I am with ya, Jack. Let's find him. If Scourge or the others try to stop us, we can simply say we lost a shipmate, potentially.
Jack nods. Thrilled to have some sort of plan in place.
Treggor's boots hit the deck hard as he rolls out of his hammock, fire in his eyes. He puts on his hat and stares down Scrimshaw. "Mark me words, Plugg be behind this. An I know just tha rat that's going ta squeak about it." The old pirate says while making a crushing motion with his fist in his palm.
Scrimshaw nods and follows Treggor.
***
Plugg is out on deck scanning the horizon with the last of the light's rays. He is looking out at an island, a couple hundred yards from the ship.
Scourge is speaking quietly with the crew member Crimson Cogward, when he sees the Pressganged approach.
"What do ye sorry sots, want, eh?"
When the Pressganged tell them that Sandara and Badger are missing, Scourge gets a sour, angry expression on his face. And then he calls out, "ALL HANDS ON DECK!"
People quickly emerge from all over the ship. And after a minute, Scourge conducts a roll call. And indeed everyone is accounted for except for Sandara and Badger. Scourge squints distrustfully at the Pressganged, and tells them, "If ye're playing some game, I'll have yer guts for garters. Don't ye doubt." He then calls out to, "Search the ship!"
And between all of the crew they find Sandara's holy symbol, and signs of something with claws clambering aboard the ship--but no other sign of the missing crew members.
But something else was also discovered.
The Man’s Promise is pierced in the main hold on the starboard side near the ship’s water barrel. After a careful examination the crew determines that while the ship is not in immediate danger of sinking, she will unless repairs are made, even if the bilge pumps are operated 24 hours a day.
Mr. Plugg immediately instructs several of the crew to begin dismantling the ship’s deck to repair the vessel, with Sandara and Badger's fates ignored.
Assuming the worst had happened, Jack was after blood - but whose? His gut instinct was Surge or Plugg where responsible somehow but he had to be sure.
Not knowing where to lash out jackmutters darkly to the others, "Some manner o' sea monster mayhap? Dis ain't a big boat, somebody musta seen it!" So he goes off asking around...
Unfortunately no one saw anything that can identify the creatures that might have taken Badger and Sandara. And there simply aren't enough clues to get a positive identification on the creatures.
However, nearly everyone has a theory, and so Jack gets a lot of information on sea monsters.
****
The Pressganged overhear Mr. Plugg being dismissive of the two pirates’ fate, declaring that they can get along well enough without them. When Crimson Cogward proposes a rescue mission, Plugg immediately forbids it, claiming that it is better to lose a few expendable scum and get the ship to Port Peril than to risk crossing Captain Harrigan.
This seems to be an unpopular decision with many of the crew, except for the most die-hard loyal of Plugg supporters.
But then the crew discovers that the ship’s water barrel burst when the vessel ran aground and is now empty.
Mr. Plugg growls, and then points to the Pressganged and orders "You, take the ship’s cutter and a couple of empty barrels and find fresh water and supplies on the island. The repairs will take a day and a half. And we will sail at the first high tide thereafter. That gives you 48 hours to get to the island, and find supplies. If you're late, then I swear to Gozreh that I'll leave without you."
"Aye, we'll be back with yer supplies, but any sailor on tha blue sea would warn ya aginst sailin a broken ship with 'ardly a crew, a damaged hull, and no fresh water." Treggor says smugly. "But I wish ye luck. Ye can expect ta see us agin with yer supplies, an a full crew with any luck." He adds with a wink. Whether he's talking about everyone coming back alive, or perhaps finding some extra crewmates that may have gone missing, was left antagonizingly ambiguous.
"When I desire your opinion on how to run a ship, Mister Mynth -- I'll give it to you beforehand. Now hop to it!"
There was a haunted dangerous look in Jack's eyes as he clambered into the cutter. He wasn't sure if it was love, after all monogamy wasn't exactly among Calistria's tenants, but Jack had become rather fond of Badger. What happened to her and Sandara was galling, to be snatched away like that with nary clue was every sailor's worst fear. A part of him hoed that some how, some way they might be saved but you had to be realistic about these things, they where gone. Worst of all it didn't seem to be Plugg or Scurge's doing. He was going to kill them anyway but at least if they'd been responsible he would have had someone to focus his vengeance upon...
Treggor boarded the smaller boat and fixed his eyes on the island. If the two shipmates were alive, they'd surely be found there. But the claw marks, strange sight on a ship not burdened down with monsters, might well speak of something else to be found on this forgotten rock. He peered towards the land, expectation and challenge written across his face. The prospect of the unknown and the thrill of danger filled his veins with fire as the last of the pressganged made it aboard and they prepared to depart.
Shikyo climbs in with the others.
The Pressganged set off for the island
The waters around the isle are crystal clear, but the island is surrounded by coral reefs, which lie between 5 and 25 feet beneath the surface. The majority of the isle is covered in thick jungle. And a rocky cliff towers over the island to the northwest, some 500 feet high and covered by trees in many places, particularly the more shaded northwest slopes.
The Pressganged discover that there are no safe landings along the island’s west and northwest coasts. They sail around to the island’s eastern side to find a safe landing. It looks like an abandoned fishing village.
Jack frowned at the unexpected and apparently deserted fishing village. "An old fisher village. Now ain't tha creepy! Guess we gotta go thar?"
Appears so.
Dieredon helps the boat make it to the beach for a landing.
"Aye, let's tie off here and make camp. Wouldn't do ta be sailin' these unfamiliar and reef-ridden waters after dusk." Treggor eyed the abandoned village suspiciously. Perhaps it'd been overfished and left out of necessity. Perhaps the folk had simply moved to a better spot on the island. But there were other reasons for a village to fall deserted, and the claw marks on the boat had Treggor already on edge.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The Pressganged beach their cutter, and prepare to make camp. Treggor takes a moment to look around.
But he doesn't find much other than the obvious. The village is a small gathering of collapsed mud huts. And it looks like it has not been inhabited for decades. A path leads away from shore into the nearby swamp toward the mire.
The Pressganged use one of the still standing huts as a shelter, and bed down for the night.
The next morning, the Pressganged notice something that they missed the night before. In the shallows of the water they see a small, twisted “statue” made of a sinew-twined, scrimshaw-covered skeleton.
The bones show signs of trauma and gnawing.
The bones here have been chewed upon. Should we proceed?
Dieredon Takes out his bow and readies an arrow before advancing slowly down the path.
Shikyo shudders at the thought of cannibalism...or worse.
He follows Dieredon.
The Pressganged make their way towards the swamp.
The pathway slips suddenly into a large green bog. Remnants of an old wooden bridge cross the bog, but only short timber platforms on either side remain, leaving just the pilings jutting from the mud.
This area is composed of quicksand, making it dangerous to cross, but you notice the tree canopy overhanging the mire. You could climb
through the branches some 20 feet above the mire, or you can climb up a tree, lash a rope, and swing across it. You could also potentially jump over. Each option has their dangers.
"Quicksand. I can jump it fine, but some of ye may find the trees somewhat more amenable. Climb, swing, er jump, it's up to you."
Dieredon ties a rope to his waist, hands an end to Mad Jack, and takes a running jump to clear the mire.
Dieredon hits the quicksand and sinks in 5 feet up to his neck.
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Alfonso: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Jack chuckles when Dieredon falls short but his mirth vanishes when the elf starts slipping below. He throws his weight against the rope but Dieredon is stuck hard...
Grizzle tries to wrassle Dierdon out of the quicksand.
Mad Jack tries very hard to pull out Dieredon, but it is only when Grizzle lends his strength to the cause that they are able to pull him out.
Thanks, mates! That was a bit sticky. How do we safely cross?
Treggor watched silently as the elf fumbled his leap and for a moment sunk beneath the sand. After he was pulled back out, the pirate scowled at him. "That were a shameful display."
Treggor planted his boots hard in front of each other and made a modest leap, just clearing the sand. He called back, "Take the trees if ya must, but don't come cryin' to me ta fish ya out."
With the rope still around his waist, Dieredon attempts to jump across again.
Upon landing safely across, he ties his end to a tree, and he turnx to Treggor.
If you are planning on leading this group as a new captain moving forward, I suggest you change your attitude, Treggor. Or, we will just be exchanging one piece of dung for another, saavy?
Upon seeing several folks jump over,
Jack remarks, "Ha! Tha be too easy!" Being in a contrary mood Jack decides to climb up and swing over. At first he finds it a little difficult to get a foot hold and almost slips but once he puts his mind to it the climb was easy. "An now fer da fun bit!" cries Jack as he swings across, "Yarr!"
Treggor watches Mad Jack's display and nearly cracks a genuine smile. "Ha!" He slaps Jack on the back firmly when he arrives with panache, and turns back to the elf. "Now why can't ye be more like yer mate Jack here?" He gives Mad Jack and good shake and looks for the next person to come across. "Come on then, ya sea dog!"
Shikyo climbs across. He eyes Treggor sidelong...
Woof. Woof. he pantomimes being an actual dog.
Alfonso decides to follow Shikyo's lead.
He manages to dance through the treetops with nary a care.
Grizzle climbs up the tree, and attempts to swing across. But just as he's about to make it, he falls into the quicksand.
He sinks nearly down to his waist.
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Alfonso: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Dieredon quickly attempts to return the favor and pull out Grizzle.
Out of the way "Sea Dog", your future crewmember needs saving!
Dieredon simply reaches down, grabs Grizzle's hand, and pulls him out of the muck with a mighty heave.
The Pressganged continue deeper into the Mire. The water and mud rises to their knees, and the mosquitoes dog their every step. It's slow going as they try to avoid more quicksand.
Suddenly they all hear a series of very loud croaks. They turn their heads to see 4 man-sized frogs bearing down on them with wild abandon.
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Alfonso: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Giant Frogs: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Grizzle charges the largest frog, roaring with delight!
Shikyo will engage the creatures in melee but preferably from a flanking or otherwise sidelong position. Shikyo isn't in the habit of attacking from the front.
Treggor takes advantage of Shikyo's distraction to strike at the frog's soft underbelly.
, ,
With more gusto than accuracy, Jack bustles forwards laughing wildly all the way and lunges at the nearest frog with the rapier given to him by Captain Harrigan!
The Pressganged make their opening attacks. And between Treggor and Grizzle, they even manage to kill one of them. Then Alfonso casts vicious mockery on one of the Frogs.
The Frog is seemingly unharmed.
Blue AC 11, HP 18/18
Green AC 11, HP 9/18
Orange AC 11, HP 18/18
; Hit!
The frogs try to bite the heroes with their far-too-large mouths. But only Dieredon is unlucky enough to evade the attack. The giant frog bites down hard on his leg, and doesn't let go.
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Alfonso: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Giant Frogs: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Grizzle attacks the frog biting Dieredon.
Dieredon fires at the attacking frog, if he survives Grizzle's attack. If not, he will fire at the other frog.
The huge frog lunges at Jack but only manages to burp over him when the nimble pirate ducks away. The mash gasses sweep over him and disgusted he mutters, "Aye aye eye..." before lunging in counter attack! His short sword sinking deep into the over-sized frog's hide!