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"Indeed. I know we've been on the same boat for the past couple of months, but I think it best to formally introduce myself. I am Princess Asmodia of the Thrice-Damned House Thrune, but you may call me simply Asmodia."
With a small bow of her head, Asmodia begins to gather the dead, hoping to get the identification of any bodies she finds.
Inti attempts to hide his surprise. Sure, he suspected there was something unusual about her, something he couldn't quite put his finger on, but he didn't quite expect this.
"Pleased to meet you Asmodia, I am sure we all feel honored you trusted us to reveal your full station"
While the others stand over the dead, Inti stands on the beach and looks around for a stick, before fiddling in the sand, attempting to sketch out a birds eye view of what he can see around him. He pauses, muttering a spell , and then scratches an arrow off to the side of his drawing as to where North is.
Its not much, he thinks, looking critically at it, but I can add to it later if we do decide to go on a scouting trip..that or ranger boy can take a look at it and flesh it out further...if nothing else, at least I know where North is.
With a quietly somber bow on one knee, Gudbjörn lowers his head, My lady, it is honor to meet you. while assisting Asmodia, Gudbjörn overhears her prayers and approaches her. Excuse me for eavesdropping, but I too am a chosen of the house of Torag, Lord Angradd to be sure, the Forge-Fire, guardian of war and decider of destinies. Forgive me for saying, mi lady, but it is most surprising to find a tall folk in devotion to the Great Father of Creation. Though not unheard of; it is simply a pleasant surprise. Well met.
Finishing up with the tasks, Gudbjörn walks to Inti, interested in what exactly he has begun to draw in the sand.
Inti feels slightly self conscious over his rather rough sketch, and thus feels the need to explain himself to Gudbjorn.
"I'm a terrible artist", he smiles, "but I think drawing a rough map might be a good way to order ourselves". "You see, we are here [he points with his stick at the drawing], and thats North [he points in the direction of a natural landmark that sits north]".
Inti goes quiet again as he continues to concentrate, before looking up again, "If I was a little more experienced in the wild, I would add in currents, wind direction, and be able to make judgments on the type of animals or terrain we might find here, where drinking water would be located and so on, I hope someone else has experience in that area, because I feel rather limited at the moment"
Joll returns Asmodia's bow of the head and introduces himself. "My name is Joll of Corentyne, late of the harbormaster's office there.
When the get to digging, he lays his crossbow on the sand, near enough to grab it in a moment should he need to.
Well, the poor souls have been laid to rest. Mayhaps we be finding us some food and shelter. The hour grows late, and I could use something other than a soup.
"Yes, that is a good point. I have spent time in jungles before, but they were different that this one, it seems."
"What about those crustacean that attacked us? Are they edible?"
Once the burial of the body (bodies) is finished, Joll examines the dead creatures.
Knowledge (nature)
Sasha perks up at the mention of making camp and finding food. "I can help there. I've been to the Mwangi Expanse before, and the jungles here don't seem very different from the jungles there. I can provide some assistance in finding a good campsite, and in setting up camp."
The cleric Jask perks up a little as well, sitting up a little more in his shackles. "I too have a knowledge of the edible plants in the Expanse, and my knowledge is of course yours if you wish it."
Gudbjörn runs his hand over his mussled, salt stiffened beard. I wouldn't know, but at this point, I'd be willing to stomach anything. What say we tie 'me up and take 'me along while we search for a camp site and we can figure it out from there.
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"I appreciate your kindness, friends. There is a reason I do not often refer to myself as a princess, however. I do not want to be looked upon as anything but an equal, even if my authority demands otherwise."
With that, Asmodia begins to pace as if in thought about the whole ordeal.
"Indeed, we will head south into the jungle to find a suitable campsite. We need a group of just a few of us for the search. I don't mind to go or stay here to protect the others. Sasha should go with the search party if she knows the jungles well, my knowledge of nature isn't as great as some of yours it seems so I would only be helpful to you in a fight. I will leave that up to you."
"I will go with the scouting party. After all that time aboard the ship it will be a welcome respite to move about freely."
I too will join the scouting party. Too long was I in the bowels of that ship. It's time I see some action, maybe.
Well let's head out before it get's dark.
Inti shrugs "I'll go wherever I'm needed, whether it be here at camp, or scouting with the rest of you"
Gelik draws his bow, nocking an arrow to the string. "I'm no good in those jungles, I'd be better off here until we secure a campsite."
The Tian Ishirou draws his katana in a two-handed stance, holding the sword like a bastard sword. "I'll go as well, I think. It's been too long since I've seen a good fight.
The half-elf Aerys Mavato was facing toward the waves, until she turned and ran to the rest of the group. "I can see the Jenivere! It looks like the ship crashed on some reefs in the bay. I think it would be worthwhile if two or three of us who were skilled at swimming swam out to the ship and retrieved some supplies, as it is we have almsot naught but the clothes on our backs."
"Thats a wonderful idea," Inti remarks (directed at Aerys), before shifting his feet slightly, "I don't think I could do it though, swimming isn't exactly one of my strong points"
Well, let's be on our way way then. The sun will not be staying high long, and from what I understand of the jungle, its danger grows ever greater as the sun falls. I'd like to be settled with a full belly long before that time comes.
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Asmodia nods and begins removing her armor, clothes (leaving underwear and belt), and buckler to avoid the encumbrance in the water and any water damage. She then straps her shield to her back and straps her sword to the rear side of her belt, puts her bow over her shoulder to ensure it will not come off during the swim, and securely wraps the arrows in her quiver using some of the washed up cloth.
Joll stays close enough to Sasha to keep her in his line of sight and also be able to see the next in line. He makes a point to check on Ishirou every now and then without being obvious about it.
" I'll help protect, swimming is not my strong suit."
Asmodia nods and begins removing her armor, clothes (leaving underwear and belt), and buckler to avoid the encumbrance in the water and any water damage. She then straps her shield to her back and straps her sword to the rear side of her belt, puts her bow over her shoulder to ensure it will not come off during the swim, and securely wraps the arrows in her quiver using some of the washed up cloth.
Aerys follows Asmodia's example, carefully folding her studded leather armor and throwing her longbow and quiver across her back. "It may be worthwhile if we walk along the coastline until we get closer to the Jenivere, those tides are very strong."
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Sasha draws her rapier and kukri, motioning everyone going into the jungle into a small circle. Alright everyone, I'm going to take point going into the jungle. We're going to drive south into the jungle looking for game paths, and in doing so hopefully find a clearing or cave that we can find shelter in. We're going in single file, and keep close to the person in front of you so nobody gets lost. Anybody have questions?"
"None. Lead on" Joll replies.
For as long as Sasha leads them, the Inquisitor remains vigilant and watchful of the surroundings. Whenever possible, he checks behind him to note the disposition of the others. Then he turns back to follow the guide. Against all his training, he gives into human nature and spares a moment to focus on Sasha's backside before resuming his progress.
Gudbjörn takes up the rear, treading cautiously behind the others and taking in as much of his surroundings as possible, keeping aware of how far into the bush they travel. In one hand he holds his great axe, and in the other, the holy symbol of Angradd, an eliptical axe head wreathed in flames with an anvil at it's center, gently rubbing it as he mutters prayers to himself.
"That sounds like an excellent plan. Let us be on our way."
Aerys nods, waving the two of them onward towards the Jenivere.
The half-mile walk goes quickly, leading up a narrow and rocky beach until Asmodia and Aerys arrive at the wreck of the Jenivere. Even a cursory glance is enough to confirm that the Jenivere will never sail again. Only the fortuitous presence of a sharp ridge of rock near the side of the sheer cliff wall has prevented the wreck from sinking entirely into the sea, for only the ship’s stern seems to have survived the wreck. This portion is wedged at an angle between the cliff and the rocks, and each wave shakes and tosses the wreck alarmingly. It won’t be long before the constant pounding of the waves dislodges the wreck and allows the hungry sea to claim the last of this once-fine ship.
Aerys looks the surf over before stretching out to swim. Then she points at a smaller mass of wood wedged between two sharp-looking rocks. "Seems that someone else was trying to escape. Well, easiest way to do this is to swim straight for the ship, then we'll climb up the side onto the upper deck. Try to grab as much as you can, but don't load yourself up to the point where you can't swim back."
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Sasha leads the party through the jungle, pausing now and then to slash through the undergrowth of jungle plants. Suddenly the undergrowth gives way to a narrow game trail, leading from west to east on the island, with a split heading away to the south.
"So which way shall we go, friends? West, south, or east?"
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"If we head South then we should continue in a fairly straight line. That means we don't need to remember which way to turn when we return to this crossing."
Joll looks to Mordack to see what the ranger thinks. He watches as the ranger examines the ground and pays close attention to how he goes about it.
Looking each way, It's all jungle to me. But I like Joll's idea. Might as well continue the heading we're on.
...
Asmodia quickly searches the beach before swimming out, hopefully finding any evidence of other beach goers in the area recently or maybe even driftwood large enough to help with the swim. Either way though, after limbering up, Asmodia jumps into the water hoping she can overpower the waves.
No real debris is in your path, only jagged rocks that you manage to avoid. After a few close calls with a few rather large rocks, you manage to reach the ship unharmed.
Aerys:
Aerys has a few close calls herself, but manages to make it to the Jenivere unharmed as well. "Follow me if you can!"
Aerys clambers up onto the deck, drawing her bow and looking around for any sign of a threat while waiting for Asmodia.
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Again, Asmodia takes a moment to look around as she rests from the swim at the boat itself.
After looking around and letting Aerys finish out the climb, Asmodia sets herself against the wood of the boat and begins climbing herself, following suit with drawing her bow and nocking an arrow if she makes it on deck.
Joll had been taking mental notes of how Mordack went about examining the ground and surrounding plants to look for signs of activity and how he interpreted them. Clearly the dwarf knows jungles better than the inquisitor and his training was superior. In response to the ranger's question he says [/b]"Yes, I agree that would be the best. Please lead on."[/b]
Again, Asmodia takes a moment to look around as she rests from the swim at the boat itself.
*dice omitted*
After looking around and letting Aerys finish out the climb, Asmodia sets herself against the wood of the boat and begins climbing herself, following suit with drawing her bow and nocking an arrow if she makes it on deck.
*dice omitted*
Aerys turns to Asmodia when she clambers over the rail. "Can you hear that? I wonder what that is. I think we should stick together since there's only two of us. It looks like the most of the ship is gone, but we should check the larder, the captain's cabin, and the upper supply room. Hopefully we can find a few things that will make life a little easier."
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Back on the beach all seems quiet. However, something isn't quite right.
Gelik
Jask
Jask turns his head sharply, hearing something from the jungle just a few dozen feet away. Then his eyes widen, and he tries to calmly convey what he sees to Gelik, Kevorin, and Inti. "I believe you fellows should draw your weapons. There is a man lurking in the jungle, and by the javelin in his hand he seems to mean us harm."
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Sasha nods at her companions, twirling her kukri with dextrous skill. "Then let's get on. Hopefully we can find a suitable camp soon, and get back to the beach by the time Aerys and Asmodia return from the Jenivere."
Sasha continues to lead the party onward following the game path for another mile or so when she waves them to a halt. "I hear animals up ahead, anyone skilled at stealth is welcome to come with me but everyone else can remain here."
"Where?", Inti immediately asks urgently, drawing his scimitar and peering into the jungle, trying to spot this person.
"It might be nothing...he could just be someone else shipwrecked here" he mutters to himself, unsure as to whether he is reassuring himself or others. Inti takes a deep breath and composes himself, ready to respond to aggression with his Scimitar, or with a kind word, if this person proved not to be hostile
Joll follows closely behind Sasha, doing his best to mimic her quiet steps.
Stealth
Gudbjörn looks around as the others step off. As they depart earshot, he mutters, I guess I get to stay here and guard the road.
As soon as its obvious you're onto him, the man in the jungle comes charging out screaming curses in some foul language you don't recognize. His deeply tanned skin is filthy and covered in pentagram-shaped scars, and he wears nothing but a small loincloth to preserve modesty. A broken-looking scimitar is in his hands, the blade of which is coming directly towards Inti.
(If he hits)
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Ishirou relaxes his grip, waiting with Gudbjorn. "I'll wait here with you, Gudbjorn. Who knows what's crawling around in these jungles."
Sasha
As you approach the sounds of animals Sasha steps on a fallen branch, making a cracking sound that alerts the creatures to your presence. You hear a shrill call, and the sound of several somethings taking wing. Then, you see two mottled red and brown reptiles come flying towards you, very obviously hostile.
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Aerys heads towards the captain's cabin, only to find the door shattered apart, most likely in the wreck. A jagged hole in the wall faces out towards the surf, but an oversized desk managed not to tumble out, as well as a steel footlcoker.
Aerys rummages through the desk, finding a set of maps and charts wrapped in an oilcloth scroll case, as well as two keys which appear to fit a set of manacles. [b]"I wonder if these are the keys to Jask's manacles, Asmodia. If they are, we may be able to release him easily if we choose to do so."[b]
Aerys tries a lower drawer, finding it locked but without a key.