Rowan searches where the tracks end, specifically looking for a place where someone might have climbed a tree, burrowed under the earth, or something similar. He also casts detect magic to search for any lingering auras.
Jakiim would share his readings with the others around him, reading the two particular entries word for word to everyone in a language they can understand. "I do not know what to make of this friends.. The Fey Undines only existed in myths and folklore as far as I knew before this day, I need to know more about them, I want to know why they left. Maybe then I'll understand..."
The Undine leaves his words hanging as he cast Comprehend Languages again, continuing to read about the Fey that once inhabited the Island. He will once again read for the duration of his spell.
Rowan easily sees through the illusion and heads back to camp, marking a series of strikes against the tree trunks with his dagger to easily find his way back.
Once back at camp, he tells everyone what he has found.
Ekembe sits up straight as Rowan returns.
"A rope hangs disguised by magic in a tree? This island grows odder yet! Come! Let Ekembe see this strange sight, perhaps our visitor tarries at the other end."
"Ekembe does not see this rope Rowan speaks of. You are certain it is here?"
Ekembe and Rowan return to the illusion Rowan discovered. Even with Rowan pointing it out to Ekembe he's not able to see through it.. The oak towers over the masked man, while Rowan still sees the rope hanging from the canopy.
Jacen looked over Jakiim's shoulder and suggested he translate "castle" as "fortress of solitude", then wondered aloud where the others had got off to.
Rowan places Ekembe's hand on the rope. Your eyes are only one sense. Use them all, and you will better approach the truth, my friend. Try again.
Completely oblivious to the fact that Rowan had left in the first place, the Undine is similarly silent when Rowan tells of this tree. He is obviously very interested in his readings, and trying very hard to concentrate on the task at hand. Only once Rowan and Ekembe ehad off again does Jakiim take a pause from reading the book, looking up when Jacen mentions the others heading off. "Why, I just don't know. I hadn't realized anyone had even left, they didn't say where they were going then, Jacen? However, I do believe you're right about this one." Jakiim says pointing to the term Viriana, "I don't see them building a castle of stones and towers here on this Isle..."
While talking with Jakiim and Jacen about the meaning and translation of the book Sverinn takes stock of their possessions, checking if anything had been disturbed.
"I am sure the others will be hungry upon their return." Pulling out a few fixings, she throws together a tasty stew for the group, with enough leftovers for the implings as well.
[B]Trust me, Ekembe, there is a rope above our heads. Climb with me and I will show you.[b]
Rowan begins to climb the tree.
A laugh booms from within Ekembe's helmet, "HA! Ekembe thinks you are playing him for a fool, but lead on, lead on!"
Ekembe will try to scamper up the tree behind Rowan.
With Jakiim and Jacen busy with the books, Sverinn decides its a grand idea to whip up some food for the group, and the Impliangs. She makes a wonderful Stew with some of the plants Rowan discovered the day before, using a blend of her own spices and ingredients of course. Sverinn also checks her things, and the rest of the camp; finding nothing disturbed. Everything seems to be exactly where you left it.
Meanwhile...
Ekembe and Rowan clamber up the large tree, Rowan slips and knocks Ekembe to the ground, twice totally. Landing with loud thumps on the plants and dirt, the two finally ascend high enough to grab onto the rope, pulling themselves up to what seems to be a "Watch deck", or "Hideout" of sorts. Limbs have been cut from above and tied between two branches. Making it very easy to sit, stand or walk comfortably along the 5x5 "Deck". Estimating about 100' from the forest floor, the view is rather amazing. Rising above the lower canopy, your able to see other clearings in the direction of camp, and the abrupt ending of the forest further to the northwest; Or at least an ending of Trees over 100' tall.
"This is a very cleverly concealed rope! Ekembe is not sure how you ever found it, Rowan."
Ekembe sees a large grass mound further northwest, where the trees seem to dwindle. Other than that, a lot of trees.
Pointing out the odd feature in the landscape, Ekembe booms, "Hmmm. Ekembe wonders what that is over there. It does not look typical to thick jungle like this one." He then turns back to the clearing he and the rest of the team have set camp in. "What does Rowan think of this? Do we have other observers high in the trees besides the impliangs perhaps? Ekembe begins to think we might."
I agree, Ekembe. Someone obviously built and hid these watch towers. Suffice it to say, we are not alone on this island. Perhaps those corsairs are here with us, or others. However, we have not been attacked, so perhaps our watchers are friendly, or at least indifferent.
When Ekembe draws his attention to the hill with thinning trees, Rowan searches his memory for useful information.
Let's get back to the others at camp, this island has a way of becoming dangerous when least expected.
Rowan shape-shifts into a leopard and climbs nimbly down the tree, keeping close to Ekembe to help him should he be in danger of falling.
After spying the wisps of smoke from Sverinn's cooking fire, Ekembe nods in agreement and climbs down, returning to camp with Rowan.
Jacen, never one to turn down food of any sort, gladly took the bowl of soup from Sverinn and dug in. The warm broth tasted well enough, and after a hard day of running about and translating, it made him a bit sleepy. "Perhaps we should turn in for the night? A good night's sleep would do us all well."
Reclining against his pack, Ekembe sits on some dry leaves and takes off his helmet, smiling brightly as he enjoys Sverinn's meal. Otrimi barks softly, springing from one side of the ranger to the other as he nips at Ekembe's fingers playfully. Ekembe smiles warmly at the game, occassionally pinching the fennec's nose softly in retaliation. The soft sneezes this evokes from Otrimi leave Ekembe laughing heartily.
Tearing his attention away from his large-earred friend, the broad chested man offers in light of Jacen's suggestion, "Ekembe agrees. This day has been both strange and long. Ekembe wonders if we might explore tomorrow, perhaps toward the strange grassy mound he and Rowan saw from the tree stand. We would be wise to ward our camp prior to departing though."
Jacen stirred in the gray light of predawn stillness. He nodded to Jakiim and then set about unpacking his alchemy kit and preparing infusions for the day. Thinking about it, he mixed a variety of components for bombs too, just in case. Finally, he prepared his mutagen fo rthe day, grimacing as he drew the thick fluid up int oa syringe. He hated using the things, but sometimes they came in very useful. Still, stabbing yourself with a needle that big...Jacen shuddered.
After waking the others, Jakiim would tell them about the ground trembling during his watch. "I don't know what it was, but it wasn't very close by..."
He then walks to the eastern edge of the clearing and starts singing softly, stretching his voice to hit every note he can. He practices for a few minutes before going to where Jacen is mixing up chemicals. "What's this?" he inquires about the syringes contents.
"Oh, that. Well...it's kind of a formula of my own design to heighten my physical skills. But I hate using it because it strengthens my body at the cost of clouding my mind for a time. Still, it can be useful in the right circumstances.."
Jacen thought for a moment about offering it to the undine for a little experimentation, but then thought better of it.
"What's this about the ground trembling? Do you think this island is volcanic? I mean actively volcanic. Most islands are volcanic in nature, but not currently active. I hope it's just a minor rumble. A full bore eruption could level the island and us with it. Did it say anything in the books about this island being volcanic? I bet it did."
"So, where are we off to today? I think it's time to explore a bit, don't you?"
"Some exploration sounds good, starting with who ever put that blind in. And if there is one blind..." cleaning up after breakfast, Sverinn goes about securing the food stores and gear, working to keep as much of it secure from random animals as possible.
"Since it seems there may be others here, anyone have any ideas on keeping the gear from growing legs?"
"The blind Ekembe and Rowan climbed to yesterday was obscured with magic. Are there similar magics available to us?"
As the group discusses the events of the night and the plans for the day, Ekembe places his hand on the ground, purple lines of light dance erratically across the ground and a moment later shimmer briefly around Sverinn before fading from view.
Prepared Cantrips (3): arcane mark, detect magic, message
Prepared 1st Level Spells (2+1): cure light wounds x2 [ ] [ ], mage armor [ ]
As the group talks about the night and what to do with the new day, Sverinn secures the gear so nothing is setting out of a pack or sack; Jacen ponders what giving Jakiim a Mutagen would do; Ekembe Wards Sverinn as everyone gets their spells prepared.
Generally the thoughts seem to be to explore the island today, but first, how to protect their own camp? It seems a solution needs to be found.
"I think we will have to trust that our supplies will be ok. We can split the critical stuff up and just place it in different areas. Hopefully the Implings have a way to deter any predators anyway. I would suggest that everyone load up on a few days worth of provisions anyway."
Sverinn had spent the voyage over reworking her kits to make them easier to fit into her haversack, she added the supplies for her horse and checked that it was all cinched down, "the horse can carry some additional supplies if we mean to make an extended trip."