"We aren't given trials because we want them, but because the gods think we are ready. Surely the Inheritor has great plans for us to test us so! Hand on the holy symbol.
"Fear not songstress, we could tie a line so you would not be swept asunder Aerodus suggests...
"Fear not songstress, we could tie a line so you would not be swept asunder Aerodus suggests...
Shisa looks over at Aerodus with a raised eyebrow. "So what, you wish to dangle me like bait for whatever kraken spawn are out there then reel me in? I think not, sir." She slips her pack and quiver over her shoulders then starts heading toward the beach muttering a long string of Elvish, none of which sounds pleasant.
Bandy stands up and turns to the group.
"Might I suggest we establish a base camp? We're about thirty miles from a Chelish lighthouse, but from what I recall they never completed it due to some kind of malign influence. It's about a week's travel to the south anyway. I think we need to get a base, explore the Jenivere and then take stock of our situation."
[/b]" Shipwrecked, Kraken spawn, Forboding jungle, Abandoned light house, and malign ingfluence. Is that all? "[/b] Mundin laughs again. "Throw in something for dinner and I'd say we've got a party on our hands!"
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"Might I suggest that we search the Jenivere first. There might be supplies like, say, dwarven mining equipment that may prove invaluable in setting up a base of operations."Marik looks apologetically at Mundin "if we wait too long the ship might be torn apart even further by the tidal currents. As for food we do have some of the eurypterids and they ought to provide some fresh meat. Call it a quasi-lobster bake."
Walking alone toward the water line with her bow at the ready, Shisa scans the wreckage of the ship. Although the distance is short, the crashing of the waves against the rocks indicate a very tough swim.
Her eyes travel to the cliff nearby and observe the water splashing against it. Her brows furrow in thought as she watches the violent display of the sea.
After a couple of moments, she turns back to the group and begins walking in their direction. Her hazel eyes scanning the sand for anything that may be of use.
perception:
Nearing the group,she hears Marik's recommendation. Placing the readied arrow back into her quiver, she looks at the group and says, "It would be a short but hazardous swim. The waves would possibly throw a swimmer against the rocks as they're pretty rough right now. The cliffs look to be wet which would make climbing hard. Perhaps we wait until the tide goes out? That would give us time to set up camp without undue risk."
She glances over at Mundin and grins. "Besides, Mundin already offered to cook me supper."
Tony shades his eyes as he looks around.
"That makes sense milady LeCroix. Well then, where should we set up? Near the beach or up above the cliffs?"
"I believe we may be going against time, I'm no sailor, but I don't trust that the ship will be here much longer. If the tide doesn't take her, the pounding waves will eventually wear down her hull. I'm in agreement with the scholar. We go, get what we can and come back."
And with a nod towards Shisa, I'll volunteer to be first one to carry the line to the ship, the rest can use the rope as a guide, or we can try from the cliffs, I should have the rope and hooks...."
"Dwarfs and water don't exactly get along well, But Give me one end of the rope, and I'll make sure ya aren't washed out to see"
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"I think I'd better stick with the group heading into the jungle, you never not what threats are hidden among the trees."
Sasha shakes her head,
'No offense, Master Dwarf,' she says, 'but if I'm to hunt down food and water in there, the last thing I want is you scaring all the prey and attracting all the predators with your "help".'
"But first, you need to tell me why you were imprisoned so."
'Would it make a difference if I did tell you?' spits Jask, but almost immediately he sighs and apologises, 'Sorry - you asked a reasonable question, so I should provide a reasonable and honest answer, and trust in your judgement whether to believe me or not.'
The Garundi man sighs again, then begins his tale,
'I've lived and worked as a scribe in Corentyn for the past decade,' he explains, 'but before that I was employed by the Sargavan government. I uncovered evidence of corruption - illicit dealings with the Free Captains of the Shackles pirates - but when I confronted my superior, I was betrayed and framed for those same crimes. I fled, and had hoped that my enemies had forgotten me, but a Sargavan agent caught up with me, clapped me in irons and turned me over to Captain Kovack with instructions to return me to Sargava for trial. I was facing imprisonment at best when we reached shore... worse if those who betrayed me suspect I could expose them... which I can't, not without evidence, which I don't have any more.'
Glancing around at the others, then fixing Aerodus with his watery brown eyes, Jask concludes,
'So now you have a choice to make - leave me vulnerable in these shackles, or treat me like a fellow human being.'
"Coming, love?"
Aerys is on her feet in a shot, fists balled and ready to strike... but a gentle restraining hand from Ishirou stays her blows. Instead she points an accusing finger at Tony and snarls,
'Call me that again and I'll knock your block off, you filthy, disgusting, [elven expletive]!'
Shaking off Ishirou's hand, the dark-haired half-elf woman grabs up her gear and stalks off into the jungle, cursing as she goes. The rugged Tian man, Ishirou, shoots Tony an angry glance,
'Stop acting the fool,' just about the first words anyone has heard the man say reveal he has a deep, steady, but quiet voice, 'before you get those more worthy than yourself killed.'
Without waiting for a reply, he hurries after Aerys before she vanishes completely - the two remain within sight as Ishirou seems to be trying to calm the half-elf down (with little success) as she vents and fumes.
"Might I suggest we establish a base camp? We're about thirty miles from a Chelish lighthouse, but from what I recall they never completed it due to some kind of malign influence. It's about a week's travel to the south anyway. I think we need to get a base, explore the Jenivere and then take stock of our situation."
'On the hope that our navigator is better at camping than he was at his job,' pipes up Gelik, 'I'd concur with that suggestion. Many a Pathfinder expedition has fallen foul of a lack of preparation and forethought. For my part I can offer some service as a healer, if any are in dire need, although my mystical resources are, as one might expect, limited.' He snorts and fans himself with his cap, 'You know what they say: there's never a cleric around when you need one.'
"... As for food we do have some of the eurypterids and they ought to provide some fresh meat. Call it a quasi-lobster bake."
Shisa's examination of the beach reveals nothing more of any use - the gear which was piled, and which has now all been claimed, was all there seemed to be. However, she does notice some small movments and a quiet 'yipping' noise coming from a rock pool near the waterline...
Looking at the group, Shisa listens quietly while they talk. She watches Aerys stalk off into the trees and laughs at the mental image of her words bring.
Jask's words make her cringe. She'd spent enough time in Corentyn to see many taken in shackles, many times simply because someone was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Looking over at Aerodus, she says, "So, a man with righteous cause is being held shackled by a such a man. Ironic isn't it? I still say we release his bonds."
She bites her lower lip for a moment in thought. "As for the swim, I believe that there may still be something out there on the beach. On my way back from the shoreline, I heard strange yipping noises coming from one of the tide pools."
Looking over at the navigator, she continues, "Master Brandy, as you most likely know more of the sea than we do, what are your thoughts on swimming out to the wreckage?"
As she talks, her eyes keep moving.. scanning the area around them. Looking over at Aerys, she calls out in Elvish.
"Master Whiterose," Bandy calls out, "I'm fairly certain any food created from the remains of the euryterids would lay us all low with stomach troubles, if not worse."
Bandy looked out at the sea to guage a true estimation as to how difficult the swim to the Jenivere would be.
"I'll believe you, a shame to see a man punished for following the code of law with good intent. I will see what I can do to release you from your bonds, perchance we can find your keys amongst the wreckage.
"Yipping!? May chance there were more survivors or more kraken spawn! Onward to rescue/battle! Charging back toward the beach line... For Glory! For the Heart! Come foul spawn of the sea! Your end is coming!
"I'll believe you, a shame to see a man punished for following the code of law with good intent. I will see what I can do to release you from your bonds, perchance we can find your keys amongst the wreckage.
Shisa's brow raises in mock surprise, yet amazingly enough, she manages to keep her mouth closed.
"Yipping!? May chance there were more survivors or more kraken spawn! Onward to rescue/battle! Charging back toward the beach line... For Glory! For the Heart! Come foul spawn of the sea! Your end is coming!
Watching the young armored knight dash off, she looks over at Jask and pulls out a roll of leather from one of her pouches. "While he's off wondering whether or not a key can be found amidst a half-sunken ship, let me see what I can do about these chains.
Pick Lock: Taking 20.
She whispers to Jask as she works "It'll be our little secret." She begins humming an Elven song while her long, slender fingers do their magic.
'Call me that again and I'll knock your block off, you filthy, disgusting, [elven expletive]!'
Tony looks anxiously after Aerys, astounded at the violent reaction to his teasing. He takes a step towards where she is violently venting and fuming. He stops, reconsidering. Maybe it would be best to let her cool off first. He could apologize later.
'Stop acting the fool,' just about the first words anyone has heard the man say reveal he has a deep, steady, but quiet voice, 'before you get those more worthy than yourself killed.'
Tony is rendered speechless at this. What on earth is he talking about?
I'm in agreement with the scholar. We go, get what we can and come back."
And with a nod towards Shisa, I'll volunteer to be first one to carry the line to the ship, the rest can use the rope as a guide, or we can try from the cliffs, I should have the rope and hooks...."
"As it happens, I have some modest training in both swimming and climbing. Let me do it. Please!" Hustling away from the drama at the tree line, Tony follows Aerodus down the beach.
As the paladin and the "fool" rush off into dangers unknown Mundin swears under his breath."Damn kids, always rushing into danger without me" He will race after the two towards the pool and the yipping noise.
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Hearing Shisa's words, Aerys turns and glares at her, but says nothing (which, based on Shisa's past interactions with the woman is probably actually a step in the right direction...).
Bandy looked out at the sea to guage a true estimation as to how difficult the swim to the Jenivere would be.
With the tide high at the moment it'd be a 150-foot swim or climb along the cliff side to reach the wreck. The churning surf looks pretty tough to swim in, climbing the jagged cliff could be a little easier, but still no mean feat.
Looking at the churning seas between the shore and the wreck of the Jenivere, Bandy doesn't fancy his chances swimming out there... at least not without suffering considerable bashing upon the rocks. With all those rocks in the sea around the island, he guesses there's a chance that low tide will provide a way to clamber out across them to the wreck... but that's all it is, an educated guess, as it's impossible to see that clearly exactly what lies beneath the water's surface right now. Besides, it's also hard to tell if the ship will even be there by then, or if any such passage would be any easier to navigate than climbing across the cliff face. There's just too much unknown to be able to judge with complete confidence.
"While he's off wondering whether or not a key can be found amidst a half-sunken ship, let me see what I can do about these chains."
With a word of thanks, Jask turns so that Shisa can access the manacles shackling his wrists. However, try as she may, the manacles prove to be of the finest masterwork quality, and more than a match for the roguish lady's skills. Maybe finding a key isn't such a bad idea after all..?
Tony looks anxiously after Aerys, astounded at the violent reaction to his teasing.
Tony recalls hearing of a similar reaction by the lady to such 'teasing' by one of the crew when she first boarded the ship... although in that case the crewmember in question was out cold for most of the day due to the beating she gave him...
Those who head down to the rock pool find...
... a tiny winged reptilian creature, like a cross between a lizard and a bat, maybe a foot or so long, with a tail a little longer than that, and a five-foot wongspan. It's narrow snout is filled with sharp teeth, and it has bright, shiny black eyes. It's leathery skin is brightly coloured in shades of red and purple, and its long thin tail, tipped with a diamond-shaped ridge, lashes about in the water. One of its leathery bat-like wings appears to be trapped under a stone, and it's yipping in panic as the water level in the pool rises steadily with the tide.
Bandy shrugs, looking at both the treachorous swim and the difficult traversing the cliff face. It's a difficult call as to which one would be simpler.
"I think that both options will be as difficult as the other, but I suppose that the cliff climb might be a little easier," Bandy answers, "I don't suppose anyone has some pitons and rope?"
Shisa tries hard to unlock the shackles on Jask's wrist. The hummming grows quiet only to be replaced by expletives in Elvish.. then in Kelish.. and some in Varasian eventually giving way to phrases in all three. Despite her best efforts each time the tumblers slip back into place when she thinks she's gotten it.s "Well Jask, I'm sorry, but apparently whoever put these on you spared no expense. The locks are beyond my skill." Letting out a sigh, she puts her tools back in her pouch. [b]"We'll either need the key or someone more familiar with these types of locks."
Walking to her gear, she plops down on the ground and loosens her hair, bending forward to shake it out. "Ugh, this sand will take forever to get out of my hair, not to mention the stuff that has gotten to where it is most uncomfortable."
Slipping out of her armor, she untucks her shirt. Pulling at the front, she gives it a few shakes to dislodge the sand inside as best she can before grabbing the leather and briskly running her hand over the inside to wipe it out.
[/b]"Master Brandy, I still think our best bet is to wait for the tide to go out,"[/b] she offers. "Even with ropes, a slip on that cliff will have you kissing the rocks at best.. dropped into the water at worst. Not good odds."
She finishes wiping out her leathers the best she can and slips back into them with practiced motions.
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Shouldering his backpack, Marik approaches the group on the beach to assess the chances of reaching the ship. As he looks down at the trapped little lizard, something in his mind clicks. He reaches into his pack to pull out some rations and, heedless of the danger a trapped wild animal represents, jumps down into the tidal pool. Cooing soft words as he approaches the trapped dinosaur Marik extends the rations with one hand while attempting to gwntly lift the rock off the pterosaur's wing.
"Easy there, little fella, it's OK. You're free now"
Climbing back out of the pool, without really taking his eyes off the creature, Marik begins to back up onto the beach dropping bits of his rations along the way.
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Can inspect the manacles to see if i can cut through them?
"We'll either need the key or someone more familiar with these types of locks."
Jask sighs, but nods,
'I understand,' he replies halfheartedly, 'I believe the Captain had the key... but I suppose he's at the bottom of the ocean now...'
"Easy there, little fella, it's OK. You're free now"
The swoop lizard peers sidelong at Marik for a moment, then nips the rations out of his hand, tossing its head back to gobble them hungrily down. Once the rock's lifted, it pulls away, splashing a little in the water before managing to clamber out of the pool. Casting a quick wary glance at the others, it yips a couple of times, then crawls, with wings and feet, across the sand after Marik, gobbling up the trail of rations as it goes.
As there is no obvious great terror nor damsel in distress, Aerodus looks greatly disappointed. Upon seeing Marik with his "pet":"I see our scholar has already made friends with the locals, now that one crisis is over, what say we try scaling this cliff?"
Attack roll?
Fastening the last strap on her armor, Shisa looks down at the beach only to see Marik walking backwards dropping something on the sand every couple steps. She blinks.. "What the.." then blinks again before busting out in hearty laughter.
"I don't believe it! Sasha, you have got to see this. Marik's gone mad and is playing 'feed the whatever it is' with some sort of winged.. thing."
She continues to laugh until her sides hurt..
After several moments of laughter, she reaches up to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. "Thanks Marik, I needed that," she says quietly. The events of the day start to catch up, and she steels herself against what lies ahead.
She looks over at Aerys, still standing a ways off with Ishirou and calls out in Elvish, careful to keep the tone of her voice in check.
Shisa chose to speak in Elvish in case Aerys chose not to share any information she had, thus allowing her to save face with the others. "I'm hoping no one else speaks the language," she thought to herself while awaiting a reply.
Either way, she knows the only way off this rock is to work together, even if it means being a bit humbled in front of the other half-elf.
Looking over the terrain, Tony consideres options.
"Well now, if our navigator can help guide us through the jungle, I would prefer to take that route to get in position to climb down to the ship. If he isn't, I'll climb sideways along the cliff. I'd rather not get lost in there. What do you think?"
"If you are willing, we can tie a rope around you, so in case you fall we can try and pull you up... With a wink towards Tony, "... though I hope we wont need to do it."
"I would wager the climb would be the easier way to go," the navigator says, "Although it might be easier to move through the jungle in a bid to come out at that point." Bandlewick points at the jungle outcrop above the ship.
"Maester Navigator, I will defer to your judgement; I believe you to be expert in this matter.
"Though our ship did crahs, I hold little blame on our navigator, We all heard the whispers of the captain's strange course. let's see what he can do when allowed to do his job. I doubt we could all make the climb anyway"
"I don't think we can wait for low tide, and I'm not really sure how much daylight we have left to use.
"My vote is to take the shortcut through the jungle to get in a positon on the cliff to climb down directly to the ship.
"It is a cunning plan that cannot possibly fail. I'm glad you thought if it Bandy!"
"I don't think we can wait for low tide, and I'm not really sure how much daylight we have left to use.
"My vote is to take the shortcut through the jungle to get in a positon on the cliff to climb down directly to the ship.
"It is a cunning plan that cannot possibly fail. I'm glad you thought if it Bandy!"
Listening to the other discuss the best course of action, she remains silent, thinking on what the others are saying. After a time, she speaks up quietly, "It's true that we do not know how much daylight we have left or how long the rest of the Jenivere will remain afloat. By the same token however, we do not know what is out there" She waves her hand pointing to the jungle. "I think our best course would be to set up a defensible camp while we take stock in what we have. By then, the tide may be out when we can weigh our options more clearly."
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"I don't think we can wait for low tide, and I'm not really sure how much daylight we have left to use.
"It's true that we do not know how much daylight we have left...
Tony notes that there seems to be a good few hours left in the day - long enough to do something, or at the very least make a start.
"I don't believe it! Sasha, you have got to see this. Marik's gone mad and is playing 'feed the whatever it is' with some sort of winged.. thing."
Sasha stares for a moment, then a huge grin splits her face and she runs down the sand to join Marik,
'Ooh,' she coos at the winged reptile, 'he's so cute! A bit on the small side though... I wonder if there are bigger ones round here somewhere?'
"My vote is to take the shortcut through the jungle to get in a positon on the cliff to climb down directly to the ship.
Bandy, at least, realises that heading through the jungle is, far from being a 'shortcut', the longest possible way you could go to try to get to the ship. It seems that others may realise this too, as Gelik bursts out laughing, Sasha rolls her eyes (still, for the most part, fascinated with the winged reptile), and Jask shakes his head. Finally Gelik steps forwards,
'I suggest that those who wish to travese the jungle on this little... "quest"... do so. The rest of us will set up camp here as best we can... and I believe Mistress Sasha has already intimated that she's going to hunt for food and water. If the latter can't be found then, as far as I understand such things, I believe that our druidic navigator should be able to conjure us some up... mayhap after a good night's sleep and some soulful prayers to his many gods.' The gnome glances towards Bandy for confirmation.
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Marik looks at the others, then at the little lizard eyeing him and the rations expectantly. "I think I'm going to stay here. I've used all my spells, except for one, on the lobster thingies and I don't think a Comprehend Languages is going to be much use. I'll help the others set up a camp and get a fire going."
"Without my armor, I might be able to make that climb, but if anyone's going into that jungle, I think I best stick with them."
...but in the interest of time, i think climb be the best option, if we go 1/2-1/4 speed it shouldn't be TOO hard for the first person (tony) to make it, have him assist the others on the way down.
"Agreed. So it's you, me and who else?" Tony looks around at the others.
Diplomacy (untrained, cha bonus only):
Offering Tony the rope,"Give a shout, and drop it down when you reach the ledge; I'll follow you up."
Aerodus will go behind some cover and start removing his armor. Rearrange his holy symbol and kiss it for luck. Then take his armor and hand it to Marik.
To Marik:"I entrust this to you scholar, if I don't make it back find another worthy soul who can use it."
Edit:
Shisa looks over at Tony and Aerodus as they make preparation to climb the cliff, then over at Marik. She bites her lower lip for a moment while she thinks, looking out over the rolling waves then at the cliffside.
She sighs softly. "Ok. As much as I think this is a bad idea, I will go with you two. She looks at Aerodus directly. "If I get dashed to pieces on the rocks and drown, I'm going to beat you senseless." She gives him a wink as she grounds her pack and moves her rapier in a cross-shoulder carry so that it's out of the way across her back.
Pulling her rope and grapel from her pack, she slips the loop of silken rope over her head and hooks the grapel to her belt in the back.
"Shall we?
Taking the rope, Tony starts his ascent.
Climb check:
After picking himself up, Tony decides to proceed in a more deliberate pace. After all, we aren't in combat.
Climb check: (take 10)+6+5=21
"Take your time, I'll catch you if you fall...." Aerodus states ominously, while looking up the cliff face. "It would be preferred if you didn't though."
"Take your time, I'll catch you if you fall...." Aerodus states ominously, while looking up the cliff face. "It would be preferred if you didn't though."
Shisa looks over at Aerodus then at Tony picking himself up off the ground. "Um.. you missed." She shakes her head and mutters half to herself, "Waiting until low tide is beginning to look better and better, but alas, in for a copper, in for a gold."
[ooc] Just like my tabletop gaming.. *le sigh* Just be glad I'm not trying to talk our way out of being skewered, roasted, and beheaded. See.. bright side. :)
"I still think that navigating around is still safest," Bandy shouts after the intrepid climbers. Regardless, he then moves over towards the others in preparation for the scouting.
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"Perhaps Master Mundin accompany the group going to the ship, after all it is his charge that we would be raiding for the supplies. Master Weathervane, the nature priest, should accompany us to look for a campsite as I wouldn't be able to tell safe drinking water from foul. Lady Aerys, the choice is up to you as to what you would like to do."