Jask looks up when he hears his name. "Perhaps, just for the good of us all, we should gather and allow me to tap into the healing power of my deity." Looking around, he asks, "Where are Jasper, Meraxes and Ishirou? Ah, I suppose they are talking in that tent there - they're close enough." Jask closes his eyes, whispers a few words and then opens his eyes wide. At that moment, you feel a wave energy wash over your body.
Channel Positive Energy 1d6 ⇒ 5
"I hope that was beneficial," Jask says. Turning specifically to Allia, he says, "Did I hear that you wanted to study and learn some healing arts? Are your magical gifts granted to by your deity?"
"I would have to wholeheartedly endorse that statement," Jask says, smiling weakly and pointing to his bandaged thigh. "I had a run in with some of the cousins of the goats you met yesterday. One of their horns found a home in my thigh. Luckily, I was nearby and, admittedly, know a small amount of magic. Tomorrow, Brin will go hunting with me. His company will be much appreciated."
"I think Brin will be fine as long as he rests. His body is already healing him. Besides, Dragolan and I have shown Gelik the essentials - he can see to Brin's needs while we're gone."
Jask claps his hands together. "That is wonderful! Wonderful indeed. There is little question that your Mystery will have its hunger satisfied here on this very island." he says. "There are countless varieties of creatures and plants to satiate even the most voracious appetites for Life."
Jask's eyes grow wide and his face breaks into a large smile. "Oho! So, may I ask, what that Mystery might be? I've not met a...vessel...such as yourself in my lifetime. I apologize if my eagerness comes across as rude, but I am quite fascinated."
At Dragolan's question, Jask responds, "No. I cut myself on a sharpened stick. I suppose it was a remnant of some previous stranded campers."
Stepping out of the tent, he says, "Brin is sleeping peacefully. He is not well yet, but I believe he will recover. You have done well with him, Dragolan. Are you practiced in the healing arts?"
Jask says, "I have heard similar stories. There are rumors that a group of shipwrecked Chelish soldiers, survivors of an attempted Thrune invasion of Sargava some 70 years ago, were stranded on an island in Desperation Bay. The rumors claim that they degenerated into a cannibalistic society, and that their descendants scour the isle’s shores for shipwreck victims to add to their meals."
Seeing the response his words have on the group, he quickly backtracks. "Again, these are just rumors. I'm sure there is nothing to them." Then, as if to change the subject, he says, "Now, what are your plans for exploration and division of camp duties?"
Jask, overhearing Petry and Allia's little disagreement, moves over. "You have the captain's log?" he asks. "Would you be willing to allow someone to review it to perhaps uncover what happened?"
"I cannot express my gratitude to you for believing me. Since you have done such, I will tell you my story, if you care to hear it."
"I have already told you I was innocent - but not of what. I was once employed by the Sargavan government, but when I uncovered evidence of corruption involving illicit deals with the Free Captains of the Shackles, I confronted my superior, only to be betrayed and framed for the same crimes. Faced with imprisonment, I fled all the way to Corentyn, where I've lived in relative peace for a decade." He pauses before continuing.
He begins with a little more anger in his voice. "I thought my enemies had forgotten me, but a Sargavan agent - the "X" who wrote the letter to the captain - caught up with me and put me in irons. The agent handed me over to the captain of the Jenivere for delivery to Eleder to be tried for a crime I didn't commit."
"I know that it is hard to believe that I am innocent. That I was framed."
Gelik snorts "You got that right, old man," Jask ignores him.
"One of the incriminating papers that I found so long ago indicated that one of my superior’s contacts in the Shackles was a man named Avret Kinkarian. Kinkarian’s ship, the Brine Demon, was said to have wrecked here on Smuggler’s Shiv. I...know it’s a long shot, but if we could track the ship and explore the wreck, there may be actual evidence aboard to prove my innocence." As he finishes, he realizes that he has spoken more to you than any other person for some time.
As Jask's manacles fall away, he stretches his arms, obviously glad to be able to move them fully again. "Thank you," he says. He goes over to his equipment and looks down. "May I?" he asks.
Jask's attitude has shifted to Indifferent.
"I am a follower of Nethys, yes. I have served him all of my life." he says. He quickly adds, "If any of you are familiar with him, you can attest that he is not an evil or nefarious deity."
It probably wouldn't have mattered, Petry. I would have taken those from you, too!
Turning to Petry, Jask says, "Thank you for words. I am in chains because I spoke the truth about people more powerful and important than I am." His voice breaks and he is silent for just a moment. That is when Kalis starts speaking.
As he finishes, Jask says, "But I can prove it - or rather - we - can prove it. Just please, release me."
At Kalis' words, he brightens. "I am innocent. I swear it!"
Hearing Allia mention finding his things, he turns to her with intensity. "You found my things? Was my holy symbol inside?" Then, in a little more desperation, "Please, please, please. I am innocent. Undo these chains and allow me to help us!"
Again, Jask asks if you've found anything of his - or at least the keys to release him from his manacles. He is getting desperate and he hasn't yet seen the footlocker with his name on it.
In response to Allia's question, Jask says, "Yes, we can, but it will be much slower going - the jungle is incredibly dense in this area. I suggest we walk along the beach to the wreckage and then, perhaps, through the jungle in the heat of the day."
As Jask speaks, Ishirou glares at him, but says nothing.
Hearing Kalis mention the wrecked ship, Jask immediately perks up. "The ship! The keys to my restraints are there, in the captain's quarters. I am sure of it. Please, I can help if you just free me from these bonds!"
"I'm not being shipped 'out of' - I'm being shipped 'back to.' I fled when I found out I was being framed. My enemies have long memories."
A look of anger immediately crosses his features and he grips the mop tightly - but it passes almost as quickly as it appeared as his passive, defeated look returns. "You won't believe this, but I am guilty of nothing more than speaking the truth. I am innocent of any crime. But the powerful have spoken, and I am in chains. So my innocence is of little comfort to me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really must finish these chores. I want to give no reason to the crew to not get a meal this evening." His eyes fall and he returns to mopping the deck.
"If you'll excuse me, m'lady. I need to finish swabbing the deck." A man, in manacles and holding a mop, looks at Allia. The passengers have only seen him a few times since coming aboard. Typically, he is allowed out of his cell a couple of times per week to mop the deck and stretch his legs - but it is usually before most are awake. Today, however, the one responsible had overslept, thanks to last night's carousing. He looks as if all hope, life and joy have left him.
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