The night passes uneventfully, other than the irritating flies and mosquitoes. Cass wakes up with a number of itchy bug bites. The following day is shaping up to be a hot one.
Atia feels the heat building and removes her outer robes, re-fastening her haramaki over her simple tunic and breeches. She neatly rolls them up and stuffs them into her backpack, then heads over to Joran as the seance is ending, joining the conversation.
"I have no desire to return to my former life," She says, glancing up at the barbarian next to her, her cheeks flushing slightly pink. "If I'm going to be out here, I'd rather it be free of Scourge, Plugg, and the others." She slips her hand into Joran's as before, weaving her small fingers between his large ones and giving his hand a squeeze.
She glances at Mateo, who had expressed that he would understand if Syl had to die. She thought back for a moment at Syl's uncharacteristic display of humanity when she had freed Joran during the storm and the promise the woman had extracted from her. Atia chews on her bottom lip thoughtfully. "I hope Syl chooses not to join them," She admits. "Whatever they have planned would be the perfect time for her to call in the favor I owe her." She pauses, thinking about her next words. "And...she has a certain quality that intrigues me." She wasn't sure how else to explain it...she wanted to know what made Syl tick. The desire to solve a particularly difficult and dangerous puzzle. And, just a sliver of admiration.
When their watch is over and the sun begins to rise, Atia goes and gently wakes Joran with a soft kiss on the temple and murmured good mornings. Once he's awake, she packs up their things and pulls her spellbook out. "I need about an hour to study my spells," She explains, tapping her fingers on the cover. "It will be worth it."
Fighting to open his eyes, "Mornin', darlin'." He draws a hand down his face and shakes his head to help wake himself before rising. "Sounds good. I'll be over here to see what Lanni's got going on. Which, kind of concerns me, to be honest." Bending down, he gives her a kiss before making his way over.
"Not one that you are likely to believe. Just something to keep in mind for now."
Thinking on that a moment, the barbarian can't help but nod in a matter-of-fact manner.
Lanni goes and finds a reasonably comfortable place to sit and pulls out his flute. "Well, everyone. Gather around. Yes even you Thunder Thews," he looks pointedly at Joran. "Do some stretches or push ups or something if you want, just stay here for a while. It really will help."
Lanni plays his flute and starts his focusing and meditations.
Looking a little confused, "Thunder Thews?" He then thinks about his suggestion and shrugs, figuring why not? Pulling off his armor and his shirt, showing off his well-built and scarred frame, he gets himself in the push-up position and starts knocking them out rather easily.
After multiple sets of regular push-ups, wide-hand push-ups, diamond push-ups, pike push-ups, crunches, and squats, the barbarian sees that Lanni is nearly ready and calls it quits. Sweating profusely, he makes his way to the shoreline, takes off his boots, and steps into the water. Taking a minute to splash water all over his chest and his back to help cool off, he finally leaves the water, puts his shoes on, and makes it back to the others where he puts his shirt and his armor back on and listens in.
"Well, you probably have more confidence in me as a leader than I do. But I guess in comparison to Captain Plugg I couldn't do any worse."
"But the spirits in council rooms are used to being the big shot movers and shakers. They can get a bit grumpy if they aren't treated that way. Even if it is only lip service with no actual authority."
"Speaking of which, if I do end up allowing too much control, I may get a bit ... bossy. So I apologize in advance if that happens."
REALLY not knowing what to say anymore, Joran rubs his forehead in frustration at how bad the poor gnome is becoming. Gods he's getting worse. Spirits are movers and shakers? Allowing too much control? Get bossy? Are spirits about to take him over? Now I'm REALLY going to have to keep an eye on him. I think he may slowly be becoming undead. Next thing you know, he's going to start trying to eat our brains or something. Who would've thought? A tiny gnome eating people's brains. It's not every day you hear about stuff like that. I wonder if there's some type of magic to cure that? Hm. I don't know.
"Ah, good. So we're going to get on with killing Plugg and the others at last?" Wiping the sweat from his brow, he turns towards the group while Lanni quietly mumbles in the corner. "Syl's unsure if she will join them or not, I think. If she does, I wish to make it known that I won't be mad if you have to slay her. It'll make the boat trips significantly more dull but...likely safer...for you all. I think she fancies me." He raises his eyebrows quickly, grinning wide as the seance finishes.
Breathing a sigh of relief, "Whew! Good to hear. I was afraid you might get mad if I cut her in two. Definitely good to know. Thanks, buddy." He gives him a slap on the shoulder.
"Right. Leader." Mateo said with a grin, rubbing elbows with the large man with the greatsword and the actual officer that was accompanying them. "Perhaps we head to the high cliff? Get a look over the whole island?"
Joran looks at the swashbuckler with wide eyes and sighs. "I guess. Just mind your brain, Mateo, is all I'm saying. Mind your brain," he warns, giving a pragmatic nod. "And yes, to the high ground we go. Let's move."
Looking at the skeletal scarecrow, Terry shakes his head. "Probably meant to scare people away, honestly. Do you have any idea how long it must have taken to do all this scrimshaw work? And there are multiple of these? Years of effort there."
---
As the discussion about watch shifts comes up, Terry tries to pay little mind to the discussion other than finding out which shift he was supposed to sit, but nobody could miss THE SCENE. He shakes his head. Have to remember to reminder Dreamer later that you shouldn't always announce the reason for a decision, especially not when it is about emotions . . .. It is even worse when you're right in the first place.
---
As Lanni goes on about talking with the Spirits (which he's mentioned before) and potentially even the recently dead, Terry looks at him out of the corner of his eye. What in the name of Besmara's Footlocker is he going on about? I don't know if I would be happier if he's nuts or sane.
---
Joran slips out carefully so as not to awaken Atia and joins the half-elf for his turn at watch. Rubbing his hands together after he finds a place to sit, "Well, what do you think, Quent? No Plugg, no Scourge. It feels a little bit like we're free. If there were only another boat to jump on and escape off this island then we could truly escape those two and their 'Rat pack' crew."
Terry grins. "I think a man could get used to it. I would really rather we had a solid path forward that would avoid the bloodshed we know is coming. But I don't expect to hesitate, because I want to get used to not having to worry about them or their cronies anymore. I think tradition allows for stranding them on individual deserted islands. Thing is, I don't know that there are enough deserted islands in the area, and I don't want to spend the time looking for them."
---
When the gnome starts going on about being named leader, Terry fails to hide his reaction, with his eyebrows climbing his forehead and his eyes going a little bigger. "Nah, I'm with Sharkbait on this one. Not really comfortable with that idea. Really not."
---
As for the open discussion of the impending fight . . .. "Don't know enough to plan for more than who we should be able to count on or expect to have to fight. Nothing personal, Mateo, but I really doubt Syl's going to support the crowd, here. I even think she'll try to gut you herself so that nobody else gets to be that intimate with you."
---
"Getting a quick overview of the island will be nice, if the jungle growth lets us see that from up there. I agree, it is the best spot we know of to try."
"Ah, I understand," Lanni says to Destinie. "Well, we will find them. If they don't escape and find us first. Those grindylows aren't all that tough. I even almost killed one of them. They only did a number on you because they were fighting four against one."
~~~~~
"It sure felt like they were after us divine casters," Des replied with a sigh. She took one more look at her hat before putting it back on with a small smile. "In any case, we better not keep them waiting."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She didn't have much experience on mosquitoes, but she did read up on how to keep them away, she stuck with getting close to the heat. It was a bit unbearable, but it thankfully got the job done by the time she woke up in the morning.
Which seemed to be right into having talk about who would be leader... and apparently it was going to be Lanni. To which she put up a finger. "I'm with Joran... which is a rare sentence in itself. Especially when we haven't even gotten over the crew about that. Never mind we still have to deal with Scourge and Plugg. And that doesn't even consider saving Tilly and Sandy..."
She stopped herself once more by some deep breathing. "What I'm saying is we can cool the captain talk until we know who's left on our crew."
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Mateo nods in appreciation towards Atia, recognizing the Cheliaxian mindset of making the best of a bad situation. The wizardly woman was an asset and from what he knew of their ilk, the longer that they stayed alive then the more dangerous they became. When she mentions that she hopes that the woman chooses not to join them, Mateo's smile softens a bit.
"I concur. She is a danger, a casual killer, and likely a monster. That doesn't mean she won't be a good friend out here if she chooses it. She hasn't learned that a shark alone gets ripped apart by killer whales." It was as much as Mateo wanted to say on that subject. The sudden clap on his shoulder would jostle the lithe duelist, Mateo looking over his shoulder at Joran.
"Oh, I hope to be the one to kill her. I don't like losing duels and I was losing. You're effective but that big sword is so...impersonal. I understand why she uses knives." When he mentions that he should watch his brain around Lanni, the wicked smile grows a little wider. "Oh, no worries about that. He's been doing this for me for awhile. Found him in the Man's galley whispering and we had a wonderful conversation. Him, me, and his...colleagues, I suppose?"
When Terry speaks up about how Syl could get that possessive, murderously so, they could swear that the man's face lights up at it.
"I know. Isn't it romantic? I hope you're wrong though, the sheer amount of violence we're going to get into will be enough to certainly please myself and Syl. Especially if we aim to be recognized as a Free Captain." Mateo sighs wistfully at the thought though. A love so fierce as to kill one another? How tragically poetic. "Don't get me wrong though. If she does, I'll bury my blade in her heart and watch the lights go out. She's the opposite of Joran there; takes the killing too personal and gets lost in it. To be competent, you have to have balance."
"Well, if everyone's ready, let's go!" Mateo says, making his way to the door before stopping and turning to Lanni. "After you, captain."
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Atia inclines her head to Mateo in response and smiles slightly at his assessment of Syl. She had spent some time distancing herself somewhat from the ruthlessness and measured violence of her homeland, but it was hard to let go of something so ingrained from birth. Now that she was free to shape herself as she saw fit, she found herself unwilling to let some of her Chelish qualities go. There was something to be said about the influence of those you surrounded yourself with.
After some conversation, Atia turns and stares at the objectors to Lanni's temporary title of Expedition Leader.
"Lanni is leader in name only. To appease the spirits he communes with for his power. And for our benefit." She speaks slowly so that they can hope to comprehend. "I can create acid with my mind and pull monsters from thin air to aid me, you," She gestures to Destinie, with an exasperated expression, "can close wounds with divine power, and all those things are perfectly normal...but Lanni negotiating with spirits of the dead is far-fetched?" She puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head in mild disbelief and admonishment. "It does no harm to let him have the title for a day. It's not as though we have to follow his orders if we don't like them."
"Let's head out." Atia will follow Mateo out the door, sliding her spellbook into its waterproof case as she goes.
Lanni give a nod of thanks to Atia and leaves the building. He spends a few minutes looking around for the seagull he was talking to yesterday. He also looks at the bluffs that Joran and Mateo are considering climbing.
Matteo stands behind Atia, slightly off to the right, with his arms crossed and nodding empatheically with her words. When she was done, he would step out with her and whisper low so only the wizard could hear him.
"Is that why? I just thought he was a little bit off. Not in a bad way, just a little sun-baked." He said with a nod, figuring that it made sense. She was certainly right; he would take Lanni's instructions under consideration. No one would truly command him ever again...unless they grabbed him by the collar and dragged him below decks. That wasn't so bad.
"You think we'll have to scale it friend or do you think there might be a path around it all?" Mateo says to their expeditionary leader as the gnome surveys the task before them.
Atia feels the heat building and removes her outer robes, re-fastening her haramaki over her simple tunic and breeches. She neatly rolls them up and stuffs them into her backpack, then heads over to Joran as the seance is ending, joining the conversation.
"I have no desire to return to my former life," She says, glancing up at the barbarian next to her, her cheeks flushing slightly pink. "If I'm going to be out here, I'd rather it be free of Scourge, Plugg, and the others." She slips her hand into Joran's as before, weaving her small fingers between his large ones and giving his hand a squeeze.
Smiling as she moves her hand into his, "That's for sure. And you aren't ever going back, darlin'. I won't let that happen."
She glances at Mateo, who had expressed that he would understand if Syl had to die. She thought back for a moment at Syl's uncharacteristic display of humanity when she had freed Joran during the storm and the promise the woman had extracted from her. Atia chews on her bottom lip thoughtfully. "I hope Syl chooses not to join them," She admits. "Whatever they have planned would be the perfect time for her to call in the favor I owe her." She pauses, thinking about her next words. "And...she has a certain quality that intrigues me." She wasn't sure how else to explain it...she wanted to know what made Syl tick. The desire to solve a particularly difficult and dangerous puzzle. And, just a sliver of admiration.
Chewing on the inside of his lip a moment, he bumps Mateo with an elbow and shakes his head earnestly before saying, "Just, um, just forget what I said, Mateo. Thanks."
"I concur. She is a danger, a casual killer, and likely a monster. That doesn't mean she won't be a good friend out here if she chooses it. She hasn't learned that a shark alone gets ripped apart by killer whales." It was as much as Mateo wanted to say on that subject. The sudden clap on his shoulder would jostle the lithe duelist, Mateo looking over his shoulder at Joran.
"Oh, I hope to be the one to kill her. I don't like losing duels and I was losing. You're effective but that big sword is so...impersonal. I understand why she uses knives." When he...
The barbarian's visage becomes somewhat somber at the mention of 'knives'. "Yeah, I don't really like knives, Mateo. I mean, I've got a few daggers but only because I needed a weapon to protect myself against Plugg's cronies just in case, but, yeah, I don't like 'em. And you're right about my sword being impersonal. You are absolutely right. Funny enough, that's exactly why I prefer it. Knives are definitely more personal. They are. It's true. More personal." He nods, looking over at Atia a moment before looking away, losing himself in thought, and completely missing everything else the swashbuckler was saying.
Breaking out of his reverie when Atia lays a comforting hand upon him, he looks down at her and smiles. "Thanks, darlin'."
"Lanni is leader in name only. To appease the spirits he communes with for his power. And for our benefit." She speaks slowly so that they can hope to comprehend. "I can create acid with my mind and pull monsters from thin air to aid me, you," She gestures to Destinie, with an exasperated expression, "can close wounds with divine power, and all those things are perfectly normal...but Lanni negotiating with spirits of the dead is far-fetched?" She puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head in mild disbelief and admonishment. "It does no harm to let him have the title for a day. It's not as though we have to follow his orders if we don't like them."
"Let's head out." Atia will follow Mateo out the door, sliding her spellbook into its waterproof case as she goes.
Yep. It looks like he's in league with spirits. If Atia says so, it's got to be true. Not so sure about OUR benefit though. Not sure how eating our brains benefits us. You know, though, there's GOT to be something I'm just not understanding. It's almost like, I'M the only one who sees this to be a problem. Maybe I'm missing something? I don't know. Now, talking to the spirits is not far-fetched, I've heard about it being done. But the way HE talks to them? Well, that's downright crazy. I've just never heard of a cleric talking to spirits like they're right there with you. Doesn't make sense.
"Alright, let's move."
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'Lanni warning us that he might not remain in charge of his own body is a completely different level of risk, isn't it? Then, with us not knowing who will be speaking out of his mouth, even lip service to authority means we're setting ourselves up to have leadership claimed by complete unknowns. No, I am not comfortable with this. Trying to make me feel stupid because I recognize the risk in his warning isn't going to make me comfortable with it."
"The only way Lanni would be able to obtain leadership in truth is if we let him. And I do not plan to let him. All of us versus him - easy to subdue. It is purely lip service. But you're welcome to refuse to call him anything." Atia shrugs and continues on.
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Seadreamer restokes the fire and puts a pot on to boil while waiting for the spellcasters to get ready.
Destinie, I am hoping that we find both Sandara and Tilly unharmed, but you need to be ready for the worst.
He finishes packing up his gear and then washes up using some of the hot water.
After the Seance, he finishes getting ready by using the last bit of water in the pot to put out the fire.
When the talk comes to mutiny he chimes in.
I got the worst of both worlds, an outsider to the officers who were trying to get meto turn against the crew. As well as disliked by the rat pack. Just know i will stand with you when it comes to removing them
?he limbers up and stretches before shouldering his pack and heading out. He takex up a spot in front of the group as he starts heading to the high ground.
He says nothing on the leadership issue.
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Lanni looks between Atia and Terry. "Well honestly, you are both right. And if being leader means getting you two to stop fighting with each other, then I really want no part of it. It sounds like a lot of work with no benefit. And where is the fun in that?"
"Don't worry too much about me, Terry. I have no intention of fully relinquishing control of myself. And I don't willingly associate with evil spirits - I wouldn't get along with them - just ones that are arrogant, demanding, rude, and short tempered."
:⁂: "You're welcome very much. Are you seriously going to try and convince me that you are not?" :⁂: "You do realize that you are proving the point more than you are refuting it, yes?"
Having decided to try and get a better look at the island from atop the fist of granite, you all take a brief walk to the east. The gray rock is bespeckled with dark flecks of mica and pink feldspars, sparkling a bit as the sun hits it. It looks fairly easy to climb.
Atop the summit you find an old fire beacon. It's some 10 feet across and consists of trees, branches, and old ship’s timbers, but is unlit.
From up here, you have a commanding view of much of the island. The island itself is a crescent shape, with this outcrop near the upper point of the crescent. You can see a boggy jungle stretching out across the northern half of the island, with just a hint of a divot where the road leads from the village to places further south. Beyond the swamp is a massive, grassy looking plain. The entire western portion of the island is a spine of granite even taller than the one you're perched upon, and you can see a structure atop it, like a small, crudely built stockade. A path is carved into the rock, zig-zagging its way up to the structure.
To the north, you can see the Man's Promise, still wedged atop a reef. You can juuust make out figures moving around on the deck and the hull, repairing the damage from the storm.
Lanni looks between Atia and Terry. "Well honestly, you are both right. And if being leader means getting you two to stop fighting with each other, then I really want no part of it. It sounds like a lot of work with no benefit. And where is the fun in that?"
"Don't worry too much about me, Terry. I have no intention of fully relinquishing control of myself. And I don't willingly associate with evil spirits - I wouldn't get along with them - just ones that are arrogant, demanding, rude, and short tempered."
:⁂: "You're welcome very much. Are you seriously going to try and convince me that you are not?" :⁂: "You do realize that you are proving the point more than you are refuting it, yes?"
Atia snorts slightly at Lanni's interaction, finding the commentary from the spirit easy to imagine.
--
As they approach the climbable surface, Atia hesitates. "I'm not much of a climber. I'll wait down here for you all."
Shrugging his pack off, i guess i will go take a look around.
He pulls a sack out, ties it to his back then proceeds up the slope
At the top, he ties an end of his rope off then yells down.
he then tosses the sack over allowing the rope to spool out as the bag falls.
He then takes a solid look around.
Matteo stands behind Atia, slightly off to the right, with his arms crossed and nodding empatheically with her words. When she was done, he would step out with her and whisper low so only the wizard could hear him.
"Is that why? I just thought he was a little bit off. Not in a bad way, just a little sun-baked." He said with a nod, figuring that it made sense. She was certainly right; he would take Lanni's instructions under consideration. No one would truly command him ever again...unless they grabbed him by the collar and dragged him below decks. That wasn't so bad.
Atia nods and whispers back, "Yes. Have you guys never asked him about it?" She raises her eyebrows at Mateo. "He seems pretty in-control. Knows his limits. It's fascinating."
"All I know is that he makes me laugh, he's honest, and he's a good man. I'm smart enough to know that I'm not and that he's a rarity. That's worth keeping safe." Mateo whispered back as he looked over at the gnome. He was eccentric for certain but he did things as well as he could. "The rest of you seem...nice. Maybe conflicted, maybe in a bad situation, but you seem good. Its why I'm throwing my lot with you. Scourge and the rest of them? They're killers and if they think they could get up a bit by killing me, I know they would. Kind of tired of those folk."
The rope hits the ground and Mateo steps up, grabbing the rope and climbing his way up in about half a minute or so. Climbing up and grasping Seadreamer's hand, he looks over the island and lets out a low whistle. "Well, ain't that something." He says, grabbing his hat before the ocean breeze carries it away.
Once they joined the others, he would point in the direction of the stockade. "Seems like there is a little inhabited place over on another cliffside. Maybe Sandara and the other escaped their captor? They might be hiding out there. If not, maybe someone is living there and can give us some information." The swamp looked absolutely awful and the swashbuckler had no magical trick to keep the water from getting into his boots.
"All I know is that he makes me laugh, he's honest, and he's a good man. I'm smart enough to know that I'm not and that he's a rarity. That's worth keeping safe." Mateo whispered back as he looked over at the gnome. He was eccentric for certain but he did things as well as he could. "The rest of you seem...nice. Maybe conflicted, maybe in a bad situation, but you seem good. Its why I'm throwing my lot with you. Scourge and the rest of them? They're killers and if they think they could get up a bit by killing me, I know they would. Kind of tired of those folk."
"From my brief interactions with him, I'd have to agree." Atia smiles at Mateo. Both of them seemed like good men, even if Mateo seemed to have a death wise with Syl. "We all don't know each other well." She glances around at the whole group. "Well, I know Joran better than the others. But Harrigan made it difficult and Plugg made it even harder for any of us to interact beyond whatever's on the surface." Atia chews on the inside of her lip, looking thoughtful. "Perhaps this will be a chance to better understand one another."
---
Atia stands at the bottom of the cliff, Asmodeus on her shoulder, and shouts up at them. She crosses her arms over her chest, staring up and looking a tad antsy.
Lanni watches several of the team climb their way up the bluff. He walks up beside Atia. "Do you suppose that they are coming back down here, or do we have to climb up after them? I'm pretty bad at climbing."
Lanni watches several of the team climb their way up the bluff. He walks up beside Atia. "Do you suppose that they are coming back down here, or do we have to climb up after them? I'm pretty bad at climbing."
"Gods, I hope we don't have to climb up after them. I'm pretty bad at it too." She stretches out her arms and gestures at her slightly emaciated frame. "All my work went into my mind rather than my body."
Lanni starts getting bored at the bottom of the bluff. He sees Atia start up and follows.
"Atia! Watch out." :⁂: "Yes, do something."
Spirit Type: Marshal
Seance Boon: You gain a +2 bonus on all non-spell damage rolls.
Spirit Bonus: +1 to Charisma checks, Charisma skill checks, and spirit surge rolls (allowing the bonus to count twice).
Influence: ①
Penalty: none
Taboo: you must embrace any opportunity to spread the legend of yourself and your allies, even when a low profile would be helpful.
Taboo Surge: ♳
Lesser Power: Marshal's Order: You can use spirit surge on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, concentration checks, and skill checks for yourself or allies who participated in the seance. Limit 1 per turn still. Requires line of effect, line of sight, and range 30 feet.
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Seeing Atia having trouble, "C'mon, darlin', hop on my back. I've got you. Go ahead, Lanni, I've got Atia." Assisting her to get on his back, Joran starts up and makes the climb easily.
The half-elf waits at the bottom of the rope, holding it still(ish) to make the climb easier for those who need the help. Once everyone else has gone up, he scrambles up behind them.
At the top of the bluff the first thing Lanni sees is the signal fire. :⁂: "I know. Let's see here..."
Lanni finds the torches and tindertwigs and sets about lighting the fire while everyone else is looking at the scenery and making notes.
Lanni looks between Atia and Terry. "Well honestly, you are both right. And if being leader means getting you two to stop fighting with each other, then I really want no part of it. It sounds like a lot of work with no benefit. And where is the fun in that?"
The barbarian says nothing. It's just safer.
"Don't worry too much about me, Terry. I have no intention of fully relinquishing control of myself. And I don't willingly associate with evil spirits - I wouldn't get along with them - just ones that are arrogant, demanding, rude, and short-tempered."
Cocking an eyebrow as his eyes dart left to right, Did he just say he associates with spirits that are demanding and rude and all that? Joran places a hand on top of his head and strokes his hair a few times. No reason.
:⁂: "You're welcome very much. Are you seriously going to try and convince me that you are not?" :⁂: "You do realize that you are proving the point more than you are refuting it, yes?"
Joran stares quizzically at the gnome, wondering who it is he is talking to. Looking around at the others, he notices no one is engaged in conversation with him currently. Slowly cutting his attention back to Lanni, and somewhat creeped out, "You know, Lanni, if you want to talk to someone about all your troubles, I'm a pretty good listener. You don't have to, oh I don't know, talk to yourself out loud or anything. People might talk is all I'm sayin'." He shrugs.
After a bit of huffing, Des manages to get herself up to the top. The fear from her last bout of climbing had taught her to be cautious about climbing anything.
Mateo had her appreciate his optimism. "As much as I hope so, we still have to assume they're still captured, or else the play would likely be crawling with those things... which is also why I doubt there's anyone here. There weren't anyone in that village we stayed in."
Taking in the scenery and getting a feel for what's in front of them Terry sighs. "Well, we don't know if there's anyone up there or not, but if there is they are more likely to be on the same side as our attackers than us." Having turned to address Destinie, he spies Lannie past her, and sees him trying to do something . . .. Light the fire?
"Lannie? What are you doing? We don't need to announce to the world that we're here, or call for their reinforcements, or anything. Signal fires exist to communicate. We don't know the message nor do we know who might be watching for it. Really bad idea."
"You know, Lanni, if you want to talk to someone about all your troubles, I'm a pretty good listener."
Lanni grins at Joran a bit. "Sure. Maybe I'll do that someday. But right now we are a bit busy."
~~~~~
"Signal fires exist to communicate. We don't know the message nor do we know who might be watching for it."
"Yeah. Including Tilly and Sandara. They probably think that the ship sailed on without them. So even if they could escape they might not try to because they think that they have nowhere to escape to." Lanni continues working on lighting the fire while talking.
Atia climbs off of Joran's back when they arrive at the top and makes her way over to 'Dreamer. "What do you want me to take note of?" She asks, pulling her pen and blank paper out of her bag.
"Stop your thoughtless efforts to get us killed! Sandra and Tilly have nothing to do with this signal fire existing. Somebody else does, though, and they will respond to you lighting it. There is no reason to expect them to be friendly given the state of the village."
If forced to physically intervene in order to stop the gnome, Terry will. He doesn't want to, but he wants to find out who will answer the signal fire LESS.
"Are you so easily frightened, Terry?" Mateo says as the man panics about the village. "If they did escape, they could see the fire. If there are threats, we hold the advantage up here. They probably already saw the boat caught on the reef out there anyways."
"Let him light his light. No worse than us being in that damn village." Mateo mutters, scratching at a particularly annoying bug bite.
There is a reprieve from the baking temperatures up here on the hillside, a cooler sea breeze cutting through the brutal heat. A few seagulls share a perch with you. Whether or not one of them is the same one from yesterday is difficult to say, but several of them do seem interested in the group of you, as if begging for scraps. Word has gotten around, it seems.
If you can draw a rough map of the area around us, it would be appreciated. That way we have something to use to roughly plan where we are going to.
He then turns around.
Lanni, can you please stop trying to get us killed.
"Sure, I'll do my best for the map, 'Dreamer."
Atia rolls her eyes at the hysteria over Lanni's actions while she begins to sketch a rough map of the area. As she gets the beginning shape blocked out, she turns slightly toward Joran, nodding her head towards the gnome.
"Love, would you mind picking Lanni up and away from that signal fire?" She asks the barbarian. "Gently. Before the others succumb to hysterics," She adds, glancing up from her sketch briefly, eyebrows raised meaningfully.
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"Sure, I'll do my best for the map, 'Dreamer."
Atia rolls her eyes at the hysteria over Lanni's actions while she begins to sketch a rough map of the area. As she gets the beginning shape blocked out, she turns slightly toward Joran, nodding her head towards the gnome.
"Love, would you mind picking Lanni up and away from that signal fire?" She asks the barbarian. "Gently. Before the others succumb to hysterics," She adds, glancing up from her sketch briefly, eyebrows raised meaningfully.
Nodding, "You got it, darlin'."
Making his way over to the gnome, "Lanni, buddy, I'm gonna have to take you away from the fire. I am sorry to have to do this but I'm just here to keep the peace, my little friend, that's all!" He throws his hands up in a defensive position before reaching to grab him by the collar...
...and just managing to do so. Lifting him in the air and carrying him away, he sets him down and brushes him off. "There, you're all good. Sorry about all that. Now, please don't go over there and try to start it again, or they're gonna make me guard it. And that's just bor-ing. Please? I'm asking. As a friend." He looks upon the gnome with some uncertainty, unsure of how the sad, strange little man is going to respond.
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"Lanni, can you please stop trying to get us killed."
"I'm not trying to get us killed. We could see it from the entire island. We would never risk getting lost."
"Love, would you mind picking Lanni up and away from that signal fire?" She asks the barbarian. "Gently. Before the others succumb to hysterics,"
"Hey now Atia, that's not ver-- Uh, Joran. Slow down there big guy." Lanni scoots away, still trying to get the tindertwig to catch the torch on fire. He darts to the left and Joran just manages to catch him. "Aahhh. No. But the bonfire would be so pretty. Stop it. Let go. Help, I need an adult. Put me down, that tickles."
"There, you're all good. Sorry about all that. Now, please don't go over there and try to start it again, or they're gonna make me guard it. And that's just bor-ing. Please? I'm asking. As a friend."
Lanni sits down on the ground and glares at Joran. "Hmmph. You guys aren't any fun. And you don't take orders from your leader very well." But he does stop trying to move towards the signal fire.
"Love, would you mind picking Lanni up and away from that signal fire?" She asks the barbarian. "Gently. Before the others succumb to hysterics,""Hey now Atia, that's not ver-- Uh, Joran. Slow down there big guy." Lanni scoots away, still trying to get the tindertwig to catch the torch on fire. He darts to the left and Joran just manages to catch him. "Aahhh. No. But the bonfire would be so pretty. Stop it. Let go. Help, I need an adult. Put me down, that tickles."
"There, you're all good. Sorry about all that. Now, please don't go over there and try to start it again, or they're gonna make me guard it. And that's just bor-ing. Please? I'm asking. As a friend."Lanni sits down on the ground and glares at Joran. "Hmmph. You guys aren't any fun. And you don't take orders from your leader very well." But he does stop trying to move towards the signal fire.
Atia giggles a little bit at the scene while she puts the finishing touches on her map. When she's done, she holds it up and compares it to what she's seeing with a critical eye.
Once she's finished, she tucks her book under her arm and walks over to Joran and Lanni, putting a hand on the barbarian's arm and squeezing with gratitude. "Lanni, you're going to have to be content with a figurehead role." She says with a bemused smile. She leans down and whispers to the gnome, "It's more for your safety, friend. I hope you understand. At least Joran is gentle."
"I would have a bit more fun if we find out if Sandy and Tilly make it out okay." She folded her arms anxiously before helping to put out the fire. Anything to keep her mind off the situation.
Joran smiles while giving the gnome a thumbs-up. "We're here for you, little leader buddy." He winks.
Teryy just shakes his head. Do none of these people understand how a signal fire works, or why one is built? While there might be someone over there who would see the fire, we need to worry more about the people just past the horizon who will see the smoke.
"Thank you, Joran, Atia. And thank you, Lannie, for not continuing to fight."
Terry takes a chance to look at the map and compare it to what he sees in front of him. "Shape's close enough. You've got the major things I see represented. I think we can work with this. Don't you agree, 'Dreamer?"
"So, are we going to try to breeze through the jungle to get to the other rocky bit, or are we going to plan to do more exploring, trying to find the water we were sent to get? I think the water can wait if there's a chance to find and save Sandy and Tilly, but I might be prejudiced."
Still sitting on the ground and still sounding a bit grumpy, Lanni chimes in. "How many clerics do we have on the ship? Couldn't we just create enough water to make do for a while? And if we overthrow the current captain as soon as we get back on the ship, then we can stay here as long as we need."
"But I don't know how effective our sailing will be if half the crew kills the other half. We are on limited crew enough as it is."
"I say we track the missing crew. Is anyone any good at tracking?"
"I say we rescue Tilly and Sandara. I care more about them than pleasing Plugg. And if the clerics can conjure some water, even better." Atia looks grim, glaring out at the island. "Time is of the essence. I'm no good at tracking, though."
"I would have a bit more fun if we find out if Sandy and Tilly make it out okay." She folded her arms anxiously before helping to put out the fire. Anything to keep her mind off the situation.
Making his way over to the cleric, "Hey, Destinie, don't worry. We'll find Red and Tilly. And we'll find them alive. You have my word. And when 'Shark Bait' gives his word, it's as good as gold," he smiles, giving her a wink and a nod.
"Thank you, Joran, Atia. And thank you, Lannie, for not continuing to fight."
Nodding, "Any time, Quent. Wasn't too difficult though. My little buddy here is a pretty easygoing fellow; he just pretends to be difficult sometimes." He gives the gnome a wink.
"I say we track the missing crew. Is anyone any good at tracking?"
"I say we rescue Tilly and Sandara. I care more about them than pleasing Plugg. And if the clerics can conjure some water, even better." Atia looks grim, glaring out at the island. "Time is of the essence. I'm no good at tracking, though."
Joran steps up, "I can give it a shot. I'm no man of the woods but I can usually find a track from time to time. C'mon, let's go find us some shipmates."
"It'd be hard work but between us all, we could probably direct the Promise to Rickety's." Says Mateo, who has sat upon the edge of the cliff with his feet dangling off idly. "We should rescue them first off. They seem to hate you all the most and that means that, if they leave, we'll just need to manage here until we're rescued. Wherever here is. We all ready to go?" Mateo asked hesitantly, enjoying the cool breeze.
Atia's map is not perfectly to scale, but is good enough it will come in handy in a pinch if the trail is lost.
The drama of the beacon resolved, you all climb back down the rope, the last one down gathering it up and free climbing. Atia rides on Joran's back again.
A short walk along the beach brings you to where the overgrown road passes from the long abandoned village to the swampy tropical morass. Joran leads the way.
It's miserable going. The 'road' is not very well elevated and often dips into the stagnant salty water that reflects the day's heat back at you. Joran does well to follow the barely-there trail through these sections. Insect pests plague the group, and occasionally the pools shift ominously as some predator or another investigates, but none move to attack.
Cass watched everyone else scaling the bluff and seeing you all get higher in frount of her you could see the color drain from her face, she watched from the bottom and as the smidgen of a fight took place she grimaced and gasped slightly calling up "Careful the edge is RIGHT there." After folks get down she walks over to Atia and Des and asks "What did you see up there? I didn't wanna follow, figured I'd slow you down." she nervously chucked lightly before adding "Couldn't make out what you were all saying too well"