Rowän awakes early and wolfs down the offered breakfast. After much encouragement, she convinces Briersting to board the ship and tries to find an out-of-the-way corner of the deck for them to claim.
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Astella lists all the suggestions for a group name for everyone:
Cat plus five
Cat 5
Will work for food
The Tawny Band
The Tawny Knights
The Shields of Dawn
The Iron Shields
So, we might need to work on this a little more, but we could try mixing and matching too, like Dawn Five or Iron Band or Tawny Food... oh, wait, scratch that last one, that doesn't sound good. Suggestions are still open.
____
Astella spends time on the boat trying to learn everything about running a ship that the crew is willing to share.
Estelle eats with as much fervor as the rest of them, for who knew when they'd have a decent meal again? The ship could sink, for all they knew, and quality food wasn't assured.
On the first day, she takes out a fishing rod during one of the crew's breaks, and approaches Rowan afterwards. "Hey... um, Rowan? I wanted to ask you something. Can I... pet Briersting? He looks so fierce! But also... friendly. So, I caught him a fish! Does he eat fish?"
She kneels down near the cat with a freshly caught salmon on the hook and waits for either Rowan's warning or Briersting to accept the offering.
"What about 'Broken weapons'? Or 'need repairs'? 'The Tawny Shield Knights Who Need Repairs'?" The girl wonders. "I mean, a lot of our eqipment seems to be broken. Are we conveniently not going to mention that?"
The rest of the trip, she occasionally talks to the crew to learn rumors about the island and the surrounding nations, but mostly tries to stay out of the sailors' way. She seems a bit too shy to approach either Daniel or Brunhild by herself, though she does glance at them at times, and does join in when the whole group discusses team matters.
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Hearing talk of broken equipment, Brunhild sighed. "Takes gold to get better equipment. Better equipment is often needed to get gold. 'aint gonna be easy until we can get this sorted out. But it's a shyt craftsman who is only as good as his tools. So we'll just have to deal with it."
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Responding to Estelle, Astella says
Oh, I like that idea... how about just Broken Band, or Broken Dawn... ooooh. I like that one. Way to add another good adjective to the mix. I think we're getting closer to something good.
She grins, and when she sees the others during the day on the ship she passes on the new ideas for a name to see how everyone reacts.
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Briersting stared at the proffered fish, motionless but muscles tensed, ready to pounce. The tawny cat cocks it’s head toward the Druid with a look of impatience.
Rowan shrugs at the cat, ”If you want it go ahead.” Like a blur the cat grabs the fish and begins to purr contently. ”It ain’t up to me if you pet him. He can make is own choice on that.” She lets out a lopsided grin, ”Go ahead of you are brave enough.”
Astella's inquiries about the running of a ship gets her the common information about the names of decks, roles of crew, and the like.
Estelle's talking around gets her a few bits of info about Emerald Isle.
It lies in the northwest, east of Avlee, and north of Nighon, but well outside of harm's way.
There are forested areas and some mountainous paths.
She also bumps into the jovial trio from the greathall, three friends who have been traveling for quite some time. The leading one of the three is a young man named Brent Flinn. He says he has heard there is also wildlife on the island, but hadn't been told what exactly.
Seeing the unsociable trio walk by, he eyes them with obvious distrust, speaking his strong doubts about them.
Daniel simply stays near the bow of the ship, letting the wind from their movement blow through his hair. He enjoyed the small things, and this was one such treat. As the others continue talks of a name, he smiles softly to himself before getting a thought.
What about, the Shattered Stars? He says, keeping his eyes closed and face to the wind. Finally, he sighs and turns to them.
Also, is anyone willing to share why they are here, and where they are from? I'll go first, so as not to breed distrust. I'm from a, relatively, small town within Erathia. My father is a merchant turned shopkeep, and my mother a solider turned blacksmith. I'm here to... well, as a means of finding a way to repair the equipment they painstakingly gathered and made for me... and to maybe find someone. I'm sure that seems a small, almost petty reason compared to many, I suppose. But there it is.
Rowan sighs, knowing loss, she is reluctant to form attachments again. Squinting into the distance, " I was raised on a farm in the Turalean Forest about a two days walk from Pierpont. Trained as a druid during the war and I'm here trying to make a new life." She shrugs and stares at the horizion.
My father was a ranger, and my mother a sorcerer. They moved to AvLee from Pierpoint (in the Tularian forest) when I was 10 or so.
I guess I am here because I'm dirt poor with no prospects, and I'd like to change that... it might be nice to have a future to look forward to again, rather than just struggling to survive.
Brunhild listened as the others talked, betraying no hint of reaction or judgement. When it was her turn, she said ”I am here to spread me faith to the dwarves of the north.” She then fell silent again, confident that this explained everything in sufficient detail.
Estelle blanches a bit at the mentioned name of one of the trio, and she scrutinizes him carefully before deciding there was no way, quickly thanking and then excusing herself from them.
The soldier-like girl slowly edges forward and her open, gauntletted hand hovers over the majestic cat a good four seconds before taking the plunge and stroking his head as he eats. When it looks like the cat is so absorbed in eating that he at least doesn't protest, the girl chuckles. "He reminds me of the cat we used to have at the farm. Only, ah, he's a lot more impressive. And less fat. And I couldn't see mine climbing into the crow's nest to dare the birds and come closer!"
Deciding it was probably best not to test her luck too much, she stands back up. "Well... maybe they weren't that alike except for the colour. Where did you meet him? And did you train him for combat yourself?"
Estelle is surprised when people look at her next. "Me? But... I already said it. Only... everyone wanted to eat instead of sharing. And then keep eating?"
She hesitates momentarily. "I... suppose I can tell you a bit more. I was born in the Contested Lands, but when I was six, the Deyan necromancers... killed everyone in a Harvesting. Except the children, since their skeletons aren't strong enough. But they have vampires too, so..."
She looks away, otherwise friendly features contorting in disgust and coldness creeping into her meek tone."I was lucky. One of the sorcerors from AvLee managed to save some of us and took us back there. I grew up and enlisted when the war began to defend my new home. But when the war ended... you could say I was tired of what I'd seen, and left."
In late morning of the 4th day, around 11:00, there is a yell from the crows' nest.
"Emerald Isle in sight!"
Fellow passengers gather at the sides of the ship. There is a faint morning fog hanging low.
An hour and a half later, give or take, both vessels lay docked at the pier, and disembarking is in full swing, as eager participants set foot on the grounds of their competition.
Present there, stands a small reception awaiting the passengers.
A middle aged man sporting a long grey beard takes word.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Emerald Isle. Before the competition starts, i would like to point out a few things. Within the town, you can find mundane shops, a proving ground, a healer's post, and the inn is down the street and to the right."
"The house of Lord Markham is in the east corner of town. It is where you can drop off any items you find on the lists you will all be given."
A couple of servants begin handing out scrolls to each group of participants.
Scavenger items list
When all are given the scrolls, the following:
0:04 onwards
"That is all. To everyone gathered, good luck."
------------------------------------------
There are three immediate exits from the town.
West leads to the forest, north leads to its highlands, and east leads to the beach.
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A dragon? says Astella. How interesting. Well, what do you guys say? Let's try the beach first. ... And maybe our name should be Dragon Hunters.
She laughs, and, unless there are any objections, heads for the beach.
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”Hope not. We wouldn’t survive.” Brunhild said. ”But I agree on the beach. Start with our backs to the ocean and start searching from there. Shouldn’t be hard to find a seashell.” She continued, her voice sounding dubious. It seemed too easy, and that concerned her.
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The other groups, 7 in total, spread out across the exits and the town.
The group of Brent Flinn goes north, as does the trio of unsociables, three other groups head to the shops and inn, one group consisting of some pompous and over confident young noble and three bodyguards head west into the forest, and the quartet heads west as well, but they take a different path into it.
As you head for the eastern exit, you walk past a large house, presumably that of Lord Markham.
Outside also hangs a notice:
Help wanted for search of missing contestants.
Reward of 1000 gold pieces offered for evidence of their fate, or bringing them back safely.
Report to Lord Markham upon one of these conditions.
Walking down the beach, it is odd to find no seashells.
Where the water touches the beach, there are footprints.
They seem to pause every so often, and spread about near every pausing spot, as if looking for something.
"Um, wait! Sir- before you go, can I ask-!"
Unfortunately, the greying man's final declaration seems definitively final and Estelle decides to fall back rather than further press for his attention. She then seems lost in thought for a moment, staring at the list, and completely misses Astella's conversation on the Dragon.
"Oh, the beach? Yes. That seems like a good idea. But before we go..."
She observes the small town behind them. "Do you think there are more layers to this test than just finding the items in the wild...?" she states, hesitantly. " Maybe it also tests how smart we are? I mean, a floor tile? We could probably find one in town that's loose, somewhere. A longbow we could probably also get at the weapon shop or the training hall, and a red 'potion' is very vague. Wouldn't a glass of red wine in a bottle count as a 'potion'? They probably serve that at the inn. Likewise, bards probably perform at the Inn regularly, and they probably have at least one instrument there. And there's a good chance a noble forgot his hat there once, too?"
"I mean... without any clarification on the rules regarding what is allowed or not, we can probably get each of these items in the town right here except for the seashell. After all, this town is still part of the island, right...?" She continues, gauging the group for opinions.
Red potions are a weak alchemical or improvised version of a potion of CLW, used only as the very basic in emergencies.
d4+1.
”For the most part, I agree.” Brunhild said. ”What can be made easy should be kept easy. Red potions, however, are weak alchemical or improvised version of a healing. Used one meself before. Tasted like shyt. It still holds, however, that much of what is on the list can likely be found in town.”
I knew it wouldn’t be that simple, Rowän thought while she scanned the desolate beach. She looks toward her companions, pointing, ”By the look of those footprints it seems like someone was here searching before us.”
”For the most part, I agree.” Brunhild said. ”What can be made easy should be kept easy. Red potions, however, are weak alchemical or improvised version of a healing. Used one meself before. Tasted like shyt. It still holds, however, that much of what is on the list can likely be found in town.”
"Oh! Really? Must have been very poor imitations, then... I can't remember ever seeing them used in the army. Or did I...?" Estelle ponders it for a while. "Well, that's good news. If it's a healing potion, it can probably be found at the paid healing service."
Rowän looks toward her companions, pointing, ”By the look of those footprints it seems like someone was here searching before us.”
"But if they're still visible in sand, they have to be at least somewhat fresh, don't they? Hm... perhaps we should follow them. Maybe whoever was paid to do this has some of them nearby,"" Estelle reasons, then, unless stopped, she starts following the tracks as best she could.
Estelle carefully follows the footprints. The further they go, the clearer they still are, as the earlier ones are slowly erased by the water.
An hour later, she notices some additional tracks.
These are crab tracks.
As she studies it, a form returns from the water.
A crab the size of a dwarf, sporting strong pincers.
=============================
Crab, round 1
Astella
Rowan
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Crab
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Brunhild, Cedric, Estelle
The druid observes the armored monstrosity taking a moment looking for weak points. Those claws look dangerous, Rowän concludes as she orders Breirsting, "Guard! She draws her bow, releases an arrow, and curses as she rushes her shot, "Crud nuggets!"
When they first see the tracks Astella says
It would be good if it were a hermit crab--they often use old shells as their homes.
When it turns out to be a huge normal crab though, she stays back and starts slinging stones at it.
The opening volley for the fight comes from the two ladies, launching arrow and loose stones. One stone hits the crab, before it can act against Estelle.
Crab (-4) makes two jabs with its pincers.
The first pincer immediately hits Estelle in a soft spot, painfully squeezing her torso, but failing to grab hold of her.
Brunhild, Cedric, Estelle
Two arrows flew out, one hitting the crustacean on the claw and the other sinking into the sand. The dwarf could not help but pine for her lost bow, for she could feel the inadequacy of her current weapon.
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Earlier-
Daniel looks obviously worried. A dragon? IF they thought a dragon was on the loose... surely they would call this silly game off? Unless... they are banking on someone here being able to slay it? Which would likely entitle them to the reward... Surely they wouldn't be so... deceitful? Even if its a lesser creature... I was never trained for dealing with such things. He shakes his head before taking a breath to steady himself.
Just... keep your fingers close.. or... whatever the saying is.
Any way, we could likely find the potion, the longbow, and possibly the instrument and hat in town... would be worth a look eventually. On their way out, he takes a moment to strap his shield onto his arm.
Now-
Daniel is rather impressed with the tracking ability, several times at first he lost track of the tracks, especially since they had been eroded. Though, as they grew larger he was able to mostly keep them in sight.
When the crab attacked, and landed a hit onto Estelle he moves to her defense, drawing his blade as he does so and striking at the creatures shelled Pincer.
Estelle appears absorbed into tracking, and is in the middle of trying to figure out just which creature this new trail in the sand belonged to when it attacks.
She looks up, startled by Rowan's warning, when the crab suddenly rushes her!
But just as it seems to get the drop on her, something in her eyes changes, the shock draining away to make way for resolve, and in that split second she's able to still put her weapon against the crab before it reaches her!
Unfortunately for her, she's still hit by a vicious pincer. "Gah!" she grunts, then steps back to attempt to hit a second time.
...But the swing goes wide.
The aoo Estelle took turned to be a miss, as the crab emerging received cover from partially being submerged as it came closer.
Currently, Brunhild almost hits the crab, but it slides off the pincer's exterior. Daniel rushes forth and deftly hacks into the crab's left pincer, causing it to shiver from impact.
==============================
Crab, round 2
Astella
Rowan
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Crab (-12)
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Brunhild, Cedric, Estelle
The druid notches and released another arrow at the skittering crab. She motions to Breirsting telling him to attack.
Breirsting rushes the crab snapping at the creature, Rrrowwrr.
Astella lets fly another rock at the crab, sadly missing.
A sinking feeling entered Brunhild's chest when she realized that her bow just might not be powerful enough to break through the crab's shell. She moved closer, took aim, and put another arrow into it. Only watch helplessly as the arrow bounced off, doing next to no damage.
Astella, Rowan and Briersting join the attack. The ladies' attacks go a bit wide, and Briersting's teeth don't quite get through the crab's outer shell.
The crab (-12) makes two attacks, one against Estelle and one against Cedric.
The crab attacks Cedric, managing to lock the fighter within its strong pincer, painfully squeezing him.
Estelle takes a hit which is just enough to have her pass out from the injury.
Brunhild hurries herself forward and lets fly an arrow. Cedric struggling against the crab's pincer proves too tricky for the arrow to hit.
Cedrid, Rowan
Unfortunately, the crab viciously rends Estelle twice with its pincer, easily finding the gaps in her armor, and she goes down, bleeding out before being able to effevtively fight back in any way.
Trying to aim through the crowd around the crab Rowän let another arrow fly while she encourages her cat to press its attack.
In a blur of fur and claws, Briersting continues to harass the crab.
The arrow flies past Rowan's allies, but Briersting dishes out sme more hurt upon the crab.
(-17)
Cedric
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Seeing a companion go down, Cedric moves to try and aid but only manages to get grabbed by one of the pincers. Thankfully, he manages to stay calm thanks to all those years of rigorous and arduous training from his mum.
He tries to change his tactics a bit, and stabs at the small line around the shell of the creature, hoping to slip his blade through the crack. He uses his shield to try and apply additional force to the blade since he was slightly off the ground.
those rolls mate. lol.
Daniel manages to place his sword at a soft spot and, hammering the guard piece of his sword with the edge of his shield, jams it into the crab's soft flesh.
It lets go of him and spasms as Daniel withdraws his sword.
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With Daniel vanquishing the crab Rowän rushes over to her fallen comrade calling down nature’s blessing as she lays her hands upon Estelle’s wounds.
The girl's prone figure gasps upon being hit by the large wave of positive energy channeled into her, and she bolts upright, breathing heavily as she grasps her weapon. "W-Where is-!"
Then she sees the crab's corpse, and her gaze falls downward. "Oh... you won without me. I... I'm sorry. I thought I was better than this."
”Don’t be so hard on yourself luv. We all be a wee bit rusty, I shot three arrows at the beast and nary a one hit. If it wasn’t for Daniel we all might of found ourselves as crab food,” the Druid says earnestly.
Brunhild looked away at the talk of wasted arrows, not wanting to face her own uselessness. Instead she focused on finding what they had come for, before the crustacean had attacked them.
Brunhild picks up the tracks they followed before the brief encounter with the crab.
About an our or so later, and still a complete lack of shells on the beach, there is a faint humming. Coming around the corner of a large stone, the team sees the edge of the beach in the distance. As well as a hut on the edge of the woods adjacent to the beach.
There is a young woman with a backpack up ahead, in which she drops something, going by movement of her arm.