"Indeed I did. It was ominous to say the least," Sizara answered Karia.
Upon hearing Corin's words, she smiles and raises an eyebrow, saying, "For one who doesn't believe in spirits you seem to act like you do. Besides, it is the spirits who provide us with magic, via mana. Except for certain magics...like well certain forms of witchcraft. I'm not too knowledgable about magic to be honest, but I listened to our tribe's shamans a lot hoping to get closer to my cheetah spirit."
She is surprised by Karia's words.
"A very...well said and useful saying Karia. It is best we stay on our guard while on this island."
When the others start talking of their dreams, Corliss relates his own dream, complete with a description of the seriously-undercooked snake stew. He doesn't bother to offer a guess as to any hidden meaning the night vision might have...mostly because he hasn't a clue.
As the search party prepares to set out, Corliss takes a moment to clap Aerys on the shoulder and whisper something in her ear.
"I trust you the most, so I'm puttin' you in charge...even though, technically, I have no authority to do so. Try to keep the peace as best you can. An' try to keep an eye on Sasha an' don't let her wander off in search o' birds or other pets, savvy?"
Before departing, Corin asks Ishirou, "Can you describe that hill for us? We'll be on the lookout for it. I'm also curious why? Did you have a dream about 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."
"Purity, you say?" Corliss chuckles, his wide grin making a reappearance. "That be uncharted waters for this sailor! Still, I've been granted a clean slate o' sorts: I hope to do more good than ill in the days I've left an' leave this world a better place once I'm naught but a pile o' bones."
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 9
Before departing, Corin asks Ishirou, "Can you describe that hill for us? We'll be on the lookout for it. I'm also curious why? Did you have a dream about it?"
Ishirou laughs "No dream. Ishirou not follow visions. He deal with only hard facts - he savvy businessman!"
He lowers his voice to a theatrical whisper. "Pirates try to sell Ishirou pirate treasure map i n bar. Pirates ask big price but he buy many drinks for pirates and they reduce price! Big win for Ishirou! He follow maps, but sadly no treasure. Someone else get there first maybe, yes? Anyway, last map, it say 'go to Smuggler's Shiv, and look for hill that look like head of giant, lying down, with one tree growing up, like grow out of giant's ear."
He gives a generous grin. "You find hill, Ishirou tell you where to dig. We all share treasure and get rich, yes?
Corin smiles. "Ishirou, I'll settle for getting off this island. I welcome anything in that hill which could help us."
Karia has her crossbow ready, and is good to go.
So we set off back to the clifftop where we last found trace of Pamela, and check out this tree?
Before heading out, Corliss makes sure the small boat recovered from the Jenivere is pulled a safe distance from the water and is secured by a rope to a tree or large rock. Afterwards, he strolls over to Corin and quietly says something to the man.
"Think we can trust the boat in the hands o' them do-nothin's? It can't get us to the mainland but I bet it'll be invaluable for gettin' us to the shipwreck we spotted from the bluff or that pretty purple isle off to the west. Hell--we could probably use it to cross the lagoon safely 'nough. I imagine the water in there would be relatively calm."
[b]Back on the Trail[b]
The tree with the curved trunk lies about halfway between the beach and the exposed spot where the group lost Pamela's trail the previous day. As it is earlier in the day, the air is cooler, and the group makes good progress following the familiar route. The only obstacles are the insubstantial spiderwebs strung shimmering across the trail, that have not yet been broken by wandering animals.
The group reaches the bent tree - a great, towering jungle tree with a thick green top, after about 45 minutes of travel. It stands in a small clearing barely 20' across, amid a sea of thick jungle grass and twisting undergrowth. As the group approaches, it becomes clear that something has changed since their last visit. A large swathe of undergrowth around the tree has been trampled down flat, and something brightly coloured is laying next to the tree.
Corliss claps a hand onto Karia's shoulder to make sure the young lady doesn't rush forward.
"Let the professional go first," he says softly, motioning with his head toward Corin. "Mayhaps there be clues his sharp eyes can uncover afore we tramp in an' stomp all tracks away."
Karia nods, crossbow in her hands and constantly scanning around her.
On the trail she's a lot quieter, letting Corin and Sizara lead.
Corin whispers to his companions. "Can any of you see if there is magic here? Or use magic to get that brightly colored thing?"
Without getting any closer Corin takes in the scene, looking hard at the tree for signs of danger and then at the ground to determine what might have passed through the area.
[dice=Survival for track]1d20 + 6 + 1[/dice]
Karia says a rude word as she realizes she should have used her Detect magic the day before!
"On it Cap'n. She calls out softly.
Using the cantrip she carefully scans the area for any trace of magic?
There are no traces of lingering magic, and as Corin advances forward, no particular tracks he can discern. Something heavy has certainly trampled down the grass, but the grass itself has prevented it leaving any tracks. From the state of the grass stems, he would estimate that it is several hours old, and happened during the night.
Getting closer, he sees that next to the tree is a small pool of congealed blood, and that the brightly coloured item next to it is a torn pieces of blue cloth, recognizable as coming from a shirt that Pamela wore.
Corin peers up into the canopy, attempting to discern what might be there.
"Pamela might have been dragged up into the tree by a predator. I'll find someplace to secure a rope if you want to join me."
Corin retrieves a knotted hemp rope from his pack and slings it over his shoulder before ascending the tree.
Hmm...what kind of climber are you, old boy? Corliss wondered as Corin readied the rope. Probably about as good a climber as you were a swimmer. No--Corliss couldn't swim or climb very well, but he judged himself quite capable of drowning or falling.
"I'll keep a weather eye on the surroundin's down here, Cap'n," he said as Corin ascended the strange tree.
Corin shimmies up the tree. It is clear that something large has been in the tree - there are broken branches and scuff marks - something with large claws. However, there is no sign of anything else.
Corin scours the treetop for clues, and attempts to track whatever beast might have been up there if it jumped to another tree.
[dice=Survival to track]1d20 + 6 + 1[/dice]
Whatever was in this tree seems to have only been in this tree - Corin can't find any other trace of it.
Corin shakes his head and descends the tree.
"I can't find any clues as to where Pamela went or what might have attacked her. Lets work our way toward that other shipwreck we saw. There may be useful salvage, and a view from shore might help us know if the small boat we have could get out there."
Karia is unhappy that there is no trace of Pamela, but nods and follows Corins lead.
"We'll find you Pamela." She states. "Hopefully before it to late," She adds more sadly.
Moving along a game trail at the top of the ridge allows the group to move faster, and more of a welcome breeze makes its way under the thick jungle canopy. There are signs of deer and wild goats on the trail, as well as a few of the ominous clawed lizard prints that you encountered the previous day. Troops of monkeys keep pace with the group, leaping from tree to tree and howling and gibbering in defiance until the unwelcome humans have left their territory. Tiny emerald snakes skitter out of the way when disturbed, and numerous insects hum through the air, drawn to the exotic scent of flowers that bloom just off the path.
After about half an hour's travel, the group emerges from the jungle at the edge of a sheer cliff, about 50' high, that leads down to the crashing waves below. A hundred yards or so off shore is a small island, sparsely covered with bushes. The wreck of a ship has washed up on the island's beach. A tattered flag showing the Skull and Manacles of the Shackles Pirates hangs limply from it's snapped mast, and the name The Grog Dog can be read along its side.
Corin scans the ocean, looking for signs of reefs or shoals upon which their small boat might run aground. Then shifts his gaze to the wreck to see if there are any signs of habitation.
"What do you think Corliss? Can we safely row our boat from our camp out to this ship?"
The shores around Smuggler's Shiv are notorious for hidden reefs, treacherous currents and other dangers. The full force of the ocean pounds the base of the cliffs. While your little boat will probably be safe enough in the central lagoon, or in other sheltered waters (like back at Camp Beach) trying to navigate the shoreline would be hazardous in the extreme.
That said, the island on which the shipwreck lies acts as some sort of breakwater, lessening the fury of the ocean. At low tide, a strong swimmer might be able to make it out to the island.
Corin notices some disturbance in the sand next to the wrecked ship. Someone has been walking round there recently.
"It looks like there might be somebody alive down there. Trying to sail the boat out of the cove and over to the shipwreck seems like a bad risk. Lets circle back to camp along the coast then wait out the heat of the day. After that we can see what lies to the west of our camp, and be back for dinner. Thoughts?"
Karia agrees, especially as it means avoiding that heat again!
Sizara traveled with the group, her sword ready in case of attack, or in the current situation, cutting through vines and plants. All the while, she made sure to keep her companions alive in the jungle.
She was amazed by Corin's skill as a tracker, wondering if he was blessed by the elven deity of hunting as well as wild dog animal spirit. Corin had mentioned he did not believe in spirits, but even if one doesn't believe in spirits, it did not mean that fhe spirits didn't believe in them. So maybe Corin was in denial?
After they made it out of the jungle and began exploring the beach.
Sizara nodded in agreement with Karia if it meant avoiding the heat. Even one who was born and raised in the jungles like her knew that the weather spirits favor no one. Still...
"Should we try and see if we can salvage anything from the shipwreck or see who lives there? I'm curious if there are any other survivors on this island."
Corin shakes his head. "We'd have to wait until low tide, and even then who knows what is lurking in the water, or what hidden currents there might be. Then there's the matter of getting whatever we find back across the water and then up the clif. We'll see if we can rig up some sort of small raft that we can lower down with us. We'll need to make sure it has some sort of poles or something on it to keep it from smashing into the clif."
Corin shrugs. "As far as survivors, we should probably be wary of meeting anybody until we have a better idea of the layout of the jungle and have a better grip on surviving here."
Once again, Sizara was amazed by Corin's wisdom. She was having trouble figuring out what his spirit animal.
She nodded and replied, "Once again, you have great wisdom, Corin. You continue so such wisdom and skill, you might eventually be blessed by all of the animal spirits! Even if you don't believe in the animal spirits, they surely believe in you. But yes that seems like a good idea and a cautious one to add as well. We will still need to fortify our camp in case. While moving it does sound like a wise decision, it is best to have a somewhat permanent one until we have a good idea of the island and as well as a place we can flee to in case of trouble."
Corin nods in agreement with Sizara's words, keeping up his habit of not looking directly at her.
Corliss readily goes along with his Cap'n's plans. He pauses a moment to ponder the name of the pirate vessel, The Grog Dog. Did that sound familiar in the least?
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The memory comes into Corliss's mind from he knows not where. The Grog Dog was a small Shackles cargo vessel, carrying rum from the sugar plantations of Eleder to Port Peril. It vanished a few years ago, nearly causing riots on the dockfronts of Port Peril when several taverns ran dry of rum, forcing thirsty crews to try poncy wine, or that foamy northern aberration - ale.
When he gets the opportunity to speak with Corin alone, he quietly tells the ranger (and only him) of his memory of the Grog Dog, feeling that the fewer people who know about it the less likely Aerys will hear about it and want to mount a recovery mission to the shipwreck.
Along the Clifftop
Walking along the clifftop, exposed to the ocean breezes, is refreshing, especially as the day grows hotter, and armour starts to chafe. There is not always a path, though, and sometimes the vegetation grows right to the cliff edge, almost spilling down it as it sends roots, creepers and vines in search of any crevice.
It is while passing through one of these denser areas, in a small glade where the air hangs moist and heavy, and sunlight filters through the leaves, that Corliss stops momentarily, a particularly troublesome thorn having wedged itself in the sole of his boot. The others were just ahead, barely out of sight, when a shadow flitted across the glade.
The sailor barely reacts in time, spinning round to see a large, winged lizard - of the same variety that excited Sasha so much the previous evening - in a power dive towards him, it's dual rows of teeth glistening in the sunlight as it opens it mouth to release a harsh, shrill cawing scream.
EDIT: MAP for round 1
Karia will move back until she's in the clearing at S5.
Hopefully she's first so everyone gets the benefits of her Bardic performance.
Once she can see she will use Inspire courage, (+1 to hit and damage for everyone, and +1 to save vs fear and charm.)
That's her actions for round one.
On round two she will take a shot at the creature if needed?
If it hits?
Round 1:
Corliss takes a 5-foot step in the flying lizard's direction (if necessary for it to be within range) and uses his Storm Burst domain power.
for plus the creature has a -2 penalty to attacks for 1 round.
Round 2:
Corliss brings his rapier to bear (or dinosaur, as it were).
for
for
Storm Burst (Sp): As a standard action, you can create a storm burst targeting any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. The storm burst deals 1d6 points of nonlethal damage + 1 point for every two cleric levels you possess. In addition, the target is buffeted by winds and rain, causing it to take a –2 penalty on attack rolls for 1 round.
Sizara will move as far as she can to try and cut the beast off.
The flying lizard swoops down at the astonished Corliss, who only just managed to dive out of the way at the last second. He hears the snapping of jaws only inches above his head, and smells the creature's acrid breath as the downdraft from its wings buffets him. Suddenly he hears Karia's voice raised in that strange, lilting cadence that she does, and his spirits are instantly lifted by the woman's words.
As the creature swoops past him, Corliss attempts to summon the power of the storm to knock the creature from the sky, but he misjudges the creature's movement, and his miniature stormcloud forms where the swooping creature has already passed.
Sizara moves up behind Karia, but lacking a ranged weapon can only watch as the creature begins to climb back into the air for another pass. It lets out a another cawing cry, and this cry is answered in turn, as another of creatures, slightly smaller, glides low over the treetops from the south, heading for the clearing.
Corin pushes his way past Sizara, javelin in hand, and lets it fly at the creature. His aim is true, and the metal point sinks deep into the creature's chest. It lets out a scream, and lurches to the side as it struggles to gain height, barely clearing the top of the trees.
Karia raises her crossbow, fumbling with the trigger, but eventually getting a shot at the already injured creature. Her bolt pierces the lizard's side, and it falls like a stone, crashing intot he canopy of the trees, before noisily hitting the ground and laying still.
Corliss, still an exposed target in the centre of the glade, pivots on his heel towards the new threat, and draws his rapier, preparing to strike the creature if it draws near.
The second lizard dives at Corliss, who smartly runs it through with his blade, but takes the full force of the monster's dive. Toothed jaws snap shut on his arm, rending flesh and bone.
Sizara and Corin run up to their stricken comrade and swiftly dispatch the creature with their blades, before turning to the injured Coliss.
Karia reloads and watches the skies carefully."Those thing hunt in groups it seems. Do you need healing Corliss, or can you handle it yourself?"
Keeping an eye on the sky.
Corin carefully moves over to where the first creature fell, seeking to recover his javelin and possibly Karia's bolt.
After he returns, "Those creatures might have a nest nearby. We might be able to find some eggs there to supplement our diet."
Corin examines the creatures in an attempt to determine if they are edible.
Corin examines the creatures, noting their double rows of teeth in their long beaks, and the poison glands at the back of their mouths. Doesn't look too safe to eat, and predator/scavengers often carry disease. These two creatures look like a mated pair, which would suggest that there may be a nest nearby.
Corin can recover his javelin, but the crossbow bolt is useless.
Corin moves over to Corliss. "Let's clean that wound. We don't want it getting infected. Can you conjure clean water or heal the wound with magic?"
"Let's clean that wound. We don't want it getting infected. Can you conjure clean water or heal the wound with magic?"
"Aye an' Aye, Cap'n," Corliss replies but his usual grin shows a bit more grimace this time. "Thanks for your concern, but I can handle this scratch!" he calls to Karia.
"Besmara, wash the poison from this wound...please?"Corliss conjures water over his savaged arm, washing away blood, lizard spittle, and poison. With Corin's assistance, he's able to wash out the wound, but not before taking a little damage from the poison. The cleric uses a second channelling of positive energy when the first heals minimal damage.
Having wasted two uses of his channel ability, Corliss decides to have a little chat with Karia after all. "I can swap out one o' me spells--either bless or magic weapon--to cast a curin' spell on myself. You've got that amazin' song that lifts our spirits so...better'n bless in me humble opinion. Shall I cast that so you can keep your own magic in reserve?"
"Scratch be a bit worse than I first thought," he adds sheepishly.
As the group heads off in search of the flying lizards' nest, Corliss quietly asks Sizara, "You sure you want to give your ladyfriend somethin' with so many teeth an' such a nasty disposition? Wouldn't flowers be better or am I just bein' ol'-fashioned?"
Corliss looks high and low for the alleged nest of winged marauders.
Corin attempts to help Corliss locate the nest.