Navior's Serpent's Skull

Game Master Navior

"I won't." Makoa says to Jask.

"As for the food.. I can hunt. Whether I can find enough is the problem."

Lorenz pulls out the keys and stands.

"I remove my earlier objections. I favor letting Jask go. As others have argued previously, we need all the help we can get. Are we all in agreement?"

Walking over to Jask, he looks the man in the eyes. "I mean you no ill will; I simply wanted to be sure. I apologize for my hesitation before. Given that we're in this together...well, let's get ourselves out of here together too, shall we?"

Unless someone really objects, Lorenz will unlock the manacles. Also, Diplomacy Check: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Edit to add: "Your equipment is over there." Lorenz points it out.

Lorenz quickly finds the appropriate key, and opens the manacles. As they fall away, Jask stretches his arms, obviously glad to be able to move them fully again. "Thank you," he says. He goes over to his equipment and retrieves his holy symbol, which he places around his neck. He then dons his armour.

Oh, before I forget yet again (I keep reminding myself to do this with my next post and then forgetting again by the time I post), you receive 260 xp each for everything up to this point. :)

Douena stands reading over Lorenz's shoulder as he pages through the captain's log. "So it was Ieana who wanted to come here and the Captain who brought us. But where are they? On the island with us?" She sidles up to Jask, as he is freed. "Do you know anything about vampires? The cook has a bite on his neck, and Ieana stayed in her cabin a lot. Could she be a vampire?"

"I know a little of vampires, although I could hardly be called an expert," Jask replies. Once he's finished donning his armour and collecting his equipment, he moves over to the body of the cook to examine it.

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Wow, what a streak of bad luck on Heal checks!

He shakes his head. "I'm afraid I couldn't tell you if these were made by a vampire or anything else. Did you ever see this Ieana out in the daytime? Vampires are generally not fond of daylight."

Ieana rarely made appearances on deck, but the few times she did were during daylight hours as far as anyone can remember.

Man, those heal checks are sad!

With Jask free, Lorenz stuffed the keys back into his pouch.

"I'm pretty sure I saw Ieana out in the daylight at one point or another. So she must not be a vampire. But there's no saying it was her that killed the cook, either. Oh well. I guess we'll have to deal with not knowing."

He turned back to Jask. "So you know something about this place? Are we in danger from something other than those bizarre critters that Makoa finds so tasty? Is there a way out of here?"

Before Jask had a chance to answer, Lorenz thought of something else. He removed the satchel with the liquid containers from his shoulder and held them up. "Does anyone know anything about potions? Douena found these. If we can find out what they are, maybe they'll be useful."

Out of breath Lorenz subsided, briefly, into silence.

Oh, before I forget yet again (I keep reminding myself to do this with my next post and then forgetting again by the time I post), you receive 260 xp each for everything up to this point. :)

If you missed on that many posts, maybe its 290xp?!

Most notable, however, is Sasha who is leading a horse with her across the beach. She heads straight to the group and to Aakif in particular. "Look what I found wandering the rocks on the east side of the cove! Since I highly doubt that horses are indigenous to this gods-forsaken place, I presume this must be yours. Must have swum for shore. Got pretty lucky with all those rocks out there. Only a couple of scrapes and bruises that should heal soon enough." The horse has taken 3 points of damage.

Aakif beams at Sasha in pleasure and relief, thanking her profusely, then begins a thorough examination of his horse. He talks to the horse continually in Kelishite in a soothing tone as he quickly checks her over for injuries, then leads her to a clump of grass not far from the gathering to let her graze.

Once he's satisfied that Soulwind is healthy and has been fed, he rejoins the group and the conversation. "It is good to see you free." he addresses Jask.

Before Jask had a chance to answer, Lorenz thought of something else. He removed the satchel with the liquid containers from his shoulder and held them up. "Does anyone know anything about potions? Douena found these. If we can find out what they are, maybe they'll be useful."

Aakif makes a sign of warding against evil, but doesn't otherwise respond.

"We have much to do and the day's growing old. How about we find a better place to make a camp and save further discussion until tomorrow?"

Mahjik comes up to Sasha - hoping to keep her spirits up should they waver in face of the new deaths. "Wise man believes in holding the initiative. I too think it is good that you explored about. Aakif's horse will lift his spirits no end, we have you to thank for that. Did you find anything else of interest? Maybe a safe shelter we can use in the next few days?"

"It would seem that we have shipwrecked on the island of Smuggler's Shiv. Smuggler's Shiv...now where have I heard of that before?"

"Smuggler's Shiv?" Jask says, a look of concern on his face. "I know of it."

"So," Douena says, looking from Gelik to Jask, "what about this island? I assume smugglers come here. That's good, right? It means someone will come along and find us. I mean, it's better than Island in the Middle of Nowhere Noone Ever Visits."

Jask nods. "I do know of it. It is a notorious island north of Eleder. It's not shown on most maps, but is rightfully feared by those who ply the waters of Desperation Bay. The island is named not only for the knife-like shape of its coastline, but for its uncanny habit of wrecking ships that draw too near--mostly smugglers eager to avoid detection by Sargava's navy. It's commonly believed that the shores of Smuggler's Shiv are haunted by the ghosts and ghouls of the sailors who have died on the jagged rocks and reefs surrounding the island. These rumours are supported by reports of several failed attempts to establish long-lasting colonies on the island. It is not a good place to be trapped. I agree with..." He pauses and looks to Urza. "I am sorry, but I do not know your name, but I agree with you that we should find a secure place to set up a camp."

Those of you with the appropriate skills may make checks to know of Smuggler's Shiv as well.

Aerys Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Gelik Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Ishirou Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Sasha Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

It turns out Sasha can fill you in on the rest of the information. She'll do so if nobody else offers it first.

Profession: Sailor 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
"Perhaps this would be a good time for introductions all around. I am Urza Sha'rahad. I... was a sailor on the Jeneviere."

"Makoa Wolf'sKin. Former sailor on the Jeneviere."

Knowledge(Geography):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"We need to be careful on this island, and quiet. Hehe, once bitten.."

Mahjik adds: "Mahjik, Former stowaway."

Lorenz moved forward with a broad smile. "And I am Lorenz Aeryson, formerly of Andoran, swordsman and wanderer of many roads. Ordinarily my services would come with a fee but given our circumstances, I believe we can dispense with that this time." He bowed grandly and only slightly diminished the effect when one of his feet slipped in the sand and he was forced to stumble upright again.

"Ahem. Yes, I believe seeking shelter would indeed be wise."

"Aakif. Mercenary." He strokes his horse's neck and adds, "And this is Soulwind."

"I'm Douena," she says, waggling her fingers in a friendly wave. "Everyone knows me."

The four NPCs introduce themselves to Jask as well, although Aerys only reluctantly, and Gelik still seems a bit suspicious of Jask. Ishirou says nothing more than his name.

"Well, if we're going to find a good site to set up a camp," Sasha says, we should get moving. There's no telling how long it'll take in this jungle. I've been a short distance northeast to collect Soulwind, and it's mostly rocks that way. Past the rocks, it looks like there's more jungle. Any suggestions which way to go?"

Mahjik looks around, and takes a glance at the map they found. Then comes to a realization: Survival, Take 10 10 + 5 = 15

Navior, you can fill us in on what Mahjik thinks is a good starting direction based on the available data

With introductions made and everyone one happy group of shipwreck survivors, Lorenz looks up and down the coastline, especially away from where Sasha had found the horse.

Perception Check: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14
Survival Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

How about we go this way?" He picks a direction that his perception and survival scores might indicate to be good (whether accurate or not, only the DM knows). "I'd rather try and find a good position that's not entirely in the jungle. There could be all manner of evil things in there."

Since one of the maps you have shows the outline of Smuggler's Shiv, I've placed a map on the website showing just that. The map was created by Alexander Kilcoyne, whose game you all originally applied for and then I stole you from when he couldn't take everyone. :) He placed up for use on the Smuggler's Shiv GM Reference thread.

Mahjik (and the others too) can easily work out that you're along a northern shore of the island, probably the most northerly shore. To confirm this, you could travel south and see if you reach another shore after a relatively short time. Beyond that, it's hard to say what would be the best way to go. As best you can tell, most of this island is covered in jungle, so no one direction is likelier to be easier than any other.

With introductions made and everyone one happy group of shipwreck survivors, Lorenz looks up and down the coastline, especially away from where Sasha had found the horse.

The cove widens to the north. There is very little shore on either side. It's mostly rocks and cliffs. The tops of the cliffs are covered with more rocks or jungle. There really doesn't seem to be any option other than jungle.

Navior, Makoa

"Lorenz, let me take a look at those vials. Perhaps I can figure out what they are.["

I'll carry the large canvas sheets and block and tackle. Navior, how much do these weigh?

"Then again," Lorenz says glumly, "The gods don't seem particularly interested in my preferences, do they?" He pointed into the jungle vastness directly south. "Should we just head that way and see what we may find?"

Urza: I've made a list of our supplies in the Party Loot spoiler of my profile.

Edit to add list from profile:

One last edit: Navior has posted a set of guidelines for how the whole camping thing works on the OOC thread, just in case you guys haven't looked there for a while.

Lorenz hands the satchel with the vials of fluids over to Urza. "It'd be great if you could figure out what these are. Then we could spread them out amongst us rather than everyone coming to me and trying a random potion in hopes of being healed."

I have no idea how much the canvas weighs but the block and tackle is 5 lbs. It's listed in the srd equipment list.

I'll carry the large canvas sheets and block and tackle. Navior, how much do these weigh?

Canvas weighs 1 lb per square yard according to the Core Rulebook. The sheets are listed as "large canvas sheets" in the adventure. I have to admit, I'm not entirely certain how large "large" is. I'm not a sailing expert, so I don't know how much would typically be needed on board ship. I'm going to say they're about 9 square yards each, making them each 9 lbs. However, if anyone more knowledgeable about sailing knows of a more appropriate size, I'm willing to amend this.

I should still be at a light load if not just into medium load carrying those.
Navior, I'll try to ID all of the potions. The DC for each is 15 + caster level. Let me know which I get.
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Spellcraft 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Any I don't get today, I'll try again tomorrow.

Potion 4: cure light wounds (CL 1st)
Potion 5: cure moderate wounds (CL 3rd)
Potion 7: lesser restoration (CL 3rd)
Potion 9: lesser restoration (CL 3rd)

The others you don't manage to figure out today.

Douena is pushing her toy boat through the sand, leaving furrows. Her absent stare indicates that she is getting bored with the conversation. "We shouldn't go too far from the shore, should we, if we hope to be rescued? And what are we going to do with the dead people?" She points to the first mate and the cook. "If it gets any hotter, they're going to smell. Should we bury them in the sand or pile rocks on them or what?"

"I do not wish for them to become food to these sea creatures we fought. I will bury them." As an afterthought he adds, "And pile rocks over them."

"What happened to their burial at sea? They're sailors. I can't imagine that they'd want to be buried beneath sand and rock. You might as well let the scorpion things get them as let the worms and sandrats."

"We find a dead tree, roll it into the water, and place them on it. Then we push the tree out to sea. It's the best we can do for them, unless you wish to carve a boat out of a tree."

"But won't the waves just push them back in to the shore?" Douena asks, puzzled. "We don't want them coming back."

"But won't the waves just push them back in to the shore?" Douena asks, puzzled. "We don't want them coming back."

Lorenz's brow furrowed as he thought about Douena's words. Finally, he shrugged. "Yes, that could happen. Well, whatever those of you who knew them want to do. I didn't know them well, I was just remembering things I'd read. Or something I'd heard. I'd much rather, oh, I don't know, find somewhere to set-up a camp and maybe explore the island looking for a way out, or the captain who tried to kill us, or a lost ruin full of magic swords and jewel encrusted armor than dither about what to do with people who aren't even there anymore. Can we just settle this and go please?" At the end of his speech, Lorenz's voice went an octave higher and he rocked up on his toes impatiently.

"Were they of my people, we would raise a pyre for them and the stallion of their herd. But, they are not. I do not know what they would prefer; let us just do something and find some shelter before it is too late."

Douena Trestleben wrote:

"But won't the waves just push them back in to the shore?" Douena asks, puzzled. "We don't want them coming back."

Lorenz's brow furrowed as he thought about Douena's words. Finally, he shrugged. "Yes, that could happen. Well, whatever those of you who knew them want to do. I didn't know them well, I was just remembering things I'd read. Or something I'd heard. I'd much rather, oh, I don't know, find somewhere to set-up a camp and maybe explore the island looking for a way out, or the captain who tried to kill us, or a lost ruin full of magic swords and jewel encrusted armor than dither about what to do with people who aren't even there anymore. Can we just settle this and go please?" At the end of his speech, Lorenz's voice went an octave higher and he rocked up on his toes impatiently.

"Well, that's fine," Douena replies sniffily. "When you die from tripping over a rock and impaling yourself on your own blade, I'm sure we'll all have more interesting things to do than give you a decent burial. Although if anyone needed a kind word said on their behalf to the gods at an opportune moment...." She trails off meaningfully.

"I like the idea of floating them away in some sort of boat, but I don't know enough about it to make sure they don't just wash back up here all nasty and half-eaten," she goes on thoughtfully. "What if we bury them right near the water and put rocks on them, and then when the tide comes in, it'll be like being buried at sea? That, or we could just put them somewhere with a nice view of the ocean."

"Oh for goodness sake!" Gelik marches over to the two bodies. "If we leave things up to you lot, we'll all die on this island before you even decide what to do. I see you found some shovels on the ship. So why don't a couple of you big strong individuals pick them up, dig a hole, and stick the bodies in them! We'll say a few prayers and that will be it. Now get to it!" He snaps his fingers impatiently.

"That's fine with me." Aakif shrugs and gets to work.

Urza looks up from scanning the vials of fluid. "I think Gelik has a fine idea." Urza returns to trying to figure out what each potion is.
Lorenz, if you don't mind, Urza will keep the potions until he is done identifying them all.
I'll let everyone know what each potion is that I do manage to identify.

Mahjik, consensus reached, begins digging the graves.

Douena will happily supervise the digging of the graves, running from Mahjik to Aakif and comparing the depth of the holes they are digging.

Are we going to be practical if ghoulish and loot the body, or are we letting the first mate go to his reward with the armor and weapon he fought for his life in and trust the gods to reward us for our piety?

When they're done and the bodies placed inside, she will take great pleasure in officiating. "Desna," she says grandly, "this is the first mate of the Jenivere. He travelled for a living and found his way by the stars. He was kind to strangers and brave in the face of death. Watch over him as he continues his journey beyond this world. And there's also a cook. He made a lot of soup." She peers up at the sky quizzically. "I don't know how you feel about soup, but if he needs a bit of luck making his way through the Boneyard to the place he's supposed to go, I hope you'll provide it." Fully satisfied, she smiles around at whoever chose to be a part of the interment.

Mahjik is in favor of leaving Alton's belongings with him. Then again - he wouldn't benefit from the items anyway so from a practical point of view he has no incentive.

"Well said, Gelik! Clearly someone needs to wield the lash with some of these people around here. Always bickering, by Cayden's thirst. We've got more important things to do than to quibble over such nonsense! Oh, and Douena, if I should die from the travails we encounter over the coming days, all I need is a wall or tree to my back and a sword in my hand. Such things must be faced boldly in the life of an adventurer!"

He turned to the mounds and inclined a head. "Rest well in the arms of whichever gods have called you home. Sorry that you don't get to go to your rest at sea the way your crewmen did."

Grabbing his pack and moving off to stare at the pile of equipment still to be dispersed, he looked to the others. "So? Will we be off? Or will we be wasting the day on the shores of this confounded island?"

I'm all for leaving Alton's sword with him. I'm not sure what else he has that might be worth taking. Urza, go ahead and hold on to those potions. I'll update my list of party items to reflect that you have them and the canvas. Who else wants to take what? Lorenz will take the fishing nets and a shovel.

"That was very moving Duoena. It's time to go. Makoa how about you find us a place to camp?"

Gelik stands calmly and respectfully during the burial. At the end, he mutters a soft, "Rest in peace." Ishirou and Jask stand quietly, and even Aerys bows her head in respect.

Once Alton and the cook are buried, you set about the task of finding a campsite. You head southwards into the jungle. It can be a bit tough-going at times and you have to frequently change directions to get around thick areas of undergrowth, rocky patches, or even small bits of swamp. The area is teeming with life, though. Everywhere you look, you can catch glimpses of birds, lizards, and even a few monkeys. And insects. There are insects everywhere, constantly buzzing around you. Sometimes, there are enough of them that make the view ahead hazy and difficult to see. But you press on. In an hour or so, you find a suitable place to set up camp. The ground is relatively clear of underbrush. There's a good canopy of trees to provide shade and to stretch the canvas out between. Immediately, you set to work, clearing the underbrush and setting up shelters.

As covered in the OOC thread, it will take a total of 4 hours to find and set up the camp. This will take you into the hottest part of the day, so presumably, you'll want to pause during that time and rest under the shade of a tree. Once the heat has calmed down a bit, you can resume setting up the camp. However, this will add about 3 hours to your time. Alternatively, you can keep working through the hot hours, but you'll need to make Fortitude saves to avoid heat exhaustion (or make use of endure elements spells, but between Douena and Jask, you only have two of those to go around).

Douena will happily bestow her endure elements spell on someone big and strong if it means she doesn't have to work while they do. It will not keep her from complaining about the heat, however. :)