Father Kerndrew continues to climb.
Gregor looked at the strange wall that had appeared encircling the rope and shook his head.
He shrugs thinking *Magic* and tries to use it to improve his footing and push against it in his climb and when his foot goes right through it he realizes it must be Kendrella up to her tricks....maybe there were fliers outside the area spying them. No matter he just focused on climbing.
Knowing that the magical wall is just an illusion, Davor holds his blade ready in case the spider comes through it. He stares at it intently, really wanting to be able to see, and attack through it....
]
"The creature is still out there, right beyond the wall, studying something directly to your left intently. If it tries to move in or attack us, you and Enzi should flank it so we'll have a better chance of fighting it off." Kenderella keeps up the illusion as long as the spider seems affects by it.
Davor, Enzi and Kenderella are carefully eyeing the spider trough the translucent Stone wall, hoping for the animal to leave them alone.
The spider continues to stand mostly still trying to feel where the prey is hiding. After a few seconds it suddenly stops and its gaze trifts to the right and locks onto Davor. Sizing up the sailor, its prings forward and tries to bite him.
The Giant Spider springs forward and bites Davor in the leg.
Save made
The poison has no effect
Save failed
Take 1d2 STR dam
Make a new save in your turn.
Kenderella drops the illusion with a sad face as the monster attacks. "Damn, it saw through it." She motions for Enzi to step to the side of the spider. "Flank it together!" She then quickly jump into chanting arcane words as she flings a glob of acid at the creature, using her flask of acid as a focus while doing so.
Ready for the spider's charge Davor attempts to skewer it on his rapier.
With the spider practically on him, having knocked his ready attack aside while approaching, Davor tries to adjust before the creature can bite him!
The Father continues his climb.
The illusion of the wall surrounding the rope suddenly dropped and Gregor could hear the sounds of battle atop the cliff. Davor grunting Kendrella shouting to flank the creature and the chittering of a bug. He reached the top and pushed up and over the edge of the cliff. looking around and taking stock of the situation.
[dice=Str Damage]1d2
For every 2 points of damage you take to a single ability, apply a –1 penalty to skills and statistics listed with the relevant ability.
Minimum Damage: If penalties reduce the damage result to less than 1, a hit still deals 1 point of nonlethal damage.
The spider easily brushes Davor rapier aside and lands a stingy bite. Davor feels his left leg go weak as the poison slowly seeps into his system.
Infuriated Davor lashes out with his rapier and manages to slash the hide on the back of the spider.
Kenderella sends Enzi to help, but the jaguar cannot get a grip on the fast moving spider.
In the meantime Gregor pushes himself further up the rope and finally manage top grab a hold on the top of the cliff pull himself up.
The giant yellow spider attacking Davor looks much larger than anything Gregor has ever seen before so he cannot provide new insight.
While Enzi is a minor nuisance in her back, the spider continues to concentrate on Davor trying to subdue him enough to be able to retreat with some prey at least.
Success: You are not effected
Fail: 1d2 STR/rd New save in your next turn
Father Kerndrew continues to climb.
Davor feels another bite from the spider, and the corresponding burn of it's venom.
He feels the strength leaving his arms and legs and hopes the others can help him soon. Glad to have the distraction of Kendarella's cat across from him he jabs at the spider again....
"Thank Desna you're here! We're not doing too well. The spider could somehow sense us though my illusion. Gregor was bitten twice." Kenderella exclaims as she sees Gregor making it up the cliff. She jumps into yet another series of arcane gestures as she hurls another glob of acid at the creature. Enzi lashes out again with his claws and tries to bite the creature.
Gregor quickly pulls his axe from his back and steps forward 5 feet swinging the axe at the large arachnid. He remarks as he does so Most Spiders are venomous. Yellow is also a sign of venom in nature, though the type of spider this is escapes me. He felt the blade glance off one of the spiders legs as it scuttled to face him in the dense foliage. he saw ichor run down the leg, but could not tell how injured the creature was.
"She's got the right of it. My leg won't be holding me much longer if this thing's poison does much more to me! And it's making me feel sick...."
With Gregoor arriving up top, the tide of the battle soon turns.
While Gregor and Enzi are distracting the spider from the side and back, Davor finally manages to spot an opening between the constant attacks from the giant vermin and stabs it into one of his huge eyes.
While the Animal drops to the ground in his last onvulsions, the halfOrcs body finally manages to drive out the last of the poisons effect.
Day 2 (Midsummer) - Beach on some unknown shore
one hour before sundown - the weather is hot and humid
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Shortly afterwards the other arrive on top of the cliff and and witness the carnage. The group quickly manages to pull up the equipment they hve left waiting below and readies themselves for further exploration.
Looking ahead they are faced wiht a dense expanse jungle strethcing as far as the eye can see, with no apparent way forward.
Kenderella moves over the Davor and puts a soft hand on his arm. "You did well in taking down the spider, we could not have done it without you, but you don't look too well... I can't heal you, but perhaps the potions will help? The lesser restoration potion should work for removing some of the weakness from the poison and the cure light wounds potion is good for closing wounds. Though Hewit did channel to heal us yesterday, maybe he got more healing magic to patch you up?"
Kenderella studies the slain spider with curiosity. "Anyone know anything about these giant spiders? I'll be better able to use my magic if I know more about them. It seemed like it had some weird way to sense us through the illusion and knowing the strength, weaknesses and defenses of things we fight will always be useful."
"Iomedae's blessing, Davor; that must have been quite a fight." Father Kerndrew begins affixing his armor. "Please, take any of the resources we have to heal yourself, and pray that I learn to climb better."
He looks into the jungle from here, and comes up with nothing. "When no choice is better than any other, just go with the first one. That way," he points.
After a few minutes of letting everyone get settled after the arduous climb Gregor sees Father Kerndrew point to the East and he takes point and heads into the Jungle, Hand Axe in hand, hacking a way while he keeps his ears and eyes open for any threat.
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Hewit makes it to the top of the cliff and immediately begins to tend to Davor. "Davor, I am sorry to have missed the excitement. Let us see what we can do to fix you up."
Hewit gathers his concentration and whispers a short prayer to Erastil, then with a softly glowing hand he touches Davor's wounds. The wounds begin to close but not by much. "Well, seems my favor with Erastil isn't quite as strong as I had hoped. Let's try something else."
Hewit repeats his prayers to Erastil, but this time the healing energy washes over the group in a wave. Davor's wounds close and the small cuts and bruises that the rest of the group has disappear as well. ("Ah, all better now I think."
"Now before we continue I would suggest you take one of those restorative potions we got from the shep. That should help with the weariness from the poison."
After Davor is healed up Kenderella gives him a quick hug then moves over to Enzi to mount up. "Thanks again. It's good to have you here. Now let's get going. We've wasted enough of the day."
Once they move into the forest, Kenderella moves into position alongside Davor. "With us fighting for life and death alongside each other, it would be nice to know each other better. As I mentioned previously I grew up in the jungle. I lived with my mother and siblings living among a group of fay. It was fun times and the nature of fey made all the dangers seem like just a game. Of course it's still dangerous, but when you're able to relax and have fun, you make better decisions and stress less, so their attitude was pretty well suited I would say. How about you. Where did you grow up? Were you a sailor for long?"
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Davor listens to Kenderella, but waits for the others to come to the top before deciding. Hewit heals the damage from the stings as well as all of the minor scratches, but not the weakness from the poison. With his suggestion agreeing with Kenderella's, Davor accepts and takes one of the restoration potions.
"I've never felt weakness like that before. I've never really felt anger or hatred for a creature, but I'm feeling it for that spider about now!"
Listening to Kenderella he responds, "I grew up mostly in the city. First Magnamar, then Riddleport, up north in Varisia. My only experience with the wilds was a very short time with my father's clan, and that was mostly mountains. Taught me how to climb better than I knew before, and to survive in the wild a little better, but not much else."
"My city life mostly made me less trusting of people I don't know. Being a half orc there, well, lots of the folk made assumptions about me. I had to learn to just ignore a lot of that, but that also got me in trouble. That's mostly why I hired on with the ship. Lots of the crew were running from something so we were kind of like a partially functional family. This was my first run on the ship though. I don't know how long I would've stayed if we hadn't crashed and been stranded. I enjoyed the work and the mate was fair.... The Captain better.... No. I can't say that. We need to find the Captain and find out what happened. Then we can decide what to do with him!"
With sunset not to far off, you decide to start a quick foray into the jungle to be better prepared for whats up tomorrow.
Hacking your way though the jungle proves to be no more fun than following the ever meandering coastline. After a good 45 minutes of seemingly endless hacking through underbrush you decide it's time to turn back to get back to the camp while there is still enough light.
You are easily able to follow your footsteps back to the cliff and climb back down to the other.
Back at the camp you are greeted by Aerys who is sitting at the edge of a small protrusion jutting out from the cliffside.
Walking up to the cave entrance you notice the beginning of a small barricade built by Ishirou meant to protect the camp from a intruders.
Further up Gelik and Jask are engeaded in a friendly discussion by the campfire, while Sasha is sitting inside.
Kenderella shakes her head in dismay at the outcome of the day. "Well, that didn't go so well. If we're returning to camp every night, we won't get much exploration done. I think it might be a good idea to go further, on trips for at least a couple days. Too bad we decided to turn around today, but I guess it was already late. Hopefully we can use the same path again tomorrow to make our travel easier. I say we set out early to make the most of the day. Then we rest during the mid day heat and continue as far as we get. Then we'll have to make a decision about continuing further or coming back."
She gives a smile to the people left back at the camp. "It seems like you guys made way more progress than us though. Good job everyone. How has your day been? How do you feel about tomorrow? Do any of you want to join us?"
After listening to them she brings up another point. "[B]We encountered a giant spider right on top of the cliffs, but none of us know much about them. It seemed like it could sense us through my magic, which is weird. Any of you know anything about them.
Gregor looked at the beginnings of the camp and nodded Well Done all.. Its starting to look very defense able. he moved to sit down and looked at the sullen Sasha. Sasha, Is everything ok? is there some help you need with anything?
Davor relaxes back at the camp for a few minutes before joining in and working with the meal and any tasks needed.
He considers her words and nods. "Once we've cut a trail a bit farther yeah. Walking back here every night is likely going to be wasted time then."
"That spider.... You know it held still for a good bit, like it was sensing us rather than trying to look at us. Maybe they can feel the air movements or sense things by sounds. It might have figured out that the wall wasn't really there that way. Anyway, your illusion stopped it long enough for the others to climb up. Good job."
"While we're expanding out our movement options, I'd like to move along the coast some, both ways. Those nesting areas might look interesting from higher up, and I think I'd like to see the Dimorphodons, from distance."
Gregor considered what Davor was saying...
The Island narrows going to the west. We could search that way along the cliffs and maybe even be able to see across the bay if we searched thatway after climbig up. One thing i would liek to get folks thinking about is making a better system to go up and down the cliff here. perhaps a pulley system with some planking we could scavenger in case we ran into a more intelligent threat on the cliff we can react faster.
"I really don't know how you all deal with it, Being stuck here on this island, with all this talk of lost sailors and undead." Sasha replies to Gregor.
"And now you were even attacked by a giant spider only a stones throw from the camp. I am sure not setting my foot into this jungle."
Gregor looked at Sasha and nodded understanding. She could see that in his eyes.
I understand. And Were i alone, I would be thinking the same as you. You see thats why we, as a team, are stronger, than each individually. Where one of us would be overcome by a Giant Spider or Giant Sea Scorpion. Or Undead. Together we are a force to be reckoned with. Youre no longer alone. We fight together. Live together. I hope you can see that. I wont abandon you or leave you in a bad circumstance.
When everybody is sitting at the campfire, the discussion soon turns towards todays events.
Not much happened at the camp. "A few hours ago another Swarm of these beautiful birdlike creatures flew by the coast and went hunting for fishes. You should have seen how the dive into the water and come up again with a large fish between there teeth." Sasha tells you.
Afterwards Jask asks: "so what did you find? Any way to get of that island?"
"That sounds wonderful Sasha." Kenderella beams at the girl. "I wish I could have seen it."
"As for we found... I wish we had anything as nice to tell. First we discovered that the beach is quite difficult to treck along. We found an old shipwreck a bit off the shore. Then we turned back to try to find an easier route, but it was just dense jungle. I hope that the path we cleared through the jungle today will make it easier to travel tomorrow though..."
responding to Jask. Nothing yet friend. But it may very well take some days to do so. We will continue until we do though. And rest assured, I am a Man of My word. You wont be going to jail unless I am quite dead first.
Hearing about the other shipwreck Gelik the Gnome replies:
"You have seen another one? Did you notice anything iteresting? Maybe the longboats are still intact? or we can scavenge enough materials to build ourselves a float to get over to the mainland? Or maybe find other valuable things."
Sasha @ Kenderella
"Yes, it was wonderful. When I was younger we wereliving near a colony of them and I used to spend my time watching them Shooting through the sky."
Jask @ Gregor
"Thanks for the kind words, but when we get off this island, its either back to the live of fugitive or a live in prison. I should probably just stay here on that island."
Answering Gelik, Gregor said Yes. It was offshore clinging to an outcropping of rock like a drowning man. We would have had to swim a a good bit to get to it. We marked it on the map, if we find a boat or make one we can revisit that wreckage. Otherwise it is too dangerous for the possible benfit
Then back to Jask he said Well theres plenty of time to consider options of that type. Maybe I take on a partner? Or Maybe we work to clear your name?...lots of time. For now lets focus on surviving.
"This is impressive," Father Kerndrew observes with earnest joy. "Excellent work today! Don't worry about our progress with the jungle; my temple has been sending expeditions to Sargava for a long time now, and we know the jungle is hard. It's slow, but when it reveals its secrets, things happen fast." He begins examining the palisade being built with interest. "Like what's happening here at camp! You all have been busy, and should be incredibly proud of yourselves! Great work."
Hearing Gelik's questions about the shipwreck adds to Davor's interest. "That's another reason I'd like to explore some along the ridge that overlooks the shore. From above we might see more and see if there might be a ship's boat still on the wreck. If we spot one it might be worth the trek to try and recover...."
"And any trail that we cut should be maintained so it can't grow closed again."
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Hewit keeps mostly to himself at first, seeming to be unsure how to approach these discussions. He can tell that Sasha is out of her element but Gregor seems to be trying to bring her around.
Hewit takes the food that Sasha found and begins working with others to set up a meal.He asks Sasha to accompany him so they can speak.
"Sasha," he begins. "I understand your hesitance to enter the jungle. Perhaps as we are surrounded by the sea, we could look outward from the island for food. Do you know anything about fishing is these waters?"
Hewit waits to see if she may find the thought of keeping out of the jungle but still be able to provide for the group.
Jask replying to Gregor
"Thanks for the offer, but I doubt I am cut out for this kind of work. It would remind me too much of my own past and I could never bring myself to turn another man in. What if he were innocent after all?"
Jask is appreciating the effort, but clearly not interested in that proposal.
"But If you really want to elp me there might be a way. As I have told you I was falsely accused because I found out that my superior was collaborating with the shackle pirates to sell them our trading routes and schedules. One of these pirates was a captain named Avret Kinkarian."
"He was a ruthless pirate and a true bane of sargava so later they decided to lay out a trap for him to capture him and put him in jail for good. As I have heard the plan did succeed, but Kirkarian still manged the give the sagavian navy a slip. He sailed of into the mists around this island and they were not able to catch him. But he was also never seen again in desperation Bay so everybody assumes he and his ship the "Brine Demon" wrecked on these treacherous shores."
"If we could find this wreck, there might be some journal on it, which could hold prove of my version of events, giving me a chance to prove my innocence when we are able to leave this island."
Sasha replying to Hewit and Gregor
"I have been trying that myself already and see what puny reward that brought us. It's useless. I dont want to be here. I want to be back home."
Gregor looks at jask and says simply...It is done then. I will not leave this island until I have searched every wreckage along its coast for proof to overturn this injustice.
then to Sasha he says simply. I understand. Fear is something we all grapple with. Its difficult to overturn once it sets roots. Imagine the first time you were on deck of a ship at sea far from home and a storm set in. It gripped your soul didnt it?! Yet you pushed on and overcame it until it became commonplace. Fear is a great tool to make sure you do not let your guard down and do all you can for self preservation. However, its not something that comes without peril...the other edge is letting it sink you into a depression and cause you to withdraw waiting for an inevitable that you can overcome if youre vigilant and determined. We all grapple with that same fear. Everyday! Its how we react to it that defines us. I will stand beside you Sasha and when you face those demons within, count on me as your ally.
Day 3(Midsummer) - Beach on Smugglers Shiv dawn -
the weather is Warm and humid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
After a hard day, the former passengers of the Jenivere settle in quite early, after having set watches for the night. during the second watch the eery green glow on the surf once more appears. Davor once more tries to find the person in the water but to no avail.
During the night you are plagued by nightmares.
You’re back aboard the Jenivere, bent over the railing being seasick. After your latest bout of retching, you slump back and see the rest of the passengers and crew are on deck as well, all of them sick save for the captain and the quiet Varisian scholar Ieana. She whispers in the captain’s ear, then gives him a kiss on the cheek. At that point the captain holds up a wooden soup spoon, and you realize that you’re holding one as well. Everyone has a spoon. The ship is sinking, and the only way to stop it is to bail out the hold with your spoon! You work feverishly, but the waters keep rushing in. Just before you wake, you can see monstrous things with pincers in the water trying to claw their way into the ship...
In the morning you get up very early trying to use as much of the light as possible.
Unfortunately the mood at the camp is very muted. After seeing another Display of these strange birds Sasha seems to have caught some hope. "You are right, if we stick together we will get away from thsi hirrble place." She still checks out the jungle a bit worried, but seems to be in amch better mood than yesterday.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said about Ishirou and Aerys. When you prepare to start your expedition you notice that Aeyrs is already holding a bottle of rum. Ishirou hasn't closed an eye after seeing the green turf during his night watch. Something has seriously bothered him.
Only Gelik is already on the top of his game. When you have your first meal he can't seem to stop telling little funny ghost stories, which really lighten the mood for everybody but Ishirou.
Gregor washes his face and looks at the others...He shakes huis head and says alound Is anyone else having nightmares? I know I did last night. Let me just say....Set them aside. They may be a product of our environment...a byproduct of the poison or something else...but for certain feeding them wont accomplish anything. To survive we need to be ontop our game. I do suggest you talk about your nightmares. Expressing them will let all know we arent alone. Mine was me being on the ship with the Captain and That Woman playing lovey dovey and poisoning us. I felt like I had to escape with a wooden spoon that I ate my food with...then those sea scorps were coming at me and all I had was my spoon...
When Davor spots the futures in the green lights he goes to the shoreline, but doesn't go in to the water. As much as he wants to save any of his crew mates, he realizes that there may be more to this and he shouldn't risk his life....