Vantas sighs once more, but his heart gets the better of him and he relents to Somia's desire. He pulls out one of his many tools he uses for casting and does a small hum. He would insure that at least for today, no one would go hungry. " We shall head back to camp, yes, Stick close t-to me the entire way Lady Somia. It gets Dangerous at night especially if you cannot see past a few yards. I don't want to see you get hurt.. er any of you really. It would mar my reputation. NOW, to deal with this starvation issue! There are 9 people so I shall try to provide for that much. "
After about a minute of Vantas summoning up his arcane might it functions and 7 berries glisten for the faintest of moments as he grasps them in his hand. "An old spell one of my more Wilderness inclined passengers taught me.. Seven. This will provide a day's sustenance for seven people. It will also cure some minor ailments. If you do not wish to partake in any of this meat, you can have one of these. " He says to them all as he re-straps his bow and holds his spear tight, starting to double-back.
Siddok eagerly awaits the others at the tree line and when the group gets up to them he follows closly behind. Thinking about that wonderful snake meat he will eat tonight...
Vantas speaks to Siddok as he seems to ride his coattails on the way back to camp; slathering over what he assumes to be hot food or something equally as tempting. " Siddok, I realize you seem a bit skittish but, outside your expertise in wilderness lore and alchemical reagents, what are you capable of? Specifically what type of traps can you create with your current resources? As of now, we could not take on many a creature larger than those we have faced unless we have greater numbers. Luring such a beast into a trap would be most beneficial. Against smaller swarms of creatures, a smoke or blinding light would do well.. enough to mask us or disorient them as we pick them off. I have also noticed you collect poison quite effectively. Perhaps a mechanism with a spike that has poison along with it? The snake or large scorpion poison should do nicely there. Truly I'm curious what a little draconian as yourself can do. " He says keeping his eyes forward.
Siddok cans dos Tripwires Traps ands Smokes Traps, buts Siddoks supplies fors the latters ares limiteds, thoughs Siddok woulds needs times tos sets eithers ups. Ifs Siddok coulds haves as syringes spears... poisons woulds bes mores usables thens.
Vantas nods to the kobolds' willing information " Hrmm, time will be a factor yes. When our group becomes more well acquainted with each other, I could send you out to scout and our timing will be such that your skills shall be utilized. For now I simply ask your Tripwire traps be placed around camp just in case someone gets an Idea to attack us at night. " Doing a small twirl i the air with the hilt portion of his spear.
" These smoke traps are intriguing however.. I can see multiple uses for those.. Especially on the lizard nest, we will eventually have to rout it regardless. Unless we find more common food. They might also have some of my cache with them as a trinket; I must make sure. "
Thrace hesitantly takes one of the berries and eats it half expecting to be sick from it.
The berry invigorates you, it specially juicy and tasty. There is clearly magic at work here as Thrace feels as though she had consumed a full course meal, memories of whenever she could have experienced that flow into her mind. She is not sickened but satisfied instead. Vantas watches any signs of Thrace's experience with a smirk, knowing, if anything, she would be fine for the day.
" Not a meat eater? I hope it was to your liking.. " As she had chosen the berry a little apprehensively.
As you head back the sound of the jungle echo around you; frogs croaking merrily at the afternoons rain, a few nocturnal birds call out, and the falling of rain drops falling from high leaves.
Amongst the din however, you swear you can hear a pair of large wings beating the wind.
The party makes it back to camp a little over an hour after sundown. Luckily no denizens of the dark take an interest in them.
Making it back to camp you find a fire has already been started by Ishirou, the others huddled around it.
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Siddok sets up 3 tripwire traps around the campsite in stratigic locations and well hidden. This tasks takes less then a minute. He informs everyone of the tripwires. Then he begins cooking some snake meat.
As they approach Vantas raises his spear to hail the exploration party's arrival. Using his ioun stone as their notable marker. The travel was long and they did not accomplish much, the group unscathed however. It seemed treacherous, as poisonous creatures seemed to be everywhere.
Vantas encourages Siddok's action and asks how the camp fared while they were out upon exploration. He will inform the camp-goers of their findings, laying the animals down near the fire to be prepared and cooked. if there is not enough food he offers some of the berries to the rest. Ensuring everyone is well fed and that the reserves last as long as possible. He checks on the well-being of every person as well if they allow him to.
" We didn't find out much today, save for the fact this Island is more vast than I anticipated. We might need to stockpile food so that longer foray's are possible. For now, we have accomplished much and found a pocket of reliable food at least. Relax and enjoy your meals. If anyone would like to speak to me, feel free. I am a bit.. tired from all of the stress. " Vantas goes inside the Longhouse, Ioun stone floating about.
Waiting until Thrace put the berry in her mouth Somia smiles and says "Why Vantas, I'd love to taste your seed."
Later back at camp, Somia will quickly determine that she's not needed and curl up and go to sleep.
Most of the others take the berries, excepting Aerys and Ishirou who opt for the meat.
"How can you eat these lizards?" says Sasha.
Ishirou grunts as he bites off one of the little lizards heads, "I use my teeth."
Sasha seems slightly taken aback, " No, I mean, they're adorable! I'd very much like to have one for a pet if I could."
Aerys relays that she went out to get firewood a little earlier with Ishirou, they didn't see much but they did see a large cat that they were lucky to avoid. The rest were content to stay at camp, she seems slightly annoyed by this.
Returning to camp, Thrace eyes the others suspiciously. She is pretty sure of who the killer in the group is, but there could always be accomplices. She declines Somia's offered knife for now needing to stay light on her feet.
Vantas takes Sasha's frivolous yet inspiring suggestion into consideration. Though he did not find them cute nor adorable, he found that Domestication of creatures who could fly most profitable. He informs Sasha that the next chance they got, he would try to retrieve a clutch for their purposes.
Satisfied with the report given by Aerys, Vantas searches his prior knowledge of jungle cats to see if the description matched a beast he knew of He gives Aerys and Ishirou great praise and explains to her that there needs to be those who remain at the camp for now to secure it; that he only left the site because he trusted in both of their strengths and decisions. Both factually true and in an attempt to cheer her up. If she has any issues, he bid her speak to him at anytime.
After a slight rest, Vantas partakes of the snake/lizard dinner with Ishirou, Siddok, and Aerys. he was conserving food as best he could. Telling of his future plans on dealing with the rest of the Island. I
n his off time and during the Morning If possible, Vantas plans to create a makeshift Longspear for Siddok using the blade from one of his remaining daggers hammering it into a sturdy shaft, tempering it slightly and wrapping it in a sturdy cloth which he soaks, tightens and dries so the bond is tight and reliable.
Siddok wait eagerly for his long pointy stick.
While compulsively cleaning one of her blades, Thrace heads over to Sasha and looks her up and down,
Nice blade. Got much experience using a rapier like that? The young hotheaded thief did little to mask her distrust of the woman, but she didn't jump out and accuse her of murder yet at this point.
Thrace pulls aside Vantas,
Hey Boss, got any magic spells to pull the truth out of that Sasha? She claims to be pretty good with a rapier, and we both know that's how the first mate bit it. Still seems to me we have found the guilty party. I could take care of the problem while she sleeps with a few silent pokes. Save us all from danger and make camp a little bit safer...
She pantomimed a few quick thrusts of a knife with a wicked grin on her face.
Vantas wearily looks to Thrace as she seems to require his attention. Currently he was hammering the dagger into a shaft he found and cut a cross section into to hug the metal tight.
" Thrace, at this moment my selection is limited as I do not have all of the materials needed to change them. As such, simple enchantment is even out of my reach. Another thing you seem to forget here Thrace is that Sasha.. was at the Dinner with us, when we all went unconscious. While the other three were not. The Journal also seems to point to another. Think upon it, the Captain was jealous and was being.. manipulated by Ieana. Both Him, I, Sasha, Somia and the first mate used a rapier quite well. If anything a smart person would kill the first mate and then toss the evidence into that pile so that it is blamed on someone else. No.. We will not be solving the problem tonight. For we don't have enough evidence and very little points to her. "
He looks at Thrace with a stare that slowly gains a smile. " However, if she does turn out to be the culprit.. you'll have first shot. As it is now, every person we lose is strength we do not have. " admiring the spear he was crafting, checking for imperfections.
Pointys sticks! Pointys sticks! Siddok cheers on Vantas as he crafts his new long pointy stick.
That night, the waves crashing on the shores of Smuggler’s Shiv become infused with an eerie greenish radiance, almost as if the surf were
glowing. Wind rushing through the trees sounds like the cries of men in anguish, and everyone finds it difficult to fall asleep.
Nevertheless you all awake in the morning well rested, but perhaps a little unnerved by the nights events.
If someone wakes Somia, she'll happily take a watch... Though she's not the most perceptive.
Somia awakens part way through the night, breathing heavily. After taking a moment to reorient herself she rises to her feet and walks outside. "I'll take over the watch for a while, I don't think I can sleep any more." she breathes quietly into whomever's currently on watch's ear.
Vantas had been edgy during the watch, paying particular attention to the treelines. He worked intently on the spear but had a plethora of plans and worries running through his mind.
When he heard someone approaching, the sudden realization made his body react without thought. He grabbed, flipped the person over his shoulder upon his legs, spinning the makeshift spear in one hand and pointing it at their throat, holding the back of their head with the other. The motion dragged his robes off to reveal the leather-plated armor underneath and the hidden swords and daggers.
When he realized who it was however he looked, stunned at his actions. Somia.. He was almost going to ... he couldn't think on it. Retracting the spear, he sits Somia gently beside him; ashamed. She was clearly no better in condition, but had came out to perhaps even greet him.
" N-No it is fine Lady Somia, I can do the watch fine, Sasha is planning on taking over after my shift. But, if you, perhaps.. would like to keep me company? I would.. enjoy that. I promise during your stay I'll be alot more.. gentle.. and maybe.. not boring. " grabbing his robe and awkwardly trying to put it back on.
Somia's façade slips momentarily as she issues a feral hiss to Vantas, baring her forked tongue that she usually kept hidden.
Blinking she gets herself back under control, and smiles at him. "If you wanted to wrestle, you need only have asked."
Vantas noted the sudden change, clearly he was hallucinating from the adrenaline rush, for Somia released a sound not unlike the snake they slayed earlier that day and had a tongue to match. The odd thing being that, even with that illusion, the threatening sound and facade intrigued him rather than put him off. There was a certain beauty that Somia exuded that made the display elegant somehow.
He chuckles, nervous yet hardened at his position. it was only them this night as most were asleep. " How exotic Lady Somia. I think I might have been the first to see that, not that I mind. Your beauty dimmed no more in my eyes. Maybe Im tired and am seeing things? I didnt expect to see you out here so late. " He places his arm around Somia, this time much more gentle
" I think, 'wrestling' would be asking to much.. But.. would it be fine if.. tonight we simply .. kept each other warm? To.. prevent sickness of course. I think.. that alone would be bliss" His touch tender, but clearly hesitant.
Somia leans into Vantas. "I am fine, just a bad dream is all."
Siddok Awakens with a start. Bahs Siddok hads nightmares! Siddok wants tos sleeps nexts tos somones. Siddok looks around and the closest person to him is Thrace... He sneakily works his way towards her and then lays down beside her.
Vantas at least slows his rapidly beating heart to be tolerable to Somia " A bad dream? It is known to be a cursed island. I think, however, we can handle a dream or two,. " holding Somia close though his eyes never quite leave the darkness along the treelines.
"Hmm, you're probably right. It's just I rarely dream at all."
They both sit there close to each other, Vantas keeping vigilant while engaging in talk with Somia. When Sasha comes to eventually relieve him of his watch he stands and places his hand out to Somia "Come with me, I hope I am suitable for tonight.." and leads her back to the longhouse.
If she accepts he places her upon her sleeping cot/bed and gingerly joins in covering them both in his comfortable wizards robe and wrapping his arms around her until they both fell asleep. " Sweet Dreams "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vantas arises rested, though he also had quite the.. odd dream. The sight of the passengers and Somia in general. He left his robe upon Somia to keep warm, when he awoke to take account of the current stores and upkeep of the campsite. He pulled on the last binding of the makeshift spear for Siddok with his teeth smiling.
" Here, its nice and sturdy Siddok. I had to sacrifice one of my daggers to ensure it was of usable quality, It should give you a modicum of safety with its reach. Keep it ready to ward off animals and use it to keep yourself distanced while threatening. " passing the now Cold Iron Longspear for his size.
Once the camp was alive once more, Vantas laid out the plan for this day. He looked much different without the robe his vest-like armor and array of different blades and weapons giving more the impression of a soldier.
" Alright, we've accomplished quite alot these past two days. I want to congratulate you all on the fine effort you've placed here. No amount of effort will be overlooked. Aerys and Ishirou especially for keeping good watch of the camp while the exploration group seeks out our salvation. We have found out our area, the creatures around here and a bit of the island; We have made a base of operations. Now what we must focus on now is our survival once more. There is 18 rations left, enough for about 2 days. "
Paces around a bit to let that sink in before continuing.
" I have the ability to supplement SOME of our wares but at most it would extend our rations by about 2 more days. As such I will stress that today we find food, make nets and fishing rod at camp and those not guarding it should try their hand at fishing. The exploration team will be heading the opposite direction today, heading east into the forest and then circling around from the shore to camp. We will also commit a few hours to gathering food as well as our normal job. "
Giving another short reprieve for the rest to absorb the information.
" I must stress one thing however.. DO NOT.. go into or near the trees at night.. ever. There are too many poisonous animals around and something in particular I have been wary about. I'd rather no unnecessary casualties. Now that you have heard the objective for today, are there any questions? If no, then let us start.. Light is precious, time is against us.. and I am famished already. "
Vantas gets himself ready, checks all of his equipment and then motions to the party when they are also ready. His Longspear gripped tight. The Ioun Stone floating above his head though it bright already outside.
Awakening Somia takes some time to adjust her appearance, maintaining her human-disguise. She doubted anyone would giver her trouble for her race while on the island, but best not sow more suspicion on herself when some of the others were still reacting to the murders on board ship.
With a twinkle of amusement she slips into Vantas' robe, and walks outside to see what the camp is doing, catching most of Vantas' speech.
Siddok gleefully jumps up and down at the sight of his new long spear, he quickly takes it from Vantas and then pretends to fight of a beast of some kind with it.
He notices Siddok is especially pleased with his work and that Somia appeared in his robe. The pride and enjoyment he felt simply from that knew no measure. Vantas walks up to Somia, his look that of a man on a mission. He curtly lifts her hand to his lips with a kiss, his eyes never losing contact with Somia's. it end with a smile as he speaks, " Good morning dearest Lady Somia, did you sleep well? I'm hoping my robe kept you comfortable.. and warm the entire time.. you have permission to use it if need be again.. but only if you take the extra prize attached to it " in a half-joking manner.
" Today we will be a little rougher as we explore, but do not worry I think I have taken precaution today for any incidents. Tell me when you are ready to leave, we have alot ahead of us today, but you'll be glad to know whatever we catch, if it is not to you liking.. my 'seed' is always available. " motioning to his pouch and chuckling. " Siddok you and Thrace get ready as well..we are moving out. "
Somia slips out of the robe and hands it back to Vantas, "So... shall we engage in some... exploration?"
Vantas takes his robe back, tosses the Longspear into the air to give him space. Drapes himself in his robe simultaneously sticking both arms into the sleeves pulling the strap. Then, nonchalantly catching the spear on the way down and resting it upon his right shoulder as they walk " Let's..
Siddok follows Vantas making grunting noises as he thrusts his new spear at ferns and foliage.
Somia falls in behind Vantas.
You're able to get decently far inland today, not stopped by any wild animals and not too much vegetation obstructing your path.
After a good four hours travel you can spot a small island off in the distance through a break in the trees, crashed up against its rocks is another ship.
About this time the another rainstorm begins to roll in on the horizon.
"We should get back before the storm hits, I guess we don't want to be anywhere exposed. if the ship is still over there when it passes we could try and get out there, though I am not a strong swimmer."
Siddok nods in agreement with Somia
Vantas sighs but must agree the storm would be a big threat and he would need to ensure that those at base were fine as well. Shouldering his Spear he looks to the group.
" As much as it pains me, that storm could spell trouble in many a way. We'll head back and wait it out, lets try and catch a few things along the way "`