realise that the jungle is alive with sound - the calls of innumerable birds, the hum of insects, even the screech of monkeys leaping through the branches high overhead. Once, far off, you hear a deeper roar, as some unidentifiable predator makes itself known. You see the tracks of wild goats, rabbits, game birds and something that may be wild pig. It will be possible to hunt on the island.
Finally, after land steepens once more, the jungle gives way and you emerge onto bare rock on top of a ridge. The view is spectacular - you can see that the northern end of the Shiv consists of a great sweep of land encircling a central lagoon. The dense forest seems to cover everything, although there is a glint of either a river or a marsh on the eastern sweep on the island.
Numerous small islands dot the lagoon and off the shore. To the west of the lagoon, a strange, almost purple island stands out. It lacks the green jungle canopy, but you cannot see any further detail from this range. To the northeast,another wrecked ship can be seen half submerged on the rocks of a small island.
The land to the south of the lagoon is obscured in mist and haze, and you cannot see much, except that the jungle seems to continue.
Corin looses Pamela's tracks as soon as the jungle gives way to bare rock. Despite carefully circling the clearing, he cannot find them again. It is like the woman grew wings and flew. What he does find are some large, clawed reptilian prints, indicating a four-legged creature, that seems to frequent the area. Man of its prints leave away to the west.
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Approximately one mile to the inch.
Although sweaty and tired, Corliss holds up pretty well under the withering heat. Turning to Corin he asks, "What're your thoughts, Cap'n? I hate to leave the lass alone out here with night closin' in, but I'm at a loss for where to turn next. Do we call out or is that likely to just bring trouble runnin'?"
Karia is worried about Pamela, but doesn't see how they can do much more?
Karia looks bad, she removes her armor, her clothing is soaked with sweat and she's panting a little in the heat.
Taking a drink of water she suggests. "I don't think we can find her, and continuing to search in this heat will only weaken us more."
Despite his wilderness training Corin does not seem to be doing too well with the heat.
"She could be hurt or unconscious and unable to call for help."
Corin tries to pick up her trail again and when he fails he calls out for her.
[dice=Survival to track]1d20 + 6 + 1[/dice]
He searches for some sign of what might have happened to her.
He searches for some sign of what might have happened to her.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 9
Corin finds a few footprints heading back down the slope, wide spaced, like she was runjning. Then there is a patch of trampled grass, like there was a struggle, and the footprints stop. Nearby is a freshly-torn scrap of a reddish-brown, almost crimson, scaley skin.
Corin studies the reddish-brown scaley skin, but is unable to identify it. He puts it in his pack in the hope that somebody else will be able to do so.
He examines the area for the tracks of whatever might have left the skin, including the trees for signs of it dragging Pamela into the canopy in case the creature is arboreal.
[dice=Survival to track]1d20 + 6 + 1[/dice]
No further tracks, and nothing in the trees.
Corin slams a fist into a nearby tree.
"Karia's right. I've lost the trail and she isn't responding. We'll just kill ourselves if we keep looking now. Lets head back to camp and rest until it cools off enough to pick up the search again."
Sizara is able to resist the heat much better than her companions, although she didn't do so good in finding the tracks.
"Well Corin, you are quite skilled in tracking. I wonder if you've a connection with a spirit animal known to be a skilled fracker, like a wild dog, leopard, or even a hawk," Sizara told Corin.
Corliss stays out of Corin's way as the man tries to find the missing woman or at least tracks that might give some clue as to which direction she went. He know his limitations, and that he'd only get in the ranger's way. He removes the buckler from his left forearm and uses it to fan Karia, offering the pretty woman a smile.
As pleasing to the eye as Karia may be, however, Corliss focuses his attention on Corin. It doesn't take long for him to feel convinced that his instincts about the man were correct--Corin's a leader. He refuses to give up on the missing spellcaster until it becomes obvious that the continued search for her may cost more lives--then he angrily calls off the search, but only temporarily, until cooler weather will allow the group to safely continue their quest. Tenacity moderated by wisdom--what more could one ask for in a captain?
And Sizara proved herself a capable first mate once more, ignoring the heat to help Corin in his tracking. Yes, these were people he could trust and with whom it would be an honor to work with and to serve.
His eyes returned to Karia who looked a bit less flushed and whose breathing was now less labored. He offered her another smile. "It appears our captain is calling off the search for now. Are you able to travel back to camp?"
Corin shrugs at Sizara's comment, not looking directly at her. "I don't believe in spirit animals, but you do so I suppose that is enough."
Back to the Beach
The day grows even hotter, and the air so humid it seems to be an effort to push it aside, almost as if they were wading through water. Mist rises as the air cannot contain all the moisture, coalescing first into thin wisps, that themselves rise and form thin hazy clouds overhead. By the time the group makes it back to the beach, the first drops are beginning to fall, and seconds later it is a torrent - heavy stringing drops that whip the skin, but at least take the heat out of the air.
Back on the beach, the group finds Gelik, Ishirou and Sasha huddling under an improvised canvas shelter, while Aerys tries to stop the rain extinguishing a small campfire. Jask, who went a long time in the brig without a wash, is standing naked, face upturned to the rain, with a big grin.
The Jenivere's Log
An examination of this log reveals that the Jenivere’s captain seemed to be suffering from some sort of madness that grew over the course of the ship’s final voyage. Earlier entries from previous voyages are precise in recording progress and events along the way, as are entries from the first two-thirds of this last trip. Yet as one reads further, the more recent the entries get, the less common they become—in some cases, several days are missing entries. What entries do appear are strangely short, focusing more and more on one of the passengers—the Varisian scholar Ieana, with whom the captain seems to have become obsessed.
Several entries are nothing more than poorly written love poems to Ieana, while others bemoan Captain Kovack’s inability to please her or catch her attention. Near the end, the entries begin to take on a more ominous tone with the captain starting to complain that other members of the crew are eyeing “his Ieana.” In particular, he suspects his first mate is in love with her, and writes several times about how he wishes Alton would just “have an accident.”
The final entry is perhaps the most disturbing, for in it the captain writes of how he’s changed course for Smuggler’s Shiv at Ieana’s request. He hopes that the two of them can make a home on the remote island, but also notes that the crew are growing increasingly agitated at the ship’s new course. The captain muses that “something may need to be done about the crew” if their suspicions get any worse.
As the group enters the beach, Corliss grins and shakes his head at Jask's antics.
"That thing work like a compass needle, matey?" he asks the naked fellow. "If so, please point it north, savvy?" With that, Corliss heads south to the makeshift tent.
Corin doesn't comment on Jask's immodest behavior. Instead he heads over to help Aerys keep the fire going.
Karia gives Corliss a grateful smile and follows everyone back to camp.
She gives Jask an envious look wishing she could do the same, but isn't worried about his nudity. Growing up in a small travelling caravan she's seen plenty thanks to the lack of privacy.
She gets any gathered firewood under cover while it's raining.
Once it has stopped Karia gets her soap from her bag and invites Sizara to join her for a shower at the waterfall. 'Lets get the salt and sweat off before it dries."
Giving everybody else a serious look. "I think we've all just seen why we shouldn't go off alone!"
Once clean Karia returns and tries to cook an edible meal for the evening.
And fails awfully. The fatigue is getting to her.
After apologizing for her cooking Karia tries to get a conversation going with Ishirou.
She's not impressed by people who won't pull their own weight and wants to get them up and moving, but is starting gently, not with threats.
After that she goes to sleep, offering to take the last watch.
Sizara had listened to what was read the captain's logbook and she was very worried.
"It would seem that the captain went mad as he was driven insane by lust. He was probably the one who stabbed the first mate. Still that doesn't explain why the cook was found dead from the bite of a giant snake. Maybe he was possessed by a snake spirit of list. A unusual spirit. The captain might still be alive along with Ieana. I only hope she's okay and is far away from the captain."
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts she continues to speak, "But enough of such grim thoughts. I best go and get started setting up some shelters. Sasha come with me, I'll show you how to do it. And if anyone wants to help theyre welcome to come lend a hand as well."
The rain is heavy but brief, and it clears the air. The dying fire is coaxed back into life, and the sagging shelter reinforced.
AS the sky clears, the sinking sun starts to disappear behind the western cliffs, the sky darkens, and the first of a million stars begins to appear. The constant murmur of the waves breaking on the distant reef, the heat and exertion of the day, and the lingering effects of the Oil of Taggit take their toll, and eyelids droop.
Gelik looks forlorn at the loss of Pamela. His humour turns a lot more acid, as he makes sharp comments and barbed putdowns.
Aerys cradles her shrinking supply of rum. mostly in silence, but as the sky becomes tinged with pinks and purples of sunset, she surprises everyone by quietly reciting some rather beautiful poetry, praising the sky and the sea.
Jask is simply enjoying being able to move his arms in ways he hasn't been able to do so for a while. As the sun sets, he moves off slightly from the group, and kneels in prayer.
Sasha seems the most relaxed of the group - she is fascinated with the various exotic birds that fly overhead and flit in and out of the green jungle canopy. She begins to give names to the species she does not recognize, and delights whenever she spots a new one.
Oh yes, and if Sizara still wants to romance Sasha, only Sizara can make Diplomacy checks on her.
"The captain might still be alive along with Ieana. I only hope she's okay and is far away from the captain."
"It seems to me that one o' the last things I recall before passin' out aboard the Jenivere was seein' Lady Ieana standin' with the Cap'n watchin' us all pass out. It's possible that the lady isn't in danger; mayhaps she be the danger. But then again, me memory ain't quite what it once was."
Corliss wordlessly takes his cues from Corin and Sizara, following their orders about setting up camp and keeping watch. Once that job's done, he sits by the fire checking out the maps and charts found in the captain's cabin.
After a while, Corliss takes the maps to Corin.
"A word, Cap?" the ex-pirate asks the ranger. "I've been studyin' these maps, an' it's me opinion that Eleder be southeast o' this isle...meanin' that ships comin' an' goin' from that port'll most likely be passin' to our south. But we shipwrecked along the isle's north shore. We don't be wantin' to build any sort o' semi-permanent shelter here--we need to get to the other side o' this isle if we're to have any real chance o' signallin' a passin' ship."
After voicing his concerns to Corin, Corliss decides to chat up the lovely Aerys a bit. After complimenting her poetry, he tells her that he once crewed aboard the pirate vessel The Dark Lark, captained by one Ragin' Roger Mangold. He even lets the woman in on his big secret: that he suffers from amnesia as the result of an accident wherein a loose boom introduced itself jarringly to his cranium.
"Still can't recall most o' me old life," he tells the half-elf quietly. "Wouldn't know me own name iff'n the Cap'n an' some o' me old mates hadn't comforted me a while at me bedside afore they set sail again. Took several moons afore me body an' mine could function halfways decent again. Thing is--I never gave up. An' neither should you. We're all gonna need to come together if we're to get off this little slice o' paradise. If you've got my back, I got yours. Savvy?"
The Maps from the Jenivere
The maps include one of the west coast of Garund that plots the Jenivere’s route to and from Sargava—the island of Smuggler’s Shiv is not marked on this map, but it is marked on a second map of Desperation Bay, though the map provides no details on the island apart from its general outline and a note warning of danger. Corliss is correct though that it lies to the north of the common shipping routes.
Aerys
Close up, the woman's pretty face shows the clear ravages of long-term alcoholism - blotchy skin, broken veins and yellowed eyes.
The half-elf woman sighs. "I am not going to give up. But my body well give up on me. I tried to stop drinking back in Port Peril. First there came the shakes. Then the blackouts. Then the convulsions. Figured I'd actually live longer if I started drinking again. That's why I was headed south - heard a story that there's these berries that grow in the jungle - you eat them and you don't get sick when you stop drinking. Gives you time for the drink to leave your body without killing you."
She laughs bitterly. "And now the gods have cast me up hundreds of miles from the nearest grog, save that last bottle that Mr Silent And Intense over there won't let me have. Oh, I'll have your back, sailor - just when I'm shaking so hard I can't hold a sword, and puking up anything I try to eat, I may not have it very well."
Overhearing the conversation between Aerys and Corliss, Corin fishes the bottle of brandy out of his pack and walks over to the two, offering the bottle to Aerys.
"I'm sorry Aerys. I didn't realize that you were trying to wean yourself off of this. Can you tell me more about the berries you're looking for? We'll keep an eye out for them. I promise I'll do everything I can to help free you of your vile affliction."
Corliss nods at the words of both Aerys and Corin. To the half-elf he says, "These berries you mentioned tickled somethin' in the far recesses o' me brain--I think I'd heard o' 'em afore...but damn me for a fool iff'n I can recall what they look like. Give us a description an' everyone'll keep their eyes peeled for 'em, rest assured. Go sparingly with that bottle--alcohol will dehydrate you--an' don't hesitate to ask me to conjure up some water any time you need it."
Sizara overhears Aerys and was about to speak up but decided that Corin had already taken care of assuring the half-elf of them helping her. The elven barbarian then went about trying to see if she could start building a palisade and trap ditch. It would take a while but if they got things started it would be good.
"So Sasha tell me something? What do you know of spirits, such as animal spirits? And I noticed you were fascinated by the birds. They say that those who are fascinated by beauty are often beautiful inside and out." She gave the redhead human a smile.
Corin nods as Corliss talks about the island's position in relation to the shipping lanes to Eleder.
"OK. We probably shouldn't put too much work into this site, since we'll need to relocate the camp once we find a suitable place on the other side of the island. We'll need to do enough work to keep us safe, though."
Corliss aye-ayes and heads off to get orders from First Mate Sizara. As the elf barbarian chats up the equally statuesque redhead, the little bell in Corliss's head chimes and he suddenly realizes what Sizara's really up to with Sasha. Smiling his crooked smile, the pirate cleric takes his shovel to the other end of the camp to give the ladies some privacy.
Since Ishirou is too groggy to chat with, and Gelik seems to be becoming the anti-bard.
After checking on him Karia will sit with Gelik and talk. "Gelik my friend, I miss Pamela too. We haven't given up on finding her though. We are going to search this rotten island from stem to stern, and we're going to get off it as well!"
She will also try to get to know him better, letting him tell her about himself while quietly suggesting he not start trouble by lashing out at people with his words.
Aerys
The half-elf uncorks the brandy and takes a swig, then reluctantly hands it back to Corin. "Nice stuff, but best keep it for when I start with the convulsions. A good slug will bring me back. For a bit."
She turns to Corliss. "The berries grow in a plant called vipervine. Apparently the vines twist round trees like big green snakes, and the berries grow in big, pointed clusters, hanging down like those things in caves - stalagwotsits. Sounds poetic - I should write it in my notebook. If you could grab me some, sailor, then I'll immortalize you in song."
Sasha
The redheaded woman is fascinated by the birds, rapidly reeling off a long list of different ones she has seen, and speculating about where they nest, what they eat, and whether it would be possible to catch them and train them to sit on your shoulder, while making a hat from their feathers. She squeals with delight as she watches a particularly large bird, bright red, swoop low over the lagoon and pluck a silver fish from it, growing silent as it sweeps up above the beach and back into the jungle. From a close distance, it becomes clear that it is no bird at all, but some sort of flying lizard with a toothed jaw and leathery skin.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she gushes, turing to Sizara. "Such grace, such savagery, catching that fish like that. What do you think they are? are they dragonspawn? And do you think they come in different colours? We could collect different ones, for each day of the week! And do you think we'll be rescued, or will we die here? Maybe the birds will eat us!" She giggles again and then gives Sizara a quick hug. "Thank you for listening."
Gelik
The gnome seems in a bitter mood. "Yes, yes, get off the island. Fine plan. Need to fill in a few details maybe, like, you know, exactly how, but I'm sure you're working on those right now."
Dreams
Corin dreams...
You’re back aboard the Jenivere, bent over the railing being seasick. After your latest bout of retching, you slump back and see the rest of the passengers and crew are on deck as well, all of them sick save for the captain and the quiet Varisian scholar Ieana. She whispers in the captain’s ear, then gives him a kiss on the cheek. At that point the captain holds up a wooden spoon, and you realize that you’re holding one as well. Everyone has a spoon. The ship is sinking, and the only way to stop it is to bail out the hold with your spoon! You work feverishly, but the waters keep rushing in. Just before you wake, you can see monstrous things with pincers in the water trying to claw their way into the ship...
Karia dreams...
Two malevolent red eyes stare out from the darkness at you. They see you, even though it is pitch black. You are on the beach, standing in darkness. There is no-one else around - your companions are gone. Have they abandoned you, as they did Pamela? The two red eyes follow you as you try to run, staring out from the top of the cliff, next to that tree with the curved trunk that you remember seeing earlier. You run for the water, hoping to swim away, but you know the red eyes are close behind you...
Corliss dreams...
You’re sitting down in the galley aboard the Jenivere, getting ready for your meal. The ship’s cook has given you a steaming bowl of stew, but you drop your spoon. You see that the deck below is covered with seawater up to your ankles, and your dropped spoon has sunk into the water and washed out to sea through a hole. You’re forced to lift your delicious bowl of stew to your lips. 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 stew 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.
Sizara dreams...
You are wandering through the jungle in the dark, looking for Pamela. You shout and shout, but she does not answer. Just as you are about to give up, you see that you have arrived back at the beach. You are about to run down to the beach, hoping to find Pamela and the rest of your companions, but something stops you. Two red eyes glower hungrily out from the shadows, next to a tree with a curved trunk. You will have to pass the tree to reach the beach, but the red eyes terrify you, and you cannot move as they advance slowly on you.
The eastern sky is pink and the sea already begins to glimmer in the early light as you awake. The stars have faded, and it is morning.
Sizara smiled as she was hugged by Sasha. She was a bit suprised by the human's words.
Overhearing Gelik's complaints, Sizara says to the gnome, "Don't be too hard on her Gelik. She is only trying to help you out. We must stick together. I also miss Pamela as well, but she would have wanted you to live. So don't be so harsh towards Karia. Stay positive like her."
Turning back to Sasha, the elf asks, "So tell me, Sasha, you must like animals. My favorite is the cheetah, which is my spirit animal. It is said that spirit animals will sometimes bond with humans that interest them or those they see as having a role to play in the world. But don't worry: we'll get off this island. We just have to be positive like I was telling Gelik. I'll make sure you get off this island."
Being taller than Sasha, Sizara kissed the human on the forehead. "That's an old Ejukae blessing of luck given to friends."
--------------------
Sizara woke up in a cold sweat. "That was an ominous dream. I wonder if my spirit animal is trying to tell me something," she says to herself.
[dice=Nature/Jungle]1d20+6
Sizara smiled as she was hugged by Sasha. She was a bit suprised by the human's words.
Turning back to Sasha, the elf asks, "So tell me, Sasha, you must like animals. My favorite is the cheetah, which is my spirit animal. It is said that spirit animals will sometimes bond with humans that interest them or those they see as having a role to play in the world. But don't worry: we'll get off this island. We just have to be positive like I was telling Gelik. I'll make sure you get off this island."
Sizara recognizes the creature as a winged variety of those jungle lizards sometimes called 'dinosaurs'.
Sasha continues to giggle. "I would like to bond with one of those creatures. A baby one. I would cuddle it and feed it fish and call it Archibald." She turns suddenly and flutters her eyelashes at Sizara. "And I would be ever so grateful to whoever got me one. I would do absolutely anuthing for them."
Day 2 On Smuggler's Shiv
The day dawns clear, and rising sun causes a thin mist to shimmer over the surface of the lagoon. Last night's high tide has done for the wreck of the Jenivere, and the unfortunate vessel's hull has mostly slid beneath the waves, leaving only a few feet of the bow pointing skyward. The sky is clear, and promises another hot day.
Ishiruou is awake, and it takes some time to fill the Tian in on the events since that last fateful supper two days ago. His eyes go wide when it is mentioned that he is on Smuggler's Shiv, and he asks several questions about the layout of the island, and particularly if anyone has seen a hill of a specific shape. He readily agrees to whatever duties he is assigned.
"I'd like to pick up our search for Pamela. We can explore the island a bit and keep an eye out for useful resources. Specifically, I'd like to try to find the berries that will help Aerys. We can either plan to be back in camp before the hottest time of day, or hunker down to wait it out (and the ensuing rain) then move on and keep exploring. Thoughts?"
Corin addresses the rest of the castaways. "While we're out exploring I'm going to count on all of you to keep the camp in order. We're depending on you."
"'Thoughts?'" Corliss echoes. "As far as I'm concerned, you're the Cap'n--what you say goes. If I think you've failed to consider somethin' I'll speak me mind an' let you weigh the merits. Otherwise, just give me an order an' point me in the right direction!"
Before departing camp, Corliss casts some create water orisons, both for the explorer party and the castaways who'll be remaining in camp.
When Corin mentions searching for Pamela, Karia frowns thoughtfully, finally deciding to speak. "I don't know if it means anything, but I had a nasty dream about the area we last looked for her. Something unpleasant lurking in the tree with a curved trunk. Perhaps we should start looking there?"
She shrugs. "I know a dream isn't much to base this on, but who knows what strange magic could be at work here?"
Straightening up and checking she has all her equipment. "Ready to go Cap'n." She gives Corin a grin.
Sizara was a bit unnerved by Sasha's actions. The way that the human acted...well it suggested that she was a bit...unhinged. There was an old Mwangi saying: "Don't be sticking your hand into that crazy anthill you idiot!"
In other words, it is best to know when a potential romantic partner isn't the right type or they're just too crazy to handle. And Sasha was proving that saying's point. Still Sizara thought it would be best if she did get the dinosaur to please Sasha as a way to keep the human cooperative and to ensure that she helped the others.
"Besides they'll be other possible lovers once we get off this island...I hope. The half-elf pirate woman doesn't look half bad and she actually looks attractive but it seems that Corin is the one who is wooing her, and it would be rude to interfere in another's wooing," the elven barbarian thought to herself.
An old Mwangi saying said, Finding love is like fishing: you just have to toss out your line and see what bites.
In the morning, as Sizara prepared for the day, she overheard the others talking. When Karia mentioned having a dream about Pamela, the elf said, "I also had a dream about Pamela as well as the curved trunk too! I wonder if the spirits were trying to tell us something. Sometimes spirits send people warnings through their dreams."
Corin shrugs as the others discuss their dreams. "Sometimes dreams are visions, and sometimes they are just dreams. I dreamed that I was trying to bail out the Jenivere with a spoon. Still, we don't have a better place to start, so I'm all for it."
He claps Corliss on the back. "If you want to call me captain, that's fine, but I don't know anything about sailing. There is an old prayer to Ondisso which ends, 'I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.' So really we are all captains, plotting a course to purity."
Corin sighs as he stares out at the wreck of the Jenivere. "In a way, I blame myself for our being here. When I heard the tales of Smuggler's Shiv, I thought it sounded like a grand place to test my resolve against temptation and the forces of darkness. Perhaps Ondisso answered my prayer? If so, I never thought it would come at so high a price."
Karia jumps a little at Sizara's words. "Really! The same thing. Did you see horrible red eyes watching from the curved tree as well?"
She recites the old saying. "Once is chance, twice is coincidence, three times is an enemy after you! " And gives the jungle a suspicious look.