Momo frowns at Aenon's strength comment, I hope he doesn't think I'm too muscular. Momo glances down to examine her hands and arms. "I might be able to haul it back to the ship," Momo offers sheepishly. I wonder how Scuttles is doing on the ship.
As the party is leaving the boss room, Momo stops to ask "Are we sure we explored this entire place?" Momo wonders if there might be more treasure to be had. There was a certain novelty with a rusted-shut chest - a relic from another time.
"I would imagine it came by boat. The Chelish navy was known for constantly seeking to expand their borders before the civil war. Perhaps the ship wrecked nearby and these grindylows found the wreckage and brought back the chest. Clearly they were unable to open it, which I find odd; however, this world is full of strange things." She wonders over then to examine the strange hand to see if she can clean any information out of it...
Deth manages to pry open the chest. another cursory glance through the tunnels show nothing else to explore, but the shallow passageway does sport a trap that you easily avoid on your way out.
When you arrive aboard the Peregrine, the tension is so palpable it can be cut with a knife. You need only mingle with their fellow passengers to overhear whispered conversations that the expedition should be ‘scrubbed’ and everyone sail back to Almas. The ship’s officers and crew look sullen and apprehensive. Ramona is trying to be supportive and diplomatic with the colonists and crew, but as tensions rise, it appears that she needs a bit of help from you all.
Ramona identifies the primary instigators, 4 colonists who seem the most apprehensive with disembarking.
Influence Check- Diplomacy or Intimidate DC 16.
Antona is one of the colony’s soldiers who, over the course of the ocean voyage, developed a crush on Ramona. Her advances were rebuffed, and now Antona vindictively wants to see Ramona fail as the colony’s leader. If pulled aside and threatened or reasoned with for putting the whole colony in jeopardy, Antona ceases to undermine Ramona’s authority and reconsiders her behavior up to this point.
Faedwyr Trundlebrook (NG male human commoner 1/expert 1):
Influence Check Strength DC 16 (or see below).
Faedwyr is a farmer who is timid about the idea of a spooky and deserted settlement. He needs his confidence in the colony’s protectors bolstered. A demonstration of Strength or an impressive round of nonlethal combat reassures him that the colony is in good hands. As a last resort, even a successful DC 16 Diplomacy check from a PC with a base attack bonus of 2 or higher suffices.
Harcourt Carrolby (LN Male human aristocrat 4)
Influence Check Diplomacy DC 16.
Harcourt is one of the wealthiest colonists and thus often thinks of himself as nobility, even though Andoren society no longer ecognizes that class distinction. Harcourt loves to feel important. If the PCs ask for his help to assuage the fears of his fellow passengers, he immediately sets a brave example for others to follow; thus the PCs can manipulate him into no longer sowing the seeds of doubt and fear. They might even be able to convince him that his snooty behavior puts others off when he is most needed to
bring them together.
Perrell Beys (LN Female human expert 3/rogue 1)
Influence Check Bluff or Diplomacy DC 16.
Like Faedwyr, Perrell is simply worried that there is some unknown danger on the island the group will not be able to overcome. The academic is a bit naive and sheltered, however, and the PCs can persuade her that everything happening is actually normal with assurances like “Expeditions like these always go a little off course!” and “There’s nothing to worry about!” Though a bit disingenuous, thehe PCs can persuade her that the danger is exaggerated.
Nox takes a deep breath as he appraises the situation. He moves to Perrell's side and tries to get to the root of the problem.
Know. History
Unfortunately, still dripping wet. Nox shakes water all over the academic and his words of reassurance go for naught, as she walks away from him in a huff.
Momo is used to waiting and observing. She watches who Ramona determines to be the four instigators. Momo first watches Antona Sedgewick, then Faedwyr Trundlebrook. Lacking the knowledge of the other members of the ship, Momo hopes her other companions will be of some help.
Momo approaches her companions and whispers: "will one of you help me talk to Antona Sedgewick? I think she's sour about Ramona rejecting her advances and now selfishly wants to see Ramona fail."
With whoever else wants to join, Momo confronts Antona. "Let's chat for a minute. In private." Momo leads Antona to a place on the ship's deck where their conversation will have some privacy but they will still be visible if things go poorly.
"Look, I know you're disappointed Ramona rejected you, but she's under a lot of pressure. Not to mention, she's responsible for all the lives on this boat." Momo gestures an arm towards the other passengers. "Don't let your petty resentment ruin this entire expedition. Besides, if we end the expedition now, you won't have the opportunity to change Ramona's mind." Momo speaks frankly to Antona and doesn't sugarcoat anything.
Once aboard the Peregrine, Deth returns his borrowed spear and thanks the sailor, happy with his new spear.
Deth agrees with Momo's assessment of Antona and accompanies the ranger to her side. Planning to help talk her out of her funk, he is still surprised by the bluntness of Momo's argument. 'Wow, she doesn't pull her punches' he thinks as he struggles and fails to find anything to add.
Having never really spoken to Perrel before, and exhausted from the days fighting and traveling, Aenon returns to his usual way of dealing strangers. ’Look Beys. We’ve rid the colony of dangers, and traveled all the way here from the mainland. Just get off the ship already’ He says, with no attempt at hiding his annoyance. ’Besides, we’re far more likely to die at sea anyway. Who knows what lives below the waves here’
Antona Sedgewick - Influenced
Faedwyr Trundlebrook -
Harcourt Carrolby -
Perrell Beys - Frowns at Aenon, then gets visibly angry with him as he continues. "Get off? How about you go soak yourself again you blue-skinned freak! Everything here is going wrong, People are dead, missing and maybe even worse! This isn't what we signed up for!"
Know. History
Nox tells the others that Bluff or Diplomacy are the keys to winning over the academic Perrell.
Seeing that Perrell is visibly angry, Deth walks over and tries to calm the situation down. "History is a fickle thing, is it not." he says trying to appeal to the academic. "Sometimes the great events are brought about by pure chance. But more often the driving force is a group of people. Overcoming adversity and banding together to solve their problems. That's what we need to happen now. This expedition is historically significant and I think great things are going to happen." He pauses to take a breath. And just think, Perrell, you're going to be part of it."
Seeing Deth come to his rescue, Aenon slinks away from the angry woman and approaches Ramona instead. ’So how long have they been all up in arms? And what’s the plan onwards? Do we retun to the colony?’
Nox tells the others that Bluff or Diplomacy are the keys to winning over the academic Perrell.
Seeing that Perrell is visibly angry, Deth walks over and tries to calm the situation down. "History is a fickle thing, is it not." he says trying to appeal to the academic. "Sometimes the great events are brought about by pure chance. But more often the driving force is a group of people. Overcoming adversity and banding together to solve their problems. That's what we need to happen now. This expedition is historically significant and I think great things are going to happen." He pauses to take a breath. "And just think, Perrell, you're going to be part of it."
After her encounter with Antona Sedgewick, Momo feels more confident. She decides to help out her companions who are currently interacting with Perrell Beys.
"Hey! Hey!" Momo moves to stand in between Aenon and Perrell. "Quit with the name calling." Momo looks Perrell up and down. "What are you afraid of? We were all specially selected for this expedition. If anyone should be here, it should be us. Have more confidence in yourself and in our abilities."
Aid another on Perrell 's diplomacy
Aid another diplomacy
"Setbacks happen on every mission. This group was specifically chosen to overcome those minor setbacks. Each of us have a purpose to achieve and I think we can do it here."
Perrell turns her venom at Deth. History... as in being part of a footnote about how everyone died on this failed attempt!
Ramona sighs heavily, "We should be able to depart as soon as we get them calmed down, one way or antoher."
She pulls Aenon aside to speak a little more privately. "The charter does grant significant leeway in dealing with internal threats to the safety of the colony if this were over some small strife I wouldn't hesitate to exercise these powers, but given the gravity of the situation it's in everyone interest that we resolve this as peaceably as possible. If they won't listen to reason we may have to resort to force...
"I agree Ramona. Resolving this without having to use force will probably serve us far better in the long run." Aenon replies, brows furrowed in thought. "I guess these are the times I wish I had more of a way with words. No offence to them, but I'd honestly rather wrestle a Charau than have to deal with the fears and insecurities of this lot.
He finishes the last part with a little chuckle. "You know, my old captain once claimed she'd find the captain in me one day..." He wistfully drifts away and stands staring out at sea, thoughts seemingly on some other ocean, far away.
After a while Aenons thoughts return to the Peregrine as he suddenly remembers something. "Ramona, did you get a look at that ledger we found on land? I was wondering about a pair of initials we found down in the cave. E. M. I believe."
Deth resists the urge to punch the cowardly historian in the face. "It's an unexplored continent. Of course there are dangers and the unknown. Facing them and overcoming them is part of the 'explorer' job description. Either man up and help or don't be part of the problem." Deth says glaring at Perrell.
Momo throws her hands up into the air, clearly frustrated. I can't deal with Perrell right now! ...Or my companions' failed attempts! She moves over to a different person on the boat - Faedwyr Trundlebrook. She crosses her arms and stares at Faedwyr with a sour expression.
Momo flexes her lean muscled body as she stretches side to side. "You don't have anything to fear. Ghost stories are simply - stories. And with us protecting the settlement, nothing is going to get in or out."
When the farmer looks almost convinced, Momo takes out the bow she recently found. She nocks an arrow and pulls back on the string. "I can pierce a squirrel's eye from 100 feet away with this bow." Momo's tight rear and arms look good in this fighting stance. It's clear her muscles are used to the position. "It takes a lot of muscle and concentration to keep this two-handed bow steady, but that's what you have to do to get the perfect shot."
Though it takes some time, you eventually manage to calm enough of the group to get the colonists back under control. Now with no objections, the ship is set to sail in the morning back to the colony.
After the Peregrine is released from the effect of the echeneises, the unrest with the colonists resolved, and the grindylows “discouraged” from raiding the colony, you all ride back to Talmandor’s Bounty with the ship. Upon arrival, the Peregrine drops anchor in the bay and both the ship’s crew and the colonists work together to begin unloading the ship using the ship’s boats.
Ramona asks you to show her around the settlement and point out areas of concern. The Peregrine stays the night and the crew replenishes their fresh water before departing in the morning.
Finally, you can choose one house for the group (assuming you choose to live together). The only buildings unavailable are community buildings and the governor’s house, which Ramona intends to move into in the absence of Rayland Arkley.
During the next day, the existing houses are assigned with the understanding that there may need to be compromises made if the original colonists return. Ramona also assigns work details and specialized crews. Fathers Eamon and Kurvis begin to restore the chapel (which they intend to share for at least the first year), and attempt to reach an accord with the restless spirit of Silas Weatherbee until his spirit can be laid to rest.
Dispite your efforts the poltergeist returned to the chapel about a week after you first encountered him and for the time being is a permanent fixture.
Momo is excited to be reunited with her mechanical arachnid companion, Scuttles. "Did wittle Scuttley Wuddley miss me?" Momo cuddles with the small mechanica. "Did you? Did you?" Momo affectionately pets the cold metal on Scuttle's head.
"I'm glad we were able to set things up for the second wave," Momo tells her party. Then, Momo approaches Ramona: "Ramona, would you like us to help escort you and the other colonists to the original settlement? I think we're going to follow a lead we found but I wouldn't mind helping you all settle in first." Momo holds Scuttles protectively, secretly wanting to delay the moment when Scuttles with inevitable by reunited with his master. What if Scuttles decides he doesn't want to stay with me and be MY Scuttles, Momo worries.
Nox carefully looked at all of the possible selections for he group home. He decided on the largest, sturdiest one. He wanted to give all of the team members an opportunity for stretching out, and everyone staying out of the others' hair.
He tried to make friends of the new colonists, telling them all how he bravely saved the group from all the island threats encountered so far.
As the Peregrine departs, Aenon wistfully watches her from atop the small hill, where the first of the colonists lies buried. As her sails dip below the horizon he utters a silent prayer to Gozreh to bring both her and her crew back to them safely. As he does so, he grips his amulet tightly and almost inaudibly mutters. "I guess it'll take me just a bit longer than I thought."
After sitting atop the hill for a while, Aenon gets back up, goes back to their house and gets ready to help out the colony where needed. He suggests to the party that they should perhaps see where scuttles leads them, before the trail falls cold.
With the departure of the Peregrine and the colonists beginning to settle in now seems as good a time as any to see where the small clockwork creature was instructed to flee too after being discovered.
Following Momo's command Scuttle will happily lead you north from the colony partially across the island to .
The trees thin out around this field of shattered stones and fragments. Toppled marble columns jut haphazardly from the ground and are partially covered with moss. These rocks are the only evidence that buildings once stood here, but the passage of thousands of years has left little but their broken stone skeletons. One remnant remains incongruous with the ruins: a circular marble dais carved from a distinctly lustrous pinkish stone, perfectly preserved but surrounded by a crumbled stone rotunda that has not weathered the ages nearly as well. Skuttles walks straight to the dais stopping right in front of it. Turing to Momo and canting its head/body slightly to the side.
When a creature approaches within 15 feet of the dais, the image of a humanoid figure flickers into existence on the dais and begins to address a nonexistent audience.The figure wears black robes befitting an academic or a spellcaster, and wears a peculiar metal helm that obscures all the wearer’s features except the mouth, which is partially covered by chain links. The front of the helmet is decorated by three upward-pointing tines, like a fork or a trident. The figure’s words are clearly audible, but are spoken in Azlanti, and it gestures with its hands, as if to calm or reassure.
"Lojalaj civitanoj de la imperio - ne timas. La blotado en la ĉielo estas nur bruo de vualitaj malamikoj por eviti nin distriĝi en ĉi tiu tempo pri muntado de kaoso. Tendu viajn regulajn devojn, kaj fidas je la Ioun Imperative kaj via imperiestro teni vin sekura. Ne malsukcesu nin, kaj ni ne malsukcesos vin."
Nox takes his hat off and acratches his head while he watches the programmed illusion. He translates the speech for the others. "Ioun Imperative....does that ring a bell? My guess is that was some ruling body from a long lost era."
Momo doesn't understand a lick of Ancient Azlanti and is utterly lost by the flickering image's words.
Momo gapes at Scuttles: "Scuttles?! Is this who created you?" Momo points to the image. "Scuttle to the left if yes. Scuttle towards me if no." Momo folds her arms over her chest. "I just want you to know, Scuttles, I'm prepared to fight for full custody."
Momo turns to Nox, "Eon Impertinent who now?" Momo turns back to Scuttles, "How old are you, Scuttles? I thought you were just a baby!"
Aenon stands just as confused as Momo until nox translates the illusions words. He ponders its words untill Momo suddenly speaks up, and a smile crosses his face at her speach to Scuttles. Athought suddenly crosses his mind though, and he speaks up. ’It can’t be this guy.... He can’t be Scuttles’ master. Someone would have to physically use the key, wouldn’t they’
Delia watches the recording with glee as she translates the ancient speech. "This is amazing!" she suddenly exclaims. "This device is a find of the ages! Just this alone would be enough to get our names into the Pathfinder Chronices. I imagine this recording was broadcast throughout the Empire shortly before its destruction; this is only conjecture of course, but I would think the "blot" is referring to the Fall of the Starstone. These veiled foes could easily describe the aboleths. The Iuon Imperative though... I'll have to ponder that one..."
Scuttles indicates that this was not his creator...
Aenon Delia, you both are fairly certain that this recording was made very near the end of the empire. You recall the Pathfinder Society had published records of a similar blot in the sky near the town of Riddleport some few years ago before a nearby island was struck by a meteorite.
The details of what transpired afterward though are hard to come by, some say a group of thugs from a casino thwarted a drow plot to bring about a second age of darkness...
As you continue your discussion about the mysterious figure four Monkeygoblins burst from the nearby bushes wailing and screaming at you as they attack. Despite your surprise, the fierce creaturs provide little more than a distraction and are easily subdued.
Tresure
buckler(4), daggers (12), shortspear (4)
Deth takes a look around the site, looking specifically for tracks made by the previous colonists, not the barefooted goblin tribes that seem to blanket the area.
"Those little monkey goblins are everywhere, aren't they? Those things seem to spread like the plague. At least they aren't strong, or we might all be in trouble," Nox laughs as the group quickly dispatches the opponents.
Momo immediately readies her bow at the sight of the monkey goblins. She aims and shoots at the smaller creatures, wanting the nuisance dead.
"They were cute at first, but now they're annoying." Momo frowns in contrast to Nox's laughter. I wonder if there is a nest somewhere on this island. Momo is quickly developing a dislike for goblins.
Momo assists Deth as he searches for tracks of previous colonists who may have been here. After all, who else could have taken Scuttles to camp?
Seems that there is a tribe of goblins on this island, they frequent this area, the only human tracks you find belong to you.
The ruins are nearly completely engulfed by the island, apart from things protected by magic such as the e=dias very little is visible on the surface, this could be a promising dig site for an arcological expedition.
Deth looks Scuttles up and down. So just what are you, exactly? he wonders. Grateful for Momo's help he turns to the rest of the group. "I can't find any colonist footprints. Scuttle seems to be just operating on some long forgotten protocol set by the builders of this place. We might want to set a watch here to find out if there are any other 'Scuttles' that return for orders."
”Clever thinking, Deth. I never considered there could be other Scuttles, but of course there could. They could be used for surveillance on the whole island. We need to mark this place on the map, at least, and advise the others of the historical significance of this area. They might want to explore in more depth, once we get established and find the others.”
”Clever thinking, Deth. I never considered there could be other Scuttles, but of course there could. They could be used for surveillance on the whole island. We need to mark this place on the map, at least, and advise the others of the historical significance of this area. They might want to explore in more depth, once we get established and find the others.”
"I'm not sure that its 'clever'. There is a gaping flaw in my theory in that I don't see any Scuttle footprints either. But this is definitely a place to watch and explore." 'Plus, if we assume that Scuttles was after the Charter, that doesn't fit with that interpretation.' he thinks, but is unwilling to commit to words in the presence of something that might be after The Charter. He picks up a rock and surveys the area one last time, this time trying to determine what animals might frequent the area.
'I might need to expand my animal inquisition to cover this place.' he muses.
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Seems the illusion is enough to keep most smaller creatures away from the immediate area, the only sizable creatures to leave footprints are the goblins.
Returning to the colony goes smoothly and reporting the finding of the Azlanti Dias piques the interest of Carver Hastings, one of the soldiers tasked with keeping the colony safe.
may be spying on Pathfinders as a shortcut in their own research. For that reason, Hastings has been instructed to hide his status as a Pathfinder, so he masquerades as one of the colony’s soldiers.
Delia reluctantly rejoins the others as they head back to the colony. "I very much want to return their for a bit of my own research!" She will take note of any parties interested in heading to the location and offering to join them!
Delia reluctantly rejoins the others as they head back to the colony. "I very much want to return there for a bit of my own research!" She will take note of any parties interested in heading to the location and offering to join them!
Carver Hastings chimes in when he hears of Delia's desire to return to the dais.
"My dear, such a wondrous find as this would be incredible to be able to study in detail. That's why we joined this exploration after all. Think of what knowledge we might unearth and what things we might report back to our homelands. I would be more than happy to aid you in this cooperative effort." You let me know whenever you wish to return and I would be happy to accompany you.
Hearing if Delias plans to go back out into the wildernes, Aenon spends an evening unsuccessfully trying to bump into her without her being surrounded by other colonists. Disheartened by his lacking success, he returns to their assigned house where he finally finds the young half elf. ’There you are, I’ve been looking for you all day. I heard you were heading back out to the ruins... He pauses for a moment, unsure of how to best approach the subject. ’... I was thinking, that if you were having trouble finding enough people to accompany you I’d offer to join up. Giving Delia a worried look he continues. ’We still have no idea what’s out there, and I’d hate for anyone to be alone that far from the colony.’
Momo changes the subject a bit: "So how are the colonists settling in? Have you all gotten a chance to look at the logs yet?"
Momo is average in terms of intelligence and isn’t much of a book reader. She takes her time reading the Book of Erastil from the chapel. For an hour before bed, Momo sits thumbing through the book, turning it sideways, rereading vague passages. Momo reads her favorite passages aloud so Scuttles can learn. By the end of the first week, Momo’s interest in Erastil has peaked and she begins making small talk with the colonists, inquiring as to who they worship. Momo shows preference to anyone who responds ‘Old Deadeye’ and goes out of her way to greet said colonists. Momo discusses the land, farming, hunting, and holds the holy reliquary composite longbow of Erastil as if it’s a precious family heirloom (which it isn’t.) By the first week, Momo returns to the Chapel of Erastil and speaks with Fathers Eamon and Kurvis.
Back at Talmandor’s Bounty, Momo settles in with the rest of the colonists. Determined to make the settlement flourish, she introduces herself to the builders and farmers. With her strength, Momo volunteers to help finish the palisade walls. She suggests the side shouldering area be completed first.
Momo wakes up early and meets with the colonists tasked with chopping down trees. She lends her strength to swinging an axe and carrying logs. The work is laborious and Momo has to remove her leather armor to help ventilate her body.
Around two in the afternoon, Momo escapes to the forest where the trees offer shade. The month of Arodus is still hot. She collects supple twigs that can bend without breaking and fastens traps through the forest. The traps are designed to capture small animals, like rabbits, without harming them. When weight is applied, the side of the rectangle folds down, blocking the netted animal safely inside. Momo carefully positions leaves on the top and sides of the boxes so they blend in. Momo won’t return until the morning to check the traps.
With her traps setup, Momo selects two strong trees several feet apart and pulls apart rope into thinner strands with the intention of stringing up pelts to scrape the dry.
Momo rises early to check her traps in the woods.
Momo is happy to find all of the six tripped traps have a rabbit inside. She swiftly breaks their necks and ties her spoils to her belt. She resets each trap after it's empty and repairs any damages. Momo brings the string of freshly killed animals to someone in charge of food storage before she heads towards the woodcutters. (Momo will skin the small animals for their pelts before handing over the meat.)
Momo helps chop and carry wood until around two in the afternoon. When the day becomes too hot, Momo sits under the fig tree to rest. Momo's typical day starts early and ends early. Most of the animals are active at night so the best time to check traps is in the early morning or at dusk. The soft breeze feels heavenly against Momo's sticky sweat-covered skin. Sometime during her break, she falls asleep against the tree. Momo wakes up to the sound of farmers returning from the fields and decides to check her traps again before joining colonists around the evening campfire.
On Sunday, Momo rests from her daily toils of chopping wood and carrying to the builders. She still wakes up early to check her traps.
Momo can't help but smile at her own good fortune. She does something she's never done before - she offers a prayer of thanks to Erastil. Momo quickly rings the necks of the animals fastens their small furry bodies to her belt. After resetting the traps, Momo returns to the colony and personally skins and prepares the meat. Momo takes a smooth flat stone from the bay and scrapes the inside of the small pelts from the day before, detaching fat, flesh, and membrane from the skin. She ties the drying pelts up vertically so they can be dried by the sun. The pelts will need more scraping until they become flexible enough to sew together. Momo stands and admires the thirteen rabbit backs hanging from rope and trees.
Cleaning hides takes the entire morning and it's not until the afternoon that Momo returns to the colony. She visits the chapel and introduces herself to Fathers Eamon and Kurvis. Momo is eager to talk to the priests about Erastil and keen to learn their interests: "Which gods do you follow? How can I help you two?"
On Moonday, Momo returns to her usual habits. She wakes up as the sun is peeking over the horizon to check her traps.
Momo is disappointed that only two rabbits are caught but she still offers a prayer to Erastil, thanking him. Momo swiftly breaks the necks and skins the two animals before bringing the meat to food storage, then heading to the woodcutters. The day progresses much like the previous ones. Momo breaks from wood chopping at two in the afternoon and visits the chapel to visit with Fathers Eamon and Kurvis. She brings over one of the rabbits (cooked) she's caught and suggests they all share a meal together.
After visiting the chapel, Momo pays a visit to Ramona in the Govenor's House. "I hope things are going well for you. …Has Antona given you any more trouble? We've been making progress with the construction. I hope to at least have the Northeastern wall completed before too long. It will help stop wandering creatures from making their way into town." Momo isn't very good at handling paperwork or giving orders so she helps Ramona with any small physical tasks she may need done.
Momo begins her day like the day before.
Momo finds two of her traps have been triggered but only one little frightened rabbit remains. Hmm... the rabbits must be catching on. Perhaps I should move the traps to a different area. Momo moves her traps to different locations, then heads to join the woodcutters.
At two in the afternoon, Momo returns to check on her newly moved traps in the woods and spots Deth out hunting. Seems like he has the same idea, Momo thinks. Except Deth doesn’t. He’s trying to make money to build an infirmary. Momo’s been donating her spoils to the community food storage like a sucker! Momo commends Deth for his honorable intentions and works on her dried pelts. Instead of smoking the skin, she scrapes the sun-dried material until its bendable enough to stitch.
Momo slowly opens her eyes to see one big red eye staring back at her expectantly. Momo is so startled, she falls off of her bed with an oof! ”Scuttles!” Momo hisses, ”Don’t do that! You scared me.” The arachnid mechania tilts it’s spherical head and scuttles after Momo as she makes her way into the forest. Scuttles seems to be adjusting well to Momo’s daily routine.
Momo is thoroughly dejected at the lack of rabbits. She decides to visit Fathers Eamon and Kurvis after her woodcutter work.
Around two in the afternoon, Momo arrives at the chapel to see the restless spirit of Silas Weatherbee has returned. Momo immediately apologizes to both colonists, insisting that she thought they'd gotten rid of the ghost. Momo suggests they eat outside to have some peace away from the restless spirit. "I just don't understand! I pray to Erastil everyday after checking my traps! What else can I do Fathers, to show my loyalty and dedication?"
It's been a week since Momo promised the builders to help with finishing the palisade wall. Momo rises with confidence and heads out to check her traps.
Momo finds six traps triggered and only two holding. She makes a mental note to inspect the traps more closely tomorrow. Today, she tries to arrive earlier than usual to the woodcutter's area. Momo swings an axe with purpose and stacks wood diligently so it can be transported to the wall.
Around two in the afternoon, Momo decides she wants to sit underneath the fig tree. She watches the fields at the farmers tend to the crops. After a while, Momo stands and walks down to talk to some of the farmers. She seeks out Faedwyr Trundlebrook, a timid farmer who'd been afraid to leave the boat. "Hello, friend! How goes the tilling?" Momo looks the farmer up and down, wondering if they've been doing as much back-breaking work as she has. Momo talks about the wall she's helping to finish and asks if the farmers have gotten a chance to eat some of the rabbits she's caught.
Momo wakes up a little later than normal and rushes towards the forest to check her traps.
Only two? Momo offers a prayer to Erastil, requesting a bigger bounty tomorrow. Maybe it's because Deth is hunting in these same woods, Momo supposes.
Momo chops and moves wood until around two in the afternoon. Momo's back is thoroughly drenched in sweat and she contemplates dumping a bucket of water on herself. The work is no less laborious than the first day she started. At least now, she could look back at the wall and admire the progress she's made.
Momo decides she wants to go for a swim in the water and searches for Aenon Malas. She doesn't want to risk for for a swim alone and being dragged down by some mischievous water sprite. Momo searches for Aenon until she finds him: "We have an hour before dinner. Want to go for a swim?" Momo attempts to find her other companions as well, even enlisting Scuttles to help search. She strips down to her undershirt and pants before hopping off the dock and into the refreshing water. Momo would have done it sooner, but she is usually too tired from chopping wood to swim. Today a swims feels like a necessity from the Summer heat.
Momo rises before first light to check her traps. The early evening swim has improved her mood and muscles.
Momo quickly kills and strips the rabbits of their pelts before spending extra time examining and fortifying her traps. They are just made of twigs and plant parts. Momo wonders if she should try to lure in rabbits with a more tasty snacks than just sprigs of wildflowers and berries.
Momo works hard with the builders, chopping up wood for building. Around her usual time, two in the afternoon, Momo travels to the chapel to spend time with the priests and to view the Erastil statue. "How goes your progess with the restless spirit? Have you two been able to find out anything new?" Momo has brought one of her rabbits to share for a late lunch.
Momo is excited that it's Sunday. She normally ignores the soreness in her body, but Sunday is a day of rest so she leisurely strolls to the forest with Scuttles riding on her shoulder. "Are you glad it's Sunday my wittle Scuddley wuddley? Momo baby-talks to her companion while petting Scuttle affectionately. "Such a good wittle Scuttles! Yes, you are! Yes, you are!"
Momo is ecstatic to find six rabbits caught in her traps. She sits Scuttles carefully on the ground so she can go about preparing the pelts and meat. She counts out the pelts. "2, 4, 6, 8... 31. We'll have a nice warm blanket by Autumn if we keep this up."
Momo returns to the colony and visits Ramona again in the Governor's House to see how things are going.
To be added:
13 Moonday, 28th of Arodus 4717AR
14 Toilday, 29th of Arodus 4717AR
15 Wealday, 30th of Arodus 4717AR
Momo finds Aenon by the beach, planing wooden boards with an almost meditative calm. So focused is he, that she gets within a few yards of him before he even notices her. With a smile he greets her and puts the tools back into the now unrecognizable canoe. ’I hadn’t realized it had gotten this late. Give me a minute to pack away everything, then I’ll race you to the north reef.’ He replies. Soon after, Aenon is running towards the dock, peeling his sweat-stained shirt off and eager for a refreshing dip.
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Anya happily discusses the finer points of trapping and hunting with Momo over the week, could this be the start of a budding friendship?
Any other downtime action can take place over in the discussion thread. Going to try and get things moving a little more smoothly now.
Early in the morning, you awake to shouts of alarm. One of the soldiers, Carver Hastings, knocks hard against your door. When you open it he relates a quick report. "In the early morning, Daib Joiner," "was attacked! And I be thinking that ye folks would want to investigate. "
Daib survived the attack and is recovering with a friend in the square if you're interested in interviewing him.
Delia opens the door to find Carver standing in the doorway. "Carver! What is it?" After he completes the report she nods. "Of course, please stand by with Daib until we can arrive. I'll gather the others and meet you shortly." With that, she quickly wakes anyone still sleeping as she begins to gather her equipment.
Deth wakes with a groan to Delia's explanation. As the others are woken he puts on his armor and weapons. 'Well, this is what I signed on to for agreeing to be a troubleshooter.' he thinks.
14 joins the others, struggling out of bed, and grabbing his to go backpack. "Let's get to it. Sounds like a job for us....investigating we will go!". Nox wasn't the best at the tough hardscrabble life of building a settlement, but it sure gave him a chance to show off his Azlanti knowledge and go exploring quite frequently.
Loud hammering on the outer door wakes Aenon with a start and the muffled voices that quickly follow spell an end to what was supposed to be a lazy day. ’Of course someone decides to get themselves attacked the one day I decide to sleep in’ He thinks with a sigh as he sluggishly rolls out of bed, and by the time Delia comes to wake them he is up and ready.
After reaching the square and calming the distraught pair down you manage to get the story out of him. Daib explains that he awoke in the middle of the night to find someone trying to choke him to death. He sheepishly adds that he started up a shipboard romance with another colonist, Geoff Tamor. He explains that Geoff got up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water and returned to find some stranger in their bedroom trying to kill Daib. Geoff struck the assailant on the head with an iron skillet, but this only seemed to daze the individual, who staggered out the door and into the night. The pair describes the would-be killer as a “horrible little-naked man, with gray skin and long, rubbery arms.”
This describes a choker like the drunk one you encountered and killed at the Levin house
You find small, unusual footprints that lead in the direction of the Levin farm .
’Horrible naked little man’ Aenon thinks, and for a moment he stands looking at Nox. ’Nah, probably not. His arms are too stubby.’
After a second though, memories of their farmhouse fight comes back to Aenon and he subconciously rubs a hand over his throat. ’It may very well be another of those chokers...’[/ooc] he says out to noone in particular as he begins to search the area.
Seeing the tracks headed for the Levin farm, Aenon returns to the group to report. [b]’How much do we know about chokers? How smart are they? Could one have gone searching for a missing partner and sought revenge when that partner was found dead?’