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The weight of Alton's short sword in her hand...
"Though I guess I could use it to hold some water now..."
'Your wisdom grows in leaps and bounds.' responds Ishirou, completely deadpan.
"Sir, do you think its wise... As men of honor let us at least postpone this until there can be a fair fight."
'Mistress LeCroix made the challenge,' Ishirou replies, nodding slightly towards the shortsword impaled in the ground, 'if she's unfit to back-up that action, then perhaps she should have tempered her approach to Mistress Mavato?' However, he seems disturbed by the brawl, and utters a resigned sigh at his own words. Shaking his head he adds, 'You seem a good man... if impetuous... and your words are wise... but this is a matter of honour between the ladies, and we would only besmirch our own names by interferring with such a thing.'
"Is Master Bandy with you?.. further south is a hill with a clear field of view and near some fresh water streams."
'Hmmm?' Gelik pulls his gaze from the girl-fight long enough to motion for Marik to sit next to him then, between glances to check on the fight's progress, replies, 'The halfling wasn't here when we arrived... he's probably navigated himself into getting lost... but these revelations of yours sound like they could be the first worthwhile pieces of information we've gathered. I have parchment and ink if you'd like to try your hand at mapping these features you've discovered. Some form of wizardry I take it? That sort of thing was your speciality, wasn't it?'
Meanwhile, by focusing on just not getting hit, Shisa is barely avoiding Aerys' punches. A sneer on her face Aerys spits her reply to the rogue's words,
Sitting up, Sasha growls,
'Can't you all just shut up for a bit? I'm trying to get some sleep here, surely...' then, noticing the fight, she adds under her breath, 'Oh, for crying out loud... what now?'
Stepping up behind Aerodus, Jask frowns and asks,
'Should I beseech the great Nethys to offer our Shisa sanctuary? It wouldn't last long... but maybe then you could calm Aerys down? Or... knock her down, if needs be?' he flinches under a venomous glance from Ishirou and quickly adds, 'Just a thought!'
Shisa dodges a couple of blows, the last coming too close for comfort. Already, the effort is beginning to wear on her given the days events.
She stops and turns to walk over and retrieve the sword, turning her back on Aerys. Her shoulders tighten, fully expecting to get decked. "The choice is yours. I have a camp to help set up and others awaiting the help."
"No Cleric, your god's assistance shall not be needed, we will handle this through mortal means. But be ready in case we need your healing expertise." Comes Aerodus's reply, and as an afterthought, "And she is not mine."
Diplomacy to Ishirou:
"I thank you for your.. compliment sir, but I must ask of you again to help me end this. I take you to be a good man, so I tell you something my father told me: 'The measure of a man is not what he does in times of ease, but what he does in times of peril' A good man lived and died believing those words." Aerodus will then draw forth Bu'Tau('s) tiger tooth necklace and show it to Ishirou "And I will NOT taint his memory this day by letting this continue!"
"And I will NOT taint his memory this day by letting this continue!"
Shisa takes another step, her ears focused on hearing approaching footsteps, and shakes her head at Aerodus. "No need. It's over as far as I'm concerned."
Perception:
acrobatics:
Tony eases his hand onto the hilt of his sword, intending to stop that fool woman from attacking the rest of the companions.
Then he looks around, startled at what was said. He wished he had learned Elvish, like is fiancee had wanted a lifetime ago.
"A Duel? Have you two gone soft in the head? Shisa was poisoned earlier by a monstrous bug, a Kraken did it's best to drown Aerodus, and it seems a couple of our companions have been eaten by the jungle.
And it hasn't even been a FULL DAY yet!"
"Use your heads! Our only chance is to stick by each other, because it's only going to get more dangeous as we go! Now let's disengage here and finish off that goat before it draws more monsters than we can handle."
Diplomacy:
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'The choice is yours...'
The moment Shisa turns her back, Aerys seizes the opportunity (whichout allowing the rogue time to finish her speech), sweeping her feet from under her with a swift kick, which sends Shisa face-first into the muddy ground, then leaping to straddle her back, grabbing her hair, and slamming her head repeatedly into the dirt!
As she assults Shisa, Aerys keeps yelling,
"I thank you for your.. compliment sir... And I will NOT taint his memory this day by letting this continue!"
Glancing at Aerys's brutal assault, slowly Ishirou begins to reply...
'Maybe you're right, I...'
"A Duel? Have you two gone soft in the head?..
... but at Tony's insulting words the Tian man scowls, bringing his katana up in a lightning quick slash which opens a deep cut across Tony's face (and prevents him completing his rant too)!
'No more of your dishonorable slander, boy!' Ishirou growls between clenched teeth,'If this is the only way you'll learn respect, then I shall have to be your teacher...'
Two elves settling a dispute unarmed is one thing, but seeing Ishirou bring blades into the game, Mundin's carefree demeanor changes. Without his customary yell, Mundin jumps forward and tries to grapple the Tian man.
Shisa hits the ground hard and grunts as a heavy weight lands on her back. Stars swim before her eyes as her head is rammed into the ground repeatedly.
She squirms violently to get the enraged half-elf off her back and to put some distance between them.
Break grappel (escape artist-TC)
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Seeing things begin to devolve Marik stands up and turns to the gnome "Forgive me Master Gelik" he says as he loosens the belt around his waist and lets his dagger drop to the ground.
Seeing Mundin do essentially a face plant into the dirt Marik steps between the three of them, his arms outstretched. "Anthony, Master Ishirou, ." Turning to the smaller Tian man Marik comtinues "Is this how they uphold their honor in Tian-Xa? Blooding a mere boy for speaking his mind? For if it is then you will have to strike me down as well." Looking straight into Ishirou's eyes Marik says "Now help me bring Mistress Aerys under control before she bashes Shisa's brains all over the ground. There is no honor in attacking a weakend foe from behind, now, is there?"
Turning around Marik kneels beside the brawling woman intent on smashing Shisha's head like an overripe melon and says in a quiet voice "Mistress Aerys, you must stop now. Killing someone won't make you feel any better. Let us help you while we're still able to do so. If you kill the young lady this will be beyond anyone's ability to keep from ecscalating. Can you understand that?"
As Ishirou's blade lays waste to Tony's face Aerodus whispers "By Saint Lymirin...."
Calling over to Jask: "Cleric! Your skills are needed! See what you can do to heal the nobleman."
Diplomacy to Jask:
Aerodus will ask Mundin to stay his hand
Aerodus then puts his hand on Marik's shoulder and say "You have your first blood, let there be no more shed amongst us this night. Listen to the scholar, our skills should be spent trying to get off this island, not attacking each other"
Diplomacy to Ishirou:
Current HP: 2 (20%)
Tony reels back a step, then slowly reaches up to where blood pours from the gash in his head. Something of the respect he held for Ishirou dies in his eyes.
Tony grins now; in an unpleasant feral manner as he unsheathes his sword and assumes a defensive stance.
"Well now, I have been chastened. You have changed my mind. The two of you CAN go sleep in the jungle after all."
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Ishirou easily sidesteps Mundin as the dwarf launches himself towards the Tian man (and takes the opportunity to swipe at the flying dwarf too - although the blow goes wide).
'Honorless pig!' snarls Ishirou to Mundin, 'You'd interfer with a duel?'
Successfully squirming free of Aerys's grip, Shisa attempts to 'put some distance between them' but as she scrabbles to get away, Aerys contemptuously boots her fellow half-elf in the head!
"Mistress Aerys, you must stop now. Killing someone won't make you feel any better. Let us help you while we're still able to do so. If you kill the young lady this will be beyond anyone's ability to keep from ecscalating. Can you understand that?"
Aerys reguards Marik with contempt, rolls Shisa onto her back with the toe of her boot, then spits on the fallen half-elf's face. To Marik she states,
'If I wanted her dead, she'd be dead, scholar. This was a simple beating to get her to shut up... you should all be thanking me.'
"Anthony, Master Ishirou, Enough... Is this how they uphold their honor in Tian-Xa? Blooding a mere boy for speaking his mind? For if it is then you will have to strike me down as well."
"You have your first blood, let there be no more shed amongst us this night. Listen to the scholar, our skills should be spent trying to get off this island, not attacking each other"
Ishirou glances between Marik and Aerodus and sighs once more,
'The boy insulted me with hand on weapon... I've learnt the hard way it's best to get the first strike in... my being alive now proves that.'
"Well now, I have been chastened. You have changed my mind. The two of you CAN go sleep in the jungle after all."
Ishirou shakes his head, keeping a wary eye on Mundin, but mostly watching as Tony draws his sword. To Aerodus and Marik he says,
'I didn't wish any of this to happen, but the boy seems intent on death. It's a curse of the young... but if he were to put away his sword and apologize sincerly then perhaps we can avoid further bloodshed?'
Gelik continues to scribble his notes.
As Aerys strides away from Shisa (barely even sparing a glance for the dispute Ishirou's gotten himself into), Sasha rushes over to her fallen friend. Jask, after a moment's worried look at the two men standing with drawn swords, joins Sasha at Shisa's side and begins what appears to be an examination in the manner of a professional healer.
*Moan*
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If I wanted her dead, she'd be dead, scholar. This was a simple beating to get her to shut up... you should all be thanking me.'
"Look around you m'lady. The only one Shisa seems to have annoyed is you. Which of us will you pummel into unconciousness if we annoy you next? Master Gelik?, Master Jask?, myself? Why don't you beat me senseless since I seem to be the one taking you to task for your actions. Or perhaps Master Ishirou will cut me down for speaking harshly to his Lady?" So saying Marik turns back to Gelik sitting on his rock and says "Where were we Master Gelik? Ahh, yes. What I've learned about the island since bonding with my companion there" he nods to indicate Yipper sitting there looking at him uncomprehendingly "well let me tell you..." he continues as he walks over to sit down next to the Gnome.
The only honorless pig I see around here is you! You want to fight, let's settle this now, no weapons."
Mundin's face has turned the color of his beard and stands ready to fight if it comes to that. He makes no move for any of his weapons though.
Tony laughs humorlessly.
"Careful there Mundin! Not having a weapon in your hand doesn't seem to make a difference to this one."
"But I see that Shisa still lives; fortunately for you both. So I'm feeling generous. So an apology it is that you seek from me? Well then..."
"I apologize.
"I apologize for treating you as a trusted comrade.
"I apologize for respecting you as a man.
"I apologize for aiding you on the beach when we were all endangered.
"It won't ever happen again."
"Oh, and by the way, when I said 'Are you two soft in the head', I was referring to Aerys and Shisa. I have not even begun to insult YOU."
"Sir you go too far, to strike an defenseless opponent is a cowards tactic. To demand of him repayment for imagined crimes is salt in the wounds. With your masterful stroke sir, you have not only bloodied our nobleman; but also have separated yourself from those that would have helped you to survive here. What could you gain from these actions?"
To Gelik: "Sir scribe, did anything of note happen between when we parted ways to climb the cliffs?"
To Jask: "Cleric, does she still live?
Inner monologue"I can think only of some strange illness or possession to cause a good man to throwaway a cast line of aid, lest I misjudged him.
Aerodus will take a 5' step back and cast detect evil and focus on Ishirou.
If needed Diplomacy
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Ishirou listens warily to the three facing him, katana ready before him. To Mundin he says,
'If it's a duel you want then you'll have to wait your turn until the boy's been dealt with... if you can comprehend the idea of a one-on-one fight that is...'
Glancing to Aerodus he shakes his head slightly,
'It pains me, sir paladin, that you'd consider the boy's approach to me - agressive and ready to draw - made him a "defenseless opponent", and that you'd belittle my own sense of honour by calling his crimes "imagined". I had hoped for more understanding from one of your faith; but you too are young... I hope that you'll live long enough to learn the difference between striking first when you know combat is upon you, and striking unprovoked... although trapped here as we are I'm doubtful that you will. I have given the boy more chance than he deserves to retract his position, but his youthful pride seems to drive him towards death. You ask what I'd have to gain from these actions... let me ask you: are you willing to sacrifice your beliefs, your honour, because we face certain death here? Or would you prefer to die with such things intact? What, in the end, is the measure of a man?'
Focusing on Tony he simply offers,
'Put away your sword, youth: I will not warn you again.'
"Sir scribe, did anything of note happen between when we parted ways to climb the cliffs?"
'Between what?' Gelik asks, somewhat confused, 'Use your big boy words, lad!' he chuckles to himself, but sensing the situation probably isn't ripe for humour, adds, 'Look, fascinating as all this is, the half-elf is a drunk in danger of the shakes for lack of rum, and is probably best left unprovoked and to her own devices. Ishirou here, let's face it, doesn't know any of us: whilst I may well recognise our good Master Nedraid as well-meaning idiot, and Master Ironhand as being too much a dwarf for his own good, there's no reason he should. Right now he looks to me like a man facing three opponents whose had too much experience amongst the dregs of society to see anything good coming from that. If he wanted to fight I'm sure he'd be swinging right now. Someone's overblown sense of honour is going to have to be deflated if you all want to avoid further bloodshed, but in the meantime why don't you all just back away to opposite sides of the camp and calm the [gnomish expletive] down?'
"Cleric, does she still live?"
'Aye,' Jask answers, 'she's still weak from the "kraken" poison, but she'll just have scrapes and bruises from this little tussle. I... ah... I'm a little reluctant to revive her until the tension drops a bit though, if you take my meaning..?' he glances towards Aerys, then back to Aerodus and shrugs. Gesturing towards Tony he adds, 'I'd like to tend your wound, Master Nedraid, as that seems much worse... Despite his rather caustic way of putting things, mayhap our gnome friend is correct in so far as you should all just back up for now?'
"Look around you m'lady. The only one Shisa seems to have annoyed is you. Which of us will you pummel into unconciousness if we annoy you next? Master Gelik?, Master Jask?, myself? Why don't you beat me senseless since I seem..."
'No problem,' retorts Aerys, her fist connecting with Marik's nose even as she speaks, causing it to stream with blood even as his eyes string painfully.
'Oh for crying out loud,' exclaims Gelik, throwing his hands up in the air, 'seriously? Forget what I said: someone please knock that crazy b&~&~ on her arse!'
'That's it!' declares Sasha, drawing both her rapier and curved dagger as she rises from Shisa's side to lauch herself at Aerys with an almost dance-like whirlwind of steel. Aerys manages to sidestep the dagger, but Sasha's rapier catches the half-elf with a nasty thrust to the side. Ishirou spares a glance at the combat, but remains where he is, ready to deal with any attacks. Meanwhile, Marik's swoop lizard friend, Yipper, takes to the air (the past ills of his wing not seeming to bother him any more) and circles, ready to strike...
Swearing at the fresh outbreak of violence, and dispite his earlier words, Jask lays a hand on Shisa's forehead and chants a prayer to his god...
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Marik wipes the blood from his nose and, chuckling, looks down at the blood on his hand and thinks to himself "Well, I did ask for it." As Sasha leaps to his defense Marik brushes his hand across her shoulder imparting his Diviner's Fortune ability upon her.
Looking down at Yipper and outstretching his arm Marik says "NO!, boy. As much as it might please me to set you loose, that is not what this situation needs right now. To me." as he goes to join Gelik by his rock.
Slowly opening her eyes, Shisa looks up and sees Jask hovering above her. She blinks a couple of times and lets out a soft groan. "Hi Jask. I guess I owe you my thanks." She gives him a smile as she tries to sit up.
She reaches up to wipe something wet and thick off her face. Looking at her hand, she furrows her brow. "Don't tell me.. she didn't right?"
Glancing over, she sees the men staring each other down and Sasha's blade sink deep into Aerys. Her eyes widen and begin to water, worry and a sudden fear sweeping over her. "Jask, we have to stop this or.." Her voice trails off as she pushes her feelings aside.
Raising shakily to her feet, she wipes her sleeve across her face and retrieves her sword, her head pounding with each step.
"Jask, in my pack are the manacles you once wore. Should we put them to better use?"
Someone's overblown sense of honour is going to have to be deflated if you all want to avoid further bloodshed, but in the meantime why don't you all just back away to opposite sides of the camp and calm the [gnomish expletive] down?'
Tony's eyes flicker as the words sink past his anger and he considers. Enraged at the contemptuous wound he was given, the group could only suffer by infighting.
"Sir Aerodus; I trust in your honor and judgement. Do you think I should withdraw? Even giving this... man another chance to slash me across the face?"
Inner Monologue: "Oh why did I ever leave Mendev?"
Upon Sasha's vicious assault Aerodus will respond: "Sir, your battle maiden may have awoken a lioness. Shall we continue this when one of their deaths is not pending?"
Diplomacy
To Tony: "Nobleman, withdraw; have the Cleric tend to your wounds, while we handle the brawling women."
To Ishirou: "If you know me to be a paladin, then know this as a follower of the Inheritor, my word is my bond. The nobleman shall not interfere while we do this, nor shall the dwarf. Once there safety is confirmed we can continue this discussion, in a more civil manner."
Aerodus will reach out his hand to seal the deal:
Diplomacy
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"NO!, boy. As much as it might please me to set you loose, that is not what this situation needs right now. To me."
The swoop lizard lingers a little, circling, as Marik heads back to Gelik's side, but then glides down to land next to him, its head twitching this way and that as if alert for danger.
'You know,' Gelik muses to Marik, 'I generally prefer these girl-fights when it's more hair-pulling, slapping, and less armour... and clothes... and stabbing...'
"Hi Jask. I guess I owe you my thanks."
'No need for that,' Jask replies with a warm smile, 'but if you'd like to thank Nethys, then I'm sure that would be fine.'
"Don't tell me.. she didn't right?"
'Okay,' retorts Jask, 'I won't tell you...'
"Jask, in my pack are the manacles you once wore. Should we put them to better use?"
Jask's brow furrows at the suggestion, and his smile fades,
'No...' he replies, quietly, '... no, I'd rather not see anyone in such circumstances... not even her.'
"Sir Aerodus; I trust in your honor and judgement. Do you think I should withdraw? Even giving this... man another chance to slash me across the face?"
"If you know me to be a paladin, then know this as a follower of the Inheritor, my word is my bond. The nobleman shall not interfere while we do this, nor shall the dwarf. Once there safety is confirmed we can continue this discussion, in a more civil manner."
Ishirou stands, still wary, for a moment but finally nods and lowers his sword. He clasps Aerodus's forearm as it is offered, muttering quietly,
'I'm glad not to have to kill the pup today. You are a good man, sir paladin... with a few years, maybe you could have become a great man... a pity that we're doomed to die here instead...'
"Sir, your battle maiden may have awoken a lioness. Shall we continue this when one of their deaths is not pending?"
Ishirou nods,
'She's hardly "mine",' he mutters, 'more's the pity...'
Jask moves from Shisa's side to Tony, takes a moment to examine his wound, a frown on his brow as he 'tuts' at the damage, then lays his palm across Tony's face as he chants a prayer to Nethys...
'You'll have a trophy scar,' the cleric reports, 'but I'm sure the ladies will love it.'
'He wasn't that pretty anyway,' Gelik calls from where he's sitting, although he does cast a quick cantrip to help clean all the blood off Tony.
Meanwhile...
Aerys catches Sasha with a solid punch to the mouth, splitting the redhead's lip and causing her to spit blood.
Sasha counters with her flashing blades, but the half-elf ducks, twists, and sidesteps, avoiding them both, her hand only going briefly to her wounded side as she winces with pain. Sasha, despite her damaged mouth, begins to grin like a maniac, excitement in her eyes, as the fight continues...
Shisa turns to Jask as she pulls the short sword from the ground. "Very well Jask, she says with a smile. "Thank you Nethys.. You'll have to tell me about Nethys sometime.. when it's quiet."
Her face turns determined as she slips the sword in its sheath. "I'll respect your wishes, no manacles." She watches as Jask rushes over to Tony, her words trailing behind him.
She pauses long enough to crouch down and wipe her hands in the dirt and leaves, closing a fist around a handful. Turning, she goes to lend Sasha a hand..
Seeing Shisa going to join the fray, Marik yells in a quieter voice he continues "ganging up on Aerys will only infuriate Master Ishirou even further. Let them settle it themselves."
Hearing Marik's yell, Shisa stops in her tracks and gives the young mage a bewildered look. Hesitating long enough for what he is saying to sink in, she sighs and nods. "Very well Master Marik. I'll let it be.. for now."
Looking over at Sasha, she says quietly, "Try not to kill her, but if you do, so be it." Unclenching her fist, she lets the handful of dirt and leaves drop, hiding the motion next to her leg and stalks back to her gear.
She slips her quiver over her shoulder and strings her bow. Turning, she stalks into the trees nearby finding a place where she can watch over them all.
Forgot to mention..
Aerodus will motion for Mundin and Tony to go to the other side of the camp. "I'll see what I can do to handle the fight, Nobleman, help the dwarf cool his head."
"I still don't trust him, but as long as he stays out of the fight so will I."
Mundin keeps his eyes on Ishirou but relaxes his stance a bit.
To Tony: "Nobleman, withdraw; have the Cleric tend to your wounds, while we handle the brawling women."
Tony slowly nods, then quickly backflips a good ten feet back to avoid any attacks of opportunity...
Acrobatics:...stumbling a bit, there he takes his scabbard in his left hand and slowly eases it back over his sword, closing it with a click; all the while never losing line of sight on Ishirou. He reslings his sword it its usual place then.
At this point Tony thinks of a number of parting verbal shots; but firmly clamps his teeth together.
Whatever it is that Sir Aerodus has going, he didn't want to muck it up.
Turning away, Tony spots his flask on the ground. Stooping, he picks it up and upends it over his tongue; but only a last mournful drop falls free. The pain of his headwound now clamored for attention, and his hands trembled where he held the flask.
A pity, he thought, I could have used a stiff drink right about now.
Jask moves from Shisa's side to Tony, takes a moment to examine his wound, a frown on his brow as he 'tuts' at the damage, then lays his palm across Tony's face as he chants a prayer to Nethys... (Tony is healed of 8 hit points of damage)'You'll have a trophy scar,' the cleric reports, 'but I'm sure the ladies will love it.'
'He wasn't that pretty anyway,' Gelik calls from where he's sitting, although he does cast a quick cantrip to help clean all the blood off Tony.
Sighing in relief, Tony mumbles his thanks to Jask. To Gelik he grins and replies with false indignance; "What? Don't be ridiculous. Of course I am. A scar can only enhance my good looks."
Aerodus will motion for Mundin and Tony to go to the other side of the camp. "I'll see what I can do to handle the fight, Nobleman, help the dwarf cool his head."
Tony calls out; "Sir Mundin, Lady Shisa! We need help preparing the goat! Can you bear a hand here?" Hoping one of them knew how to do that, since he didn't have a clue how to himself.
Striding forth towards the melee shield in hand, Aerodus will mention to Ishirou "I plan to die in the comfort of my own home, surrounded by my progeny, or on the field of glorious battle doing the Inheritor's work. Not in some forsaken jungle; eaten by a kraken spawn. But enough of the talk of death, let us see what we can to its prevention.'
"Milady, I ask that you relent, and withdraw from this battle, enjoy the food you have provided for us and save your strength for the trials that the jungle will surely give us."
Diplomacy:
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Watching Tony as he slowly sheathes his weapon, Ishirou then, in one lightning swift motion, flicks the blood from his own blade and has it back in it's scabbard before one could blink. He then turns to head, with Aerodus, towards the fight. Meanwhile...
Aerys, ducking under a slash from Sasha's rapier, comes up with a solid one-two combination punch to the redhead's stomach and jaw. Staggering a little from the blows, the grin never leaves Sasha's face as she turns with the punch to her jaw, smoothly bringing up her curved off-hand dagger to open a cut across Aerys's cheek then, as Aerys takes a reflexive step backwards, pivots into a thrust with her rapier which punctures through the half-elf's studded black leather armour to transfix her right shoulder! Pulling her blade free as she steps back, Sasha takes out a silk handkerchief to wipe it clean, even as Aerys's eyes roll up and she drops first to her knees, then face down in the dirt. Sheathing her weapons Sasha turns to smile at Shisa... then winces as she seems to notice her bloodied lip for the first time... then shrugs,
'Feels weird not to go for a killing blow,' she comments, 'but I'm pretty sure she's not dead yet.'
Glancing to Aerodus she smiles again.. winces again (and curses under her breath)... and says,
'I'll happily withdraw from battle now good Sir Aerodus... withdrawing whilst she was still hitting me would have been... silly...' she winks at Shisa as she makes that last comment.
Hurrying to the fallen Aerys's side, Jask examines her wounds, shakes his head, then looks up,
'I need to ask Nethys to heal this,' he says, 'or we could lose her. That will, of course, mean she's going to wake up...' still, he holds off on the healing for a few moments, in case anyone wants to prepare for Aerys's return to conciousness.
Ishirou takes a hesitant step towards the fallen half-elf, starting to reach out his hand, but then stops and hangs his head for a moment before glancing at Aerodus,
'You deal with her,' he suggests, sounding resigned, 'she... she's never really listened to me...' with that he turns away, heading to the edge of the camp where he stands, alone, peering out into the darkness.
Sasha strides over to Gelik and Marik, crouches down, and says to Gelik,
'How about some healing for my poor battered face, gnome? Jask's busy with the nut-job, and I can't live without the ability to kiss...' she winks at Marik.
Gelik rolls his eyes, but chants arcane words of healing all the same, a pass of his hand across Sasha's face closing the wound on her lip and causing the bruising on her jaw to fade. With a second wave of his hand and the incanting of his favourite cantrip the blood and mud vanishes, leaving the redhead's beauty revealed once more. Smiling (without wincing this time) Sasha plants a kiss on Gelik's forehead, then stands to head towards the roasting goat, although as a parting shot she does say to Marik,
'Get yourself cleaned up and maybe you'll get a kiss too!'
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Marik again chuckles to himself then winces in pain as he touches his still tender nose "I dont think anything is broken. Still she packs quite a wallop" Then looking down at the blood, mud, and who knows what else staining his clothes Marik smiles "I believe the lady has a point. I probably look and smell as bad as that goat did" so saying Marik utters some arcane words and passes a hand over his face and body as the magic instantly cleans up his face and clothes.
Looking over at where Ishirou stands looking out at the jungle Marik mutters to himself "No rest for the weary, I'm afraid" and walks over to where the Tian man is standing. Politely clearing his throat before intruding on the mans introspection he begins "Master Ishirou, this morning you and Aerys seemed willing to venture into the jungle on your own and I talked you out of that course of action. Given what has transpired here tonight I suggest that in the morning you both continue on your journey. May the Gods watch over you and keep you safe." He then smiles a little wanly and says "Who knows, the island is small enough that we may meet again under more pleasant circumstances." then placing a hand on the man's shoulder he says "Good luck to the both of you."
Shisa watches from the edge of the trees as Aerys falls. She closes her eyes a moment and shakes her head. "Such a waste," she says softly to herself, "She's lucky Sasha didn't finish her off."
She walks quickly back to camp as Jask runs over to the fallen half-elf. Quickly grabbing a length of rope from the stacked supplies, she measures off an arm-span and cuts it with her dagger. Taking the length of rope, she runs over and drops it next to Aerys. "I promised no shackles, but here is something else if need be."
Spinning on her heels, she walks back into the trees, pausing only long enough to give Sasha a smile and a quick nod.
Aerodus will place his hand on his holy symbol, look up into the sky and whisper.
"It's never easy, is it My Queen?"
To Marik + Ishirou: "That may not be necessary provided we can resolve our conflicts without further violence. If you truly care for her Swordsman, I ask that you aid me in having her cooperate with the group."
To Jask: "Do it, let us not have a needless death tonight. Your skills are greatly appreciated Cleric. Have you ever considered serving the Crusades? You would be a most welcome sight on the battlefields of Mendev."
To Aerys: "Milday, do you know where you are? Your wounds were quite grievous, you should thank the Cleric for his skill. I hope we will not have any further need of his expertise this night, which brings us to the matter at hand: Will you drop your hostilities with your fellow survivors? Your skills would be of great use to us all."
Diplomacy:
"I'm not much of cook lad"
"If you know what you like, then you are at least as good as I am. Come on! Nothing teaches like experience; and from what I've heard, we'll be master chefs by the time we're off this rock."
"Alright, but i warned ye" Mundin aids Tony in attempting to prepare the meal. "Might as well try and build a fire, perhaps gut this thing, anyone got a good knife?"
As Sasha approaches, Tony will grin and bow to her.
"May I say, Milady Sasha, exellent thrust there! On a complely unrelated note, do you know anything about..." he glances at Mundin and lowers his voice to a whisper. "...cooking?"
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Listening to Marik and Aerodus, Ishirou sighs once more. Looking at Marik's hand on his shoulder he shakes it off then, without a word to the young wizard, follows Aerodus over to Jask and Aerys. As they walk the Tian man whispers to the paladin,
'Master Whiterose's words are gentle, but that he'd so easily send me and Mistress Mavato to our inevitable deaths just to protect the bruised ego of another of his social class... I shouldn't be surprised, but I'd have hoped that here, at least, such things would matter less...'
Jask, in turn, listens to the paladin, shaking his head as he replies,
'Crusades you say? No... I've been despondent in my time, but never suicidal...'
The cleric's touch, and his god's answering of his prayers, causes Aerys to rouse. At first she winces, clutching a hand to her shoulder, then blinks, frowning at the three gathered around her. However, before her anger can rise again Aerodus says his part. Jask adds,
'Thank Nethys, rather than me... but Sir Aerodus speaks the truth - what healing gifts are granted me are being stretched thin... but with a night's rest, devote prayers to my god, and by his grace, I'll be able to call on him to provide fresh water and to purify our food. All is not lost to us... not yet...'
Ishirou nods,
'I know the tales of the Shiv as well as you,' he adds, 'ill-prepared smugglers and pirates drunk with both grog and loot are those fated to perish on this rock. Others, with greater resources, have sailed away from this place... like those who built the great lighthouse to the south. Whilst it may be true our chances are slim, I...' he glances at Aerodus for a moment, then continues, '... I choose to put my trust in the paladin here to lead us through to eventual escape.'
Pushing herself to sitting, then standing, Aerys brushes herself down, scowling all the while, but eventually (seeming only willing to glare at Aerodus through the corner of her eye) replies,
'Fine. I guess it can't hurt to sleep on it. Maybe... maybe things will seem clearer in the morning.'
Scooping up and dusting off her tricorn hat, the half-elf stalks away to settle down with her back to a tree, pulling the hat down over her eyes as she tries, it appears, to get some rest.
Ishirou sighs yet again, then heads over to the fire (skirting wide around Tony and Mundin) to see how the food's getting on.
Jask puts a hand on Aerodus's shoulder,
'Makes you grow up faster than any crusades, doesn't it?' he comments, 'Trying to stop the fighting instead of continuing it I mean,' he grins, then he too heads over for food.
Closing his journal and joining the others at the fire, Gelik offers to magically flavour the food of those who want and, once bellies are starting to fill, pipes up,
'So... who wants to hear the tale of how Sulesh the Great tricked the Queen of Sheba into his bed? It all began one windswept desert night, the moon full and heavy in the clear star-studded skies, when the guard in the highest tower of Sulesh's mighty palace spotted a train of camels crossing the sea of dunes...' the bard weaves his story into the night, illustrating with simple conjured figures, sometimes causing them to invisibly move my the use of another cantrip. Whilst everyone's gathered, Jask takes the time to call upon his god to spread healing amongst them
In the morning...
Both Jask and Gelik seem to be adjusting to their new circumstances well, the former offering long ritual prayers to his god before demonstrating Nethys's gift of life in his ability to conjure fresh water out of thin air (which he does as much as anyone needs); the latter seemingly none the worse for wear as he sings a jaunty song, scribes in his journal, and mystically changes the hue of his clothes to a nice pale pastel blue.
Others don't seem to be doing so well. Aerys seems the worst - by the morning she's visibly got the shakes and looks pale and drawn with circles under her eyes, even as she starts nervously at the mearest sounds and hugs her knees as she sits, back to a tree, rocking back and forth slighty...
Ishirou doesn't seem to have gotten much sleep either and appears tired to the point of staggering, bleary eyed, but too wary to drop off with killer dwarves and vengeful noblemen lurking round every corner...
Sasha is more of a surprise: she wakes suddenly with a cry of, 'Mother - No!', weapons in hand and swinging as if she were being assaulted by invisible assailants! It takes her a few moments to focus on where she is, and a few moments more to sheath her weapons... but the incident appears to have both shaken and embaressed her, and she seems quiet and pensive compared to her usual ranbunctious self.
To Ishirou:"Blame not the scholar for his actions, he is thinking only of the group in mind, he knows not the perils battle hardened men have faced."
As night falls, Aerodus enjoys his fill of crit cooked goat. Boring of Gelik's story he will retire early to lean-to for rest.
Diplomacy
Aerodus wakes with the rising sun, and gives thanks to the Inheritor. And will even offer to allow others to join him in his morning service. He pays no heed to Sasha's cry of fright, (obviously she has her own terrors to deal with); but will do detect evil in her direction just in case evil dream spirits have attacked.
Surveying the camp and Aerys's condition, he will request Jask try and see what could be ailing her. After that he addresses the group "Well, whats on the schedule for the day?"
Sasha's loud outburst wakes Shisa with a start. Her eyes pop open and her ears strain for some out of place noise, yet she remains still. Lack of movement saves her from yet another trip to a healer as one of Sasha's blades swings over her.
She waits until the woman is still, listening her her heavy breathing. "Well, that's one way to wake someone up Sasha," she says teasingly as she rolls out from beneath her blankets.
"You ok?" she asks just loud enough for only Sasha to hear. Shisa rolls up her bedroll and places it back into her pack.
"Time for a morning stretch. You're welcome if you'd like."
Slipping into her armor and grabbing her belt, she heads off down the trail a bit before stepping into the woods, her eyes and ears alert.
perception
She'll find a spot close enough to camp to be safe, far enough for privacy and run through some dual-weapon drills trying to mimic Sasha's moves from the night before. (Picture slow-motion tai chi type movements with two weapons). This is a daily routine for her to stretch.
If Sasha follows, she'll simply offer to listen if she wants to talk, but not pry and offer Sasha to join her in stretching.[/ooc]
Tony jolts awake at Sasha's shout, sword half drawn. Seeing no looming Ishirou, he slides his sword back into its scabbard with a snick. Frowning across at Sasha, he doesn't quite dare go over to ask if she's all right.
During the morning meal, Tony ventures a question.
"Has everyone read the Captain's Log? Very interesting reading there..."
An oilskin-bound book which, at a glance, looks like it's the captain's log.
CAPTAIN'S LOG [Jenivere]:
Entries from previous voyages and the first two thirds of the Jenivere's final voyage are precise in recording progress and events along the way.
.
The Jenivere makes numerous stops on its nearly 4-month journey from Magnimar in Varisia to Eleder in Sargava. It has thus far taken the following course and nears its final destination.
Port of Call --------------Days in Port
Magnimar, Varisia ---------Departed
Kintargo, Cheliax ----------2
Pezzack, Cheliax -----------3
Corentyn, Cheliax ----------7
Ilizmagorti, Mediogalti Isle ---2
Ollo, The Shackles ---------7
Quent, The Shackles --------2
Port Peril, The Shackles ---3
Bloodcove, Mwangi Expanse --4
Senghor, Mwangi Expanse ----3
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However, towards the end of the log entries become less common, sometimes missing days at a time, shorter, and less coherant.
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They focus more and more on the Varisian scholar, Ieana, with whom Captain Kovack appears to have become obsessed - several entries are nothing more than poorly written love poems to her, or rants bemoaning the captain's inability to please her or even catch her attention.
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The final few entries become even more ominous, with complaints that the crew are 'eyeing my Ieana', particularly the first mate Alton Devers, of whom the captain writes, 'I wish he'd just have an accident'.
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The very last entry is the most disturbing of all, explaining how the captain has changed course for Smuggler's Shiv at Ieana's request, and how he hopes that the two of them, 'can make a home on the remote island'.
.
He writes of the crew's 'agitation' at the new course, and of how 'something may need to be done about them' if their suspicions worsen...
As Mundin gets into his armor, he says to Marik "Lad, yesterday you mentioned something about fresh water streams and field with a clear view. What say we go check this place out."
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"Certainly Master Mundin, but I've learned so much more than that by bonding with my little friend." He smiles at Yipper while tossing him some left over goat's meat. The little lizard looks at him curiously, not exactly sure what to do with cooked meat, before gobbling it down. "To the south is a small hillock devoid of trees at the top that should provide ample line of sight to anyone approaching. Nearby are some fresh water streams which should supply us with water without the need to task Father Jask further.
I've also learned that further south by southwest is a tribe of humans who eat poor defenseless lizards when they catch them. To the west of the main island is a smaller one that is somehow 'wrong', I can't explain it better than that, that is devoid of foiliage and covered in gray plantlife.
Furthermore, to the Southeast is a large red stone mountain. On that mountain dwells the islands Alpha hunter, a huge winged beast, best to be avoided lest it eat you." Marik grins as a far away look comes over him and he whispers almost reverently "Just north of the humans encampment is another hill and on top of that hill is a large tree where the 'Spirit of the Island' dwells. Some kind of fey, perhaps, I'm not sure"
Upon reading the offered log Aerodus's brow will furrow "Suspicious indeed, did you find any trace of the captain on the ship besides his desk and log?"
To Tony: "There still is yesterday's unfinished business..."
Tony frowned thoughtfully at Aerodus' question, remembering what happened aboard the ship.
"Does anyone remember Ieana? Seems like the Captain might have been enchanted or something."
"No trace of the Captain did we find. Just the cook in the pantry and the first mate in the storeroom. I couldn't tell what killed either of them; the first mate had a little blood pooled under him, I don't remember any blood with the cook, and it couldn't have been drowning since both spaces were dry. We couldn't take the time to do more than look at them with the ship being pounded to pieces. Shisa, Mundin, did you notice anything else?"
At Marik's words, Tony searched through his map case. "The captain had some charts of the area too..."
After looking through them, Tony pulls up one.
"Look, there is only one that has this godforsaken place on it, and it's just an outline. We're going to have to map the details ourselves."
Tony will take another chart and flip it over. Scaling up the island, he will outline it on the back and make our own notations there.
Knowledge (Geography):
"Gelik, can you doublecheck me, as a navigator you can help keep the chart accurate. Marik, can you note down the locations of those places you mentioned?"
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In reply to Aerodus's inquiry about Aerys, Jask sighs and takes the paladin to one side,
'"She's been shipwrecked on an island reputed to be deadly" would be my first guess as to the cause of her condition... she's just not handling it as well as, say, a fearless paladin may. The shakes though... I've seen that before: she's a drunkard who can't get a drink... it'll get worse before it gets better.'
Sasha, meanwhile, waves off Shisa's invitation, replying quietly,
'No... no thankyou... I... I just want to be alone for a bit...'
Eleswhere in the camp...
As Marik recalls what he 'felt' about the island, Yipper looks up at him, yips (in what Marik knows is a happy / enthusiastic manner) then takes to the air, circling a few times before gliding away a little to the south, then returning to circle a little more before finally alighting on a nearby branch and looking at Marik expectantly.
"Gelik, can you doublecheck me, as a navigator you can help keep the chart accurate. Marik, can you note down the locations of those places you mentioned?"
'I think you've got me confused with the halfling who abandoned us,' Gelik sniffs with obvious anoyance, 'and don't tell me all us "regular sized" folk look alike to you "giants"... I am dressed as a gentleman... he was dress liked something the kraken dragged in... Besides, surely the diviner over there would be better suited as a cartographer - after all, he seems to already know where he's going...'
"Does anyone remember Ieana? Seems like the Captain might have been enchanted or something."
Shisa returns as Tony asks the question. Her hair is tied back in a disheveled loose tail with a few small pieces of leaves stuck in it. Her shirt is soaked and sticking to her skin and her face is reddened. It's obvious that she's been doing something taxing.
Stripping out of her armor, she grabs a bite to eat then sits next to the others. "Enchanted? Perhaps.. or perhaps men typically fawn over women they're attracted to." She shoots Tony a grin.
"Tony is correct. The cook and first mate both died and not from water. Alton's hand had a death grip on his sword. He went down fighting.. what I don't know." She takes another bite thinking, then shrugs it off.
She pushes the hair back from her face and continues to eat, listening to the others.
Tony looks over at Marik.
"Diviner? Good lord, I thought with his animal companion he was some kind of Druid!"
Approaching Marik, he speaks in an odd language.
"Dude! You are a Mwangi Scholar also? Wicked!"
They do a complicated fist handshake and a chest bump.