The inscrutable bluff overlooks the small lagoon on Smuggler's Shiv. Next to you, four standing stones surround a small, black pyramid with a bowl carved into the top. As you watch, the doors to the ancient temple close, and the water that was held at bay by powerful forces is released to thunder back into the lagoon. Eight of you had entered that temple, while only five of you returned. The bodies of Aerys Mavato, Ari'ana, and Sasha Nevah remain in the temple, along with the remains of ancient corpses and the body of a strange serpentine humanoid.
The sun rises high in the sky, promising another hot day followed by afternoon drizzle.
As the sun rises I notice how hot it is becoming and realize the transformation that i have gone through. I am disturbed by the inhibiting effects that the transformation has inflicted on me. Then as the heat starts to make me sweat, I realize that I need to gather food and look for shelter to rest in.
^DENIED.
Relieved to finally be free of that accursed island, bound for civilization, and resuming her quest thatnoneofhercompanionshaveneveraskedabout,thatis,iftheyevenknewthenameofth egirltowhomtheyshoulddirecttheirquestions,thoughitisunderstandableconsideri ngthattheonlyoneofthemshehashadsignificanttimetogettoknowisGauronandhe'snot reallythekindtoask, Amukta does her best to relax. Sitting here on the deck, back against the guard rail, in the shade of the sails now ferrying her to safety, she could rest. She sat facing away from the sea, trying to stay out of the way of the crew. She has had enough of the sea, now. Having only seen the sea once before her fateful voyage that landed her on that tropical deathtrap, the ocean used to be a great fascination for her. After searching for ships on the horizon for so long, all the novelty and charm had worn away. Now she watched the sky and reflected.
Several of her... travel-companions? Inmates? Fellow castaways? Several of them, particularly those of them who were not heavy-lifters who made up the exploration party, had been acting very sullen while on the island. Each considerably less so, now, but still there is obvious signs of emotional wear, especially in Thurston Howell III Ishiro.
Remembering how troubled Ishiro looked at the loss of his weapon, Amukta felt sorry for him. She understands how loss feels. Wait. Wait a sec, that's it. That's IT. She had seen the sword only three times but it was a distinct shape, next to those common of the region. Amukta was sure of it. She had seen a sword of the same kind, not long ago.
I need to tell Ishiro Amukta rises from her seated position and stretches, reaching her intimidating full height of just a little bit over five-feet. She seeks out Ishiro.
Casey Reibach turns and whistles, summoning his giant bird to rejoin him. "That was interesting. If you plan on fighting more creatures like that ... thing in there, count me out. I'll be staying here, maybe try to clean up the island now that all the badness is leeched out." Aside from being astonishing in its clarity, this is also the single longest speech that Casey has made in your presence. Casey Reibach turns, and begins walking up the path that leads up the mountain. As he goes, he grabs a jug from his belt and takes a long pull, then stumbles and falls off the path into the undergrowth, presumably drunk. The roc flutters down, grabs the jug, and flies back to drop it in the lagoon.
The day begins to grow unbearably hot as the sun beats down, causing you to perspire and the jungle areas on the island to steam noticeably.
After finding food, I walk back to the group with a leg of a small hare in my mouth. As I get back to the group I toss the rest of the hare to the group to let them fight over(Only enough for 2 people). "I'll take first watch."
As the other two settle in to rest, Gauron keeps watch through the hottest part of the day. The only striking thing that occurs during the watch, aside from the oppressive heat of the day, is the relative stillness of the island. The only sounds are those of waves in the lagoon below and distant insect-song. No birds fly nearby, and no creatures can be heard in the nearer portions of the jungle. Soon, the heat is replaced by the rain clouds you all have come to expect.
Amukta is second up at bat. Awaking when bidden by Gauron, she stretches, yawns, rubs her vision clear,and blinks in the bright daylight. She takes a position that will help her to keep watch over the camp and settles in.
To pass the time, she freshens-up the thick, dark, bubbling sludge that transforms her into PRETTY SOLDIER SAILOR KABOOM!!. She also pulls out a few samples of local island flora to study. Who knows. Maybe she could learn something useful.
I'm tired as tits of this island. Wonder if those other guys are done with our Malibu Dream Home.
The second and third watches are uneventful, leaving the remaining members of the group to wake up around 11:30 at night, well after the sun has gone down.
Tired of this island and ready to get on to something new I make my point heard that it is time to get off this Island, " I'm heading to the lighthouse to try and leave this place for good. If you don't feel like joining me you can do whatever you please, it wont hurt my feelings"
After trekking through the jungle, the survivors return to the lighthouse between midnight and dawn. They set the beacon alight, and shortly before dawn receive an answering signal. As the sun rises, they gather on the beach and see a whaling ship that sends a longboat to shore, and they parley for passage back to the mainland.
Onboard ship, a number of things happens. Judas Iscariot assembles several crude magical cloaks to help protect the remaining members of the party from harm. Amukta reveals having knowledge of the whereabouts of a certain sword to Ishirou, who threatens to drop her into the sea if she doesn't tell him who. Gauron nearly gets into a fight with Isabella, a woman he meets aboard ship; they instead collaborate to throw Judas overboard; he is saved by Amukta.
After reaching port in Eleder, more hijinks ensue. Gauron leads the way down the gangplank, only to have Darmorel run into him on her way up. She tries to pickpocket his coin purse, only to instead grab his coin purse. Gauron smacks her with the flat of his blade, nearly knocking her out in the process. When she runs, he gives chase and catches her, knocking her out fully this time. The rest of the group catches up while he decides that he's going to keep her as a pet.
The group disperses to arrange for new gear and to sell off loot and try and figure out what to do next before reconvening at a tavern, where Gauron has been whooping it up. A number of interesting pieces of information have been uncovered, and now it's up to Pharasma and the group to decide what lies in store for our adventurers.
- a preliminary offer has been made by the Pathfinder Society that would include monetary reward and potential field commissions within the Society if you would lead an expedition there
- Jask Derindi has hinted that the Sargavan Governor would pay well for an expedition to be lead, and possible noble titles for the discoverers (meeting with Governor to discuss further pending)
- the information for how to find Saventh-Yhi would be very valuable to the right buyer; many factions would be interested if you chose to sell the information
While trying to negotiate a trade I turn to Darmorel and grab her by the arm, "Until I say otherwise you are to do anything and everything that I tell you to, and you are not to wander very far from me unless directed to. Now, go and find me someone who can get rid of this annoying curse."
Darmorel grimaces as the half orc grabs her. "Curse, you say. Fine, fine. I'll go check to see if there are any people who can cure ye of that disfigurement. Anything else, oh great one?" There is a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice on the last note.
"Oh you're rather feisty for someone who flubbed a little bit of pick pocking so fantastically. So did your partner who was supposed to actually snag all of the passengers' coin during the spectacle bail at the last second or...?" Isabela asked Darmorel as she finished her exchange with Gauron.
Then turning to Judas she asked, "So you are going to see if the Mayor has fatter pockets than the Venture Captain guy? I like it, as long as they keep it to a bidding war anyway and the one who feels slighted doesn't try to make up for the coin he can't match with a dagger in our backs
You are led through the side door and up several flights of stairs to what appears to be a sitting room with doors open to a balcony with a view of the harbor. One wall is lined with bookshelves, the other with a large, detailed map of Sargava. A couch and several chairs surround a table in the middle of the room where two glasses sit next to a bottle of amber liquid. As you are ushered into the room, a middle-aged man in elaborate, multilayered robes of red and white and black strides into the room from the balcony. The servant behind you announces, "Presenting his Lordship, Grand Custodian of Sargava, the Honourable Baron Utilinus." The servant withdraws from the room and closes the door behind you.
The man strides to the table and pours himself a glass of the amber liquid. "Come, sit. Please, don't stand on ceremony. I'm Baron Utilinus, and I hear from my friend Jask that you and your companions have found a lost city."
The Baron sits in one of the chairs and sips from his drink. "Indeed, I do. Locating Saventh-Yhi would be beneficial to Eleder, and to Sargava, for a number of reasons, especially if we can make use of its resources and acquire any artifacts that might be found. And, needless to say, there would also be benefits for the discoverers of the city. You say you have found information which may allow you to find the city. What would you need to turn information into a route to the city?"
Darmorel slinks into the temple, keeping her head low and hood up. She walks around idly, scanning the room and looking at the people. She finally walks up to one of the priests.
"Um, excuse me. I have need of assistance for a... companion of mine...
She shudders visibly at the thought of Gauron.