Haggin will look at Jeanne and ask, So how were you able to get away with killing that creature and sending the other as if he were a scolded child? Somebody isn't telling us what they know.
Ariston listens in on the conversation and then snorts.
To Wald and anyone else who cares to respond, in Common: "What can we hope to do? Several of you seem to hold out hope for parlay or an effective resistance. I cannot say that I much agree with your optimism, although if any of you have a plan of action to back up these desires, I would be keen to hear it."
He sighs here. "Believe me, I would love to leave without any of us having to be dragged to some aquatic kingdom, but can we get the ship sailing before they catch us? Can we outrun them? If they board us again, can we fight them all off? There are too many variables here - an escape on our part would be in many parts thanks to luck."
A fine throw that was Jeanne!
Filios walks up and toes the body of the aquatic leader.
Wald, since you speak their language, can you find out if they will let us be now, and if they know where the closest parcel of land may be?
He turns to Haggin and Ariston,
I say we get moving, in one direction, or another. Hopefully, Wald can figure out what may be the best course after talking with the retreating thing, but I would take my chances outrunning them if they persist in threatening us. I certainly do not want to give into the absurd request of a trial and potential underwater captivity.
I'd rather die than give into tyrannts any day, but I don't pray to die everyday! Wald seems to know at least something about who he's speaking to, and from their reactions their values are different than ours for sure. If this had been my people and someone slew them from behind like that, there'd of been no holding me back! Hah!
But these think differently....
He makes no motion to stop the subordinate undine from leaving
"We make our own luck, what we really need is to know where land is."
I agree, Sal. Hey Wald! Ask them where the nearest land is, will ya?
Drysten stands up from kneeling over the hurt creature and returns to his spot on the stairs. He talks at the conscious creature, at because it doesn't seem as if the creature can understand. Why did you attack us? We are only travelers that have lost out way through magical means. Or maybe divine means. Still, did you see the bodies and decide that we were weakened? Or did we desecrate your sea with our dead bodies?
Drysten trails off with that thought and takes a seat. He pulls out his holy symbol and absentmindedly flips it in the air. He looks at the hole in the deck and then back to the creature. I hope you're happy about that, making the crew put a hole in its own deck.
he tries to hear what is happening below. It doesn't sound like they're fighting down there, maybe trying to figure out what to do with you. I'm curious to know what they are saying, but I don't need to be involved in the decision making. I've never really felt comfortable making decisions for others, I'd rather just follow orders and show them that i do belong.
he trails of again, looking at the unconscious creature he just healed. I saved him, you know. He was going to die but he should be fine now. I hope they don't decide to kill all of you, it seems unnecessary
Following Filios's request, Wald strikes up a conversation with the departing soldier which stops momentarily to talk with him. In the meantime, Jeanne looks at Haggin rather angrily.
"I'm not a bloodthristy widowwench, Gnome. You think I like killing people?" She was obviously (now, anyway) upset by her actions. The question was apparently rhetorical as she heads to the cargo hold, and you can her a male & female greet her - the other two (conscious) crew.
Wald turns to Filios with a smile on his face. It was hard to know if he was simply relieved the combat was over or if he had good news. Perhaps he was just happy to be useful. "He says it's about two days to land in either direction. There's a place called Hell's Maw - at least that's how it translates - to the East. There are apparently demons there which is why they thought we were in league with them. To the West, there's Futa's Atoll, which seems to be in their territory." He watches the undine climb the stairs. "For the patrols though, they have a fight-on-sight policy for intruders. I didn't ask why. They'd pull the same stunt the other group did before he'd have a say - and he wouldn't have much, he thinks."
********
Above deck, Dristen sees an undine walk topside. The cleric notices he looks a bit sad, is unarmed, but better off than the other two. He takes a few steps towards his friend, but keeps a distance from him . The two talk briefly.
Drysten starts a little as the creature appears at the top of the stairs. He starts to put on his shield and then stops. They must have decided to let him go free. He stays on edge through the conversation though. When the creature leaves he moves to the railing he had just departed and shouts: Hey wait! You forgot to bring your friends with you.
Well, sounds like it is either Hell's Maw or Futa's Atoll. Either way, we will likely not be looked upon favorably. Any suggestions? In any event, I say we set a course and move as fast as we can.
Haggin looks after the woman. I never said anything of the sort! Regardless, you still didn't answer my question. You kill that creature and no one seems to mind? You point and the other one sulks away? How does one manage that without some type of sorcery or the like?
Addressing Filios, I think at this point I prefer Hell's Maw. I don't want to deal with these ruffians anymore.
Topside, the undine throws up his hands in a gesture you might feel indicates weaponlessness; he doesn't say anything to Dristen, but he doesn't continue walking. His face doesn't harbor the pointed, angry looks of the group when they attacked.
Another visitor also reappears; a raven lands on the railing nearby the undine. It's eyes are the recognizable bright green. They peer around the deck, and the bird caws thrice.
*****************
Beneath, the group discusses amongst themselves which location sounds more (or less) appealing, and the (former) first mate walks over to Haggin and gives him a nudge. Mostly unwatched by the group due their height, he takes advantage of the situation. Not whispering, but talking quietly:
"She's a sensitive one, Jeanne. Her parents were killed by a band of rampaging orcs, and since she's hated violence. Only orcs she despises more - your friend even upsets her, though she knows he's done nothing. I'm sure she did it to protect herself - and us. The other one was actually fighting the orders of his better; I let her know with a little cantrip of mine." He wiggles his fingers in a pseudo-magical display, looking quite silly in the process. "But I'm sure you know one or two yourself, lad."
He lets the conversation take its course. With no clear plan of action, he breaks the doldrum. "Hell's Maw it is! I'll rouse the crew and get the Mist Lady going to ... wherever it is." He heads into the cargo hold to retrieve his deckhands then heads topside.
Well, whatever her reason, I'm glad she did it and that it all worked out. At least we have some idea where to go, though I've never heard of such a place. Interesting indeed.
Drysten watches as the bird lands on the ship That bird!
Dristen stares at the bird a while and then flips his gaze back tovthe mote immediate threat. Why are they here and who ate they? He keeps his negative holy symbol at the ready.
"Hell's Maw? We're choosing the demons over these creatures? I can't imagine they'll be much friendlier. But so be it - it seems no matter the direction we'll have hostile folk making attempts on our lives."
Sounds about right to me.
The one above deck walks over to his companions on the ground. They exchange brief words before picking up their unconscious friend ... and promptly tossing him overboard. They then dive in after him.
The sharks do not seem to go into a feeding frenzy, though the visitors were plenty bloodied.
For the next few hours, nothing major happens. the deckhands come up to work, sans Rellington whom you are told is recovering. Wald seems to focus his gaze on the raven from time to time, but the bird pays him little mind, fluttering around the ship's trappings. It flies off over the water at sunset, beautiful and bright red.
****************'
The next day was clear, but the one thereafter wasn't. Clouds hung overhead, and though there wouldn't be a storm until tonight , a cool, gentle breeze blew. It felt refreshing as the temperatures were warm, though not quite hot, during the day. Food was aplenty as there were less mouths to feed, providing ample opportunity to talk. None of the crew exactly seemed chipper though. Rellington least of all, perhaps due his injury; he had some broken ribs from a powerful trident jab, and it was hard for him to walk on his right leg. His age likely didn't help either.
As evening came, Wald made an announcement to the group. "Looks like there's a tip of land over ... that way, he says, gesturing." He readily shares his spyglass for any caring to look for themselves. A thin strand of land was nearer to them than the wider, barely visible gray outline of what you might assume to be the mainland beyond. "We can get her there in a few hours. Maybe this "Hell's Maw" is the place farther away?" it was unclear if the two were connected at this point - the former perhaps a peninsula - or if it was a small island. At any rate, it would likely be dark when you arrived.
A familiar cawing returned as the raven, known to most of you know, perched itself in the crow's nest after making its trip to the Mist Lady once more.
Is that land? Haha! About time! We really should check it out, shouldn't we? What do you think, Drax? We should take a look indeed.
Drysten takes a look through the glass and then looks questioningly at Wald. Are we going to make landfall at night, Captain?
Filios stands next to Dristen and peers towards the land.
I say we make landfall as soon as possible. I need to rest my feet on dry land regardless of its inhabitants.
Wald smiles at Dristen. "This isn't your first voyage, I see. The Mist Lady will stay aways out. I've noticed coral in the water below actually - it's not that deep now as it is. Once we spot a sandbar - or it gets too dark - we can take a rowboat out." There was a small boat of that type, you may recall, in the cargo hold. It was only large enough to fit four people comfortably, but with cramming, you could get more on it. Given some of the group's small stature, it was quite doable.
He chuckles at Filios. "A little wetness won't hurt those pointy ears of yours."
******************
An bit over an hour later, the sun rests on the horizon. Those with good eyes can spot a sandy ridge just beneath the water - maybe a foot - that spans quite a distance about 50' in front of you, the water going from a Caribbean blue to a muddy mixture of that and tan. "This is as far as she'll go," states Balo. The deckhands had already pulled up the vessel for you and lowered it into the water; while there was a place to raise and lower it starboard, for your original trip, possible hostile navies in the inner sea could take advantage of its accessibility, so it was taken inside. Two oars rested within the vessel. "I'm set to ... look over the ladyfolk here. Wald will want to stay with his ship, and Rellington's still sore. There's plenty of room for you to look around. Let us know what you see."
The others had gone beneath deck for the evening shortly beforehand, and now Balo joined them. As daylight waned, the island (not a peninsula now, it was clear) rested about a half-mile away. Densely populated with trees inside the white-sand rim, it appeared uninhabited. Slightly warmer than when you arrived, the climate was temperate still.
With a caw, the raven flew off toward the island.
Filios prepares to enter the rowboat.
Who else will join me heading ashore?
Drysten sighs at Filios' insistence.
I'll go along if everyone else wants to tonight but i think a morning approach would be best. Early, before the sun comes up so we aren't spotted rowing up.
To Haggin before the ship is docked. "Yes, maybe we can find some semblance of civilized sanity out here."
Later to Filios and Dristen on deck. "I am fine with right now, but if we go at night we only take those for whom this night is more comfortable than the harsh light of day. Unfortunately most here seem to be blind so I would suggest we wait for that morning sun."
Land! hell yes I'll go with you, get me off this boat and onto sweet solid land!
I was simply suggesting we leave now because dusk and the cover of night may be the best way to approach unnoticed. However, Sal makes a good point that some of us will be without the ability to see at night. I am still willing to take that chance and rely upon those who can. let's make it a majority decision for those who wish to row ashore. My vote has already been cast, and I believe Gansukh makes two. Please weigh in.
I'm with Drax, but really I wouldn't mind getting my feet on solid ground either. Whatever you guys think is best. I'll go with you whenever you decide.
The group had noticed a moon rising nightly. It was mostly full now, and given the sparse cloud cover of the day, it's quite likely there would be a bit of light from the celestial body during night.
The moon is bright, if we want to move at night this would be a good night to do it.
Drysten sighs. "I guess we can go now.
gets a the wenches to the boat moving to lower the small boat off the side so they can go ashore
Filios climbs in, and prepares to row ashore.
Ariston had been rather restless since the sighting of land, gathering the remainder of his equipment left down in the bunkroom on deck, and proceeding to pace agitatedly up and down the deck.
When Dristen objects to heading to land immediately, Ariston snorts and shakes his head. "Dristen, I appreciate your sensibleness, but if I do not get off this damn boat soon enough I am going to go wild." After the halfling's acquiescence, he slaps Dristen good-naturedly, if perhaps a little too roughly, on the back. "Excellent! Let's get to it, then!" He promptly joins Filios in the boat.
Haggin will go and collect his belongings and head to the boat. Along the way he will stop and wait for Saladraxis if she is not already there. We can't leave her behind on the ship. If no one else will wait for her, I will.
Drysten grabs his packs, dons his breastplate, and follows the others into the boat.
Sal is more than happy to get solid land beneath her feet. Grabbing her supplies and making sure her weapon is in good working order she moves to the row boat
As you row out to the island, the sun sets. Brilliant crimson streaks fly across the sky behind you, the land approaching coated in an orange-red. Looking over the side of the crowded boat, it's clear the water isn't that deep; underwater foliage is visible here and there, though the empty patches which occasionally appear occasionally allow a glimpse of sand at the bottom. In some areas, the taller of the party would even be able to stand.
Not completely dark, due the moon rising and the aura of the sun still illuminating the dome the atmosphere provides, details of the island begin to be visible. Beautiful white sand encases the jungle within, probably 50 feet or so on the outside.
The occasional fish swims by you, and crabs are seen occasionally as your craft sails closer to the island. Much shallower now, except for the smaller creatures in your boat, walking to shore would be very doable. In fact, it's a necessity - the boat runs "aground" beneath the water; only 2-3 feet deep, there's no way to make it go any further. It's about 60' to shore from here.
During the boat ride, Ariston switches his view between the island and the sunset. If he were a romantic, it might have taken his breath away. As it was, the sight was very pleasant to behold, and the encroaching night equally so. As they reach the island and it takes command of his full attention, his gazes fixes on the plants bordering the jungle.
"Hm. That'd be useful." When the boat comes ashore, Ariston hauls himself over the side and into the water, which doesn't even come midway up his body. "It seems we will have to walk from here. Would any of you like... assistance?" He raises an eyebrow as he says this.
Odd, what is that? Sal points towards the small roundish object and whispers."We should put in over there, something odd on the beach we may want to check out."
Readies his tetsubo and leaps out on the shore alert and taking point
The warrior's feet land with a splash in the shallow water as he walks towards dry land.
Filios quietly gets out of the boat, and as it empties, draws it with him as he advances to the shore.
Seems like quite the paradise. I see it too, Sal. let's approach the shore away from it, whatever it may be.
Drysten clambers over the side of the boat, trying to see what the others are seeing. The light is too dim for him though, and he turns his attention to the others who are leaving the boat behind. Hey guys, I think we should take the boat with us. If we leave it here someone will probably take it.