"Salmon! It sounds like a delicious idea. Just a bit will be enough for me Kragg" Lolito will order with a smile, just along a jar of water "The dried bread and jungle bulbs are ok, but one gets tired at one point, hehe"
Lolito smiles as Derym presents himself "An arcanist? Have you studied in a school or perhaps with an infamous tutor?"
Derym blinks at the question, then shrugs, "Here? Now? I followed your friend Lolito, who suggested that you'd be taking me to a meeting with Ramona..."
He smiles and says, "I assume, though, you mean at the colony. Well, I've always been a bit of a dabbler in history and was very much stricken by the chance to see the ruins in person.... and, honestly, the idea of discovering lost lore -- or better still, artefacts -- led me to sign up."
He pauses, then looks at the dwarf for a moment, studying him, before adding in a quieter tone, "And after demonstrating my skill -- arcane and with the blade -- the Bountiful Venture Company agreed to send me, so long as I would be willing to use those skills for the betterment of the colony... which is why I'm supposed to be checking in with Ramona."
Derym tuns to Lolito, "Nothing so grandiose. Was apprenticed to Cimrya Paendar, one of the Grey Corsairs out of Triela -- that is to say, and Eagle Knight.... I learned magic, learned the blade... and I learned that that military life didn't agree with me."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
the people in the bar seem to be in good spirits. as Kragg noticed, a lot of the clientele is made up of newcomers, sailors from the recently arrived ship who are enjoying their time on shore before having to set out once again. the room is crowded, but luckily with the ship came supplies and there is plenty of food and ale to go around.
a few colonists stop by to ask you questions about your last trip. rumor that you had gone to deal with the hag seems to have spread through the town (though the story seems to have changed a few times. some people say you went to fight a hag, others said it was a lich, or a demon, or generically a monster). they seem to be wanting to hear stories of your adventures to break up the routine of the hard work of establishing a colony. your reputation seems to have grown in the colony, and people like seeing you around the town when you're here.
"Derym let me write a note and send my familiar Trick to tell Ramona you are here. She knows where to find us and it was her idea to talk to the new folks."
Alyn writes a quick note and send Trick off.
Lara looks the undine over coolly. "You ever done archaeological work before?"
Derym nods, then shrugs, "Wel, yes and no. To date, my experience with artefacts has been generally more inreclamation and salvaging from caves and temples -- nothing like a careful dig."
"Ah! The Eagle Knights! Interesting. Champions of freedom... but Dahak hides in so many places... we need be careful and observant, not only the chains are the danger" Lolito smiles wide as if that had any sense to anyone else than him, then has a long sip of milk from the glass.
"We have certainly explored a good deal of ruins. You are going to enjoy your time here if that is your interest" the man nods energetically.
Lolito gives himself to explain stories about the hag. He tries to be as exact as possible, but profits any opportunity to introduce the principles of his philosophy "The hag was sure a mechanism of Dahak to spread the evilness in the island. But she was not the reason of the first colony disappearance. We need to keep looking and be vigilant, for the dragon minions keep conspiring against the goodness on this world"
He has not much else to say though, and is happy to proceed with Carver tomorrow.
Kragg accepts the strangers answers with a shrug of his shoulders. It would be easy enough to prove the man's words true once Ramona was summoned. If he was part of the company and was tasked with joining us then she would have some word of it. If she knew nothing of it then they would have to deal with the imposter quickly. Well hopefully we will all know more once Ramona confirms your duties.
After the meal Kragg stands up and sees the patron (mostly locals) asking more questions about their exploits. He takes his time to straighten out the stories and rumors with the truth. Yes there was a hag there. We were able to defeat her and rid the island of one more evil. Thame is there now doing research. If anyone wants to join him I can tell you how to get there and what supplies you may want. A few should go anyways as there is plenty of opportunity there with a lake and trees and solid land. It would be a great location for an offshoot of the colony once we are established here.
Trick takes Alyn's note and follows his command to go seek out Ramona.
Kragg does what he can to straighten out the information that has been filtering through the town. several people seem very interested in going to see the Orrery with Thame either to assist the wizard or to take advantage of the resources in that area of the island which has been too dangerous to approach for most of the time the group has been on this island.
as the group is finishing up their meal, Ramona enters the bar, carrying several papers
she comes over and greets Derym
"Welcome to the colony! it seems you have found your way around on your own! I am sorry i wasn't there to greet you immediately, there is so much that needs to be done when a ship arrives. but it looks like you found a good group to show you the ropes.
I requested a few recruits to help with administrative work along with a few able-bodied folk to help with exploring and securing the island. judging by your sword, I am guessing you are one of the second set of people?
when Derym acknowledges that fact, Ramona continues
"these folks here have been in charge of those efforts. I would have you assist them as much as you are able. they tend to get themselves into dangerous situations, but they have accomplished much in the last few months. right now they are working to uncover what happened to the previous colonists that were supposed to be here when we arrived. I don't know how much of that was told to you ahead of your trip, but it has thrown off all of the plans we had for this colony. in addition, we have uncovered a threat from a group of shapeshifters who have replaced at least one of our people, likely more. I will let Kragg fill you in on details of that situation. you coming fresh from the outside might be able to help us get to the bottom of that problem.
Anyways, I am here to answer any questions you might have, but day to day I would have you direct most of your questions to these fine people.
Lolito rubs the back of his head while Ramona praises them "We have been in a bad situation or two already, but let's hope we endure through all this..."
Then, he turns to Derym and Kragg to see how they answer Ramona and what the group wants to do next.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Once Ramona vouches for Derym Kragg lets his shoulders ease and is more open with the stranger. Well Derym welcome to the group. As Ramona has said we are the ones tasked with exploring the island and handling all sorts of 'dangerous situations' as Ramona puts it. Some of that is our fault yes but some of it is the nature of the task in taming and settling a colony in a foreign land. Most of the problems we can gloss over but I will hit a few of the highlights. First the positives...
We have made peace with 2 races to our north and even negotiated a truce between the two of them. When we last left there was hope of the beginnings of a trade arrangement between our 3 peoples. In addition to them we are on friendly terms with a water naga that has claimed a wrecked ship to the north of the island.
Now the bad news...the original colonists are missing and every lead up to this point has been futile. Our last sojourn was to confront a hag living in the middle of the island and find out if she took the colonists. Unfortunately she did not but gave us a possible lead to inspect the island to the south west of us. There an Aboleth lives and may have control of a group of shapechangers. These shapechangers are trying to infiltrate our colony. Why we are not certain unless it is to further capture more of us. We discovered one and captured it but it killed itself before we could learn anything from it.
Now we have the choice of either finish exploring the island in search of lost Azlanti lore and archeological Pathfinder discoveries or investigating the island. The Faceless Stalkers is a dead end at the moment unless we discover another one or colony starts infighting again.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"That's the long and short of it. There are stage fogs that chase you, plenty of things that try to eat and stab you, spooky forests and much more. If you are still interested we need the hands."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Derym nods, then shrugs, "Wel, yes and no. To date, my experience with artefacts has been generally more inreclamation and salvaging from caves and temples -- nothing like a careful dig."
"Careful digs are over-rated anyway. Especially when you're being chased by plant-zombies or the local fauna is trying to kill you," Lara says to Derym, straight-faced.
"And welcome to the fun, all the same."
Lolito assents at Kragg's precise report, then chuckles at Alyn's and Lara's vision truthfully amused "I think that is even a more precise way of looking at it"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Deryn nods at Ramona, "I am. They even gave me a letter to hand you, actually. As for not meeting me, it's not an issue, honestly, I wanted to take a bit of a look around first anyway... Though I suppose looking for threats is less effective when there are shapeshifters about. What do we know about them? Is there a way to identify them?"
He laughs at the summary, "Well, I've been stabbed more than once, and made a bracelet out of the teeth of the last thing that tried to eat me." He holds up his wrist with a shark's tooth bracelet, "Plus, we've already seen that I'm reckless enough to leave the relative safety of Andoran to head out here and deal with just these sorts of problems. No amount of sweet talk of yours is likely to change that now."
He chuckles again, "In my own experience, the zombies were more of the undead variety, but point taken."
They are called Faceless Stalkers and can resemble anyone they have ever met before. they take their nutrition from the blood of creatures sucking it through their tongues which leave a triangular shaped set of 3 holes. Any other food they eat must be regurgitated. Unfortunately that is all we know for sure at this time.
Now about yourself...you said that you are good with your blade. That is great but what are your preferred tactics. Are you one to harry the flank or stand there toe to toe with a foe? What magics do you possess? Do you usually enhance yourself or a group?
"We found the first ones by tracking one from a sloppy feeding. That is how I joined up with these fine folks. We have tried various magics, looking for the scent of blood on people, and trying to detect odd mannerisms. Mostly, too little effects."
"Yep, the only thing similar to a way to detect them we have found is observing their nutrition. If someone suddenly stops eating regularly" Lolito nods "In contrast, they are attracted by blood"
"Oh! A shark tooth. That must be a memorable story" the man shows all his crooked teeth while examining the jewelry piece "It reminds me of that giant crab that almost ate Alyn at the orrery's lagoon"
And turning to the half-elf "Hey Alyn, you should have picked up its pincers and made a bracelet or a collar out of it!"
Now about yourself...you said that you are good with your blade. That is great but what are your preferred tactics. Are you one to harry the flank or stand there toe to toe with a foe? What magics do you possess? Do you usually enhance yourself or a group?
Derym says, "I am an arcanist, and am capable of all sorts of magic without any particular specialty. Generally, I tend to use my magic to impede and weaken enemies before finishing them off with my blade -- I'm fond of spells like stone call and grease to imbalance and prevent foes from swarming, though I'm not above using a colour spray to deal with a group trying to swarm us... and, of course, I do tend to keep a few damaging spells as well for when they're needed."
He shrugs, "I've never really much cared for summoning spells, though. Take too long to cast."
After a few minutes, Ramona takes her leave
"There is a lot of things to take care of with the new shipment and other new colonists. I need to go handle the logistics. It was good to meet you Derym, and it looks like you're in good hands. if you will be working with these folks, feel free to join us tomorrow night for dinner with Carver Hastings. we are going to give him a report of recent activity and come up with a plan for handling the threat of the island the hag indicated."
with that she heads out, paper in hand and is almost immediately pulled aside by someone who has business with her.
_________________________
once the group is finished at the tavern , they go their separate ways for the night.
in the morning, the weather is calm. in fact as you leave your homes, everything feels a little... too calm. you see no one in the streets, and the sounds of a bustling colony town are absent
"Do you have a place to pass the night already Derym?" Lolito looks to Kragg "The inn has good chambers but Kragg is really trying to get rich here" he laughs in good mood.
---
The next day the man wakes up from his short meditation and starts walking in the strangely calm streets. Before starting to work in the wooden plow he promised the colonists, he rushes to wake up the others and gather them "I do not like it. The streets are too calm. Something is going on"
Lolito starts to knock on random houses to check whom is there and whom is not and find out why is so calm around.
"Hey Alyn, you should have picked up its pincers and made a bracelet or a collar out of it!"
"I will think about it next time I'm being eaten alive, but I'm not much of a jewelry maker. I may need to commission something."
Alyn is going to check the gear that was just dropped off.
Unfortunatlwy the inn has not been started yet. I plan on doing so as soon as possible once the funds are in order. Kragg finishes the meal with pleasantries before taking his leave and finishes minor tasks around the bar. He helps a last few patrons before retiring for the night.
In the morning he is in the middle of his prayers when Lolito stops in. Nodding his head that he heard him Kragg still finishes his duty to Abadar before joining the monk. At once he notices the more subdued atmosphere and is concerned as well. Quite the difference from yesterday. I did not hear anything that would suggest a day off or an event going on. We need to find Ramona and ask what is happening.
While Lolito knocks on doors Kragg makes his way to Ramona’s house and listens first for strange sounds before knocking. If she open he immediately asks What food do I not like? before anything else happens.
Derym shakes his head, "I don't, so any recommendation would be appreciated."
---
The next morning, Derym steps out into the street, then blinks as he notes the complete lack of activity. He begins to walk the vacant streets, looking for any signs of life, while having a mental conversation with Antipatharian as he goes.
Well, this is quite the change...
I... don't think this is normal. Not after yesterday's bustle... Unless everyone's sleeping it off after yesterday's heavy work and celebrations.
The contrast in noise and activity striking.... Say, haven't there been legends about colonies suddenly going missing...
I think that those are just campfire tales.... besides, if there was some force scooping up everyone in the colony, then why were *we* spared?
Some sort of magical atunement, maybe?
---I hate when you have plausible ideas. Let's head back to Kragg's to see if they know what's going on--
--or if they've vanished?
I didn't need you to finish that thought.
He sighs, and heads to, he hopes, find his new colleagues.
Lara groans as the sunlight streaming through her cabin window wakes her up. Stumbling out of bed, she throws on a change of clothes and her mithral shirt, then grabs her gear and heads out the door. "Quiet...." she observes to herself. "Maybe everyone's still asleep."
On the other hand, usually she's not the first one awake...with a feeling in the pit of her stomach, she heads for Kragg's bar.
[oooc]everyone is going in different directions, so spoilers for now!
Lolito goes to find Kragg. the dwarf goes to check on Ramona, and Lolito goes to knock on some random doors. you knock on 4 different doors. three are not answered, the third is opened by a half-asleep man who looks at you and says "yeah, what can i do for you?"
Kragg is not at his bar by the time you arrive. everything looks tidied up from the last night. you wait for a few minutes and see Derym coming your way. looks like he had the same idea
Derym walks through town. he is not very familiar with the place yet, but can easily find the way back to Kragg's tavern. as you walk through town you see that it is not completely empty, there are people still, but they seem to be staying in their homes, with very little activity in the public areas of town. you see a child run around the corner of a house, which is almost creepier than not seeing anyone...
when you arrive at the tavern you see that Lara is there also looking for Kragg, but the dwarf is not there right now
you head to the dock, where Rmaona has indicated you can find your supplies. a man is there with bundles of supplies for various people, all clearly labelled. he has a pile of papers with lists on them.
"ah there you are! Yes, I have some things for you. give me a minute, it's right... here. he pulls out a bundle with your name on it
"you picking up for anyone else? lots of people still need to pick up their orders. surprised how many things i still have waiting here, normally people jump on a delivery like this."
the door opens after a few minutes, Ramona looking quite busy.
"ah yes, hello Kragg. um... turnips. and who was the first stalker?
once you finish verifying each other, she invites you in.
"what can i do for you? a lot going on today, and my secretary is nowhere to be seen. hopefully just being lazy" she gives you a meaningful look. it's clear that as relaxed as the town seemed yesterday she is still definitely worried about the invaders.
"Ehh... opppp... I guess I just wanted to know you are ok Sir" Lolito looks around "Is all the people at your home ok? Most of the houses seem empty today, it is strange."
If nothing strange is found, he moves over Lara and Alyn house to check on them before moving on to Ramona's house where Kragg said was going.
"Ya I will take anything for Lolito, Thame, Kragg, and Lara. I can bring their stuff them."
Looks like we're not the only two souls left on the island...
Maybe she's too new too?
Now you're just being paranoid...
He smiles and waves to Lara, "Good morrow... Is it usually this quiet in the morning? I was starting to think we were the only ones awake."
Lara shakes her head as she approaches Derym. "No. Have you seen the others? I'd expected they'd be here at Kragg's. Is there no one inside?"
Derym shakes his head, "I've not seen anyone -- but haven't gone inside yet, either."
Lolito talks to the man who answered his door for a few minutes. the man assures you that everything is fine, he hasn't been out yet this morning so he can't speak for anyone else.
Lolito makes his way to Ramona's and sees that Kragg is already there talking with her. as he walks up, the two are just about to go inside
you don't see any sign of the rest of your party, but after a few minutes one of Kragg's workers comes up to open for the morning
"oh, uh hello there. we'll be open in a few minutes if you need food. if you're looking for Kragg I don't think he's here, but I'm sure he'll be back soon. he always likes to be involved in operations when he's around"
Derym smiles at the man and says, "Looking for both Kragg and breakfast, so we can probably do the second while waiting on the first."
Kragg quickly answers Medrinah was the first and hopefuly only stalker. Thank you for answering the test. I was concerned as when I awoke this morning there was no noise, no hustle and bustle of a new colony. Maybe I am just paranoid after the last time but where is everyone and why if it is such a busy day today that no one else is around? Where can we find your secretary to check and her and who is she?
He spies Lolito out of the corner of his eye and waves him forward as well. Glad to see you. Have you noticed how quiet everything is today? I was just asking Ramona about it.
Lolito smiles back at Kragg and exchanges a few password gestures to make sure they are each other "Yeah. Most troubling thing. Things have changed a lot here or there is something going on"
The man looks at Ramona for what she might think about it.
Alyn returns with the team orders to Kragg's bar. Along the way, he will keep an eye out for anyone who seems to be paying too much attention to him. He will have Trick flying way overhead keeping a birds-eye view of the colony.
"Kragg, mostly," Lara chimes in. She glances at the hired help. "Kind of quiet this morning, isn't it?"
at the Civilization's Edge:
the man opens the door and looks around inside
"we don't have a full meal service yet, I am helping Kragg get things set up for more meal services. we should have some new folk starting soon. we have some food that we have started stocking, and i can make you a little something, but we're not fully open yet
At Ramona's house:
Her name is Eskelda, she lives in one of the small houses close to the docks. she's usually very punctual, I'm surprised she is this late. the rest of the town might not be very busy, but I am! today is the last day before the ship departs for the mainland, and I have a lot of work to do. letters to various people, orders for more supplies, reports to file with the Company... all things that a secretary is very helpful to accomplish!
i have not been outside yet today, but you say things are more quiet than normal? hopefully it's nothing, things are never all that busy here. we have found a nice routine to our days generally. if it is concerning to you though, I trust your judgement. maybe you should round up your other members and look into it. and if you see Eskelda please send her here at once!
Kragg listens to Ramona's explanation and nods his understanding at her words. That makes sense. It has beena while since we were here paying attention to the normal everyday rituals that people have fallen into. Thanks for the help. I will grab the others and go look for Eskelda for you. In the meantime good luck with the paperwork and see you tonight at the dinner.
With that Kragg takes his leave. Shall we grab a bite Lolito at my kitchen before heading to the docks and finding Eskelda? Nothing too filling but maybe a bowl of grits with cream and honeyed bread with cheese.
Once Alyn arrives at the bar with everyone's gear he sets it in their rooms and head into the dining area to wait.
Lolito looks understanding Ramona "If there is something we can do to help... We cannot solve all the problems in the world caused by Dahak's minions Ramona. We sometimes need to pause and let things just flow and find their way on their own"
"We will try to find Eskelda. It seems that will be helpful for you" with a nod, he leaves Ramona's office.
Outside he smiles wide showing his disarranged teeth and palms his belly "Ah yah! That is a great idea Kragg, you know?!"
---
Back at the tavern Lolito greets everyone else "Hey yah! Good morning. Things are a bit calm today, isn't it?"
"Have you seen Eskelda by any chance? Ramona is looking for her secretary"
"I picked up our shipment if you want to check if your stuff is there."
"That is strange" musses Lolito "Well... what do you think if we approach the docks and look for her?"
"Ramona said she lives in one of the small houses in that part of the city so we can knock the doors there and see what we can find out"
"Sounds like a plan."
Derym nods, "Can you describe her to me? In case w -- I see her, that is."
That was an interesting correction...
At the moment, we don't know them other than we're working with them. No need to be proclaiming your existence just yet..
*sigh* I suppose. This is why I don't have any friends...
And here I thought it was because you could only speak to me?
"Erm... well... that is a good question..." Lolito looks hopeful to Kragg "I guess we look for a middle age woman with ink in his hands, perhaps even glasses?"
One way or another, Lolito moves on with the group to the docks area and paying great attention to the 'calmness' going on there, he knocks the door of a few houses, and asks in which one lives Eskelda.
Kragg heads with the others to find Eskelda but makes sure to spend time with any colonists that he may see in the vicinity. He asks them how things are going and keeps it brief but positive. The hope is to not raise any suspicions but rather keep things light and friendly.
diplomacy w/ guidance