Welcome aboard the Jenivere.
“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip… Yeah you wish it was ‘that’ island.”
For reasons that are your own. You find yourselves aboard the merchant vessel Jenivere bound for Sargava.
Feel free to do some interaction posts
"I understand completely, Captain," the wiry half-elf replied unfazed by the question and uninterested in either confirming or denying the suspicion. "Thank you."
Cato stood as tall as an average human, but the long white hair beneath his black tricorn hat and pointed ears gave hint to his lineage. Hints were all Cato had, however. He knew there was a mixture of Elf blood running through his veins, as well as the Human contribution to his physical form, but that was all he knew.
He boarded the Jenivere and adjusted his expensive pack ready to drop the heavy expedition gear. Turning around after hitting the main deck he observed the other people on the dock, wondering if anyone was looking for him and hoping the ship would sail on time.
He watched the taciturn red-head speaking with the Captain and wondered about her missing pinky. Is that the mark of a bounty hunter, or is she just on the run herself? he wondered quietly.
"That's fascinating. I had heard they were vulnerable to silver. But perhaps you can tell me about your time in the tropics?"
It had been months since she had stepped onboard the Jenivere, and the sea had done little to improve her mood. Her hands held the ship's rails as she gazed out over the endless water, as if staring into another place that only she could see. Her head dipped slightly as the memories floated through her thoughts.
The wind ruffled her flame-red hair as she slowly drifted back to the world around her, the taste of salt on her lips. The sun beating down on her bronzed skin was a welcome reprieve from the spray that kicked up occasionally.
Time to get to work she thought to herself.
She grabbed the bucket and brush and set to scrubbing the deck as she had countless times before.
Somewhere high above, a shrill shriek echoed through the air as the shadow of a hawk glided across the deck.
"Thank you Captain, I'll be fine to bunk anywhere."
Zarek says as he escorts the cargo into the hold. Opening up the crates Zarek is satisfied that everything is in place. With a turn of a key, Zarek locks the padlock and places the key around his neck.
Its been months sense Zarek has boarded the Jenivere and boredom has definitely set in.
"Just another job" Zarek thinks to himself as he inspects the cargo for umpteenth time today.
After finishing his inspection, Zarek slowly makes his way back to his room daydreaming of a more exciting life.
Cato’s cautious survey of the docks yields no one that stands out. However being a ‘pirate’ port nearly everyone looks suspicious.
Gelik
“And then there was the study of the habits of the small-beaked wren, which is totally different from the long-beaked… 1 hour later. ”The scale patterns of the common death lizard are most unique…”3 hours later.”Magic as well as elemental damage can…” Still later, bet you’re sorry you talked to him now.
“Hey! Kym..Key-man-i.” Yes the Captain continues to butcher people’s names.”What do you think you’re doing? You do such a good job on that deck, it make these other so-called sailors look like landlubbers. Keep it up Lass.” Yes the rest of the crew Just loves you now.
“There goes that Gnome again.” Says one of the crew as Zarek heads down to check the cargo again. ”I hear it’s gold bound for some Lord.” Says another. ”No, it’s some of that strange Magick stuff.”The mystery of your ‘secret’ cargo provides the crew with endless distraction. Perhaps you should start a pool to gess.
Cato found the gnome reminded him of a certain meandering professor he once knew in another life, and his previous experience gave him the patience needed to sit through Gelik's impromptu lectures. Occasionally, the gnome would say something worth remembering and later verifying. Cato would scribble a note in his journal at such times, but otherwise just let Gelik continue to spew free information.
He also found that spending time with the gnome resulted in fewer crew and passengers talking to him, which meant he had fewer lies to keep straight. Some of the people on the ship might be tempted to sell him out, so minimizing interactions seemed a safe defense.
Most of the crew were preoccupied with the mysterious cargo that was guarded by another gnome. Cato understood their need to break up the monotony, but was himself not interested in simple commerce, which is what he assumed was really going on, hired sword or no.
The mystery that captured his attention more than the cargo was the hawk that seemed to follow the vessel. Cato operated under the assumption it was a pet, since it wasn't a seabird, and set off to watching the bird until he ferreted out it's owner: an attractive woman with mixed blood of her own who was often seen swabbing the decks.
After watching for several days he approached the woman. "It isn't a typical member of it's species, is it?" he asked Kymani. "Beautiful plumage. Call me Cato."
Kymani leaned back on her feet as she paused from her daily task of scrubbing.
"Eh, what's that?
Her eyes glanced around before turning towards the sky.
"Oh, you know. Feed an animal and it won't go away. I think it likes to chase the seagulls.
She stood up, leaving the brush on the deck as her hands went to her hips and she leaned back, stretching the cramped muscles in her back. She brushed her hands on her leather vest doing little to remove the dirt or dry them. Still she extended her own hand in greeting.
"Uh, nice to meet you. You can call me Ky."
Not wanting to continue the discussion about the bird, not that she really knew much about it, she shifted the conversation back to Cato.
"Everyone already knows the gnome's aboard to protect some sort of mysterious cargo or something, so what's your story? Where are you headed?"
Cato shaded his eyes and looked up at the hawk circling in the sky. "Field research for my dissertation. I have to impress Jalus Ebincott, and that is no easy feat."
Leaning back against the cabin bulkhead, Cato cracks his neck and stares out to sea. He wasn't interested in the mystery box but he thought it might make for a good distraction. "Not much exciting about that. And I'd wager there is not much exciting about the gnome's cargo. Sure it's being shipped covertly, but only one body guard? Don't get me wrong, you can tell by the way he wears that rapier that he is trained in combat, but still just one man. So it isn't some lost Azlanti artifact. Lots of prying eyes on a contracted ship and the sellsword can't watch every minute of the day for months, so it must be something sailors would not find worth the risk when the contents are inevitably discovered. Certainly not liquor. Nothing perishable. Weapons. That would be my guess."
After checking in on his cargo, Zarek emerges from the hull just in time to hear the half-elf speculate about his cargo.
"If you want to know what's inside, you could just ask." Zarek says with a smile. "Zarek is the name, and whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?" Zarek says with a hand out extended."The cargo isn't very interesting. Necessary, but not very interesting."
"And spoil it for the crew? Call me Cato," the half-elf returns the handshake with a firm single pump.
Kymani smirked. "Are you implying the Captain can't control his crew? "Stay away from the crate." It would seem to be a simple order, and even simpler to follow."
Turning her focus to the gnome, Kymani followed Cato's introduction.
"I am Ky. No, no, don't say it. I don't want to know."
She glanced back at Cato.
"Captain's orders.
"You are honest. You are a member of the crew. Ergo, all members of the crew are honest? The ancient Azlanti logicians would tell you I lack enough evidence to come to that conclusion," Cato said with a grin. "Of, course, Zarek has been on the ship a while and so far the crew is still debating the topic, so perhaps I chose a good ship? Reliable and professional. For your sake I hope you don't have much farther to go, Zarek. It can be dull on board a ship, although excitement might mean pirates or stormy weather, so dull is good."
Finish any chit chat you have. I will move things along later tonight or in the Morning.
"Never said I was honest, but I follow the Captain's orders. He's a good man, and we're a good crew. Not everyone on the seas is a pirate waiting to slit your throat in the dark. Is this your first time out of the library, pretty boy?"
"You would be surprised at how cutthroat academia is. The old ivory tower is packed with back-stabbers." Cato snickered then looked at Ky with a half-smile and asked, "So you think I'm pretty?"
"Oh absolutely. A little makeup and a nice dress and I'm sure all the boys would be lining up for your bed."
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do pretty boy."
She nodded to the gnome before picking up her scrub brush. "Good day to you Mr. Zarek."
Cato laughs, genuinely amused. "Funny. I was going to sign up for a cosmetology elective, but I ended up in cosmology instead. See you around, Ky."
"So, Mr. Zarek," Cato begins as he starts to move away letting Ky return to her duties, "did you receive a formal education in fencing or 'on-the-job training'?"
Moving along. Zerek can comment after if needed.
One day Captain Kovack, while making his rounds speaks to each of the passengers. ”Today is the 100th day of the voyage. I always make a big celebration of it. So please join me in the salon this evening for a special dinner.”
He got your name right. About time, it's been over 3 months. You think to yourself.
“You alway do such a damn fine job at everything.”He eyes several other crew standing nearby. ”It is the 100th day of the voyage. And I want you at my table this evening for the celebration dinner.” Yep, the rest of the crew continues to really ‘like’ you.
"That's sounds like a delightful ritual to break up a long journey, thank you Captain, I will be there."
"Every day puts me another inch closer, but I need to find it, I need to prove I was right so I can make restitution. And I need to get off this damned Jenivere!
Thankfully, most of the crew takes me for a fop or just some soft bookworm and it seems improbable that anyone aboard the ship knows about the incident at Erages, but I'm still wary. I would worry about Mr. Zarek, except he seems focused on his precious cargo.
"Hiding behind Gelik has gotten old. I've now heard his lecture on the mating habits of the Avistanian linnorm, and how it differs from their Vudran cousins, four times now. I need to feel land beneath my feet again.
"The Captain is having a dinner party. My socks have been washed and dried. Idle chit-chat and avoiding my past. Perhaps Ky will be there. She and I trading verbal barbs will make things more palatable."
"I'm self taught, tried joining but those bastards have a problem with people of my stature. They ar . . .
Zarek stops to listen to the Captain's announcement.
"Hope the food is better then the slop they have been serving." Zarek mumbles to himself.
"Thank You, Captain." Zarek says out loud. "Your hospitality knows no bounds"
Zarek stands there with the biggest and most grateful smile he can muster.
"Aye aye Captain. I'll be there. Thank you for the consideration, It'll be an honor."
It is day 100 of the voyage and you and the other passengers, except for Leana. Who always eats in her cabin. Are in the main salon just finishing the celebration meal. Which to be frank was unusually…well good! The meals have generally been hearty but bland. But not tonight. The salt pork and beans were delicious and that hint of lemon put it over the top. The fresh biscuits and sweet butter were also a welcome change from the usual hard tac and watery fishy soups. Everyone had seconds.
Rambar (the cook) says. ”It is to celebrate the voyages’ 100th day, don’t expect it again for another 100 days.”
The Captain stands and motions for quiet.
”Today is the 100th day of our long voyage. But it also means we only have 4 more days to Eleder.” He raises his mug. ”A toast to the 100th day and to only 4 more. Now drink up.” Then stands and leaves. saying.”Got to check on our recluse and wish her a happy 100th day.”
"As I was saying Mr. Zarek, when it comes to matters of combat, you are probably better off without the formal training. I read an article from a reaearcher in Ustalav, at the Sincomakti, that charming school along the meandering Destach River, that suggested lessons learned during life-threatening situations leave a perceptible impact upon us that aided in retention of knowledge."
Of course it also resulted in long term psychic trauma, but let's not bring the poor fellow's spirit's down, thought Cato as the Captain began his toast.
"Cheers, Captain, and thank you for this wonderful feast!"
Cato leaned over the table and whispered to Ky, "Does everyone get a gold coin whenever they say, '100 days'?"
"Cheers!" Kymani said as she raised her mug.
Four more days, only four more days.
Kymani grinned. "Are you not paying attention? The phrase is 100th day"
"I guess I am just distracted, " Cato snickered before winking at Ky then raising his mug and shouting
Relived that his assigment is almost over, so much so, Zarek lets out a sigh of relief and allows himself to relax for a minute.
"Cheers!" Zarek shouts with the rest of the crew downing his mug of ale.
Don’t worry about DC
+4 vs. Disease/Poison
You are hit by a wave of light-headedness and your vision starts to blur. That’s the last clear thing you remember.
Then there is a confusing jumble of images. Remembered as if in a dream feelings of nausea, panic, fear then...
Everything is dark and silent.
Then, sensation begins to creep back in—the feeling of sand below and of something wet lapping at your feet, the sound of ocean waves washing against a beach. You are pretty sure this isn’t the ship and something is very wrong.
Zerek you feel a heavy pressure over your legs. Then, suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in...
Your left foot
You are jolted awake and sit up. Nausea and disorientation wash over you, as your mind reels.
Could it have been something you ate, or drank?
You see a strange beast about the size of a badger. Two large pincers grasp at the air before this sleek creature, while a finned tail bristling with a long, thin stinger rises from behind.
Your first thought is that it’s a cross between a crab and a scorpion. There are two more of the creatures about 20’ down the beach, near a pile of arms, armor, and other gear. There are 7 other people lying passed out on the beach around you.
You awake 1 at a time in the following order:
· Round 2 Kymani
· Round 3 Cato
Round 10 NCPs
Roll 20 page is up and ready
https://app.roll20.net/join/6989283/ABrqsA
Taking a second to get his bearings, Zarek quickly recognizes the threat right beside him. Zarek quickly moves away from the beast's snapping pinchers while at the same time wrapping a strand of aether around a large rock, hurling it at the crablike monstrosity.
Zerek's sudden movement seems to startle the creature for a moment.
Obviously your aim is off due to your condition because the rock splashes into the surf well behind the animal.
It looks at you for a moment then moves to your left down the beach toward some of the non-moving 'food'.
The 'scorpion crab'.
To Zerek's right moves up the beach to Cato and pinches his leg.
So for round 2 everyone is up.
Cato groans and sits up with a start. "Oh, gods, I feel worse than I did after the Blackash graduation party! Uh, what, uh, shoo! Get away you! You...uh, thing, you!"
"Ugh. Captain, I think the fish is bad. You should tell cook to throw it overboard" she said as her hand shot to cover her mouth.
What the... she thought to herself, as she felt the sand against her face. Her hand pulled away and it was then that she noticed her surroundings; the beach, the surf, the bodies all around her...
What the hell is going on? She jumped to her feet, immediately wishing she hadn't as another wave of nausea washed over her. "Hmpph" Her eyes took in the scene around her but that only seemed to bring more questions. Frustrated, she took a step forward and attempted to punt the little lobster back into the ocean.
Zarek moves to a better position to engage the other scorpion crab.
I hate crabs. Zarek thinks to himself as he wraps an aether thread around a loose rock.
AAAHHH Zarek shouts as he launches the rock at the scorpion crab.
Cato is pretty sure the creature is a 'crab thing' Maybe you slept through 'that' class
Cato kicks at the scorpion crab.
The S crab's pincers snap at the 1/2 elf without hitting.
Cato's kick, however hits is right in the face. Knocking it out cold.
Kymani's kick, while missing the crab does dig up some sand.
Zarek sends the rock straight through the crab he and Kymani are fighting. It shatters into several pieces.
This seems to anger the remaining S crab. It moves forward and strikes at...
Zerek with it's stinger tail.
Missing the Gnome.
Cato takes a breath and tries to sigh but spews a little bile instead. "Way worse than Blackash," he groans before hustling to the pile of gear and looking for a bow and ammunition.
Zarek deftly dodges the scorpion crab's stinger, then takes a 5 foot step to get out of it's stingers reach.
Zarek begins to wrap silvery strand of aether around another large rock and hurl it toward the creature.
Kymani glanced back at the little gnome that was flinging rocks all around her. That one is full of surprises she thought.
With a deep breath to steady herself, she danced across the sand, closing in on the nearest crab-thing that was still moving.
She lifted her foot and tried to stomp on the creature, as if it were some giant bug scuttling along the beach.
Between Zerek’s rock and Kymani’s kick, the Scorpion Crap is split in two.
Talk about your cracked crab
Cato is able to find his bow and quiver. And after shooing the fiddler crabs away it is ready for use.
After dealing with the sea scorpions. You have a chance to take stock of the situation. You are obviously no longer on the ship. You are on a beach but not particularly wet. If you had washed up it is likely you’d still be in the surf line. And your gear is stacked in a pile.
“What happened?” Each PC’s last clear memory is of sitting down to dinner aboard the Jenivere. After that, there’s nothing but a confusing jumble of images, remembered as if in a dream—feelings of nausea, panic, fear, and drowning. The logical conclusion is that the Jenivere sank or wrecked, and the PCs washed up on the shore—although they’re not particularly wet, and someone stacked their gear in a pile for them.
”How did you get here?”
“Where is the ship?
”Why do I feel like crap?”
While exposure to the elements and the ordeal of surviving a shipwreck can account for some of the sickness, this feels like something more. Although it passes a few minutes after waking.
Hey there are other people here. 5 others from the ship are here. They are the passengers. It seems as if the Captain and the rest of the crew are missing. Also gone is that Varisian scholar Ieana. They are just recovering from the poison and events. And sit slowly up looking around.
Gelik, the Gnome. Looks at his somewhat the worse for wear fancy clothing. ”Well, this should make for an interesting story. Shipwrecked...No, Marooned...no. well I’ll work on it.”
Ishirou, the Tian human. Gazes about then looks east. ”Guess it will take longer than expected to reach Sargava. Maybe much longer.”
Jask, the human prisoner, slowly rolls to a seated position. His hands still shackled. ”Just my luck, didn’t drown.”
Aerys, the half-elf woman. Smack her lips as she peers around. ”I think this is Smuggler’s Shiv an island north of Eleder. It’s not shown on most maps, but is rightfully feared by those who ply the waters of Desperation Bay. The island is named not only for the knife-like shape of its coastline, but for its uncanny habit of wrecking ships that draw too near—mostly those eager to avoid detection by Sargava’s navy. I need a drink.”
Sasha, the fiery red-head. Stands and walks about. ”This place looks like it is ripe for adventure.” Then giggles.
Where are we?
What does anyone know about the place?
Smuggler's Shiv, Knowledges: Geography, History, Local, or Lore Check]
"I concur," Cato replies to Aerys, "Given our last course.
"Gods my head! Adventure, Miss Sasha? This beach is rumored to be infested with ghoulish undead, victims of past shipwrecks.
"There she is," Cato points to the wreck of the Jenivere. "We shall not be getting off this island aboard her. There is a lighthouse. Somwwhere along the southwest shore. Perhaps we can find it and determine a way to use it to signal a ship for a rescue?"
Zarek slowly walks to the pile of gear and retrieves his stuff. As he dons his chainshirt he looks around for the Jenivere.
Spotting the ship smashed against the jagged rocks Zarek says mutters "Well, there goes my cargo." as he shakes his head.
Zarek then turns his attention on how they ended up here. "If the ship is there, then how did we get here?" he thinks to himself.
"Smuggler's Shiv huh. I've heard of it, but not much."
Kymani stood with one hand on her hip, the other shielding her eyes from the sun as she gazed out at what was left of the Jenivere. She kicked the sand in front of her before heading over to retrieve what she could from the pile of equipment that had been stacked on the shore.
"From what you and Aerys say, I doubt any ships will risk coming close enough for a rescue, though I can offer no better alternatives."
Her eyes looked up, searching the skies for a familiar sign.
"It may be worth checking out the Jenivere. There may be others still aboard, or gear worth salvaging...perhaps even Mr. Zarek's cargo."
"The sort of ships likely to come by are probably the sort we do not want to attract attention from, but yes, it is the only option that currently comes to mind."
Cato stares out at the grounded and holed ship. "If not other survivors or useful salvage, perhaps a clue as to how we got here. She isn't too far out. Chin up, Mr. Zarek, your cargo may still be safe and dry."
As he picks through his gear Cato glances up at Jask's shackles. "Let me take a look at those things," he says waving Jask over.
"Can you fight? If they say this island is haunted or cursed I assume it either is or someone is here who wants people to think it is." Or perhaps both?
"Ky is right, we should check out the ship, it might hold something useful or at least gives us more clues on what the hell happened."
"We also might want to think about what we are going to do for shelter, we don't know how long we are going to be stuck here or what dangers lurk deep inside the island."
Zarek finishes donning his armor and gathers the rest of his gear. Zarek takes his rapier and examines it closely before sheathing it on his hip.