"I don't know a lot about such things, either."
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The footpath through the swamp you have been following continues southward from this point, although it does not appear to be as heavily traveled as the section northward does.
Evril, how do you fare? I believe we need to press on. If you don't think you're up to continuing, you could see that these treasures are taken back to the ship, I offered, considering he was the worse for wear. I reloaded my pistol while I waited for his response.
Mr. Seaborn, you have the keenest eyes of us, so why not stay a pace ahead of us on this trail, and keep an eye out for more surprises. It strikes me that this next section of the path is less traveled. And you know what they say about those?
A bit confused, he replies, "Uh - that it is not used as often?"
He takes a position at point, watching for sign of threats or tracks.
Good! That's why I was asking!
The path continues southward, and although Chum still sees the marks of "human" feet on the path, he sees nothing else to indicate a predator in the area as the group moves along.
About another hour's travel brings you to the path's end - or more accurately, its vague fade into generic beach sand. Ahead of you, the forest curves away to the right, while the glittering ocean looks deceptively placid on the left. The beach stretches ahead of you for a mile or so, about 50 feet between surf and trees.
In the distance, the jungle looks... odd. A section at the far end of the beach looks strangely... organized.
As the rush of combat adrenaline fades, I realize that I've lost quite a bit more blood than I had thought. Once we break through the tree line back onto the beach, I pause.
Perhaps we could rest here a moment, gentlemen?
We soldiered on, after the bout with Latizha and her lassies. After reaching another beach, poor Evril -- who had received quite the mauling -- requested a spot of rest.
Of course! My good man, you took quite the savage raking back there. If only we had any further healing this day, I'd order it forthwith. I most appreciate your gallantry in sticking with us.
I gazed across back toward the jungle, and noted the strangely organized patch. Say, there, Chum. I don't suppose you have any insight as to why that one section of foliage looks so... orderly?
Chum checks the Andoran's wounds. "Have you any healing left today, Evril? I have a bit if you need it." Chum looks at the indicated area, trying to make out the details without approaching just yet.
From this far away, there isn't much to see. All that Chum - or any of you, really - can tell is that the jungle almost seems to become striped, with alternating sections of normal green foliage and darker sections in between, in a regular pattern. Without getting closer , Chum can't really tell much more.
"I'm afraid that I am just about tapped out, Master Seaborn... in several ways."
"Let's see what Gozreh has to say about that today, then."
I was much relieved that Chum still had some healing left from Gozreh to dole out today. We had covered a fair bit of the island, yet still had found no sign of the grindylows and their captives so I was determined to press on.
Well? Shall we search this beach, or head back into the jungle and see why that patch of vegetation looks off to us? I queried, in case anyone had some particular insight into which way we headed next.
"I vote for the beach, Captain. The jungle's tried eating us alive. The beaches haven't. Maybe once we get closer we can figure out what's going on with the striping."
"Not to over-state the obvious, but I don't see any grindylows or our friends between here and what appears to be some sort of orchard, Master Reis."
My crew gave wise counsel. I was inclined to agree. So be it. Let's check the beaches for grindylows, men! Or some sign of our comrades!
I myself put my senses to the task of locating our lost crewmates.
Your group begins making its way along the beach. The waves roll endlessly onto the shore, and tiny crabs scuttle toward the foam, pursued by squawking seabirds. After perhaps a quarter mile, Artevious' sharp eye notes the presence of three rather larger crabs - each the size of a large dog - in the tall grass at the jungle's edge. Spotting your group, they scuttle rapidly forward, pincers waving furiously.
Eleuterio's mood brightened as the giant crabs began advancing upon them. "I do believe we've sorted dinner, Captain,", he quips, reaching for his longbow.
Dinner, yes, I agreed with my first mate, but they're likely to not have any inclination as to where our comrades may be.
"One problem at a time, Captain, one problem at a time."
Chum draws the magical dagger after seeing what it did to the giant toad, but feels a little overmatched comparing his weapon to the claws on the advancing crustaceans.
I hated the thought of wasting my bullets upon these crabs, but at the same time, their pincers no doubt could rend me or my companions as ably as any blade. Thus, I drew my pistol and took aim at the closest one, waiting until it moved into optimal range.
Conchobhar follows his captain's lead, raising his bow and pointing it at the lead crab. An instant after Artevious' shot rings out, Conchobhar looses the string.
Both bullet and shaft hit the lead crab, but neither wound is fatal. The crabs keep rushing forward, merciless.
I very quickly ready myself to attack lunch, as soon as it draws close enough.
The crabs rush forward, charging across the sands in a strange, scuttling manner that nonetheless moves them forward with shocking speed.
The leader heads for Eleuterio, the second for Chum and the last for Conchobhar.
The leader's claws skid off of Eleuterio's armor, but Chum and Conchobhar are not as lucky. Both feel the crab's pincers close around their legs, and the serrated edges tear into their flesh.
"I'll hold this one off, Captain" Eleuterio says, pulling his blade. "Help Chum and Conchobhar!"
Attack!
Eleuterio's cutlass finishes what the arrow and bullet began; the crab spasms and twitches, blood and ichor spilling on the sands.
More of my stout number were taking wounds. This time, from oversized crabs. Poor Chum and Conchobar were now in their clutches, though we have reduced our assailants by a third. I drew my rapier and thrust at the one that had seized Conchobar.
Realizing too late that the little dagger's enchantment was unlikely to aid him here, Chum uses the tiny weapon to gain purchase on the creature's shell as he tries to get loose.
Chum can't manage to get himself free of the crab's pincer, and he doesn't feel the hungry pulse of the dagger that he had hoped for as he stabs at it.
Owlbear reaches out and tries to bodily tear the crab away from Conchobhar's leg.
Between Owlbear's strength and the wound from Artevious' rapier, the crab can't hold on, and Conchobhar scrambles away from the crab's pincers, trying to get his arrow ready for another shot with hands that are shaking badly.
As Artevious and Owlbear set to freeing the bard, I seek to do the same for Chum.
Despite a pair of stabs, Evril only manages to nick the crab that has Chum trapped, and the beast begins dragging Chum backward up the beach.
The other crab continues its mindless pursuit of Conchobhar.
One claw makes contact and tears the flesh of the gnome's leg to the bone; some of that damage comes from him literally tearing himself free of the pincer before it can seize him tight again. On the edge of collapse, Conchobhar wavers, trying to keep his feet.
These crabs were vicious, and the one accosting Conchobar had wounded him severely. I gritted my teeth and thrust again at the chitinous creature, hoping to end its threat to my comrade.
Chum goes limp in the creature's grasp and it drags him up the beach from the others.
Seeing the druid fall unconscious, I redouble my efforts to bring down the creature.
Artevious stabs again at the crab, but this time his blade cannot find a way through the animal's thick armor. Owlbear, fearing for Conchobhar's life, tries to bodily grab the crustacean and pull it back from attacking the gnome.
The end result is not what Owlbear likely hoped, but it does distract the crab from Conchobhar. One of the crab's pincers snaps down on Owlbear's arm like a vise, cutting deep into the skin and muscle of the big man, who howls in pain.
Despite the wound, though, Owlbear pulls the crab's pincers away from Conchobhar's flesh, and there is the sound of fracturing chitin as he does so.
Evril, sprinting after Chum and the second crab, can't find a way to pierce his target's shell, and the rapier's point goes skidding aside.
As Owlbear and Artevious wrench Conchobar free from the crab's grip, Eleuterio rushes towards the crustacean that holds Chum's still form. "Drop him!", the paladin shouts, slashing at the crab with his cutlass.
Attack the crab that's got Chum!
Eleuterio can't manage to crack open the crab's shell either, and with Chum no longer fighting, it rapidly scrambles away across the sand to the tree line.
The other crab struggles with Owlbear's hold on it, trying to wrench a pincer free and snap at him with it.
The massive man's strength is too much for it, however, and it twists futilely.
"After it, Master Cooper!", Eleuterio cries, charging towards the crab. "If we lose sight of it, we might lose Master Chum forever!"
Charging after the crab that's got Chum!
I'll be with you forthwith! I shouted to Eleuterio, desperately desiring to chase after Chum, but this crab still remained in Owlbear's grasp and I suspected he could still use some help. I thrust again with my rapier, hoping to end this crustacean's existence before its comrade ended my crewman's.