"Seems like there is a sneaky way in. We can set up the rope and descend in through that way tomorrow. Avoid the front of the cave and whatever ambush they'll probably have waiting for us." Mateo says to the other two, nodding back towards the stockade. "We'll check the ship tomorrow, stock up on supplies if there are any there, and then make our way in. Sounds good, yeah?"
Upon returning back to the stockade, Mateo explains what it is that they found there beside cave and where they should probably launch their rescue mission from. Once everyone was up to date, the man would make his way into the shack to settle in for the night quietly.
"Lanni, your spirit is a little too excited about fire. Perhaps you can pick up something a little calmer tomorrow?"
Lanni smiles a bit ruefully. "Yeah, maybe. Not sure calm is best. But maybe someone a bit less extravagant. Though if I knew the island wasn't empty and you guys were wanting to sneak around, I could have worked with someone different today too."
She shows the magical scribbling and diagrams and runes to the medium,
"You would probably have to explain that one to me better. Maybe if I saw it being cast."
"Mateo's plan sounds as good as anything else. I don't like climbing, but I don't like swimming either."
"So can I at least get released so I can go to bed? I promise - no fires while people are sleeping."
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"I like that plan," Atia says, watching Mateo walk off. "Sweet dreams, Mateo!"
"Should take watch in pairs...one person to keep an eye on Lanni, one person to keep an eye on the surroundings," Atia says, grinning at the gnome. "I'll try that spell out tomorrow. Then you can see it."
Atia slips an arm around Joran's waist, leaning against him and looking up at the big man. "Stay close tonight and Asmodeus will keep the bugs off of us again," She says, burying her face into his side and sighing. "All that running. I'm tired. And hungry."
"Mateo's plan sounds as good as anything else. I don't like climbing, but I don't like swimming either."
"So can I at least get released so I can go to bed? I promise - no fires while people are sleeping."
Seriously pondering that request, Joran rolls his eyes, walks over, and unties the gnome before giving him a one-eyed stare. "Now don't make me set watches for you, little buddy. It's funny when I'm more concerned about you than the octopus bugs." He gives him a wink before helping him up so he can stretch his legs. "I'm just kidding." Laying a hand on his shoulder, leaning in close and smiling big, he whispers, "But not really." Leaning back out and chuckling, he gives him a couple of pats and throws him a wink before walking away.
The oracle put her own hand on top of Atia's. "It's the anxiousness. It feels like that's going to kill me if the ghouls and grindylows don't first. And that's not for a lack of trying."
She pulled her fingers through her hair in order to straighten it out. "Everything else feels like I can handle. The mutiny. Getting off this rock. Maybe continuing my life as a pirate. I just want an answer."
-----------------
Des nodded in agreement. "We just need to make sure to do it when there's not much water where we need to worry about breathing."
"Plan sounds fine to me."
"I like that plan," Atia says, watching Mateo walk off. "Sweet dreams, Mateo!"
"Should take watch in pairs...one person to keep an eye on Lanni, one person to keep an eye on the surroundings," Atia says, grinning at the gnome. "I'll try that spell out tomorrow. Then you can see it."
Atia slips an arm around Joran's waist, leaning against him and looking up at the big man. "Stay close tonight and Asmodeus will keep the bugs off of us again," She says, burying her face into his side and sighing. "All that running. I'm tired. And hungry."
Smiling wide, "You don't have to tell me twice, darlin'. And If you want, I can get you some rations out of my pack. It's not much but it's better than nothing. What do you say?"
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well the others are out and about Cass offer the reading to Des that she had asked for earlier
CN Cha Inverse The Courtesan
Dex LN Inverse The Locksmith
CN Wis Inverse The Carnival
CE Str The Cyclone
LN Wis The Queen Mother
LE Str Inverse The Fiend
CG Cha Inverse The Unicorn
LG Int Inverse The Hidden Truth
as Cass retrieves her cards she gestures for Des to come over before calling "I think we finally have time to try this reading, good to get it done before we go into the lions den so to speak."
She then draws the first card setting it onto the ground between the pair flipping a image of a radiant sun bearing down onto a Chelaxian caravan and all of the manacles on slave shattering. ”Ah, the Big Sky in inverse.” she starts ”A momentous change, possibly our revolt that we are planning, in inverse I might expect this path to be a reaction to the revolt, possibly what to expect when we get back to the ship.”
She then flips the next card revealing a three eyed goblin peaking out from behind a mask of Brigh and smiling which she lays down in inverse ”The courtesan, often it represents the hollow lies of those who spout political support, in inverse I might expect it indicates a betrayal by one we thought we could trust.”
Finally for the top row she draws out a third card as she casts it down to meet the other two it reveals a Dwarf holding a skeleton key reaching out for a locked door ”And finally the locksmith in inverse, the one who will betray us doesn’t hold the keys we need to gain our freedom. So we should push on past that betrayal.”
Moving swiftly onto the next layer Cass again tosses out a card showing a carnival mirror reflecting a distorted face that looks almost uncannily like Cass, ”The Carnival in inverse, it represents false dreams, I think in inverse it indicates the opposite, it means that this path is telling us about the reason we came here, Sandara and Tilly.” as she realizes her pace quickens as she moves on
Flipping the next card uncovering a deep black tornado with a face of crackling flame peeking through that almost flickers as it lands ”The cyclone, the forces that oppose all that is good. Here it is the captors.”
And the final card in this set quickly follows the last card depicting a formian queen stationed with a crown “”The Queen Mother, she is found of the downtrodden, this is a good omen, a great one even, I think they remain alive, sheltered by her despite the seemingly unstoppable force that took them!” she says with a smile looking to Des with hopeful eyes.
After letting that process for a moment she then strives on moving to the last row and exposing a card depicting a massive green devil devouring a village in a single bite. ”The fiend in inverse, I think this is best taken at face value to be a current threat either to Tilly and Sandara or to us when we return, the fiend would indicate that it is some massive threat, possibly physically imposing on a level we’ve not yet seen.”
She then takes another and levels it next to the last card showing a white unicorn leaning down and bearing a sword to a knight. ”The unicorn in inverse, it would normally be those giving gifts but here I think it confirms that the path is on those holding Sandara preventing these gifts from being received. It seems as though its massive on a scale we’ve yet to see.”
Finally she places one last card down depicting a wizard holding his finger aloft with a light spell pointing at a tome with a single glowing word in it that can’t be read in any language anyone here speaks surrounded by other words in many different tongues. ”and lastly, the Hidden Truth in inverse, a truth or in this case I think a threat lays hidden from us, possibly under the island itself. Holding the two captive”
The oracle put her own hand on top of Atia's. "It's the anxiousness. It feels like that's going to kill me if the ghouls and grindylows don't first. And that's not for a lack of trying."
She pulled her fingers through her hair in order to straighten it out. "Everything else feels like I can handle. The mutiny. Getting off this rock. Maybe continuing my life as a pirate. I just want an answer."
"In the face of all of this, a known factor - like the mutiny - feels easier to deal with." Atia sighs, shaking her head. "We'll make sure you make it through to the end, Des."
Smiling wide, "You don't have to tell me twice, darlin'. And If you want, I can get you some rations out of my pack. It's not much but it's better than nothing. What do you say?"
"I have some too. Split some, go lay down? We can take the last watch. It'll give me time to memorize my spells for the day." Unless there's any protest, Atia and Joran will go and claim a corner and set up to sleep, Atia spending a moment to speak to Asmodeus about keeping the bugs off of the couple. After sharing some rations, they fall asleep with Joran spooned around the much smaller woman.
Lanni watches the Harrow reading intently. "Now that is fascinating to watch. I wouldn't mind you doing a reading for me too someday."
Barely made!
Lanni watches the Harrow reading intently. "Now that is fascinating to watch. I wouldn't mind you doing a reading for me too someday."
"of course Lanni! I can even do one for you tomorrow morning if you'd like even! though you have to have something in mind for me to focus it on otherwise it could be on any timescale from 10 second to 100 years and I'd know no different!" Cass replies after the Harrowing her mood significantly brighter than before worries somewhat assuaged by the knowledge that Sandara and Tilly were likely alive.
"Oh nice. Well, the past is mostly known and we can't do anything about it anyway. So maybe a time scale of the next month? I've never actually been part of a Harrow reading before."
"Any issues you are particularly worried about? other than those I've just covered with Des that is. Normally its best not to go over the same issues twice that close in succession, if not it may be best to wait for a particular worry to talk about!"
"Hmm... I'm worried about the rest of my old crew. The ones still with Harrigan."
Des watched the cards with baited breath in the hopes of good news. And as it turns out there was a good bit of that in the readings. She took a small breath of relief as she smiled slightly.
"Thanks. You don't know how much I appreciate this. It's not much... but I believe in the cards." There was one thing that did bother her. "I can't really think who would betray us. Maybe Syl if she tries to make us believe she's reformed. I hope it's not Owlbear. I know he hadn't been treated well, but I did try to reach to him."
She looked to see if anyone else was looking before continuing. "I don't know why so many people are so casual about bathing naked."
”Just different lifestyles I suppose, I knew a fair few friends back home who would do it for work. But if I’m being honestly I’m with you there.” Cass says ”People making a show of themselves has always made me nervous, I couldn’t imagine it.”
Upon return
There be a hole in thier cave system that we could probably slip in and out of.but we are going to have to be there for low tide which should be about 6 hours. willing to wait the 8 that the ladies need, but it will mean we are hustling to get there.
He pauses.
same shifts
he then pulls his bedroll out and within 10 minutes is snoring softly.
In the morning Seadreamer gets up, braids both his hair and his beard, settles his armour and then chews on a ration while the others get ready.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the morning, Lanni sits up and stretches a bit. "OK. So the plan is a lot of attacking things, yes?" He looks around at the small fortified area. "Well, this should be a good place then. All the weapon users - gather around. Let's see who we have here."
Lanni spends several minutes meditating and focusing.
:⁂:
"OK. Reasonable. Next."
...
"Anyone else?"
:⁂:
"So there is just you here? Well, I guess fortunately for me you can help us out. And fortunately for you, you don't have much competition."
Spirit Type: Champion
Seance Boon: You gain a +2 bonus on all non-spell damage rolls.
Spirit Bonus: +1 to attack rolls, non-spell damage rolls, Strength checks, Strength-based skill checks, and Fortitude saves.
Influence: ①
Penalty: none
Taboo:
Lesser Power: You gain proficiency in all martial weapons and in one exotic weapon of your choice.
Innate
1/day: Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound, Prestidigitation, Speak with Animals
Cantrips
Medium: Light, Mage Hand, Message, Stabilize
"With the tide in, we couldn't tell how deep the cave is under the sinkhole. We ought to take a pair of ropes, secure them together for the extra length, and then knot them to make the climb easier for everyone. Have to tie the knots closer together than I normally would in order to keep it easy for everyone."
The "step" knots will be simple overhand knots (doubled, with the second literally "on top" of [around?] the first), and the join will be a blood knot. Simple, quick, and gets tighter and stronger when weight pulls the two apart.
"'Dreamer's right, if we're going to take best advantage of the tide, we've only got another 4 hours, really, before we need to head down there. We can probably push that out to 6, but if we try to wait much longer than that, we'll need to wait for the NEXT low tide instead. I think that'll make our timeline rushed. Especially if we're going to get the water we came here for, and we do actually need."
"You are sure that the tide was fully in when you left? Fighting while exhausted doesn't sound like a good idea. Fighting without magic backup also doesn't sound like a good idea. I'm not great at swimming, but Cass says that she can keep us all from drowning, so missing low tide won't be nearly as bad."
"But going in the defended front door will always be harder. Fighting in the water is harder for us, whether you're drowning or not. They are sea creatures, so they will have a significant advantage if we fight them in the water. REALLY bad idea."
"And you are somehow sure that there won't be any swimming involved at low tide? And how about Mateo's idea of going in through a different way instead of the front door?"
"I'm all for taking chances and going big. But we all need to be at our best - not just the ones that don't have to sleep as much."
"I'm not going in until those with the wiggly fingers are set. Magic can make or break a fight. The Man's Promise won't leave as night falls, I am sure. They want us to bring the water back and then kill us." Mateo said from his bedroll, his hat down over most of his face from within the shack.
Thinking best approach is theough the top, as for how deep it is in there at low tide, we didnt go ask if thats what youre wondering about. use terrys rope knots and shimmy down. And Lanni this is the back door. the cave mouth is thier front door.
He then sets out at a fast pace towards the hole they found the previous day.
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Mateo helps get the water barrels filled and carries them down to the beachside; hard but honest work before their expected violence. He passed the remaining time watching the cave entrance and watching where the ship from whence they all came. As they head down again, Mateo nods towards the wrecked ship on shore.
"Do we want to check that out first or go straight to the hole?"
Terry works with the barrels as well.
"We can, but we have to be ready to run if we're going to stay ready for the rescue attempt. We can't get sucked into using up the magics there instead, right? Or we can wait. If we win the fight for control of The Man's Promise, we could come back."
Seadreamer helps get the barrels filled and to the launch the previous night.
I think we should look over the wreck after we take the promise we will have time then.
"Actually, I saw that first hand with your first love," She grinned slightly. Regardless of her reaction, she dropped the smile to that of concern. "How have you been holding up with Scourge? I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone."
--------------------------------------
"I rather we finish the rescue thank you very much," she replied anxiously. The harrowing and the work on the barrels helped keep her mind off their situation at least temporarily, but she was all set for going into the cave.
Well we have until last light. Thats when Plugg stated he was going to set sail with or without us
Well we have until last light. Thats when Plugg stated he was going to set sail with or without us
"Then the sooner we get going the sooner we can be done with this whole island."
Lanni opens the gate of the fort and looks out.
:⁂:
"Your corn? Yeah, it is still there. Well, the parts that haven't burned. It is infested by Awhecks though."
:⁂:
"No. There were flies too though. Why?"
:⁂:
"Well then that's not very helpful is it. If you ever do remember, let me know."
Lanni calls out to Destinie, "Hey Des. How long did you say that the ghoul in the shack was hanging there?"
Well we have until last light. Thats when Plugg stated he was going to set sail with or without us"Then the sooner we get going the sooner we can be done with this whole island."
Lanni opens the gate of the fort and looks out.
:⁂:
"Your corn? Yeah, it is still there. Well, the parts that haven't burned. It is infested by Awhecks though.":⁂:
"No. There were flies too though. Why?":⁂:
"Well then that's not very helpful is it. If you ever do remember, let me know."Lanni calls out to Destinie, "Hey Des. How long did you say that the ghoul in the shack was hanging there?"
Destinie's face perked up as she answered. "I would say between 1 and 5 years. Why are you asking that?"
"I would say between 1 and 5 years. Why are you asking that?"
"I strongly suspect that he is the spirit that I found here. Being trapped as an undead creature for years would explain why he doesn't remember much."
Joran aids the others in collecting the water and moving it to where it needs to go.
"Then the sooner we get going the sooner we can be done with this whole island."
Lanni opens the gate of the fort and looks out.
:⁂:
"Your corn? Yeah, it is still there. Well, the parts that haven't burned. It is infested by Awhecks though.":⁂:
"No. There were flies too though. Why?":⁂:
"Well then that's not very helpful is it. If you ever do remember, let me know."Lanni calls out to Destinie "Hey Des. How long did you say that the ghoul in the shack was hanging there?"
Joran looks curiously back at Lanni, his eyes cutting in various directions as if he might actually be able to spot who he's talking to. "I'm pretty sure Atia said ankhegs, Lanni. I knew it wasn't 'antkegs', that just didn't make any sense. Also...," he pauses, truly afraid to ask who he's talking to for the umpteenth time.
But he's interrupted by Destinie's response - and finding himself glad for it - and he waits a moment.
"I strongly suspect that he is the spirit that I found here. Being trapped as an undead creature for years would explain why he doesn't remember much."
Cocking an eyebrow, Joran moves over to the gnome and bends at the knees to get to his eye level. "You know, little buddy, you are the weirdest healer I've ever met. I've heard of priests speaking with the undead but not like you and I are talking right now. Like they're your buddies or something. You don't really talk to these... spirits, do you?" He asks, truly curious.
Cocking an eyebrow, Joran moves over to the gnome and bends at the knees to get to his eye level. "You know, little buddy, you are the weirdest healer I've ever met."
...
"You don't really talk to these... spirits, do you?" He asks, truly curious.
Lanni pats Joran on the shoulder. "It's OK Joran. Expand your horizons a bit. I'll see if I can explain while we walk."
"Because yes, talking to these spirits is exactly what I do. It is something I've been able to do for as long as I can remember. I'm still working on getting better at it too."
"It becomes a bit of a trade. I anchor the spirit for a bit and let it experience a bit of life again, and they teach me useful things and help out. Like helping you not get muscle locked by the ghouls yesterday. That's also how I was able to pass as a cleric earlier. I haven't actually been able to heal anyone for several days now. Because each spirit teaches me something different."
"Today, it is how to use a proper sword." Lanni gestures to the rapier that he has at ready access on his belt. "Apparently our ghoul in the shack was quite a survivor while he was alive."
Eyes going wide, "So that was you?! I knew I heard a voice! Thank the gods! I thought I was cracking. I could feel my muscles tightening up to where I knew it wouldn't be long before I couldn't move and the next thing I hear real quietly is, 'You heard him, no locking up.' He nods emphatically. "The next thing I know, that feeling was gone. Wow. That's amazing."
Curious about a good many things, "So these spirits, they talk to you all the time?"
"I hear them almost constantly, though it is usually very feint and they aren't actually talking to me. It's more like I am eavesdropping on them."
"But that is the purpose of my meditations in the mornings. To get the attention of one on a more long-term basis."
Nodding in understanding, "Okay, I see. Interesting. So you get the spirit's attention, like the dead guy's spirit that was back in the stockade, and he helps you fight better? Is that the dead guy's spirit's decision? Or does it depend on how they lived their life? How is that all decided I guess is what I'm asking? Or maybe you decide?" He asks, shrugging.
Atia, having just finished memorizing her spells for the days, flexes her fingers and takes stock of her things before making her way over to Joran and Lanni. Not wanting to interrupt the pair, she slips an arm around the barbarian's waist and gives it a squeeze, listening intently to their conversation.
When there is a lull in the conversation, Atia raises her eyebrows with interest. "How do you feel about lighting fires today, Lanni?" She asks with a grin. "I wish I knew more about the occult practices - I've always found things like Cass' Harrowing and the spirit realm and the like so fascinating, but it was not something that someone of my rank was really 'allowed' to pursue." Atia rolls her eyes, her grin turning wry. She notices the others milling about and everyone seeming ready to get moving now that she and the other spellcasters had had time to rest.
"Shall we head out? Let's just get to Sandara and Tilly. The shipwreck can wait, I think. Probably full of more undead, anyway."
Cantrips: Acid splash, detect magic, prestidigitation
1st: (4/4 + 1 extra conj) color spray, mage armor, burning disarm, air bubble
2nd: (2/2 + 1 extra conj) create pit; summon monster II
"I don't fully know how they still have any ability to influence things. It has something to do with anchoring with me, but I don't really understand it. I do get to choose who I work with though. Which is why I try to interview them rather thoroughly first."
"You know. It is kinda nice to be able to talk about it openly like this. Most of the time when I have discussed it I get called a necromancer. That doesn't end well."
"How do you feel about lighting fires today, Lanni?" She asks with a grin.
Lanni grins back. "I've still got one bottle of fire left and I'm definitely keeping it handy. Maybe I'll save it for Scourge though."
After a slightly more comfortable rest and a short prayer, she was all ready to continue their journey into the cave.
"From what you gathered, we won't have much time until high tide, so we better get moving."
"I would say between 1 and 5 years. Why are you asking that?""I strongly suspect that he is the spirit that I found here. Being trapped as an undead creature for years would explain why he doesn't remember much."
Huh. Des leaned forward a bit. "Did he give you a name? Or how long he lasted on this island? How about the name of his lover?"
Des leaned forward a bit. "Did he give you a name? Or how long he lasted on this island? How about the name of his lover?"
"Uh..."
:⁂:
"No, can't remember names. Was here for about a year though."
Atia, having just finished memorizing her spells for the days, flexes her fingers and takes stock of her things before making her way over to Joran and Lanni. Not wanting to interrupt the pair, she slips an arm around the barbarian's waist and gives it a squeeze, listening intently to their conversation.
When there is a lull in the conversation, Atia raises her eyebrows with interest. "How do you feel about lighting fires today, Lanni?" She asks with a grin. "I wish I knew more about the occult practices - I've always found things like Cass' Harrowing and the spirit realm and the like so fascinating, but it was not something that someone of my rank was really 'allowed' to pursue." Atia rolls her eyes, her grin turning wry. She notices the others milling about and everyone seeming ready to get moving now that she and the other spellcasters had had time to rest.
"Shall we head out? Let's just get to Sandara and Tilly. The shipwreck can wait, I think. Probably full of more undead, anyway."
The barbarian smiles as Atia walks up and puts her arm around him. He reciprocated the gesture by placing his arm around her neck and resting it lightly upon her shoulders. "Yeah, yeah, walk and talk. You got it." He nods.
"I don't fully know how they still have any ability to influence things. It has something to do with anchoring with me, but I don't really understand it. I do get to choose who I work with though. Which is why I try to interview them rather thoroughly first."
"You know. It is kinda nice to be able to talk about it openly like this. Most of the time when I have discussed it I get called a necromancer. That doesn't end well."
"A necromancer, huh? Yeah, I can imagine that doesn't end well. So you interview them? Wow. This just gets weirder the more I hear. But, for what it's worth, it does seem to come in handy. Helped us in combat. Seemed like I was able to hit things a bit easier. And it saved me from going rigid from the ghoul bite. THAT was definitely a lifesaver. You know, these spirits, as weird as it sounds, seem... I don't know... helpful? That really sounds odd to say."
Looking ahead as they walk, the barbarian chews on the inside of his lip as he seems to be contemplating something else. Cutting his attention back to the gnome, "Okay, so, when you say 'them', does that mean you talk to several all the time? And why does it have to be in a specific place? Or does it? I've noticed you seem to be particular about specific places. Or maybe you don't, I don't know. Take the ship, for instance. You had to be in the kitchen. Or near it anyway. Or is that something you chose on purpose for 'just because' reasons?"
"How do you feel about lighting fires today, Lanni?" She asks with a grin.Lanni grins back. "I've still got one bottle of fire left and I'm definitely keeping it handy. Maybe I'll save it for Scourge though."
Smiling, "You know, that's the best idea you've had yet when it comes to fire. Now you're talking, little buddy."
"You know, these spirits, as weird as it sounds, seem... I don't know... helpful? That really sounds odd to say."
"I have certainly found them to be. Well - as long as I choose well."
"Okay, so, when you say 'them', does that mean you talk to several all the time? And why does it have to be in a specific place?"
"Well, I don't think I have ever tried to link with more than one. I suppose it is possible, but seems risky. One is more than enough for me."
"As for location, I have found that people still tend to congregate around things that interest them - even the spirits that they leave behind. So it is easier for me to get their attention when they are already interested in the area. Otherwise they tend to be here and gone too fast. So a shrine is a good place to find a cleric or other divine spellcaster. That type of thing."
"You know, that's the best idea you've had yet when it comes to fire."
Lanni just grins wickedly at Joran for that one.
Nodding in understanding, "Ooooh, I see. That is interesting. So, if there are no dead people around, you can't talk to a spirit at all. But if you're sitting in a graveyard, the world is your oyster when it comes to spirits. Do I have that right?"
"Something like that. I have to admit - this morning only finding one hanging around was something I haven't ever seen before. I guess even spirits don't like ghouls."