"There have been several times that I would have certainly spoiled the food or, in fact, poisoned someone if it had not been for Ambrose's help. He is still teaching me...without him, I'm sure someone will get sick, and if it's me, then who is to nurse me to health. Besides," he points to the damage on the ship, "We will need to repair that before we can head out of here...the storm seems to have damaged our vessel."
Cuddles stands just behind Aldous, giving silent support to his friend.
Tao gets knocked from his hammock with the savage shudder, but is able to right himself at the last second as he feels the ship beaching itself on something hard. The morning roll is called and Tao looks around noticing the absence Sandara and Kroop. Thinking back, he recalled the telltale signs of the Octogobs slimy footfalls and is immediately alarmed at the absence of his missing shipmates. Aldous beats him to the point as he tries to reason with Plugg.
A ship takes time to wepaiw. I tink we can look fow dem whiwe wuk is being done. Don't ya tink dat da wizuh choice fow yow kwew?... Suh.
"He's right. We're not going to make Port Peril unless we make repairs. Better to do it here where we can careen her on the island then be forced to try and patch her up in deep water."
Plugg's face hardens as you plead your case. "Well, I guess it's your lucky day then. The crash punctured our water barrels, and we need to resupply. Since you lot are so eager to help, why don't you head over to that island and bring back some fresh water. It'll give you something to do while we finish up repairs. But realize this: The Man's Promise sets sail as soon as she's seaworthy again, and we're not waiting around for stragglers. You've got 48 hours."
Plugg turns and walks away, calling back over his shoulder as he goes. "One more thing... We don't have time to waste on idiot scum who get washed overboard during a storm. If I catch you spending precious time and resources looking for them, you'll be keelhauled."
Tao gets Cuddles attention to follow him. Tao wants to get on the way as soon as possible and he bustles down below to retrieve the barrels. On his way though he pauses and notices something in his peripherals as he makes his way to the stairs. Looking around to make sure no one is paying to much attention to him, he moves to the starboard railing to find Sandara's holy symbol laying on the deck. He quickly scoops it up and drapes it around his neck and under his clothing before bolting back to the stairs and continuing below to catch up with Cuddles.
"Let us make haste, we need to...get these water barrels filled..."
I nod and follow Cuddles into the boat, but once in the boat I decide that I would rather swim. So once out of sight of Plugg and the crew, I climb out and swim alongside the boat.
Before heading for the boat, Cuddles retrieves all the water barrels he can carry (so most of them). He then sits as near to the center of the perilously small boat as possible. His huge weight forces the boat low in the water and the waves close to the edge, thus inspiring River's decision to swim.
I swim along doing the backstroke, relaxing and still managing to keep up with the boat with ease.
Tao boards the second longboat with two barrels and whomever will be accompanying him thinking it prudent to take both just in case.
whispering, "Anyone think it would be a good idea to sabotage the pumps before we leave? Not enough to sink the ship, just something to keep them busy while we're gone?"
Shaking his head to Alain, he clambers on board of the other craft from Tao, thinking that River will certainly ride with Tao, plus the two barrels, then Alain could fill that boat. He then waves to Enya and Cuddles to join him in the other boat. "Let us be off, we don't have time to waste..."
Alain will scuff his feet a little on the way to the boat muttering, "Your probably right but I don't see why those bastards should have an easy time of it..."
Tao chuckles at Alain's comment as the two longboats set off. After an hour or so, they hit the island. Seeing no immediate area to land, Tao gestures to the other boat to start moving west. He begins rowing in the general direction hoping to hit a beach soon and hopefully, somewhere to hide the boats for easy retrieval upon returning. Unlike River who was swimming in and out of sight between the two longboats, Tao did not fancy having to swim back to the ship with Sandara, Kroop and 4 barrels of water.
As you travel west around the island, the steep cliffs give way to a beach. On it, you see a small gathering of collapsed mud huts.
Cuddlespulls on his oars and times the waves to assist him to shore. Once close, he hauls most of the boat up onto the beach in one huge pull. He immidiately looks around for a good place to conseal the boats or evidence of nearby fresh water.
"I wouldn't worry about finding fresh water." Alain says a little grumpily, casually casting drench to soak a random patch of sand, "I can fill a barrel given enough time. I think River can do the same and Aldous can probably fill all four in one go if he prayed for that spell. As far as I'm concerned the only reason to come ashore is to find our friends.
Cuddles is utterly amazed by is friends power. YOU MAKE WATER WITH HANDS! CUDDLES CAN ONLY MAKE WATER WITH HIS.... He casts a look over to the ladies, YOU KNOW.
Seeing the boats start to head to the beach, I swim down into the sea and come up a couple of minutes afterwards. I slowly walk onto the beach and lay down to rest for a minute, I giggle at Cuddle's comment.
Alain snorts a laugh, his foul mood broken for the moment.
Tao listens to the conversation, but his mood is not lightened. In fact, his mood worsens a little bit as he examines their surroundings. Fishing villages don't just up and abandon their huts. If these huts were attacked, the enemies may have not yet left. Tao thinks out loud as he surveys the area.
The sound of his greatsword being drawn rings an alert to the others as Tao advances on the derelict huts. He does not expect to be followed by the others, but he hopes at least a few of them understand his actions and will follow in suite.
You're easily able to find a place where the boats will be well-hidden. Unfortunately, there's no fresh water in the immediate vicinity. As for the huts, as you poke around, it becomes clear that they haven't been inhabited for many years. Nearby, a small path leads deeper into the island.
Alain will eye the path suspiciously and cast mage armor on himself, "If these huts haven't been used in a long time why is the path still here? You'd think it would be overgrown by now."
Tao nods in agreement to Alain as they begin to pick their way forward. Tao takes particular care to move cautiously forward as they continue their trek inwards.
"It should also be noted...if there is a group of homes here, then there is fresh water nearby. You wouldn't settle without the water."
He says quietly as he walks towards the huts.
There's no water in the immediate area, but you do spot more octogoblin tracks. None are particularly fresh, though. The path takes you into a thick forest. After walking on it for a while, you're forced to stop when it slips suddenly into a large green bog. What used to be a wooden bridge crosses it, but now only short timber platforms on either side - and some wooden pilings - remain.
Looking around, Aldous realizes that the tree canopy is thick enough to walk across - if you can climb high enough. Meanwhile, River notices several enormous frogs looking hungrily at you.
"I think even I can climb these trees so we can avoid going across the water and get a better view..." he says without seeing the frogs.
I hold my hand out, to stop Aldous from moving forwards, I then point to the hungry looking frogs. "They look hungry ... and big. I have a bad feeling about this."
Cuddles plods along behind the party. He likes this area and he starts to hum a simple tune to himself as they follow the trail.
When River points out the frogs he claps his hands and says, THEY LOOKS FUN!
Alain looks doubtfully at the canopy above, "I don't suppose we can just go around?"
Hungwy? Then why do dey look at us?
Sudden dawning appears on Tao's face followed immediately by the look of disgust.
You mean dose tings plan to eat us?
He stews over the thought a bit longer, then shakes his head ruefully at the horrid mental image.
No, I tink we should climb. We can assist ow cawwy any who do not tink dey can make da climb.
"Well if we can't go around then climbing seems like our best bet. We'd better rope up though."
I nod to the others, "We should try to avoid them, I agree ... however if they attack us we could cook and eat them. Frog is quite nice, but we wouldn't have to tell our "Captain" about it." It is clear to all that I have eaten frog before ... although obviously not something of this size.
Tao looks to the frogs, then up to the canopy, then back to the frogs.
Can dey weach us up deh?
Tao then rolls his shoulders and takes a steadying breath swing his sword up onto his shoulder.
If dey can, maybe we should jus kiw dem now jus to be safe.
"I don't see how we can even if we wanted to. I'm not wading out there to engage them hand to hand. I suppose we can drive them off if you want. Just throw rocks at them."
Aldous looks at the tree and then attempts to climb it, taking it nice and slow as he goes, but determined. Once he reaches the top, he will call down. "I made it...so can you."
HOW BIG BRANCH? CUDDLES CLIMB?
Seeing Aldous climb up the tree I figure I may as well give it a go.
I grab hold of the tree and try to pull myself up, but the bark rips away in my hand and I stumble backwards a few feet. I look up and shake my head.
Cuddles decides that he's gonna try this climb thing out. He walks up behind River and sees her struggle, so he scoops her up and sets her on his back before carefully climbing up the tree, paying special attention to the strength of the branches he was choosing to put his weight on.
Taking tens for 19 climb and 18 perception.
Cuddles just can't seem to get the holds he needs to support the weight he needs. He doesn't fall, but he doesn't make any great progress either.
"It coulds be I'm just making excuses, but don't we have four water barrels to bring across here? Maybe we could build a raft or something?"
"Water shall not be a problem, since I can always just make it for the entire crew..."