"Oh? Actual literature? I'd like first dibs," Cato says with a chuckle. He finds himself becoming engrossed in her poetry, staying up later than expected to read every line.
"I have read truly wonderful poetry before," Cato tells Ayers in the morning, "But nothing that distracted me from a painful rash like this. We are getting you off this island. It is my mission now to ensure this work becomes completed and read by Golarion’s literati."
Ky,tonight you have a dream, a nightmare actually.
You’re sitting down in the galley aboard
the Jenivere, getting ready for your meal. The ship’s cook
has given you a steaming bowl of soup, but you drop your
spoon. You see that the deck below is covered with seawater
up to your ankles, and your dropped spoon has sunk into
the water and washed out to sea through a hole. You’re
forced to lift your delicious bowl of soup to your lips and
drink. But something big goes into your mouth as you do
so, and you feel a sharp bite on your tongue. You drop the
bowl, only to reveal a serpent had hidden in your soup that
now dangles from your tongue as it chews furiously. You
start awake, biting your own tongue in an attempt to bite
through the snake’s body.
Cato,tonight you also have a dream, a nightmare actually.
You’re in a rowboat on the open ocean at night. Sitting across you, rowing the boat, is First Mate Alton. He’s obviously dead, with the wounds and stings his body displays on the wreck of the Jenivere, but still he rows. Eventually, the boat reaches an island covered with snakes. Alton waits as you exit the boat, standing ankle deep in snakes, and then he turns and rows back out to sea, you assume off to look for more survivors to ferry to shore. But Alton never returns, and you wake up just as the snakes start to bite...
Kyamni bolts upright, drenched in sweat.
"OOWW, summa-a-bith. I bit my tunke. Of all the tupid..." she mutters as she stands, grabbing a waterskin and taking a long drink in the process.
Zarek get up and begins to get his day started, performing his daily rituals (elemental defense and things of that nature) as well as helping pack up camp.
Sticking to the beach makes for easy going. The mood of the others is good.
Sasha bounds ahead, excited by all the sights. Stopping now and then to check on her Dino-bird she carries in a basket.
Gelik tells limericks, many of them very dirty.
Ayers slowly brings up the rear. While the berries help, kicking the addiction is never fun.
Jask goes back to check on her often.
Ishirou walks in the surf.
There is great excitement when you come upon the offshore shipwreck
.
The group stands about making various suggestions on how one might reach the wreck across about 150 yards of rough water. Eventually it is decided to move on.
Having reached the eastern edge of the Island it’s time to turn south.
You remember just south of here was the Dino-bird roost where you found Sasha’s pet. (You did not kill all of them some flew away) If you wanted to leave the coast and move inland(still within C14) and hopefully bypass any remaining creatures.
"I say, Sasha?" Cato opens as they near where they've encountered the adult version of her new pet, "Uh, it may be a good idea...it's just, you see, your feiend there might react to calls from others of its kind. It might help to lay a cloak over your basket. It might nap as we pass their territory." Or at least muffle it's cries, he thinks to himself while giving her a half-smile.
"Maybe you should sing it a lullaby..."
Heading southwest along the coast (through C14) The area seems quiet, the Dino-birds seem to have relocated.
Continuing in the same direction (C15). There is much speculation by the group as to what might be on the small offshore island but it does not hold up progress.
Turning south (into D15) brings the party upon the beached wreck(where you fought the annoying skeletons). The others quickly move to investigate the scene. Especially Gelik and Jask who move to check the name. Even though you had previously informed them that this was not one the ships they were looking for. (This one being the Golden Bow). This activity does however use up another hour.
(Total travel time now 4 hours. About 2 in the afternoon)
South of here (E15) is just more unremarkable jungle coastline.
Jask and Gelik are both pointing southeast, when they call a halt.
”It’s high ground in that direction, always good.” Says the Gnome.
”Yes, you." (Indicating the PC’s)"Said there was a waterfall to the southwest?” Asks Jask.
”Yes, that could work. The water had to come from a spring. Such a place might just make a good campsite. Probably worth a look.” Comments Gelik.
Directly south of your position (F15) is the cove where the Captain landed.
The direction suggested by Jask and Gelik would take you into (E14) where you killed a large snake. And then south to (F14) A square you have not explored.
"I agree with them, Ky. We and Mr. Zarek should go ensure it is safe for camp still before barging in."
Kymani sighed as she thought it over. "High ground may give us a better vantage point...alright, I'm in. Let's check it out, but there's no telling how long it will take. I think we should all go. If we have to split up, then come back to get everyone, and head back again, we'll lose precious time, and possibly day light. I'm up for it if you are pretty-boy."
Moving west (into F14) takes you up a gentle upslope for about 10 minutes then you encounter much more rocky terrain. Although you can see the jungle continues higher up. Following a series of switchbacks.
”You know, if we do find a campsite up there this approach will greatly add to our defense.” Comments Gelik.
20 minutes later you are atop the tropical plateau. And it does seem to be an excellent spot for a camp.. A spring on the southern edge, which supplies water to the 100’ waterfall and river you previously encountered. Steep plateau sides (on the F13 and F15) provide security. The others all agree that this is a good spot. For tonight anyway and maybe longer.
From up here you can see more of the Island. Beyond the relatively narrow valley where you found the thorns and berries (G14) is another upsloping plateau at least a mile long. Beyond which is even higher terrain.
15%
Assuming everyone performs their previous day's tasks, and you three help with hunting. Camp can be set up by nightfall.
10% - 5% if medic
10% -5% if Medic
Morale DC 13
no roll needed Helpful
no roll needed Friendly
no roll needed Friendly
no roll needed Friendly
no roll needed Helpful
15% -5 per Guard
15%
Aerys: She is Friendly. Morale Normal | Guard
Gelik: He is Friendly. Morale Hopeful+2 | Entertainer
Ishirou: He is Friendly. Morale Normal | Defender
Jask: He is Friendly. Morale Hopeful+2 | Medic
Sasha: She is Helpful. Morale Hopeful+2 | Hunter
Overnight everyone hears the passing sound of large wings flapping in the night sky. But you see nothing.
Everyone awakes refreshed. The new camp (in E14) seems to agree with the group.
With the nightmare still haunting Kymani's sleep somewhat, she was up early and reading Aerys's story by candlelight. She was so drawn in, that she didn't register when the others began to wake and go about their morning routines. Once she had finished, she stood up and stretched before returning to business.
"So...shall we continue our chase of our wayward captain and his mysterious campion?"
"Yes, I want to know why we were all imperiled, what's bloody going on, eh?" Cato says after reviewing his journal and refreshing his mind for bardic magic.
As he packs his gear for the day he turns to the typically quiet Ishirou. "You have been a rock, Mister Ishirou. This has been trying on us all, and I want to thank you."
"Gellik, thank you for your help yesterday. I hope this field work pays off for you when we return to civilization!" He tells the scholarly gnome.
"Just because we are looking for the Captain right now, Jask, doesn't mean we aren't hoping to find your wreck and clear your name too."
Whispering to Aerys and pointing to Ky as she finishes the last few pages of her epic, "She loves it too. The world needs to read your tale, Aerys. Let's get off this wretched place, huh?"
Finishing up his morning routine, Zarek checks over his gear. "I'm with Ky, we need to find our Captain. I have a few questions for him."
"Alright, let's gear up and head out. Daylight's a wasting" Kymani said as she stowed her own gear.
Offering Zarek Aerys's story, she whispered "you should read this. It's really good."
Deciding that the western route would be quicker. Down the lagoon coast rather than through the jungle. You set out. (Moving from E14 into E13 then down the narrow beach of F13 and finally G13)
Here you find a wide rocky beach and gentle dunes leading up into the jungle. (Into G14 the western side of the jungle river where you encountered not only the trail of the Captain but the berry patch as well).
Perception checks
"I say, that is one beautiful beach."
"Do you not see the two giant crabs down there? There, and there" she said, pointing at the large moving rocks.
"Mybe a little less beautiful now..." Cato says sheepishly. I just thought those were boulders!
"Are they in the way of us following the trail? I'd rather pursue our quarry first, but they would make good eating for the camp."
"I'm not sure, but with our dwindling rations, I see little alternative."
"Well...I have a plan..." Cato says with a grin.
"Crabs sounds good to me!" Zarek exclaims, with the thoughts of having crab legs for lunch.
Zarek wraps a string of silvery aether around a large rock and hurls it towards the south eastern crab.
Cato’s announcement of a plan earns him a nod from Zarek and Ky.
That is of course until he begins a lullaby to the Crabs.
If Cato notices their jaw dropping expressions, he does not show it. Or maybe just ignore them.
Much like the crabs reaction.
Zarek’s attack however, does catch one of the custation’s attention.
The rock slams into the crab cracking its shell, but not dropping the creature.
The injured crab advances on the Gnome and attacks.
Hit!
Pinching Zarek
But failing to grab him
The other crab goes after Cato. The Lullaby must have attracted it.
Missing.
"Eventually, that will work," Cato say with s grumble as the massive pincer comes his way he ducks back away from it, then feeling like the universe owes him a lucky break after his magic failed, tries to slice the crabs hard shell with his longsword.
Using the reach of her boarding pike, Kymani stabbed at the crab closing in on Zarek.
While Zarek's Force Ward absorbed most of the crab's damage, some of it (1 point) did manage to sting the Gnome. Jumping back from the crustacean's claws (5 foot step) Zarek grabs another rock with his mind and attempts to smash the crab.
Although Ky’s attack fails to hit. Both Cato’s Longsword and Zarek’s rock find their mark. Inflicting heavy damage on the giant crustaceans, but it does not stop them.
One attacks Cato.
Miss
Hit!
One claw taking a good chunk out of Cato, but failing to grapple him
The other scuttles forward to attack Zarek.
Miss
Miss
Both attacks miss the agile Gnome.
"Ow! Hey! Let go!" Cato tries to hack the crab again, but he is too busy trying not to be grabbed by the giant claw to focus on his attack and skips the blade harmlessly off it's shell.
Silvery strands of aether begin swirl around Zarek before coalescing into blade of aether which he attempts to plunge into the crab.
Dancing across the sand, Kymani moved opposite Zarek. Carrying along with her momentum, she brought her foot around, raised high in the air, heel leading the way as it came crashing down...into the sand.
The crabs take no notice of your attempts to attack them.
One again goes after Cato
And the other Zarek.
But they too are unable to connect
"When we tell the others about this?" Cato quips as his blade bounces harmlessly off the crab's shell again, "Let's leave out that both sides couldn't hit the other!"
"Why...would we...tell the others...about this?" Ky asked in between her fists raining down on the crab.
"I was thinking more of a 'we discovered a guy selling crab' story..."
Seeing Ky smash the southern crab, Zarek forms an aether blade while stepping in to strike the other crab.
HIts all around
Talk about cracked crab from Ky’s blows.
Zarek’s attack drops the other one.
You are able to collect two days rations worth of fresh crab meat from the creatures.
Travel up the dunes to the east and you are back at the place where you lost the trail of the Captain.
The thorn patch Cato enjoyed so much is here as well. This is also the confluence of two jungle drivers, one from the waterfall fed by the spring on your escarpment. The other river flows from steadily rising terrain to the south. The merged river flows southeast.
On the lagoon side a lowland swath of heavy jungle lies to the south
Due the heavy rain from the other day no trace of the Captain’s trail can be found.
"No sign of the Captain," Cato says rubbing his arm where the crab pinched him. "I say let's stay near the rivers." He chants softly and concentrates on summoning some minor magic.
"Yeah...the odds were against us." Kymani said, slowly walking around the area, kicking a rock or two as she moved.
"Well, no point in heading back east. And we've been north. From what we've seen of the island, heading west will get us through to the other side quicker, then we'll have to head south."
"What could be so important that you'd hijack a ship, kill the crew, steal the captain, and head to a remote, infested, deserted, sinkhole of an island?"
Kymani pulled a kunai free of her bandolier and began using it to reflect light back towards the sky. Not long after, Aurora broke through the canopy to rest on a nearby branch. Kymani offered her a piece of crab as she stroked the bird's back.
"Such a good bird. Can you do me a favor? Can you take something back to camp for me? And when you come back, you can have more?"
Aurora is easily able to carry the crab back to camp. Where it is very well received.
Heading south following the river. You are moving uphill[into H14[/ooc] Turning into an escarpment bordered on the east by half of and on the west by most of The terrain curves southwest into
The jungle along the river is filled with colorful flowers and birds of and of course buzzing and biting insects.
15%
Here in you find the source of the river is another natural spring.
Oh and…
Otherwise…
So… Zarek sees the approaching giant spider coming down the web from hiding in the trees. So he is not surprised. And he also acts before the spider in the surprise round.
Despite the numerous dangers the island posed, it was still somewhat serene at times. Between the breeze, the flowers, and the non-threatening wild life, it was almost relaxing, which was probably why Kymani didn't notice the humongous spider and walked right into it's web.
Barely noticing the spider's web, Zarek stops in his tracks, narrowly avoiding the trap. Seeing the giant vermin in front of him, Zarek launches one of his many bolts at the spider.
"Look out! Lots of big webs. Ky! You okay? Let's get you out of there before the spider comes thinking you're a fly!" An oblivious Cato says to Ky.
The spider, though severely injured by Zarek’s attack. Ignores the Gnome and Cato in favor of Ky. Being trapped in the web and all.
"Too late." Cato mutters as he backs up and pulls his bow free. He tries to take aim despite the close combat, hoping not to hit Ky.
"Yeah, I think I'm, OW! What in the abyss?" Kymani turned to see the gigantic spider with it's fangs deep in her flesh. Panic overtook her as she struggled to escape the webbing.
Ky nearly fell backwards while trying to slip free, stumbling over the roots of some mysterious plants and barely managing to stay upright in the process.
"Holy shit that's big!"