Brinetooth continues on past Kar, watching the monk warily as she proceeds down the corridor. She then jumps into the deeper waters and jets away.
Jader after seeing the immediate threat gone proceeds to heal his companions
Kar broods moodily at the seemingly inescapable presence of evil.
Tess groans as she gets up. "Looks like we're alright, then? What happened? Is she gone?"
"Yes. Seems you are going to make it, by the gods wills."
Considering her question a bit more, Posh adds "She has fled. Unfortunately, it took slaughtering her entire tribe to get any sort of reason to sink in. I do hope this isn't a precursor to what we should expect out of all the inhabitants... We've got to work on our presentation. Is it not better to learn from their experience than to kill them all and start from scratch?"
With a mild shake of his head, the older gnome hobbles to the center of the room and begins to closely inspect the hand...taking notes as he does so.
Kar moves up behind Posh after his speech, We gave them a chance, Grandfather. They attacked us before we ever set foot upon the island, and again when we entered the cave. They never once tried to speak to us. Their chances are over and that is not for us to feel shame over.
Posh heads over towards the hand, and takes note of a rusted sea chest tucked behind the massive hand. The lock looks to be rusted beyond use.
The hand itself is massive and radiates no magical aura. It seems like just an upraised hand from a gigantic statue...whatever made it was either tremendously huge or immensely skilled.
"Guys, there's a chest over here. I'd love to have a look inside but..." trailing off, he smiles sheepishly. "I'm a bit skiddish. Seems this whole island is trying to kills us."
Jader moves over to the chest
Let me give it a try to open it
Jader positions the chest in such a way to get purchase enough to open it
I think it budged a little should I keep trying or should we be moving on?
Kalathiel sits up, rubbing his head, and nods his thanks to Jader. The elf remains quiet for a time, considering a few of the vials on his belt, then stands.
"Wait, let me help as well."
Still weakened by her earlier state, she doesn't get far, sadly.
Jader works on the chest, using the magical blade to work at the lock. Seeing Jader nearly about to pry it open, Kal adds his hands to the lever, and the chest pops open. Inside, you see a chain shirt, a ring, and a wand that all radiate a magical aura. Also, there's a load of gold, all apparently of Chelaxian mint.
Counting out the coin, you find 470 total gold
Taking a quick look at the items, he smiles. "Some good things in there."
"Hmm...we got a finely crafted bit of armor, a ring that helps ya swim, and a stick that summons balls of fire."
Gnome! Are you certain none of those things are cursed? If not then then I would be interested in anything present. However I have this magical sword already perhaps someone else has an interest first
May I have the ring?
"Well, I certainly wouldn't say no to the armor myself... I'm already wearing a decent set, but especially after last fight I wouldn't complain to get an extra boost."
Kalathiel nods. "Certainly seems reasonable. You have gotten hit a lot lately."
He considers the other two items. "I certainly don't need the ring, and the wand won't do me much good. I'll allow the rest of you to decide what to do with them."
The elf steps away from the chest, then grabs a vial from his belt and quaffs down its contents.
"I'll gladly snag the fire stick and carry it about....but the rest aren't really great for me."
With a wink, he adds "I would request my mount gets the ring."
Very well it looks like these items have new owners. I’ll put this chest of coins in my pack. Shall we continue, or should we go seek some aid then come back. My healing magic is exhausted so I’m willing to do either
Jader shuffles the weight of his pack as he looks around at his companions for responses
Looking around the room, some regret on his face, Kar responds, Search here, then home.
You look around this area, but find nothing else of note. The giant hand, of course, looms ominously and promises more secrets to unveil...but one would need many more tools to unlock such secrets. Posh looks clearly depressed as you leave the hand and its mysteries for another time.
On the way out, you wade into the large room to the south that you had avoided on the way in. You see a dry rocky outcropping overlooking a deeper part of the room with improvised cages made of wood, seaweed, and shells. You take a look into the separated spaces and find what look to be young sharks. Apparently, these Grindylow were raising young sharks here; you even remember that one of them - the last grindylow to arrive seemed to carry a brace of fish on his belt - perhaps for training?
There's no one left within this space, save for the small creatures, stuck in their cages.
"Hm... What should we do with them? I'd hate to just leave them to their fates here. But at the same time I wonder if they'll be alright if we just let them free in the ocean..."
"The ocean is their home. In theory, they should be fine." muses Posh. After a moment of contemplation, he adds "From my recollection, sharks don't typically care for their young much after birth."
Release them or eat them.
I care not do what you will with them. I just don’t want them sampling me as a tasty treat
"Well, if I had to pick between those two options..."
Tess tosses the fish from the belt in the pools.
"I'll take care of it."
Tess would like to spend a little bit of downtime every day to at least keep the sharks fed, and finally release them with the hopes and expectations that they won't turn aggressive immediately when she does.
The sharks, as expected, instantly devour the fish. Though you're not a...shark...ologist...you'd guess that they're a bit underfed, since they seem to be ravenous. They certainly don't purr and lick your face, but they seem satisfied.
The cavern seems oddly quiet and empty without the grindylow there, but it certainly seems like it would be a fine area in which to keep the sharks. The cages are actually cunningly created with hollow wood at the top, so that they float up to account for high tide, which should be coming soon. You can't see the bottom, but assume that there's a provision for the length down there as well, or the sharks would have already escaped.
Perhaps we should seek healing and rest for a while. I suspect that high tide will be upon us soon
You leave the now deserted cave and climb back up the seaside cliff face to get back on dry land. It seems to be just in time, too, as waves begin to peak higher on the rocks below, and salty spray chases you up the nearly shear face.
You make you way back to Talmandor's Bounty and find the colony to be in the shape you left it. Your fellow colonists ask for updates, check on your well-being, and offer food and drink in order to get you back up to hearty and hale.
Ramona approaches you and, after a briefing, nods and sighs. Thank you again for your assistance. You've once again gone above and beyond what we've asked, and you've ensured the safety of our colony from at least this threat.
I'm sure you're tired after this, but there were some colonists looking for you. Alba Divenvaar, our hopeful alchemist, was searching for you, something about obtaining reagents. And, Carver Hastings was looking for you, though he'd not say what he wanted.
But, please...rest if you have need of it. The colony is safe for now.
Stretching as he rubs his tired legs, Posh considers the possibilities. 'I could certainly use a nap...or 3...but can't let them see my age getting the best of me! Gotta show them I can keep up.'
With a smile, he nods. "Tis early yet. I'll see what Mr Hastings is wanting."
Kar will accompany Posh, as much to keep him on task as anything else.
Jader is quite well off and aside from some lacking spells is in good shape. He heads to see Alba Divenvaar. Along the way he realizes that he does have some wounds to care for. He will see some clerics for healing later though
Tess joins with Jader to see Alba, figuring her wounds will come later. Along the way she glances towards the shore, somewhat lost in thought.
Jader and Tessamine head to the small house that Alba has taken to set up her alchemist shop. The middle aged dwarf woman blows a bit of silver hair out of her face and wipes away some sweat with the back of her wrist before looking up...way up...at the two of you.
Why, you're back! I'm glad to see you safe and sound; I hope that you didn't run into too many troubles out there. Did Ramona tell you I was asking about for you, then?
Posh and Kar find Carver Hastings just outside of the blacksmith shop, wherein Luetin Calewick hammers away inside, seemingly delighted in his work. You'd heard that Luetin was actually only to be the assistant blacksmith but, with the original colonists gone, he was promoted by default.
Carver looks up from his blade, which he had been expecting with a hard look. The aging human archaeologist gives you a grim nod - he wasn't one for smiles. Greetings Grandfather. And, Mister Roden was it? Thank you for coming to see me, I had hoped Ramona would pass on my message. You see, I think I may have found something. He looks askance at Luetin, then motions for you to walk with him. May we?
Tess nods at the dwarf.
"Good day, Alba. Yes, Ramona mentioned you had a reagent situation. How can we be of service?"
Kar will suffice. Kar Roden if you must be formal.
Kar will nod his in ascent when Carver Hastings gestures for a walk.
Alba smiles, and the wrinkles on her face form comfortable borders, as if she'd been smiling all her life. Thank you, my dear. I do, indeed. I know you...you're all busy. You've had so much to do...and dangerous endeavors too...but I hope this is perhaps an easier task.
As I'm sure you can imagine, one needs quite a bit of alchemical and curative items, many of which are derived from rare plants. Well... She leans in closer, as if anyone was listening, or would really care. My friend Lyra Heatherly found where there should be a good amount of them. Or...well, she at least used some reports she had on climate and flora to pick a reliable place. Unfortunately, Ramona won't allow me to go out there, with the dangers we've seen, but maybe you could get some for me? You know, while you're out?
She hands you a roughly drawn map of an area to the northeast of the colony. It looks to be about half a day's travel, if to scale.
Carver grunts, then tests the name. Kar. Indeed...and call me Carver. He turns to walk with you, putting his blade away and clapping his hands together to remove any metal shavings.
I've noticed something in my time outside of the colony. See, I tend to do a bit of wandering in my chosen profession, particularly in a place so right in history as this. Well, I was to the east...not far, but hidden from our view here by a steep hill. There, I came upon a view of what looked to be some stones that were not formed naturally. They looked to perhaps have been...columns?
Well, there was a feel about the place - such that I'd wondered if perhaps I'd stumbled into something a bit more dangerous that I was prepared for. I was wondering if you'd perhaps escort me out there for some research. I feel we could make it out in the morning and back before nightfall.
"Col...Columns you say?"
Excitement flashing over the gnomes face, he nods fervently. "I'd be delighted to accompany you there. Were there writings on the slabs? Runic symbols perhaps?"
"Oh, I'd need to ensure my companions didn't mind indulging us for the day, but certainly I'd have an interest."
Kar nods in the affirmative. But the word Goblins. escapes his lips.
Alba it may prove useful to find the ingredients you seek. I would have no problems going to search for them. However I must ask Ramona to be sure she doesn’t have any more pressing matters first. Jader looks a little bashful if that is possible for a half orc to do then follows with the question I don’t suppose you’d have drawings and descriptions of the items you need do you? I feel bashful in saying this but I have little knowledge of alchemy
Noticing the half-orc's demeanor and trying to back him up, Tess nods. "I agree, something of a description would be nice. We could of course just bring back a couple basket's worth of assorted flora, otherwise!"
Carver raises an eyebrow at Kar, but shrugs. Goblins? Perhaps, though I didn't see signs of them. I did hear of your run in with the strange goblins when you cleared the blacksmith shop when you first came here. It could be that their tribe...the Ghosthater tribe I think you called it...it could be that they're out there, just beyond our borders.
I'm sorry, Grandfather. I did not get close enough to the columns to see any markings. I thought that a team would perhaps be in order to better search this place.
Alba smiles. Of course, of course. I'll draw you a sketch. Mostly, I'm looking for particularly low to the ground fungi with an abnormal spotting pattern, a certain rare berry that is vibrant orange, and a spiked brown fern. These will all grow out of strong sun, so I'll sketch a map of the location that Lyra spotted.
I'd be happy to use half of what you find for me to make any potions or alchemical items that you may want. I know that you've been defending us all, and I'd be happy to contribute to that cause...in perhaps the only way I can.
"Consider it done." Tess says, returning the smile. She turns to Jader. "After all the chaos these past few days, picking a few herbs and flowers sounds like a nice diversion, don't you think?"
"With everything we've encountered here, that was a wise choice Carver. Were you wanting to tag along when we explore the situation?"
Alba smiles widely. Excellent, thank you! Please, be careful...I've heard that this island is quite dangerous outside of these walls.
Carver gives a slow nod, seemingly contemplating his role. Yes, I would like to; whatever is out there is exceedingly interesting.