After knowing his new room and thanking Alexis properly for her care and time taking him around the boat in a quick tour, decides to unpack his belonging and put them nicely and orderly, revies his clothing to check them if needs cleaning letting Tracant to take a tour around the boat while he rests.
Tracant using link
Burnsten using link
Tracant leaves the room after Burnsten is resting inside to take a tour around the ship by himself.
Noticing him she says, "I thought I caught a glimpse of land outlined by the setting sun. I suspect if we climbed to the crow's nest there would be a better vantage. Would you care to see?"
** spoiler omitted **
Without really waiting for a reply, Rath watches as Alexis capably navigates the rigging without the benefit of his safety line or supervision.
After they are sitting companionably in the rigging of the upper mast and pretending to discuss Arcadia, Rath listen VERY carefully to all that Alexis says and compares it to his brief observations.
He thinks a long time before saying...
He chuckles, "Vanity. That may be the key to controlling him... IF he is Harrolayne's man. Say IF and mean IF. I think, from what little have seen... that maybe his own ambitions drive him. He may be polite to Harrolayne, but it may be for his own purposes. Suggest, Rajkumari, that we take him at face value until he proves trustworthy or otherwise. Harrolayne seems opposed to Brycen but she may not be opposed to you or us... just unpleasant. Our good faith effort to bring Burnsten into fold, may prove we don't have agenda she needs to fear. Success in Arcadia, I think, hinge on cooperation."
He thinks a long time before saying...
Alexis and Ravarath speak for sometime pointing west and at times shielding their eyes from the glare of the setting sun as they seemingly try to make out landmarks on the horizon.
"It is, of course, my hope that you are right about him merely being polite to Harrolayne." She seems to think back for a moment. "When Burnsten first introduced himself actually, the way in which he did so, overly thick with compliments for Harrolayne may indeed substantiate such a hypothesis."
"As for Harrolayne herself, as I explained to Elorin earlier, when dealing with unknown quantities like her and Burnsten, I find it best to be polite and disarming. If we are not regarded as a threat or obstacle, then so much the better." She gives a short laugh, seemingly amused at herself. "I have gotten so used to thinking of how distasteful I find that woman and how little I trust her that I'll admit I was beginning to forget that there is no guarantee she feels the same way about us. That might hold particularly true after the performance put on earlier today although only time shall tell."
Alexis looks down towards the deck amused to notice Biter stalking Tracant as the linnorm wyrmling slithers to and fro satisfying its alien curiosity.
"By the by, I do think that something else drives that man. Brother Abbas also senses that his intentions are his own." She looks up, reminded of something. "When I asked him about the fey of his homeland and whether the magical tradition he practices was related to them, his visage grew grim and he mentioned something about there being 'a special one'. I suspect I touched upon a sore subject though whether he speaks of a foe or lover I could not tell — only that he would presently say no more..."
"Well, I suppose then that we shall hope for the best yet be cautious for the worst. Everyone was in agreement as to which site we should settle, perhaps there will also be some agreement that cooperation is key."
Over the next six days, you get to know Burnsten and Tracant a little better and some of the initial tensions and distrust fade away. You weather a truly minor storm that would never give an experienced crew pause, and the sailors you have with you admit that the group handled itself quite well. If you've learned nothing else during this voyage, you feel that you could adequately handle yourselves with a small sailing vessel should the need arise.
Then, on the 69th day of your voyage from Cassomir, the 13th of Sarenith, the party is just settling down for their midday meal when the cry comes up - "LAND HO!!"
You pause to look at each other a moment, and then as one dash out the door and climb the forecastle to gaze out over the bowsprit. Off in the distance, you see a smudge on the horizon, which soon spreads out from north to south. This is no small island off in the distance - it is Arcadia.
A look of actual joy and excitement, something you've rarely seen from Alexis, colors her youthful face. Looking to the rest of you, she says almost breathlessly, "We made it!"
She glances skyward for a moment and a melancholy smile crosses her face. "We shall all have so much to do..." she says to no one in particular before wandering off, lost in thought, as she continues to gaze at this shore of lost dreams.
Elorin turn to the rest to the pathfinder team Now those are some words I have been looking forward too. A new land to explore, new creatures to fight other than the people on these ships, lost treasures to discover! Biter your training has been excellent, I have learned a lot from our cat and mouse game. I might not be as sneaky as you, but at least I won't give us away from now on! When do we disembark?
Elorin's face has a wide grin on it, he grabs Rath by the shoulder's and gives him an excited shake. He spends the rest of the day watching the shoreline grow closer.
Alexis, what are ou plans for scouting and securing the area before having the passengers disembark? All manner of beasts may inhabit this area.
As if being called forth from a dream, Alexis shakes her head before looking up at Elorin's handsome yet excited face. "Scouting hmm?"
She purses her lips and taps them with her forefinger for a moment before responding, "Even if our group is the best-suited to secure the beach head, I suspect that Governor Brycen shall wish to hold a short conference before we take any such actions. Remember, the approach to the shore is perilous for larger vessels so we may need to lead the other vessels by sounding the approach from ahead of the fleet in a launch. Gregor may be able to aid such an effort depending on what aquatic allies he can summon, but we certainly will need to exercise restraint and caution even in our eagerness to make landfall..."
Upon seeing the coast in the distance. Abbas retreats into his cabin to change into his cleanest and brightest set of priestly robes before coming back on deck.
"Thank the dawn flower our sea voyage is almost at an end!!!
Abbas sets off find a bit of ship where he will be out of the way and offers an extra hour of prayers to Sarenrae in thanks for delivering the expedition safely to Arcadia.
Details emerge as you get closer to land. What was at first a large green smudge on the horizon resolves itself into forested hills bordered by sheer cliffs. You soon recognize many of the tree forms: oaks and pines, but then others are unfamiliar, though you find them described in Falcon Gray's treatise On Arcadia as birches, maples, and lindens.
Once you are roughly two miles from shore, the Lady Iona takes the lead, followed by the Rose and the Cloud Climber with the Desert Rose taking the rear. Theodric plots a circuitous route which Theodremir and the other captains follow carefully. Several times you see large rocks a few hundred yards off, or sometimes the ocean crashes and sprays over some unseen obstacle but the Nereid captain's course holds true and you have little need of advance craft.
Your little fleet approaches a place where the sher cliffs that guard the shoreline have fallen away to present a smooth coast. A small river tumbles roughly into the ocean swells. As far as the eye can see in both directions you see nothing but trees and cliffs - not a single sign of habitation or civilization. The trees are large and tall, capped by a single enormous oak tree that emerges from the canopy to tower above the rest. Your little fleet drops anchor a few hundred feet from the cobblestone beach.
As you emerge on the deck with your things in hand, you can see Lord Brycen and Sir Kheiron having a little argument near the Lady Iona launch; Brycen trying to get into the boat while Kheiron blocks his way, telling him in no uncertain terms that he is not to lead the scouting expedition himself. Falcon Gray adds his agreement and requests that his Pathfinders be afforded the honour of scouting the landing zone to search for dangers. Lord Brycen eventually gives in and a launch is prepared from the Rose of Cassomir instead. A pair of your own crewmen help you all fit into the boat and row you to shore. It is only once you are off of your large boat and rowing up in this tiny craft that you truly begin to grasp the pure size, wildness and majesty of this unspoiled land.
As he sees the vast, unspoiled wilderness, you actually see a smile cross the face of the cranky druid.
With an excited demeanor looking at the wilderness "Sailing is always a great hobbit and I never tire of it, but I do like to travel in the wilderness as much as sailing and aquiring knowledge" turns to look at Tracant"Go forth and scout the beach area"
Burnsten using link
Tracant using link
The bottom of your launch grinds against the gravelly bottom as Burnsten leaps out to help haul your vessel onto the beach. You pause, listening for the war cries of hostile natives bearing down on you, but all that meets your ears are the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach, the river gurgling across the cobbles, the insects buzzing in your ears (and biting you), and the wind whispering through the trees.
Jumps quickly after Tracant from excitement to touch land "Come! let us move forward and claim this place already, the trip was long enough to wait" with a happy smile advances towards the beach.
Tracant Perception
Burnsten perception (bond senses)
After hearing the cries of Land Ho, Pete can barely restrain his excitement, although for a more pragmatic reason; his dwarf blood cries out for solid ground.
Once the launch has struck the edge of the beach, he jumps out, heedless of his boots getting wet, and plants a kiss on one of the stones laying on the sand.
"Aye, sweet earth, 'n stone again! Yuelral 'n Torag, I giv' ye both thanks fer guidin' me ta 'ere!"
Oblivious to the stunned looks of his fellow companions, he turns to them, wiping the sand out of his beard, and says, "So, who wants ta head wit' me fer some scoutin'?"
Pats Pete in the back "Aye! Pete! I'll be more than glad to help you scout these wilderness I'll even get us some extra help for a moments if we need it" looks at Tracant and both nod at the same time Are you ready?
Alexis nearly seems lost in whimsy as those with the strength for it haul the launch up onto the shore. It is only Elorin's words, "My Lady?" that stir her from her reverie.
Hesitating at the hand he extends to her, she at last smiles warmly and accepts it as she swings down beside him, her tall brown boots splashing in the surf. Looking up at her body guard with stars in her eyes, she says, "I can hardly believe that we are finally here... To be standing on the same shore that my parents once did nearly half a lifetime ago..."
Shaking her head and composing herself, Alexis says, "Forgive me, this is a moment I have long dreamed of..."
After a minute or two of taking in the ancient trees, the unique smell of the air, and the giant cliffs, you get the sense that she feels almost at home. At last she says, "Sir Elorin, we have been too long at sea for your liking. Feel free to reconnoiter the area and report your findings as you see fit. Exhilarating though this may be, we have a responsibility to the colony to secure the beachhead and establish a perimeter."
As Elorin jogs off to do what he was recruited for, Alexis finds herself wondering about the Skraelings and what their first encounter shall be like. I hope that we shall be able to form a peaceful coexistance...
"Biter, Elorin, Pete, and Rath are the most stealthy among us and Tracant appears be be elusive as well. Perhaps they should scout while the rest of us remain here in case we need to make a hasty retreat. That way, those of us here might be able to cover their withdraw if need be while not botching their attempts at quietude."
"Thoughts?"
"I agree that we must make 2 groups at that" cleans a little part of the sand to have a better idea of things.
"Group one should go scout the wilderness around this area to secure this position"[b] leaves an empty space to write down the names [b]"Well since I really not familiar on who is better for this task, I can suggest Tracant at least, natural hunter in woods and such"filling a spot with the name of Tracant.
"Group to should secure the beach area and start planing the best posible area, to clean so we can properly start building"
"I accept suggestions, tho I'm not very fond of it since I think this is the best procedure, like my people always does, since this is not a raid"
"Sounds like a plan, Lass. I think we kin take buddies 'n each scout in a different direction. I suggest Elorin n' I head west, Rath 'n Biter, head south, n' Tracant 'n Burnsten 'ead north. We only goes up a little ways, jes so we kin git a beach head established."
This is a fairly pivotal moment, so I'll wait and let everybody have their say. In any event, whether you move as one group or smaller ones, I'll need Stealth and Perception checks from everybody (including those staying on the beach if they do).
Perception
Stealth
Perception
Stealth
A thought occurs to Alexis , "My father's journal mentioned that several of the Skraeling adorned their war clubs with white feathers during their meetings. While his writings never explicitly mentioned it, I wonder if this was perhaps how the Skraeling showed their peaceable intentions to one another. Do any of you happen to have white feathers to affix to whatever you are carrying? Elorin, might you be carrying any amongst the supplies you use to make the fletching for your arrows?"
Noting that they are on a beach, Alexis looks around to see if there are any gull or albatross feathers that might be suitable.
A thorough search of the immediate area of the beach reveals no bird feathers.
"White feathers, eh? Sounds like a white flag o' truce ta me, if'n they gots no way ta make cloth." Pete starts assisting Alexis in finding some white feathers to adorn the groups weapons. "Hmm, seems like th' natives already beat us ta it. Did ye father's journal mention any thin' else we should know about?"
"Gregor, do you have the ability to call local wildlife to aid you in such a fashion? I wouldn't want to harm any gulls, but perhaps a few may need to molt and could relinquish some to you."
"Did ye father's journal mention any thin' else we should know about?"
Bursnten takes out his book and starts writing on it as customary, keeping a log of what is happening and his travels
Burnsten using link
Approaches calmly posing between Pete and Alexis "lady Alexsiss... Petess, we would likesss to knowss what we do knowss... We busssy writing and Tracant comess to seess what isss to be donesss"
Alexis smiles at the "small" dragon. "Well, we are still trying to decide what to do. I think that the people indigenous to Arcadia see white feathers tied to weapons as a sign of peaceful intentions. However, it seems that we do not have any."
"Gregor, do you have the ability to call local wildlife to aid you in such a fashion? I wouldn't want to harm any gulls, but perhaps a few may need to molt and could relinquish some to you."
Gregor nods in agreement with Alexis's question and request, then begins summoning the birds as requested.
"I huntss for some foodss, maybe featherss I can findss"
Tracant using link
Pete nods at Tracant, "Aye we coulda planned this a wee bit better. We coulda gotten all th' feathers we wanted while we was on th' Rose."
While the conversations and planning starts, the tiny dark hunter's feet hit the sand for the first time, and his uncovered toes flex in the waters of the surf as two red globes slide along the foreign beach front. His great blade rasps from it's sheath on his back as he circles away from the landing boats.
Finally to our new hunting grounds. Let us see what awaits.
Quickly the hunter vanishes from sight, his tiny form finding refuge from eyes by every rock, tree, or fold in the ground, and he begins making a circuit of the immediate area, sniffing and searching the ground for footprints.
"Musting to know what mighting to want to hunt pathfinders." He whispers as he stalks.
"Aye we coulda planned this a wee bit better. We coulda gotten all th' feathers we wanted while we was on th' Rose."
Alexis winces a bit. "Honestly, the thought about the feathers didn't strike me until I found myself walking upon the beach. We were all so eager to be the first to set foot upon the shore that we got a bit ahead of ourselves."
After finishing his notes, closes his book putting away his things carefully in his backpack "Well! what are we going to do next?"
"Well...excuses aren't worth anything, what done is done after all... let us decide what to do with what we have now"
"Well! what are we going to do next?"