Aerys pushes through the undergrowth to stand next to you before launching a much more confident attack than previous days.
The snake strikes back at her in response.
Sasha, too, pushes forward to your left and stabs forward with her rapier.
Jask stays back and reacts to cast a healing spell on the first ally to be struck.
The area here is choked with plants and tree roots, making for difficult terrain.
Aaron will five foot step to flank with Aeyrs. He attacks
For:
"Hah! You can't hurt us foolish predator!"
Aerys launches her own follow up attack.
Aerys launches her own follow up attack...
...and the sharp blow to it's head knocks it clean unconscious. Sasha permits you the finishing blow, but is happy to make the attack if you do not wish to do so, stabbing it through the skull.
---
The four of you continue south, finding yourself guided along the east side of the river by the tracks of Iaena and Kovack. You follow them near to where the river meets the sea, whereupon you see, clearly, the remains of yet another shipwreck not far off the delta of the river. As you draw closer, you see that the tracks have disappeared to the river. Jask looks up and gasps. "By Nethys' madness, it cannot be so!" You look closer, and clearly stenciled on the side of the ship are the words "The Brine Demon". "Aaron, we must inspect it. The very documents that might prove my innocence could be aboard this very ship!"
A ninety-foot-long shipwreck leans against the cliff side and several jagged reefs here, encrusted with salt and moss. Its masts remain intact, but the sails have long since rotted away. At the bow, a leering demonic figurehead of green-caked brass provides an intimidating greeting.
Aaron looks at the ship and then at the tracks. He clenches his fists and sighs. He wipes sweat from his forehead. He then lets out a heavy sigh. "Right. Let's go check it out." Aaron leads the group to the Brine Demon to look for Jask's evidence.
You descend to the wrecked ship, and quickly note that most of it's hull has completely rotted away. However, the captains cabin appears to be mostly in one piece and fully enclosed. The four of you proceed carefully into the wreckage, and are able to pick out a path through rotting, salt crusted timbers to a set of stairs leading higher up the ship, eventually to that cabin. En route, you each look around and discern that nothing of value remains in the lower holds.
When you close on the entrance of the cabin, you see several skeletons littering the main deck of the ship in front of the captain's door. A quick inspection reveals bones scored by a fine cutting edge, clearly not a natural predator. They are quite salt crusted as well, and show no trace of having been disturbed for years.
The door itself takes some persuasion to open, but once it does you see a curious sight: a skeleton lies slumped upon the floor, its bony hands clutching at a nearby desk where a secret compartment has been opened to reveal a well crafted, darkwood coffer. A pitted and rusted sword lies at its side.
"Hmpf," Jask grunts. "So ended the great captain Kinkarian, I presume. Looks like he was killed by his own men, no less, and good riddance! Golarion is better without him."
"Kinkarian, you say?" Aerys chimes in. "He was among the Free Captains, though very low in respect and regard by the others. He did, however, appear to have had a fairly profitable career, until disappearing after a particularly large, 'acquisition.'" Sasha and Jask both give Aerys odd looks, until she crosses her arms and blurts out, "What? I lived in the Shackles among pirates. One hears things!" The odd looks do not leave their faces, but Jask simply shakes his head and turns his attention to the coffer.
"The lock appears to be jammed," he reports. "Aaron, have you any skill with such things." You examine it for a moment , and with the proper application of Jask's dagger, the coffer pops open. Inside, you find a ream of papers, three journals, a heavy locket that appears to be made of solid gold, and an excellently crafted dagger. Jask opens the papers and journals on top of the slightly slanted desk and begins pouring through the records.
If you draw the dagger from it's sheath, it emits a soft orange glow that diffused throughout the room.
If you pop open the locket, you see an exquisite portrait of a red haired half-Elven woman, and the name 'Aeshamara' is inscribed underneath.
You look back up to see tears beginning to well up in Jask's eyes. "Vindication," he whispers. "Vindication and sweet justice shall be mine, and I shall be restored." He sighs deeply and turns to you. "Thank you, Aaron. I know you ardently pursue your own revenge, and I will help you to fulfill it." He looks about. "Come, there is little left here. Let us be on our way." He puts the documents back in the watertight coffer and snaps the lid shut, bringing it with him.
Once Jask has what he needs Aaron will put a hand on Jask's shoulder. "I am glad to have been able to help. I have a feeling I will come across my former captain soon enough and will get my chance at payback." He will also clasp Aeyrs on the shoulder. "Right now, not only your survival but." He looks at Sasha. "All of your friendship is important." He will straighten up, wobbling a little as he is still struggling from the effects of the nettles, and make his way to the door. Looking back he smiles weakly. "Let's get moving."
Along the way Aaron will show the locket to Jask. "This name sounds familiar. Like I heard it in a dream. For some reason I recall you as apart of that dream and some ghost. Do you make anything of it?"
Aerys nods at your affirmation of friendship, and while Sasha simply smirks, she refrains from making any snarky copies.
Jask snaps his fingers. "The figure on the waves last night was howling that name! If she was this important to him, Kinkarian may rest at peace. We should be cautious, as he may be interested in some of these belongings we have taken from his cabin."
---
After exploring the ship, it is now past noon, and the afternoon heat has set in and requiring a brief break until the moderately cooling afternoon rains return. You go back to where you last found Iaena and Kovack's trail and each take a moment to prepare before plunging across the swifty running water that heads out into the natural bay...
...whereupon all four of you emerge drenched, but refreshed on the other side. After crossing, you and the others take a moment to re-find the trail.
After relocating the trail, you press further southwest for a few hours and find yourselves facing, of all things, a well beaten path running northwest by southeast. Sasha stoops and inspects it. "Hmm..." she ponders, "Looks a fair amount like the trail we saw back at that abandoned camp. The one with the plant lady. About the same width, decently well beaten." She stands and smiles. "Excellent! No more tromping through the underbrush! This should make moving that much faster. Now, it's almost dark, should we stop hee and sleep on the path itself, or head either northwest or southeast for a bit and see if we find a better location to stay?"
Aaron nods. "Yes I agree. We should set up camp on the trail." He looks at his friends and smiles. As they set up camp Aaron approaches Aeyrs. "So, you feeling better? You look like your doing quite well" Aaron will sit down next to her if she allows. "So, now that your are free of your "crutch" what do you plan to do next?" Aaron pauses for a moment. "I mean, after we get off the island of course."
----
Aaron will also make an attempt to talk to Sasha. "You know, out of everyone who is trapped on this island, you seem to be having the most fun. Honestly, I find it very refreshing. You have become the highlight of my time on this island. I will not forget you ever for as long as I live."
----
Aaron will also sit and chat with Jask. "We've come quite a ways haven't we? I remember when we first met, you were so resigned to your fate. I know your free now but why did you give up so easily?" Aaron thinks for a moment before Jask can speak. "Well I mean, it was just strange, it is good to see you with a new vigor."
If any of them care to look closely. Aaron seems quite upset, in spite of his friendly and relatively sincere attitude. He has been quiet most of the day and he seems almost desperate for conversation when he asks his questions.
You and the others bed down for the evening after a long day on the trail. Sasha heads out to see what she can find for all of you to eat while the rest prepare a campsite.
Sasha returns with a veritable bounty of gathered fruits and wildlife. With a huge grin at her success, she immediately begins preparing the game for consumption over the small fire.
---
Aerys seems to understand your mood, and nods politely, giving a half smile as she clears away branches and vines. "Yes, Aaron, thank you. I am feeling quite a bit better. As to what next, well, there is always the Abednego Cantos to finish... But then I have not showed them to you yet! A moment, let us finish setting up."
She bustles about finishing camp, then rummages in her pack and produces a small waterproof box, opens it, and pulls out a small book. "I have been writing poetry for the better part of my life, and this is my current work. If you care to read it, I'm happy to let you do so. It is a little long, so you may not be able to read it in one sitting, but you are welcome to borrow it any time you like." She hands the book over to you. It is small, unadorned, and wrapped in blue leather. Opening it, you find page after page of verse devoted to ships and sailing. "I'd be honored to have you read them," she says with a smile.
---
Sasha laughs, and while she appears oblivious to your mood, carries on. "I am glad to be so memorable. Of course! How could one not enjoy the sheer thrill and challenge that is survival! I'm glad that it improves your interest in the island. There are many places here to be explored, and while I admire yor devotion towards revenge, should we not take more time to enjoy this place?" She sighs and stretches. "It's such a welcome change from mother and her rules, always baiting me into disappointing her. No wonder she ordered me out of Ilizmagorti." As she stretches about, you catch sight of a patch of red tattoo ink between her shoulder blades.
---
Jask is keenly aware of your current mood, and claps you on the shoulder to encourage you. "I do recall that first meeting. How could we then have known what would happen! I am thankful that you survived to aid us in this, Aaron. It is good to have proof of at which I have claimed for so long. I will be quite happy to see my son, Umagro, when I return. It has been more than a decade now, and I am desperate to see him."
He sits back for a moment. "Wiuld that you were a student of the arcane. I have learned much of careful patience and meditation that leads to a more focused mind. They are lessons best kept uninterrupted and take nearly a day, but I would offer them to you, if they would help ease your mind. Do let me know if I might interest you."
When Aeyrs offer her anthology Aaron looks at the book. "They occasional bits of poetry you would speak on occasion gave me the idea that you had talent. This is fascinating. Thank you for trusting this to me. I'll make sure to return it in a similar condition." later in the night, if Aeyrs is still awake she may notice him reading it completely enamored. He loves ships and sailing and he also really enjoys poetry.
----
As Aaron notices the tatoo, he gently caresses the tatoo on her back. If she doesn't pull away he will continue caress her back and ask. "This symbol, was this your choice? Why does it sound like your mother hates you? I mean, your a perfectly wonderful woman. At times a little over eager to pick a fight but that isn't always a bad thing." If she allows he begins rubbing her back trying to massage her back and shoulders.
----
Aaron looks at Jask with a surprised expression. "A cleric and an Arcane caster too? My you have been nothing but surprises since we met." Aaron chuckles. "It is funny you would mention that. I have been studying the idea of dabbling in the bardic field. I've been studying spells and performing arts for just that purpose. I hope to write about my ventures in epic novels someday. I would like your training at some point while we are here. However, that would be after we find the captain. You Game?"
----
Aaron will continue to talk to the others until they settle for the night. He will then stay up a bit to read Aeyrs book.
Aerys nods in appreciation of your words. "You are kind to say so. Do let me know if you prefer to hear any out loud, though I am not much for public speaking." Throughout the night your group will rest for 12 hours. As you need 8 hours of rest and your watch is 3 hours long, you can either get in one hour of reading, or try to keep watch and read at the same time.
----
Your touch on Sasha's skin does not, unfortunately, garner the reaction you might have hoped. Sasha's elbow suddenly and reflexively speeds toward your face... . It crunches into your forehead, and looks to make a wicked bruise.
"Hands off the tattoo, sailor! Two words about my hometown doesn't give you permission to get handsy." She stands up and stalks off to the far side of camp, going just out of the range of the fire. If you try to approach her, she continues walking around the opposite side of the campfire. Aerys and Jask start at the outburst, suddenly busy themselves with their packs.
----
"Truly?" Jask asks. "Then perhaps what I might offer you would indeed someday help. Again, the process of absorbing these teachings might take some time, but ought to be helpful if you choose to pursue such a path. I am happy to teach you when you feel that we have a free day to spend on this, and am happy to wait until we have found the traitorous Kovack. I would be most curious to hear your performances."
---
As you lie down to read, Aerys takes the first watch. She gives you a curious look, glancing also in Sasha's direction, but she says little while you stay awake to read the book. When you put it away to go to sleep, she recites aloud:
"Now finale to the shore,
Now land and life finale and farewell,
Now Voyager depart, (much, much for thee is yet in store,)
Often enough hast thou adventur'd o'er the seas,
Cautiously cruising, studying the charts,
Duly again to port and hawser's tie returning;
But now obey thy cherish'd secret wish,
Embrace thy friends, leave all in order,
To port and hawser's tie no more returning,
Depart upon thy endless cruise old Sailor."
Aaron nods at Jask. "Thank you. I hope that the path would aid me in my understanding of things as I want to expand my knowledge to all things in Golorion rather than simply just ships. Though, that will be hard to do considering how single minded I can be when it comes to ships."
After he finishes with Jask, he will have his episode with Sasha.
After Sasha's brutal defensive reaction to Aaron's impulsiveness. He will not pursue her. As she walks away Aaron merely crawls further from the camp fire and curls up for a moment. He does not speak or talk to Sasha for the rest of the night.
He sits by himself loathing himself for a few moments for being so foolishly impulsive. He then decides to read the book Aeyrs gave him. It vastly improves his mood as he really gets into it. Before he falls asleep he hears Aeyrs recite poetry. "Thank you." He says.
During his watch he will write profusly in his own journal while reading Aeyrs. "This book is really inspiring. I'm sure my novel will be amazing once I am finished." He will continue to write while keeping watch.
The next day comes around and Aaron will approach Sasha in a very upright manner. "Sasha, I wanted to apologize. I overstepped your boundaries last night and I was wrong for it. I hope that you can forgive me."
Jask nods enthusiastically. "Then I will do what I can to aid you."
---
Aerys nods as her way of saying, "You are welcome," before turning back to watch the trees as you sleep.
Jask wakes you for your watch several hours later. "I noticed nothing that we have not heard before my friend, but stay on your guard."
As you read, you notice the fire occasionally flaring up slightly higher than it should. Suddenly, with a great WHOOSH that wakes the others, the fire leaps high, and a spectral figure glares down at you all. It is garbed in a captain's coat, a tricorn hat, and has a hook at the end of it's left arm. "Thieves! Scoundrels! return my Aeshamara to ME!" He glares at you each in turn, but when his eyes fall upon Sasha, he stops short and, if he had it, would have caught his breath. "Aeshamara? Could it be? Have you at long last, after years of pain and toil, returned to me?"
As Aaron was the one on duty, he will race to stand between Sasha and the eerie figure. Rather than draw his weapon, he simply stands there with his arms spread out wide as if to block the specter. "This is not the woman you seek! This is our friend Sasha and I will not let you touch her! The woman you are after is long dead. Now go back to whatever hell you came from and leave us be!" Aaron will stand there resolute to keep the spook from touching Sasha.
Diplo check to persuade the spook.
The spectral face contorts in rage. “No... No! You are not her! Damnable harpy! Return my Aeshamara to me!" He does not advance any further, but continues giving each of you a menacing glare. When it falls upon Jask, the ghost points and shrieks, "You! You have my Aeshamara! I long to see herm yet you hide her from me!"
Jask stammers, "I- I- I have hidden no person from you! What can you mean?!"
Aaron thinks for a moment then looks to Jask shouting. "The amulet! Did you take the amulet? Give it back. He may leave us alone if we do. Otherwise we'll be in trouble cause I can't fight a ghost."
Jask stumbles over to his pack and digs around for the waterproof box, wrenching it open, snatching the locket and proffering the open picture. The ghost shimmers for a bit, as though sighing, and it takes a step out of the fire toward Jask.
"My Aeshamara... I tried, my beloved. We were to be together, my final prize would have provided for you for the rest of our lives." With each sentence he draws a bit closer to Jask, who, though terrified, remains where he is holding out the locket. "But fool that I was, of course I angered the Navy, and they pursued us. My only course was to draw too near this accursed island, but then it was too late! Would that I had heeded the warnings! We were pulled in, and my crew - Traitors! Cowards! Mutineers! - they turned against me. I cut them down as I retreated from the wheel, but the struck me mortally. With my last breath, I ride to reach you, and now, I can finally..." A spectral hand reaches forward and just grazes the picure inside the locket. With a shudder and wavering of form, you hear a melancholy sigh "...resssst..." With this final word, Captain Kinkarian reaches his true death, and fades from view.
The others stand or crouch still, shocked by the scene. Jask, especially, breathes heavily, and soon looks at the heavy gold locket in his hand, giving a gasp when he does so. "The picture! It has changed!" Looking again, you see that not only is there the face of Aeshamara, but Kinkarian is now also at her side as he appeared in life, gently embracing his beloved.
---
Sasha approaches you later that morning. "You are still a foolish sailor, Tallarn, but thank you for stepping in front of the ghost. Not that you could have stopped it, of course, no more than I, but your gallantry, though foolish, is appreciated."
---
You take a moment and reflect back on these past six days. The shipwreck, waking up to pincers at your feet, discovering the truth of how you came to be wrecked upon the shiv, trying to manage a half-score of sick, poisoned, and terrified castaways, and the past few days of tramping through the jungle, now capstoned by this latest apparition. It brings a new sense of resolve to your mind, one you are sure to need to get off this island alive.
Aaron feels a bit sharper with his combat skills and more comfortable with using his blade. Since arriving to this island, Aaron has had to focus more on his martial skill than anything. He wakes up feeling more agile and skilled.
As Sasha approaches Aaron and thanks him, Aaron blushes a bit. "I'm sorry for what I tried to pull last night. I.....I guess I'm just a bit lonely. It wont happen again." With that Aaron will pack his things and look for the trail again.
HP:
Survival to find the tracks again:
"Lonely? Isn't that the line every sailor uses?" Sasha jokes. "Never figured how all you boys... And ladies," she says with a look at Aerys, "get so lonely when you're packed in like that. Ah, well. We're good today, but don't try anything silly."
---
In a moment of near divine inspiration, you quickly locate the footprints of both Iaena and Kovack, heading northwest along the trail. You take the trail for perhaps an hour, and it definitely makes for faster travel than tromping through the trees.
You are leading the way down the trail when you see a vine stretched across the trail, but looking very out of place. Sasha steps forward when you indicate it to point out the hidden snare to the others. It appears designed to string anything that strides through it up the side of a tree, leaving it upside down.
"I wonder how long it has been here?" Jask asks.
"Such a trap is fairly easy to assemble," Sasha shares, "And rather effective against creatures that do not look too carefully. But it usually needs to be checked and have the tension reset every few days, otherwise it does not operate as effectively. See those marks on the tree it comes down from? Claw marks. Several other animals must been caught by it. No recent arrival put this here."
"Someone coming back to reset it, then?" Aerys asks.
"Clearly not new. Doesn't appear to be either Iaena or Kovack's work. And where there's one, there must be more," Sasha advises. "Keep your eyes peeled, all."
---
After a time, you come to a fork in the road...
...when Sasha calls out a quick halt upon seeing another snare. You all bypass it, and note the location.
Sasha pipes up, "The northeast trail might lead back to the camp where we fought that zombie, plant, woman-thing. This style of path was leading away from there. Could be a quick way to get back to the others."
You do see the tracks for Iaena and Kovack heading further west as the trail winds around.
Aaron continues to follow the trail even after dodging the dangers they had encountered along the way. As the small team pushed on Aaron felt evermore intent on finding Kovack. He could feel it deep within himself that this is what he wanted.
Aaron listens to Sasha for a moment then asks. "What is it you purpose? I'm aiming to hunt these to down. If you need to go back for any reason go on, I'll return once I have found Kovack."
Sasha shakes her head. "No, I'm with you on hunting the Captain and his wench down. Just wanted to point out a clearer way back. Let's be off."
You continue along the trail, moving quick a bit more quickly than you did cutting through the underbrush. Here, there is a plateau to the south and the left all while you are walking along...
...and find another snare, one that Jask very nearly walked straight into before you and Sasha called him to halt. Another half-mile down the road...
...before yet again discovering a snare that, while cleverly concealed, does not escape the notice of either you or Sasha's watchful eyes.
You have hiked for about two hours this morning, and come to yet another fork in the road. This one has a branch going due north, the through a slightly less dense patch of the jungle to the lower elevation of the beach, and as your band peers down the path...
...Jask asks, "Is that a shack I see down on the beach?"
Sasha nods. "Appears to be another camp, maybe three-quarters of a mile to the north. Don't see any movement, but we're a little far out to see anyone at this distance."
The four of you look south...
...and see a path running due south down a 10-foot wide gulch, flanked on either side by 50' high slopes. They are not quite vertical cliffs, but there are copious vines and shrubbery that would make the climb a bit easier.
You check the ground...
...and note that Captain Kovack's bootprints, though faded with the passage of time, are still discernible going to the south.
Aerys pipes up, "Might only be twenty minutes of hiking to get to that camp to the north of here, if you wanted to see if there are any survivors lurking there. I think it unlikely, but it could be possible."
Aaron will simply bypass all snares ib desire for progression. He really doesn't want to lose this trail.
Upon gaining a visual of the camp Aaron listens to Sasha advice. "Let's check out the shack real quick. I don't want to lose Kovack's trail."
Aaron will lead the others to where the shack is established. Once they arrive, Aaron will look around attentively. "Hello! Is anyone here?
Perception:
This campsite looks almost like a series of partially ruined nests made out of palm fronds and driftwood. As you walk about, Sasha scoops and picks up pieces of rusted metal. Holding them up, you see that each is a broken sawtooth sabre.
"Some of my kinsmen, it would seem," she says with a wry smirk and a shake of her head. "The braavos and pirates sailing out of Mediogalti do so love to flash them about on the docks. This style of sabre takes an extra bit of practice to master, but can be devestating in the right hands." A knowing grin emerges on her face while she gazes at the blade in both hands. "Such fine young men. Ah, well. They'll not need these any longer. Jask, could any magic of you- well, Nethys', put one of these back together?"
Jask examines the blades, then nods slowly. "It's possible. Not today, but perhaps tomorrow. Do you mind carrying them for now?"
She shakes her head, states, "Not at all,", secures a mostly complete set of sword, hilt, and scabbard, and straps them across her back.
You search the area, and under a pile of driftwood, you find a finely crafted dagger, still in its protective leather scabbard. The dagger has a fine edge, and the scabbard is etched with the symbol of two crossed mantis claws.
In your search, you also look further down the beach to the west, and see yet another giant crab, this one several times larger than the one you had fought earlier. It's massive shell doesn't move, though in the late morning sun, it may simply be resting. It is perhaps 3/4 of a mile down the beach.
Aaron will pocket the dagger for the moment and without much of a word to the others, he will move to investigate the crab.
The waves crash against a narrow beach of white sand, swirling up and around an immense orange and red crab the size of a small house that crouches on spiny legs.
As you approach, the crab begins moving it's enormous claw slowly sweeping up and down, waving it's claw in your direction. The others with you pull up short at this, and each takes a step back when a curious sound emerges from the crab: a low pitched moan, not unlike the sound of someone dying.
"Never heard one do that before," Sasha quips, "But then, never seen one this big before. Probably tastes terrible..."
The howling continues for a time, crooning forth from the crab. It continues to menace you with it's large claw.
"Come. I do not need to fight more local wildlife. I'd rather get back on the trail if we can." With that Aaron will leave the crab and make his way to where they last saw the tracks from the captain.
Survival:
Once he relocates the tracks he will continue to follow them.
The others turn to follow you, though Sasha takes a moment to look once more before shaking her head and saying, "Oh well. Looked funny, anyway."
You head back down to the fork in the road, relocate the bootprints, and continue south. A mile down the path...
...
...you see yet another snare, this one stretching the full ten feet between the walls of the narrow gulley. Sasha steps closer to look at it. "Just like the others... Except there, spikes. Be pretty nasty if you got caught in it. I'm not sure how to make sure we get around it without tripping it, but maybe I can..."
"...Whoah!" she cries out as the trap suddenly springs. She manages to dodge to the side before it can catch her, and the snare snakes halfway up the side of the cliff.
Sansa breathes heavily for a moment, then gives a loud laugh. "Ha ha ha! Oh wow, that was close. I had barely touched it! Whew! Should we continue down the path?"
---
When you do continue, you head south for a mile...
...before your luck with the snares finally runs out, managing to catch a loop around Sasha's leg and haul her ten feet up into the air! "Gah!!" She dangles there from a tree, swaying back and forth. "Great Gozreh, get me down from here!" she yells.
Just then, you hear a trio of bloodcurdling howls, and turn to see three humans, deeply tanned and decorated with pentagram-shaped scars. They leap forth from the undergrowth, brandishing scimitars and javelins, and attack!
Each hurls it's javelin at you, Jask, and Aerys:
The javelin lances into your left arm, and catches Jask square in the chest. He bellows in pain.
Sasha cries out in surprise, but quickly pulls out her kukri, slashes at the vine holding her, and drops heavily to the ground. , then stands to face the enemies.
Aaron draws his weapon and moves to engage his attackers.
Attack: For:
"Die you miserable vermin!"
Crit confirm: For additional:
Your blade cuts home, and the berserk human male stumbles back under your onslaught, attempting to escape into the trees.
,
You cut him down as he tries to flee, leaving him bloody on the ground.
However, in your rush, you are now between two very imposing men, snarling and howling feral, and gnashing at you with teeth filed to points. They draw battered and chipped scimitars, flank you, and attack!
,
,
However, their dull blades fail to cut through Alton's excellent armor.
Aerys runs up to create a flank of her own with you...
,
...She puts all her weight into the blow, and it crunches home on the man's shoulder.
Jask mutters a prayer to Nethys, yanks free the javelin, gasps in horrid pan, and puts a slightly glowing hand around the gaping wound.
Sasha runs to flank the other enemy, drawing her rapier and laughing maniacally as she closes...
,
...he blade pierces home, and as the enemy howls in angry pain, she giggles furiously.
Aaron attacks the freshest foe.
Attack: +2 if flanking. For: if flanking an additional:
Your sword cuts deep into the enemy between you and Aerys, and he, too attempts to scramble out of the way...
...but not quickly enough to get past both you and Aerys' defensive stances...
, , ,
..and your combined reactive attacks cut him to the ground.
The remaining man bellows in furious rage and slashes out with his scimitar toward you...
,
...but slashes far too wide.
Jask stands back as Sasha launches a full on assault with her rapier and kukri...
, , ,
...manages to somehow drop her rapier, but still score a slash on the enemy's thigh.
Aaron moves quickly into flanking position with the final enemy and attacks.
Attack: For:
Your blade cuts the man to the ground, and the three quickly bleed out onto the jungle ground and lie dead. Sasha and Aerys each move to inspect them. "Ugh," Aerys complains, "Why so hideous? Who would do that to their teeth?"
"Cannibals," Jask states matter of factly. "Cannibals would do that. Do you see the bones adorning their clothes? That one wears finger bones, and that one has a shoulder blade covering his hip." He inspects each, making sure they are dead, before holding aloft his symbol of Nethys and murmuring a prayer for aid. Healing warmth washes over you all.
Sasha rummages through their corpses. "Ah, pretties!" She holds up a necklace with a red pearl pendant. "One on each of them!" She strings the one in her hands around her neck. "They each have javelins, obviously," she states with a sorry look at each of you and Jask. "Might be a good ranged attack for you, Aaron. Shields might be useful, too," gesturing at Aerys, who is picking one up and strapping it to her arm, and a set of javelins to accompany her longbow and arrows.
---
You are at a crossroads. The path leads south and east, winding up the ridge to the east.
In the fight, you lost track of the bootprints. It is now up to your guess as to whether you go east or south.
South. Aaron announces. He then leads the way.
You walk south for about an hour...
[ooc] Perception: Aaron , Aerys , Jask , Sasha , Unknown
...when Aeys manages to walk into a snare that no one sees, flying up into the air with a cry. You all quickly go on alert, but no immediate threat emerges. After some careful positioning and passing a knife up to Aerys, she is cut down and falls into yours and Sasha's arms. "Thanks," Aerys mutters, clearly displeased with herself for her inattentiveness.
Aaron sets Aeyrs "slowly" smiling. "Watch your step, its dangerous around here." Aaron says sweetly. Once he finally sets Aeyrs down he retieves her hat and hands it over. "You going to be okay?"
"Oh, of course I'll be fine," Aerys replies, "Just my pride injured more than anything else." She takes her hat and resets it on her head, then claps you on the shoulder in appreciation. "Thanks for the catch," saying the same to Sasha.
It is now noon, and quite hot for the day, and Jask calls for a rest in the shade while he assesses your group's health. Seeing that you and Sasha have only a couple small nicks and bruises, he withholds magical healing for now. "No telling what we might face later in the day, and how much assistance we will need then."
You wait out the worst of the heat until the afternoon rains arrive, then head south along the trail until it comes to a T, splitting east and west.
The four of you comb over the well traveled path, and Jask discovers the barest outline of Kovack's boot print turned to the west. "It seems our path is clear. Given our recent encounter, we may be best served proceeding very carefully, and quietly. Three men do not survive on their own as well as a whole group. Who knows where we might encounter more?"
At thanks for the catch from Aeyrs, Aaron smiles. "Always a pleasure to catch you my dear."
----
When we stop and break from the heat Aaron will pull out Aeyrs book and his journal. He will start reading Aeyrs book with his undivided attention. Occasionally he will record some things in his journal but no more than maybe a sentence after each 20 minutes of reading.
----
Upon finding Kovack's bootprints Aaron lets out a heave of excitement. "Good job. Your right, we should proceed with caution." Aaron will follow the boots with caution :)
Aerys scoffs, "Yeah, yeah, keep it up, sailor," then stalks over to the nearest tree to get out of the rain. The four of you rig up the three shields you took off the cannibals to create a sort of shelter that keeps the works of the rain off. Aerys appreciates that you take the time to read her work, but the rain makes it difficult to read without the risk of damaging it. Your own notes must wait until later, as it would be top difficult to do both at once without ruining each.
---
When you continue, you hike along the trail for perhaps a mile when...
...
Aerys scoffs, "Yeah, yeah, keep it up, sailor," then stalks over to the nearest tree to get out of the rain. The four of you rig up the three shields you took off the cannibals to create a sort of shelter that keeps the works of the rain off. Aerys appreciates that you take the time to read her work, but the rain makes it difficult to read without the risk of damaging it. Your own notes must wait until later, as it would be top difficult to do both at once without ruining each.
---
When you continue, you hike along the trail for perhaps a mile when...
... Jask spies another snare just before stepping on it. "This is getting intolerable..." he mutters. "At least we've found most of them."
Continuing on, yet another mile passes, when at an almost expected interval...
...
You avoid it, and continue on...
...
You and Jask both note and dodge the next snare. Here the path opens a bit, and you find yourselves walking alongside a slowly-flowing river. You continue on the path in silence for some time...
... And the next snare is discovered almost instantly by you and Aerys, well before you step on it.
It is now almost five hours past noon, and you have trudged through mile after mile of worn jungle path. Tyne oppressive air, the calls of the birds, the chatter of monkeys, all seems to quiet a bit as the path emerges from the dense jungle trees to walk along the shore of a large open bay. You consult your map, figuring yourselves to be on the southwest edge of the island. A large ridge rises on the north side of the bay.
Just past the mouth of the bay, near an island on the north side, you can just make out the half-ruined mast of a ship, clearly claimed by the Shiv.
"Look at the size of that tree..." Aerys breathes in wonder, pointing to an enormous banyan tree, perched on a hill, which rests even higher as it is on top of the ridge to the north. "You could see Eleder on a clear day from atop that tree, I'd wager."
"Might be worth looking," Sasha says with a grin. "Been here a week now, and I'm not sure the rest of the world still exists. Just you lot! Ha!"
Jask scowls a bit at this. "Of course it is there. It must be..." he mutters. "Umagro will be ere to greet me, I know it!"
The trail turns south with the bay, continuing to the edge. As you look down it, you see a curious sight: of all things, what appears to be past of a lighthouse, built in the Chelish fashion. It is more easy to see, now that you are past the interfering treeline, and you can also more easily see... smoke rising from a fire, quite close to the lighthouse. It is perhaps two hours from sundown, and it is perhaps a mile (a half hour's walk on this trail) to the lighthouse.
Aaron looks at the lighthouse in shock. "Well that is an interesting change of developments. I'd bet diamonds that Kovack is there. Also we might be lucky and get it working. Would also be a better place to live while we are on this island. Lets go and check it out." Aaron will lead the other in the direction of the lighthouse.
The four of you set off down the road, the setting sun going down over the bay to your right. As you get closer, it becomes clear that there are quite a few easily visible footprints in the dirt and mud of the trail you are trudging along. "We need to get off the road," Sasha warns, ducking into the trees. "I don't know who else would survive here, but I want to see them before they see me."
"I concur," Jask grunts as he follows, becking you and Aerys to follow.
Aerys hops over a low bush to follow, and is soon concealed behind a sheen of vines and leaves.