It was just this morning, after six weeks at sea, that the sailor on watch sighted land. Over the next several hours, most of the colonists have been on deck watching the southwestern coast of the island of Ancorato slowly pass by, or else gawking at other fog-shrouded island peaks in the distance. Now in early afternoon, the fog has burned off, and the Peregrine has pulled into a crescent-shaped bay lined with a white sand beach. As a gentle breeze flows over the ocean toward the trees above the beach, the starboard gunwales are lined with colonists, looking expectantly toward a line of small buildings on a short bluff above the beach.
After looking through a spyglass handed to her by Captain Markosi, Ramona wends her way through the crowd, tapping each of you on the shoulder and asking, ”Can I have you head over there for a moment?” pointing to an aft portion of the port maindeck, away from the rest of the colonists. Once you’ve all headed over, she approaches you, a poorly-concealed look of worry on her face. “We have a problem,” Ramona says bluntly. She offers the spyglass to the party and explains, “Something is wrong. Nobody’s in sight. There’s no smoke from cook fires or the smithy. Some of the buildings look burned out.” Ramona continues, her voice low. “Sailors can’t keep their mouths shut. Soon all the other colonists are going to hear about this—if they can’t see for themselves already—and things could become… tense. I would like for the five of you to take the ship’s boat, row to shore, and see what’s going on…or what happened. Once you’re ashore, I’ll have Captain Markosi take the ship to the secondary landing site up the coast,” she gestures northwards, ”and you meet us there after checking out the colony. We’ll decide what to do then.”
Both excited and a little uneasy young woman follows the head of the colony. Her long auburn hair flowing about her as she moves hurriedly across to the port deck. Presently dressed in a simple green dress with her small rucksack over her shoulder full of her supplies. The druid listens intently to what is said.
"But of course, Miss Avandth." is Caroline's simple reply after the situation is explained. She takes the offered spyglass and looks out towards the Colony as worry for the friend she was eager to reunite with crosses her face. She looks intently for any sign of... anyone.
The sight of land after oh so many weeks of nothing but endless stretches of water fills Tálan with a sense of joy that the young historian can't quite put into words. His feet are trembling within his boots, eager to carry him forth to dry land. That, and various thoughts that race through his head, vying for attention and consideration, are squashed by Ramona's request for them to move away and to the side.
Tálan rubs the silver bracelet on his right wrist in reaction to the anxiety-inducing words spoken by Ramona. "Alright. Perhaps the situation isn't as dire as it looks." If the words were meant to lift their spirit, they fail to lift his own. He shifts into another mental gear and steels himself for what must be done. "Get to the colony, see what's what, and then meet up at the second landing site. Got it."
These words, however, do manage to strengthen his resolve. After all, there's a job that needs doing. He eyes the others chosen for this job and gauges their response.
When Ramona tapped him on the shoulder, Kriznox had been seated on the rail, balancing easily and taking in the view of the beach. It was the first real sign of land in many days, and everyone was understandably excited. While the clever gnome gave no outward indication, he was slightly miffed at having to give up his seat. "Someone else will be sitting here when I get back...though it'll probably be Kalcora." he mused to himself.
With a shrug and a smile, the bard makes his way out of the crowd of colonists to join the small assemblage of travelers, each of whom he knew by sight, and by name. He grins at each, especially at Ramona (whom he knew appreciated good music), and listens as she explains her dilemna.
"Huh. Nobody's there? I hadn't noticed that..." and in truth, Kriznox hadn't. So caught up in the thoughts of sleeping on a bed on solid ground, that he hadn't really looked at the coastline at all. The gnome quickly does an almost comical double-take, looking quickly back over his shoulder at the bay and blinking.
Snapping back to the conversation, he says,"Well of course I'll help. It's the least I could do...and it'll definitely provide a great lead in for my musical chronicle of our adventures here." He pauses, then begins to hum, obviously already working on lyrics in his head.
Rock silently follows Ramona to the aft area. He stiffens as he sees that Talan has been included in the group, but sets his jaw and continues on anyway. He crosses his massive arms over his equally-muscled chest: the shirt he's now wearing for the first time in weeks feels strange to the touch, and he twitches as Ramona explains the problem. Having a closer second look through the spyglass, he returns the instrument, saying simply, "Could be Chelish pirates," without taking his eyes of Talan.
"Pirates?? I've never met a pirate. That sounds dangerous..." Though his words are perfectly acceptable, Kriznox's tone is far more excited than should be reasonable, under the circumstances.
Ramona looks at each of you in turn, thanking you for your willingness to help. "Possibly," she says in reply to Rock, "though we're not on, or close to, any trade routes to Arcadia. At any rate, best not to make assumptions before we have some information."
She waves a hand to the quartermaster, and the half-orc makes a part in the crowd of colonists to make way to the Peregrine's boat. You notice as you clamber aboard that the six soldiers sent with the colony are strategically spaced throughout the group watching the shoreline.
As the sailors lower the boat into the deep blue water, a cool breeze raises slight whitecaps from the ocean's surface, lacking the remnants of winter chill still felt in its Avistani counterpart.
As you get about halfway across the distance between the Peregrine and the short dock on the beach, you see a set of tentacles jet past the oars, headed underneath the boat.
After quickly gathering her armor and weapons. After hastily dawning her items she returns and gets into the small craft, "So sorry."
She looks about, feeling the rush of adrenaline as they make for the shore and colony beyond.
Rock puts his back into the oars and the lifeboat is soon zipping across the water towards shore.
Tálan studies the whitecaps and reaches out to touch them, completely enthralled by the sight. It must be how the gods perceive the mortals, as they come and go in the blink of an eye, beautiful and magnificent yet not to last. Suffice to say, Tálan is doing anything but keeping track of shore. "Moments like these rehydrate the soul, don't they? ..."
A wistful smile sat upon Baern's face as he watched the new lands come into view. He was already missing the journey here; the storms that made the ship creak and groan, the spars up on the deck, the stories told amongst new friends and comrades. Yet every journey had to come to an end and even if the sailing was done, there was still so much of an adventure to be had. Yet when Ramona gathered him personally and pulled him to the side, his slightly sad smile turned into a tightened scowl. The dwarf maintained his composure but felt his stomach twist slightly; where could his beloved cousin and their family have gone?
"Of course, Ramona. We'll give it ponder, see what's about it." Baern said softly, cracking his knuckles before gathering his supplies off the ground and onto his shoulder. The mention of pirates from Rock earned a low grunt of affirmation. It was a wide berth from their usual waters though. Making his way to the smaller boat, he climbs inside and helps the others get settled before they reach the deep, blue waters below. Taking the oars in hand, Baern readies himself to begin rowing towards the shore.
With Rock on the other pair of oars, the two work in tandem along with the tide. The boat begins to make its way towards the shoreline.
"Aye Talan, a new world of opportunities. Let us pray that the others are safe on the shore and this is all just some misunderstanding or something." He says, trying to lift his own spirits about it. There is a sinking feeling in his stomach though; something was wrong but he just couldn't see what.
Excited for the new adventure, Kriznox scurries into the boat, past the oars, heading immediately for the bow with a grin on his face.
"Maybe they decided to do some exploring? Y'know, like...they all left the settlement to go sight-seeing? And maybe hunting. Or to find fresh water? And caves...probably lots of caves...Leaving the settlement unguarded and abandoned. You know, like, all at the same time?" As he speaks, the gnome's statement falters and it becomes obvious that it sounds ridiculous even to him.
"Ahhh... gentlemen, a set of tentacles where there past the oars and headed underneath the boat." the young woman says in very nervous and worried tone. Caroline points at where she saw them and the way they went. She also grabs at the pommel of her scimitar. She is not looking about the small craft. every which way for the possible danger within the water.
Tálan instantly retracts the hand touching the waves and gives Caroline a frightened look before scanning the waters for a sign of this many-tentacled passerby. "M-maybe the little guy is just curious. I've heard of such tales before from seafaring people. Animals and beasts too can be curious."
Nonetheless, Tálan is not taking any risks. He clenches a fist and imagines his body to be a fortress, using his psychic powers to reinforce himself for what might come.
Caroline and Tálan's caution is warranted. As the party begins to tense up, two goblin-like creatures with rubbery blue skin and a skirt of tentacles in place of legs breach the water's surface on either side of the boat. Each wields a small spear.
"Tentacles? Where??" Kriznox turns and scrambles about, looking wildly for the aforementioned threat...and then spots the 'mer-goblins-things'. "Gah!"
"Nasty little things! Get off of our boat!" Baern shouts, rising to his feet. The dwarf sways for a moment there but keeps his footing even as the boat rocks and moves. The strange, goblinoid creatures were coming up on both sides and Baern would attack the one on his right first.
The dwarf throws a hard hook, looking to crack the strange creature's jaw open. The boat rocks again but Baern still keeps his footing where he needs to.
Tálan is not blessed when it comes to martial prowess, but what he lacks in brute strength he makes up for with the power of the mind. Or so he hopes. The young historian opens up his mind and unloads all his doubts and fears on one of their foes, hoping to daze them.
This spell clouds the mind of a humanoid creature with 4 or fewer Hit Dice so that it takes no actions. Humanoids of 5 or more HD are not affected. A dazed subject is not stunned, so attackers get no special advantage against it. After a creature has been dazed by this spell, it is immune to the effects of this spell for 1 minute.
Caroline draws her weapon at the sight of these small gonblin-like creatures, "My what kind of nasty creature are you?"
She strikes out at the creature with her scimitar from where she is sitting as she does not trust herself like her sturdy dwarven companion. her strike goes awry of the target.
"Gah! Water snarks!" Kriznox blinks, scrambling back from the side of the boat as far as the small plank-seat would allow. "First tentacles and now water snarks??"
The diminutive bard glances about, seeing the others going into combat-mode, and finds himself concerned that the group's valiant efforts might be almost as big a danger to them as the incoming creatures. As the boat rocks with the unbalanced motions he calls out,"C-careful! Don't tip us...gah...don't tip us over!"
But the battle begun, Kriznox realizes that there is little to be done than to deal with it. "Fine. Well, SOMEbody has to be the rational one. Someone has to be sensible!"
And with that, the flustered gnome begins to loudly sing, "Row, row, row your boat".
Baern's fist connects with the strange creature's head in a glancing blow that still sends it spinning. However, his blow rocks the boat to port, raising Caroline's swing well above the other creature's head. The rocking works out to her benefit as well, as the return spear-thrust from the creature stabs into the hull instead of her.
Tálan also feels a sense of disconnect as his spell seems to complete, with no discernible effect.
Kriznox's song, as flustered as it sounds, is well-timed, as the creature struck by Baern decides to flee, turning to dive down through the waves.
Rock grips the side of the boat as it sways wildly, and he reaches out at the remaining creature. His hand turns into a nasty claw just before contact, but it doesn’t likely penetrate the creature’s hide. The claw lingers for a few seconds afterwards.
"Sure, pick on the only woman here." She mutters as the creature turns on her. She slashes out once again at the aqua-goblin before her.
Stand still!" She curses in common as her attack seems to go wide again.
She than says in Aquan, "You are nasty little creature!
Tálan sees how the powers of the mind fail him against these foes and opts for a more direct approach. He wills into existence an unerring projectile and flings it at the stabby bastard attacking Caroline. How dare they!
"Oh no you don't!" Baern shouts, swinging down at the weird beast flees under the water.
After connecting on top of the creature's noggin, Baern turns his attention towards the remaining foe. He would carefully make his way along the swaying boat to support and protect the druid on board.
"Out of the way, I'm coming through!"
Abruptly cutting off his song, Kriznox bolts out of Baern's way, almost rolling forward to the next bench, though drawing his small but deadly-sharp rapier as he moves. Somehow, however, the tune almost reverberates through the air amongst the group, sticking in everyone's mind like a little ditty they can't forget.
Rising from his roll, the gnome jabs his blade at the remaining creature, careful to avoid striking the brawling dwarf.
"Baern! I can't hit the water snark if you're in the way! Careful...!"
Baern occupies the lion's share of the boat in a whirlwind of activity, firmly knocking out his fleeing opponent, but making the boat rock wildy, leaving only the bolt of mental force from Tálan able to connect with it's target, who appears to flee, diving sharply downwards.
For several moments the five of you stand cautiously in the boat, watching for a renewal of the assault that never comes. A sudden cheer arises from the deck of the Peregrine, muted slightly by the wind and distance, but still clearly ringing in your ears.
Setting himself on one knee for balance, his small sword stretched out before him, Kriznox exhales and says, "Um...did we win?
The young woman looks about the water for any other foes and as the cheers from the ship die down she sheathes her weapon. Looking the gnome she comments, ”I do not no think anyone ‘wins’ in combat. We drove them back for now. We should hurry to shore and the colony.”
Caroline has a pained face as she comments, ”I hope this, or worse, has not befallen them.”
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There was a moment of silence after the last creature disappeared underneath the waves with its unconscious comrade. There were cheers from the boat carried on the wind while the tension of the battle slowly settled over them all. Caroline's wise words filled the air a moment before Baern let out a whoop.
He shouts, obviously invigorated by the sudden combat. The wide grin on the dwarf's face quickly fades though with the severity of Caroline's later comment. "...sorry."
Returning back to the seat, he grabs the oar again and begins to guide the boat once more back towards the beach. All the while, Krixnox's little ditty is repeated by a quiet whistling.
She looks about a few more times before she turns to the dwarf and with a smile and soft words to reassure him all is fine, "Do not fret Baern, it is good to acknowledge ones successes as well. After all, we were ambushed."
”Besides, it would be more accurate to say you punched their faces,” Rock quips as he steadies the boat. With the instruction to get to shore, he puts his back into the oars and has the boar zipping across the waves.
While the confrontation leaves Tálan reeling - someone, no, all of us could've met our ends here! - the cheers from the people on the ship remind him of the importance of their mission. And going by Baern's reaction, perhaps Tálan is simply worrying too much. The dwarf surely could've taken both on all by himself. "Yes, let's get going again. I can't wait to plant my feet on solid ground ..."
Without further interruptions, the boat lands at a short, roughly made dock at the base of a sandy footpath the climbs the bluff to the half-finished palisade.
you see a canoe lying in the nearly 4 feet of water at the end of the dock.
The excitable gnome quickly scrambles out onto the dock, trying to make way for the 'bigger' party members to exit the boat. Krinox looks around warily, scrunching up his face as he scans the shoreline, taking in the scene before him.
The young druid looks around at the water and hopes not to catch sight of what might be within. One of the mergoblins when the group was on solid ground would be another matter altogether. She looks about and up towards the colony.
"We should be careful, but hurry as well." The woman says as she takes up her staff feeling better on a more stable surface.
Tálan readies himself for trouble by getting out his sling. He clutches it, and the smooth stone bullet within, in the palm of his hand. Nervously the young academic studies their surroundings and it is in that moment that he spots the canoe. "There's another canoe up there. Might be worth checking out, perhaps we'll stumble upon a sign of what happened here."
Once on land, Rock hefts his earthbreaker and looks about. He quickly checks to make sure his component pouch didn’t get too wet on the battle.
Rock starts to climb the sandy path, keeping low and will crawl the last few feet to the edge of the incline.
Seeing the precautions his companions are taking, Kriznox readies his light crossbow and moves cautiously up the path behind Rock. He does his best to imitate the other's movements, coming to a stop below the incline as well, and peeking over.
"I can see three buildings through gaps in the palisade, and a cluster of tents outside it..." Kriz speaks in hushed tones, pausing, then adding, "From the ship, it looked like there were more buildings over...there..." This last he motions with a free hand towards the south.
Caroline looks to Talan and asks in a curious fashion, "Another one? Where might the first one lie?"
She than asks as Rock and Kriznox start up the path, "Should we check them before proceeding for any clues?"
Baern settles off of the rowboat, turning to tie it off so the tide doesn't take it out to sea. Sniffing the air for a moment, he turns to the rest of the party.
"Maybe someone tried to get away from whatever happened here..." Baern said grimly, the thought making a vein begin to bulge on his head. If anything had happened to his cousin and their family, he would find who did it and pluck each tooth from their mouth with his knuckles. "I'll go and check it out. Just keep an eye out for me yeah?"