The woman nods and goes to work. She wipes the bloody dagger on the corpse's clothes to clean it up before dragging the body to the railing and tossing it overboard. She then cuts one of the rowboats loose letting it drift away behind the ship. Finally, she touches the hat on her head as she intones an arcane word as she then transforms to take on the appearance of the just murdered human man. With all that done, she hands over the dagger and one of the rings on her hand for either of you to take as she simply notes "Thank you."
If her family thought they could imprison her in their own house, they were dead wrong. She was always a favorite among the servants and guards, and she knew who could be trusted. Still, as she approached the ship under cover of night, it still seemed best to keep a low profile. It was hard to know who might be watching--in port or even on board--and she didn't want her family on her trail. As she approached, she intoned some magic and suddenly vanished from sight.
Her magics would not last long, but it would be enough. Once aboard, it was easy enough to slip into the cargo hold and get herself lost in all the goods in storage. As Caroliss set up a sheltered space, she settled in for a relaxing day of reading and studying. In the morning, she hoped to slip away just as silently before appearing alongside her companions, hopefully with nobody else the wiser.
Everyone gets back to their spots to get some more rest. Dialla makes no further contact with any of you, and as the ship makes its way on to Korvosa, the crew quietly and thankfully mutters about how much more calm and agreeable Chebby’s become. At dawn on the second day, the Wanton Ways reaches the Lady’s Cape. The Lady’s Light rises majestically and eerie above the morning fog.
Captain Fessender anchors offshore just to the north of the Cape
itself and calls you into his quarters. "We cannot approach the cape itself due to the reefs, so we'll get you ashore from here and then we will be on our way to Korvosa. As such, I expect you'll be finding an alternate means of returning to Magnimar. I hope your journey goes well and your work for the society finds success."
Unless there is anything else the crew helps load you into a small boat and rows you ashore just north of the monument. Dropping you off on the sandy beaches. Looking ahead you see that you'll either nead to head inland a bit to traverse the hooklike peninsula and reach the ladies light, or figure out some means of smaller aquatic transport to try and approach from the the water.
Drask is slow to respond to the Captain's calls, sluggishly lugging their equipment off the boat. However the fog helps to keep him from gazing too long, forcing him to focus on what's around him.
Veltariel doesn’t even acknowledge the captain, disembarking the dingy quickly then heading into the tree line before turning south...
About a couple minutes into the ride on the dinghy, the party hears the disembodied voice of Caroliss.
"I know you all have been missing me, so I decided to make a special appearance!"
A few moments later, Caroliss's invisibility spell disperses, and she's standing there on the small ship, grinning. "You didn't really think you could lose me that easily, did you?"
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Mokhasi had a pleasant trip, untroubled and quiet. He read what he could, taught Vel what he could. She had been a fast learner, and undoubtedly she would excel at the language with practice. Mokhasi switched to his expedition clothes, and seemed to be obviously prepared mentally for a trudge, using his broad hat, loose clothes, and thick boots. His robes seemed to have been packed away, and he looked much less like a wizard, and more like an explorer. His spellbook was now fastened to his belt with a cord, and was wrapped in a waterproof satchel. When they reached the drop off point, and he bowed to the captain, thanking her, ”many thanks Captain. Your boat was extremely helpful, and we are in your debt. If I am able to repay you in the course of my life, I will do so.” He helps row the dinghy to shore valiantly, should anyone get tired, but his physical weakness prevents him from doing so particularly quickly.
When they depart and land, he gracefully, as is typical, for some reason, he removes his boots and feels the sand in his toes for a moment. He breathes in happily, smiling at Veltariel, ”let us luxuriate a moment in the natural world before entering another tomb.” Kiir glows merrily, a panoply off differing colors. After a short time, he puts his boots back on, grabs his new walking stick and appears to be ready to go, though he checks in with Sapher and Drask to see if they’re doing okay.
When Caroliss appears, invisible, Kiir begins flashing red and clinking. Mokhasi looks at it questioningly, but when Caroliss pops out of invisibility, he doesn’t blink or seem surprised. He smiles politely, ”hello Pathfinder. It is good to meet you.” He bows to her slightly. Kiir whirs above his head before calming, and glowing with a muddled orange light. He then turns away, ignoring further interaction, and studies the landscape for a moment.
"Gods, Bolka above them all... for me at least... thank you for this land[b]" Sapher whispers to herself as her feet finally touch the ground. The Firm Non-Swaying Ground!
"[b]Hi Cars" the dward says absently, then jerks her eyes to the half-elf, and grabs her in a hug "CARS!" face buried in the other woman's stomach. "Why!? I mean you were on the abdominal thing this entire time and didn't tell us. Why?"
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Esrisi shouts and runs to up to her friend and begins to pepper her with kisses. "You came! I knew you would! I knew you wouldn't leave me in the swamp with. Uhm. So glad you came!" she says, stuttering a bit at the end of her proclamation.
She motions to Mokhasi and leans in to whisper into her ear "You are Pathfinder. I am Pathfinder. Drask made him talk, I think he's blocking us out of his memory because he's not happy with us."
She remembers something and adds "Oh!! Remind me to tell you what happened on the boat!"
Caroliss returns Sapher's hug, while dodging Esrisi's kisses. "I miss you all too!" she says, giggling.
When greetings are complete, Caroliss answers Sapher. "How am I supposed to eavesdrop on all your conversations if you know I'm right there?' she says. She pauses for a moment before grinning. "But seriously, I'm not supposed to be here at the moment--at least according to my family, and especially my mother. The longer it takes for my family to figure out where I am, the better."
She nods at Esrisi's whispering. "Yes, he's called me Pathfinder more than a few times in recent days," she says, before letting out a sigh. "I thought he was over it already." She then looks up at Mokhasi and smiles. "Hello, Elf. It's nice to see you haven't changed." Caroliss wonders if her irritation would register with Mokhasi at all.
When Mok comes to check on Drask he doesn't respond until Mok tries a bit harder for his attention, then just shrugs. "Just remo...rem-oh-niss-ing." He says, chewing out the word.
When Caroliss appears his brows shoot up. Oh good. More people running from their family. We didn't have enough of that. "Good to have you back Caroliss, we thought we lost you."
"Can't agree more!" chimes Caroliss, as Esrisi suggests getting ashore. "My legs could really use some stretching out." She twists and turns her body around as she says this to loosen up.
Drask nods absentmindedly, beginning the trek on foot.
"LAND" Sapher says loudly and firmly, then starts leading them onward, accepting no further discussion on the subject.
The group makes their way south along the beach. As far as you can tell this lagoon is at low tide and the waters are a little over ten feet deep. As you reach the southern tip of the beach it continues on to the west and then south again. As you loop around the beach to work your way toward the mounument you see a small and larger island directly to the west. The peninsula also continues to the southwest where it circles a small lake and a creek further south running out to sea.
Veltariel jogs quietly back to the group from ahead, enjoying the open air and sound of nature around her on a subconscious level, but still maintaining her focus on the task at hand. ”There’s a small hut ahead. Looks to have a well used trail in the brush leading into the eastern hill lands, and a haphazard bridge connecting the island to the mainland and path into the bush.”
"Someone lives out here? Why?" Sapher looks genuinely surprised.
"A witch maybe? One of the other pathfinders at the lodge had a tale about one that lives out in a swamp. And she convinces people to gather mushrooms for her just so they can be eaten by a plant monster!" Sapher tells the others sagely.
"We should go meet them. In case they are good, or in case they are not."
"A witch? In a swamp? Who feeds mushroom to a plant monster? Who comes up with such nonsense?" Caroliss is sure it's utter fiction. "That's the sort of tale that gives lady spellcasters a bad name!"
She peers toward the island that Veltariel has pointed out. "This place could be a nice vacation home, really. A house on an island off a sandy beach, seems pretty dreamy as you bring some food and water. Maybe whoever lives there could be a guide for us."
Veltariel rolls her eyes at Sapher’s tale.
Preposterous.
”Either way...the smart move is to scout them out and determine if they are a problem.”
"No... sorry... she feeds the people to the plant monster. The mushrooms are a trap. Oh, it doesn't matter." she sighs. "Vels, I doubt even you can cross a rickety bridge with no cover in broad daylight without a risk of being seen, so maybe we just approach as friends in hope that they are? Prepared for the potential that they are not. Any objections?"
Veltariel arches an eyebrow when Sapher doubts her ability to reach the hut unseen, but makes no further comment on that matter.
The group decides to walk up to the hut in a friendly manner, hoping that if someone resides their they will be met in kind. As you get close you notice there are curls of smoke rising from the chimney of the hut, likely indicating someone home. While the bridge is rickety-looking, it is rather solid. You see that the bridge is decorated with bleached humanoid skulls with weird sigils painted on them in crusty, reddish-brown dried blood.
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Mokhasi seems confused as people continue to talk about walking to the lighthouse, as he’s basically with Veltariel and already having started to walk to the lighthouse, with the understanding that this was to be the plan all along. He tilts his head at the talk, but does not say anything.
He notices the hut, but says little as they approach, happy to meet all many of wood-wizards and witches.
”Troglodytes and Boggards, generally not the friendliest of people. One can assume the inhabitant has been harassed. They also do not care for trespassers, so be on guard!” He pauses, ”if you’d like me to speak to them - if they are a witch, we may have something in common.”
"Probably best for us to stick together, but if you wish to lead the conversation Mok, no problem at all. Better than me sticking my foot in my mouth." Sapher pulls her worried gaze away from the skulls to the wizard and smiles.
Drask nods absentmindedly, although it's not clear exactly who or what he's agreeing with. He continues to walk with the group.
"Yeah, that's a lot of dead troglodytes and boggards," says Caroliss, pointing to the skulls. "Let's make sure this guy doesn't get to add a variety pack to his collection."
Caroliss detects magic, worried about what they might encounter.
The hut sits at the center of the small island, a mossy wooden shack with a sagging roof sitting in the shade of a few moss-draped willows. A plume of smoke wafts from a chimney, and cooking smells pervade the area, though the odor is not altogether pleasant. As you approach a dark raven caws madly before flying toward the hut and disappearing inside.
Moments later a half-orc woman with one milky white eye, the raven perched on her shoulder next to her bad eye, steps out on to the porch of the small hut as she calls out to the group "“Who be you fools? I’ve always room in my stew pot for more meat, you know. Unless you want to join the turnips in my soup, get off my island!”
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”Hello, I am Mokhasi. It is nice to meet you. We were passing through - I hope you are well! We would like to know something about the area, you seem learned and wise, and we are mere travelers. Could we do something for you to gain your favor? We are capable at dealing with many threats.”
He bows politely, and smiles at her. Mokhasi still looks like a woodsman, or is at least not out of place on the soggy beach.
The half-orc eyes Mokashi a moment, with her good eye, then whispers something to the crow on her shoulder. The raven caws a few times and the half-orc nods, turning to look back at the group "So a bunch of do gooder's ey? Alright, I got something you can help with."
She points to the west "That large island over there. Some idiot sailors tried making their way through the reef. Let's just say didn't end too well for them. The ship wrecked just off the north west coast. There be several patches of delicious and relatively rare seaweed known as kelpie's hair that be growing in and around the wreck. You go and get a few handfuls for me than I'll consider answering your questions."
The raven caws a few times for emphasis and they both look and wait to see your reply.
"Questions answered for a little bit of work sounds okay to me." Sapher says as she considers the woman. It isn't polite to automatically distrust another person, but anyone living out Here and adorns their houses with skulls of intelligent creatures, well, deserves a once over... plus there is that story about plant monsters.
Once the group walks away, Veltariel mutters ”So much for worries of witches sending people to gather ingredients for stew which was actually a trap...” as she gives Sapher a sidelong glance.
"I can't remember if the story said the mushrooms were for a stew..." Sapher mutters back.
The half-orc glares a bit at Es when she implies the woman is old, but doesn't speak up as the dwarf adds her agreement to the mix. Luckily, as far as Sapher can tell the half-orc doesn't seem to have any ulterior motives.
As Drask walks by she eyes him a moment and gives him a solid wink, with her good and grins as she walks back into the house. After you walked a way quite a bit you hear her call out from a distance "Oh! I almost forgot... the shipwreck... may or may not be haunted by a few of the sailors who died there. Good luck!" She promptly turns and heads back inside to leave you all to your work.
The arrival of the new person who threatened them managed to snap Drask out of his haze. He focuses his attention on the witch, folding his arms and watching her quietly. He knows his silent presence is the most important thing he can do; showing he has no proactive plans of violence, but exists as an imposing threat if needed.
But when she winks at him he fliches, blinking a few times. Definitely not expecting that. But he quickly rallies, flashing a small grin and casually scratching his neck, partly pulling his shirt down in the process.
"Well you heard the lady, we have some ghost to put to rest. Let's get moving." Drask says with sudden eagerness. He takes off, already leading the way.
The group sets out for the other island. Luckily the larger island is not too far away and with it being low tide, you can tread the water without too much issue, at least most of you, with the waters only being about three and half feet deep. Back on land you circle around the island until ahead you see a ring of jagged coral surrounds the hull of this sunken ship about thirty feet off shore. Its decks are thick with blooms of seaweed, particularly near the wreck’s bow. The masts have long been torn away by the surging tides, but the ship’s hull appears to remain relatively intact. The waters here are a bit deeper at ten feet and will require some swimming to get to.
"Hmmm... for some reason I had assumed the shipwreck would be on land. Oh well, we need someone to guard our gear while people go diving. I volunteer, as in I'm insisting on volunteering." the dwarf drops her heavy pack on the ground and sits on it.
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Mokhasi approaches with everyone else and sees the wreck in the water.
"A moment, please." He focuses for a few minutes, reading his book, and then closes it, saying "finished. Sapher, please hold my spellbook if you would. I can come with you now, Drask; I can now swim acceptably. Would anyone else care to join?" He unties the book from its water-resistant pouch and looks to be ready to hop into the water with Drask.
He looks at the others tentatively. "Anyone?" His fingers glow with a luminescence, as if he is readying a spell.
"Think I'll be keeping a spear on me long term if we keep having to fight in the water." Drask nods, ready to move in.
Sapher's eyes widen at the request, knowing how much a wizard's spellbook is to them, or at least she suspects how much at least. "I'll guard it with my like Mokhasi." she tells him solemnly. Then to both (or all) of the swimmers "Good luck, don't take unnecessary risks with the water... and remember there are supposed to be ghosts as well."
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Esrisi looks back and forth between Sapher and the others as they start to prepare to swim. "You know. We had all of that time on the ship and I didn't get into the water and now we are on the land and you want me to get into the water."
She sighs, shaking her head. "I bet if we were flying in an airship you'd want me to jump out of it to see if I could fly, just for fun!"
She ties her hair back and says reluctantly "Alright, I'm coming. Let's go."