To Rule the Razor! (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Swanson

"We can't carry them, that's for sure. I think you all are correct. They have to remain behind while we try to do what has to be done. We came here for gold, but I think we all realize that finishing this elder evil is more important than rescuing a few people. It's harsh, but true, this demon must be vanquished..."

Ke' scratched at the fuzz on his chin.
"Pretty sure it's one casting for one potion." He said shrugging.

"We can't carry them, that's for sure. I think you all are correct. They have to remain behind while we try to do what has to be done. We came here for gold, but I think we all realize that finishing this elder evil is more important than rescuing a few people. It's harsh, but true, this demon must be vanquished..."

"Kinda harsh that one Oren" - Reknar comments, while cleaning his fingers with some sand - "Even if those 'few people' were one of us?" - he chuckles.

"I'm afraid so. If this demon can figure a way off the island, there will be no putting the genie back in the bottle. Even if it takes all of us dying here, we have to stop it."

Nefertiti sits on the sand, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"I was wrong to advocate trying to get our charges to safety first before tackling the demon. If we had just gone into those tunnels that Lani had found, we'd be in better shape to face him than we are now, and our crew would all be still alive." She shakes her head. "However, we had no way of knowing how much this would backfire."

She scoops up sand in her hands, letting it fall through her fingers. "The Qadirans have a saying, That sand has already blown in the storm. There is no reclaiming it, there is only forward. Second-guessing the past won't change the present. I don't want to abandon our charges, but they can get killed as easily with us as if we're away. Perhaps easier, since we'd be leading them straight into danger."

She looks at Jacinth. "When we surveyed this island, we saw no above ground structures, or crystal ruins or whatever else elves might build for themselves. Unless the lab is built out of the jungle trees themselves, this means that your elven lab may be underground, with the two most likeliest entrances being the cove or the tunnels Ke'ahilani found. With 50-50 odds, I vote exploring the tunnels so that we can kill the demon first. However, I will go with majority on this one."

"Everyone, two questions. Question one: towards the Cove or towards the tunnels by the Statue? Question two: where do we leave our charges?"

Kraken, is the only cave we've seen the Cove on the western side of the island?

Nefertiti, I don't recall stating there was a cave at the western cove. However you did not get a good look as you and Jacinth were airborne at the time.

That's what I get for reading too fast. Cave and cove somehow became interchangeable in my head. So no cave that we saw on our previous trip? Bah. Okay, retroconning... Am I remembering correctly that there are some cliffs on one side of the island, then?

"I didn't see any caves that we could go to as a group, but I wasn't exactly looking for them last time. I could do another sweep of the island, looking for obvious caves. There might be some in the cliffs..." She frowns. "No, how would we get to them? While some of us could scale them, our charges can't, and I don't have ant haul."

"If you are willing to wait, I could try to fly up, see if Wedjat could hold me aloft for an hour and see if I can pray for a full set of spells. Do we have time?"

She pauses. "I suppose we should decide first where we are going, and that will tell us what time and options we have. We could search the cove and the shipwreck. Or we could go back to the tunnels. Jacinth and Reknar voted for the cove. I voted tunnels. Everyone else, what do you vote?"

She stops to try and feed some of the Dulcimer crew breakfast. "This tuna is delicious, all you have to do is chew. I have plenty of water." They got some sleep last night. Maybe we can get them moving.. This would become so much easier if they could just start walking with us.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

She takes Lenora, and tries to coax the girl to her feet. "C'mon, Lenora. Let's see if you can walk today. You'll feel so much better if you start moving again, and we can take it slow, with lots of breaks."

"I am fine with waiting for an hour to see if you can get your full complement of spells, Nef. We have nowhere to go at the moment," he says with a wry smile. "Nor any way to get there, it seems."

[b]"But we do need to decide our course of action. Are we heading straight to the demon, or are we going to check out the rest of the island today? I'm fine either way, but before Nef heads up to study, we need a decision."

Nef nods, then looks at Ke'ahilani. "Ke', do you have an opinion of where we should go next?"

With two votes towards the cove, and one abstain, we probably should just explore the cove unless Lani has strong feelings about it. I'll give way to majority vote.

Any sign of responsiveness from Lenora and the others?

"The captain has already spoken" - Reknar stands up, his comment matter of fact - "We are wasting time. Lets check the cove and be done with it - if you all want to leave our charges behind, such a spot may even be our best option then" - he finishes, beginning to gather his gear.

Ke' shook his head.
"Nope. Coves are fine things to explore. Never know what you're going to find."

Nefertiti moves to each one of the charges who by now have stirred to consciousness. They take the proffered food and shove it into their mouths with nary a word of thanks. Indeed it seems their condition has not improved in the slightest, though they won't be in danger of starving any time soon.

After some effort, the priestess is able to rouse the charges and get them standing on their feet, though they do not show any initiative whatsoever.

Reknar sees there is only the one trail leading from the beach inland, the same trail you took before. He does remember the trail branching off in two, with the other one leading towards the cove however.

Nef: Were you going to try to pray for your spells from eagle-back then? if so then I need a Concentration check (DC is 10 + the highest level of spells you can cast) and you will succeed in your meditation.

Time check 0700, Day 8.

Nefertiti gives a look of triumph, as one by one she manages to encourage each of their charges to their feet. "Can anyone rig a guide rope that they can hang on to? If we can get them walking, we'll travel far faster than if we have to drag them."

She ascends on eagle back, flying until she can once again feel communion with her god. Holding her feather high, she prays. "Horus, lord of two horizons, we face a terrible challenge. Aid us in overcoming the dark forces that inhabit this island."

Concentration Check DC 13: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 2 = 16

will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

As the others hem and haw over whether to proceed to the cove or back towards a likely confrontation with their demonic host, Jacinth casts her mind back, back weeks and weeks to when she was first starting her research on the Sammerlock Sails area, including Dolentla Island. Though she never did find any real clues as to the location of the supposed elvish facility, there was a name...one of the elves that had been in charge of overseeing operations in the area and may have been one of the overseers for the facility as well.

What was that name? Binder...something-Binder...Earth? No, not Earth. I *know* there was a name...he was legendary, with a talent for binding magic....binding....

As Oren queries as to whether they're going to go search the cove or face the demon, something suddenly clicks in Jacinth's memory and her eyes grow wide. "Fiendbinder! Urthlan the Fiendbinder!" she exclaims, a look of growing horror as well as anger on her face. To the surprise of everyone, she leaps to her feet and begins rapidly pacing back and forth, occasionally violently kicking at a stray rock or piece of debris. A stream of Elvish flows from her mouth, some of which are curses and language that a young elven lady really should have no knowledge of.

"Fenedhis lasa! Harellan era'harel!" she snarls, continuing her pacing. Finally, she seems to calm somewhat and turns back to the others, taking a deep breath. "I remembered from my research into my people's history here in this region, a name. One of the elves that would have been in charge of any facility that would have been located here. A great wizard...Urthlan the Fiendbinder," she explains. Although her voice is calm, she still trembles with what is clearly anger and outrage. "Named so for his talent with binding magic. Ladies and gentleman, my own people...or at least one of them, may very well be responsible for this demon's presence here on the island."

"Binding magic is very strong, and very dangerous. Every tribe has a story of a simple, power hungry sort that tries to bargain with a demon and eventually gets consumed and destroyed by it. And now this bound demon has more or less bound us here. Hopefully the legends will be true and we will be able to shake off his yoke and destroy it."

Although I'm just not sure how...

"Fiendbinder?" Nef repeats Jacinth's statement in shock, and then notices the elf's anger and outrage. She lays a gentle hand on the girl's arm. "The legends of the evil of this island are old, likely older than than your elvish lab. The natives here turned from Pele long ago. I don't think your ancestor brought the evil here. He may have only bound it."

She sighs. "Don't get me wrong. Your ancestor made a plaything of something he should have destroyed. It was incredibly fool hardy and dangerous, but who am I to talk? My own people have made a science of binding genies, and have tale after tale of how such bindings can lead to the downfall of the masters. To bind a telepathic demon who can whisper lies and promises... in the end, which one of you becomes the master, and which the puppet?"

Nef turns to Oren. "Who says we have to unbind it to slay it? I for one want it to keep its yoke a little longer. The creature has a telepathic range of a mile, enough so that it can hear us and we can hear it anywhere on this island. However, so far it has been acting mostly through intermediaries. Imagine if it were instead free to go wherever it wants."

Nef turns to the group. "We have got to keep our eyes out for hiwanis. We cannot afford any more bites. Look at what happened to the Dulcimer crew. I think they were all bitten until their will was completely sapped."

While she speaks, she guides each of Jacinth's friends to putting their hands on the guide rope, and cajoles them into walking forward. "That's great! We'll have a little walk, and then a story and lunch! Just keep walking, friends!"

She looks at the group and asks, "Which of us would like to be on rope duty, and what marching order shall we have? I'd like to be overhead, watching for trouble."

Jacinth sighs, taking little comfort in Nef's words. "If it were already on Dolentla when my people arrived, they should have destroyed it. To do otherwise...unconscionable. But I suppose there is little to be done about it now. We should get moving soon." She then quickly turns away from the group to ostensibly gaze in the direction of the cove, feeling utterly confused and betrayed by this unpleasant insight into her people's history on the Razor Coast.

Was expansion so important that they deemed it acceptable to bind such a creature instead of slay it? I thought we were supposed to be better than stooping to such tactics...

Bluff (The Ugly Side of Historical Revisionism): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

"Nef is correct. Just because we have not encountered anymore hiwanis does not mean that they are not out there somewhere. We will have to be extremely cautious, especially while we are on the jungle path," she says at last, struggling to put her feelings aside for now. "An insidious setup...the hiwanis attack and bite anyone unlucky enough to find themselves stranded here, draining their will and paving the way for their...transformation," she shudders.

That could have been us, had we been less fortunate. Could still be us, if we are not more cautious.

As Nef corrals and herds their six charges with the guide rope, Jacinth looks thoughtful as she considers what their marching order should be. "Our pace will largely be determined by how fast they are able to move," she observes. "We could either place them in the middle or at the rear, though if we place them at the rear then we will need to be mindful not to get too far ahead. Otherwise, I think we should largely keep the same marching order with Oren and Lani towards the middle." She then eyes the crew, a dubious expression on her face as she assesses who would be best suited to play sheepherder.

None of the men are likely to have the patience for this and we would be better served with Nef keeping watch from the air as much as possible.

"I can take rope duty if Aikane or Rata or both would be willing to scout ahead," she says with an air of resignation.

Gods help me, I am not sure that I will have the patience for this either!

"Captain, wi my reduced abilities today, maybe I'd be better served on the ropes. You can still use your bow and scout...without my magics, I can't do very much right now. If I can keep the, out of trouble, the rest of you can focus on whatever threats we might run across. Or might run across us..."

Nef pauses, looking at Oren, Jacinth and 'Lani. All of them had been bitten, and all looked irritable and tired. But she senses that 'Lani may be the most deeply wounded of the three. "Before we go, there is one more thing I need to do. 'Lani, can you give me your hand?" Nef takes it, holding feather in the air. "My Lord Horus, please restore back to my friend 'Lani what was taken from him. He is my guide amongst the Tulita, and needs to have his strength of will restored."

The warmth and blessing of Nefertiti's god descends upon the tribesman. He feels enveloped in the soft wings of an eagle, and all his fatigue drops away.
Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Yes! Lani's restored!

Then she lets go of 'Lani's hand. Still holding feather aloft, she closes her eyes. "Thank you, my lord. Now... Please restore me, so that I may better serve you here."

Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Thank you, Horus!

Nef straightens, then looks regretfully to Jacinth and Oren. "My will, and Lani's, have been restored, but I only have a limited number of blessings. Tomorrow, my friends, I will try to heal you too."

Mounting Wedjat, she says, "Shall we go?"

3 fours in a row! Yes!

Jacinth looks up in surprise as Oren volunteers to play sheepherder with their charges. "Very well," she says after a moment. "Then it sounds as if we shall proceed more or less as before. I will scout ahead from the ground as we move and Nef will do the same from the air as much as she is able."

As Nef's prayers are successful in reaching her god, Jacinth finally feels a bit of positivity about the day ahead. "Do not worry about me Nef," she says, waving away the priestess' concern. "Let us be practical here...you, Lani, and Oren are worth more in the heat of combat than I am at present. I will be fine for now."

Shouldering her pack, Jacinth prepares to begin the advance back into the jungle when she glances over at Oren.

To be cut off from his magic...I suppose it would be like Nef without her link to Horus or me without my bow. A naked, defenseless feeling...

As she walks by, she pauses momentarily to give the wizard what she hopes is a good-natured pat on the shoulder. "Do not worry, we will have you back to weaving your magic in no time," she offers, her words awkward but tone sincere. "Until then, thank you for volunteering to watch after my friends." That said, she moves on and begins to carefully make her way down the jungle path once again...

Ke' looked at Nef with something that sure looked like respect.
"That was... good. I feel much more clear headed now. That was very good." He said wonderingly.

After tying up your charges with a rope guide, Oren manages to position them along the trail and manages to pull them along. While they do not offer any noticable resistance the scrimshaw wizard realized the process is akin to herding cats. The rest of you take up your marching positions, with Nefertiti taking to the air on Wedjat.

As you move off the beach and onto the trail the jungle canopy engulfs you once again. Even though you come across several more places where the trail branches off, you are able to pick the correct path that leads to the cove, thanks to Nefertiti's aerial scouting.

You soon arrive at the cove. As before you do note several recent items floating ashore here from a shipwreck most likely. The cove appears to be unoccupied otherwise.

Yes each one of these checks MUST be rolled separately.

Time check 0900 hours, Day 8.

Perception 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Perception 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Skipping Perception Roll 3, the Sailor check, and the Knowledge check

Perception 4: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
And stopping there...

Nef, on the lookout for more hiwani attacks, is so relieved that they made it to cove safely that she's barely paying attention to the shredded finery and other debris floating in to the cove. Instead, she lands and starts helping Oren with their charges.

"Hey friends, you were so good for Oren. You all walked like champs! I'm so proud of you." Her voice is chipper and soothing, in the same kind reassuring tones that one would use with pets and toddlers. It's too early for lunch, and while her teammates search the Cove, Nef smiles at her charges, playing games of Peekaboo and humming little nursery rhymes. The Dulcimer crew are like skittish, traumatized children, and Nef reaches out to each one, naming them, testing for moments of awareness.

She turns to Jacinth. "Kaiku, tomorrow, after I manage to heal you, I'd like to try healing one of them. Maybe see if we can get someone to help us herd and care for the others? Was there one of your friends who was particularly calm and responsible?"

Perception #1 (DC 15): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Perception #2 (DC 20): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Perception #3 (DC 20): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Perception #4 (DC 24): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Thankful to have made it to the cove without incident, Jacinth idly scans the area near her feet and spots something half-buried in the sand near the water, something that glints in the sunlight. Stooping down, she digs away the sand and discovers a small silver brooch. Her eyes immediately light up with recognition and she spins around to face the group, holding the brooch aloft. "Elizabeth! This is her brooch, without a doubt! This area must be where the pieces of the Dulcimer washed ashore!"

In response to Nef's question, she sighs, her excitement at finding the wreckage of her first ship quickly fading. "That would have been Maximilian, but since he is not here I would say Susanna." A pause. "I think you would like her, Nef. Always a sunny disposition and though she does not quite have your voice, she always enjoyed singing while working on deck. I hope your magic will be able to bring her to her senses."

Know. Nature 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

With my reduced Wisdom, I can't hit a DC 20 Perception check right now, so I'm not going to bother with rolling.

Oren knew a bit about the area, but as he was occupied with the natives-on-a-rope, it didn't get his full attention. As Nef came over to assist, he spent the time stretching, and trying to work the soreness out of his bones. Yesterday, he had definitely overdone it, and dragging those helpless humans hadn't done much to help.

Perception #1 DC15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Fail.
Perception #2 DC20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Success! He co-discovered the broach that Jacinth recognized.
And so >Perception #3 DC20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 Success!
After idly digging in the sand, Ke' unearthed a rusted harpoon tip buried beneath a few inches of sand. He showed it to his companions.
And so >Profession:Sailor DC15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Fail.
Perception #4 DC24: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Fail.
Knowledge:Nature DC25: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 Success!
After looking around for a bit in the cove, Ke' noticed a subtle difference in the flora at a certain patch of ground to the north of the trail you arrived here from leading into the wilderness. He pointed that out to his companions before physically approaching the patch himself.
And so >Survival DC28: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Fail by one!

Perception 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Perception 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Perception 3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Perception 4: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

While the others move about, Reknar spots some of the items in the sand, and definitely agrees with Jacinth - "For sure Captain, there's wreckage and all sorts of personal stuff that must have belonged to the crew" - he nods towards Nefertiti and the catatonic ones - "Perhaps if they see some of their belongings, it will help getting them to snap out of it?" - the man shrugs.

But something else catches his attention, as he moves further - "There's a trail here" - he calls out to the others - "It leads southeast, and from the looks of it, it was made by a single person moving very slowly, perhaps another wounded member of the crew?" - he ponders, then returns next to his companions.

"So, what have we got?"

Nefertiti nods to Reknar's comment about the items. "I was thinking similarly." She studies the rags that the tall girl, Elizabeth, is now wearing, looking for a place where the fabric is secure enough to attach a brooch. Most of fhe front panel has some fraying and ripping, but the fabric was good quality stuff. Taking the brooch, she shows it to Elizabeth and then pins it to the most secure section of Elizabeth's blouse. "Elizabeth, honey, your brooch is very pretty."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

She imagines the girl for a moment the way she might have been before. So tall, Elizabeth would have towered over most men. Wide shoulders too, probably was a little stocky and well-muscled. Had she been shy of her height or proud of it? Nef realized that she will need to ask more questions of Jacinth about each of these poor kids.

As it is, she listens with great interest as Jacinth speaks of both Maximilian and Susanna. Putting a reassuring hand on Jacinth's shoulder, Nef looks up at the tall elf girl. "I know you miss them... how they used to be. But we'll get them restored eventu..." Nef breaks off at Reknar's call about a trail made by one slow, wounded human. "Maximilian Sidrow!" Nef squeezes Jacinth's arm. "With the trackers we have in the group, we're sure to find his trail."

Oh please, please... Horus, by some miracle let him still be alive.

She looks over to where Ke'ahilani is circling the patch of odd-colored vegetation and frowning, as if trying to get a trail. "Reknar, can you aid Lani? Maximilian's trail must be somewhere from this spot!"

I can't aid another because Nef could never make that DC on a lucky roll. Same with Wedjat, Aikane and our other hunters. But Reknar, you have a +8, so you could aid!

Nef, you mean the trail I found?

There's a further check. One that Lani missed by one. C'mon, aid another so that we can get all the information that's under those spoilers!

Rata Fenn.

The sailor sighed in relief as the party arrived at the cove without incident. As the barbarian unearthed the rusty harpoon, he looks it over with a degree of interest.

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Och! This be coming from th' Lashed Harpoon!"

His attention engaged now, he looks over the patch of ground pointed out by 'Lani.

Survival Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

He waves the others over. "I be findin' another trail 'ere. It be faint but a wide one, wider than the group of us walkin' abreast 'ere! mebbe worth checkin' out Captain!"

Though the discovery of the Dulcimer's wreckage doesn't seem to offer any solutions to their immediate predicament, Jacinth finds her spirits somewhat lifted as everyone fans out and scans the beach for additional debris.

"You have sharp eyes, 'Lani" she offers when the alchemist unearths a rusty harpoon tip from beneath the sand. "You very nearly snatched Elizabeth's brooch right out from under me and now this! May I look at it as well?"

Profession: Sailor (DC 15): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

As she looks it over, something clicks in her mind. She looks up as Rata voices the same conclusion she had just came to and offers a low whistle of agreement. "Well...that little mystery is solved, it seems. I suppose they met the fate that was in store for the rest of us."

When both Reknar and Rata call out with the discovery of trails leading away from the beach, Jacinth's eyes briefly light up at Nef's words. Then, she remembers how much time has passed since the Dulcimer sank as well as the other dangers they themselves had encountered on Dolentla thus far.

"It may very well be Maximilian's trail," she begins quietly. "But even if he somehow escaped the ambush that occurred when our ship was sunk, what are the odds that he would have been able to survive on his own all this time? Not very good, I would wager."

Looking at the others for some sort of understanding, she pushes forward. "I do want to find what became of Maximilian and rescue him, should he still live. But the safety of the other six as well as ourselves...we need to take that under consideration as well as we decide which trail to follow."

"The Lashed Harpoon!" Nef takes a deep breath. "So they were here. And judging by the age of all the hiwanis we've seen, we can guess what happened to the crew. Does anyone have any idea how large the crew of a whaling ship like the Lashed Harpoon is? It might give us some idea of how many of those blasted hiwanis are left on this island."

Profession Sailor or Knowledge History, anyone?

Nefertiti looks at the two trails. One is more recent and narrow, as if a wounded person traveled through. The other is wide but faint as if it was made by... a group of people. Wider than the entire group of us walking abreast. Years ago.

"Why so wide? It makes no sense! They were all able-bodied, and there was no need to forge such a wide trail for a normal footpath."

She paces back and forth, puzzling this out. She imagines herself, part of a crew whose ship had just been ripped apart by a whale and stranded on an island. What would be her first priority? Shelter? Preserving materials dragged from the wreckage? Perhaps a valuable treasure? Her jaw drops in astonishment.

"Holy Horus, they dragged something here, didn't they? Something large?"

Visions of gold and barrels of ambergris drift through her head before she shakes them away.

"No, whatever it is has been here for over 20 years. It can sit a while longer. We have a charge." She turns to the others, pointing to the narrow trail. "Maximilian is missing. Chances are, he came through this way, perhaps wounded. I agree that it is unlikely he would have survived. But even if he died here, we're charged with bringing back his body. He deserves to be returned to his loved ones as much as any of the rest of them. And if by chance he is still alive, our duty is clearer still. We need to save him. There is no other choice, for we gave our word."

Know. History 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Oren tries to job his memory about the Lashed Harpoon.. He followed the others as they discussed the trail, trying to keep his charges calm.

Sorry for short post, but AT&T Wireless has been down all day and I don't want to type anything crazy with it going in and out.

"So what is the plan?" - Reknar inquires - "we leave them here, and plod forward on this Maximilian's trail?"

After a long moment, Jacinth sighs and nods. "Nef is right. We should follow the smaller trail first and attempt to locate Maximilian. Perhaps we can backtrack and follow the second trail at a later time. Even if we depose our host, there is still the matter of our being stranded here with no immediate or apparent means of rescue - so in theory, we have all the time in the world," she chuckles darkly.

"As to our charges...if we can locate a relatively secure and shady location nearby then we can certainly try leaving them for a time. Did anyone see such a spot?"

Rata Fenn looks up from where he was looking out over the cove. "I kin watch over 'em 'ere, Jacinth. I don't think we kin get them ta head into that jungle. It looks pretty thick, 'n yer rope would definitely get caught on th' branches!" He looks over at the faint trail again. "I don't think he has much time, 'n I wouldn't dawdle 'ere anymore."

For a moment, Jacinth hesitates. Although the six surely would not be difficult to keep an eye on in their current state, there would be little chance for any of them should more hiwanis show up while they are gone.

We are out of options, are we not? We cannot keep traipsing all over the island with them in tow. They slow us down and sooner or later something will happen to one of them, no matter how vigilant we are.

But...

No. Whatever your personal feelings are, you cannot let them cloud your judgement here. That is what led to that ambush in the jungle yesterday, remember?

She looks Rata in the eye and nods. "That will work, I think. We will try not to be gone very long. Keep them safe, but keep yourself safe as well, Rata."

"Then it is decided!" she calls to the others. "Let us follow this trail and hope that it leads us to Maximilian or some further clue as to his fate."

Reknar gives a pondered look around at the group, then answers - "In all honesty, I think I'd rather the lad came with us Captain" - he nods back at Rata - "He's always been where we need him, and packing a pretty decent punch"

He then looks directly at the Menehune rogue, while still speaking to Jacinth - "I think Aikane should stay - he can handle himself well enough, and its about time he puts his hearth into something" - the man finishes without skipping a beat.

Oren nods at the others. "If we are to try to save your other friend, we must be off, Captain. Aikane can watch them until we get back, and then I can take over rope duty again. Hopefully, we will just be gone for a bit, and we can get right back here."

Jacinth's brow furrows in thought as she considers Reknar and Oren's suggestion.

They have a point...sometimes it seems as though he is bound and determined to do as he pleases and he seems to prefer to keep to himself for the most part. Watching over the others might suit him; they certainly will not be attempting idle conversation while they wait!

She is prepared to agree with their suggestion and call for Rata to accompany them after all. However as her eyes rest on Aikane, something else occurs to her.

And yet here he is, with the rest of us. He could always have opted to stay with Zem on the Iron Bastion and return to Port Shaw. No reward, but also no demon and no being stranded. But he did not.

"No...no, I think that perhaps this way would be best, at least for the moment. Unless Aikane wants to stay, I believe we should let Rata watch them for now, since he has volunteered to do so." Though her tone is light and conversational, there is a glint of steel in her eyes. "Besides, I believe that more can be learned about someone when they are under duress...rather than on watch duty."

Such as not having Rata's eyes to fall back on as we scout. I will need to be more vigilant than ever before, but so will you, Aikane. Please do not make me regret this.

Leaving Rata Fenn behind to keep an eye on your charges, the rest of you prepare to follow the faint trail leading into the jungle. Aikane gives Jacinth a long look noting the look in her eye before nodding once and taking the point position.

You soon move off into the jungle and you find the going is difficult through the heavy undergrowth. Nefertiti realizes Wedjat is not able to fly in the densely packed jungle so he settles for hovering above you where the canopy screens you from him.

Aikane finds it easy to follow the trail which leads off in an erratic path but heading inland for the most part. Soon the jungle blocks out the morning sun except for a few beams of light which illuminates the path dimly. After about a half hour of following the menehune as he navigates the trail as it meanders away from the cove, Aikane holds up his hand waving you to halt. As the rest of you catch up to where he stands mutely, he points to a patch of ground a few yards ahead where the trail seemingly ends. Just ahead is what looks like a formerly camouflaged pit trap, now exposed.

Before you can get a closer look at the bottom of the pit, you all feel the temperature drop as a chill breeze seems to erupt from the bottom of the pit. As a chill runs up each of your spines a spectral figure rises from the pit, its face twisted in anger and rage. As it sees you clustered together it lets loose an unearthly howl at you pointing at Jacinth. “Bring me Jacinth! Bring me the coward! Jacinth! Jaaaciiiiinttthhhh!”

Round 1: Jacinth, ??, Aikane, Nefertiti, 'Lani, Reknar, Oren.

As Aikane waves them to a halt, Jacinth curiously peers at where he points, her eyes widening slightly with surprise as she realizes that it must be some sort of trap dug into the earth. She feels a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she realizes that the trail they had been following seems to end at the trap.

"Right into it," she whispers, suddenly looking ill. "There would have been no way to have sp-!" Her words are cut off in a gasp as the temperature drops to an unnaturally cold level. As the spectral figure rises from the pit and points its finger at her, howling for her blood, the color drains away from her face as she looks back into the eyes of Maximilian Sidrow.

"Maximilian...no...NO!" she cries, shrinking away from the visage of her former friend and throwing up her arms in a defensive gesture. "I did not know what lay hidden on this island, I did not know! It was not my fault! We came back for you, for everyone! Please believe me!"

Going Total Defense; her AC is now 21.

"No...no, I think that perhaps this way would be best, at least for the moment. Unless Aikane wants to stay, I believe we should let Rata watch them for now, since he has volunteered to do so." Though her tone is light and conversational, there is a glint of steel in her eyes. "Besides, I believe that more can be learned about someone when they are under duress...rather than on watch duty."

Reknar raises an eyebrow at the order - "Very well then" - he offers as single comment, moving off.

-----------------

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"Gods damn it" - Reknar roars - "We're gonna have a hard time with this one, insubstantial and whatnot" - he lets off through gritted teeth - "And he doesn't seem to like you Captain"

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Nefertiti grabs Jacinth's arm. "Don't cower! You've come all this way to see him! Face him! We can't fight him, and ghosts can't rest until their grievances are addressed."

Nefertiti meets the cold eyes of the specter, trying to hide her own fears. Was this the charming, laughing young man that Jacinth had described? The one that Jacinth had said took care of his friends, and tried to lift their spirits? The tales of Scheherazade are full of vengeful ghosts, out for revenge, desperate for a final rest. But they were full of something else, too. Stories. If she can get the ghost telling its story, that's half the battle.

"Maximilian Sidrow, you wanted Jacinth? Well, here she is! However, if you attack her now she'll never get a chance to really suffer, will she? She might die thinking she never wronged you, and you can't have that! We've been sent by your family, yours and the others, to rescue everyone alive, and bring back to Port Shaw the bodies of those that aren't." She waggles a finger at the ghost. "I'm not bringing back a vengeful ghost to the Sidrow family, so you better tell us everything. Let us know what Jacinth did to you, and how she can make amends!"

Forgot the diplomacy roll. If anyone wants to aid... please feel free!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

"So, you're gonna talk to it then..?" - Reknar whispers.

Ke' eased a bomb into his hand, concealed by the fringe on his kilt. He didn't quite dare to throw, with his allies so dense around the enemy. It looked like Nef was talking to it anyway.
Never good at patience, he waited.