Gelik Aberwhinge aka Navior's page

At that moment, there's a shout from down the street, and you see Gelik running towards you, clutching at his hat to keep it from flying off his head. "Don't go just yet!" he calls.

He reaches the group, huffing. "I just...wanted..." he gasps between breaths, "to say...goodbye." He takes a moment to catch his breath. Then he holds his hand out to Lorenz. "Good luck, my friend. I envy your opportunity to get to the city before me."

After shaking Lorenz's hand, he shakes everyone else's in turn, even Douena's if she'll let him. Pezock only grudgingly does so.

"The main group will be just a few days behind you," he says afterwards. "A week at the absolute most, but hopefully less than that. We'll eagerly look forward to any reports that you manage to send back."

Douena looks blankly at the inappropriately oversized (in her Small hands) compass, tries to fit it several of her pockets without success, then drops it in her backpack where it threatens to overbalance her like a turtle on its shell. She takes it out again and hands it back to Gelik. "I don't want this," she explains politely. "It's useless. I might as well fill my pockets with sand."

Gelik frowns as Douena hands him the wayfinder. "Useless? Sand?" he stutters. "But it's..." He pauses and sighs. Then he turns and hands the wayfinder to Lorenz. "Well, it belongs to the group now. If Douena doesn't want it, I'm sure you can trade it in for something she does want in the market. It's none of my concern."

He turns to face the whole group. Removing his hat, he gives a slight bow. "I will come to see you off in the morning," he says. He places his hat back on and walks away.

Mahjik imposes himself a bit from behind Lorenz, "The Pathfinders don't happen to have some way that we can communicate once we go off? It would be a significant boon to both the advance and the main expedition to be able to let each other know what is happening."

Gelik shakes his head. "I don't think so," he says and looks to Finze for confirmation. The halfling shakes his head. Gelik continues, "I was referring to simply sending runners ahead with messages. Obviously, we would only be able to do that for important messages."

Gelik's eyes suddenly light up. "Although, perhaps we can get hold of a trained falcon or other bird to carry messages back and forth." He again looks to Finze, who just shrugs. "Well, I can look into it," Gelik continues. "At the very least, it might make Douena happy for a day or two."

With Douena and Pezock gone, Lorenz takes the opportunity to spend time with his friend.

"Well, Gelik! How's it feel to be back in the fold? Are you enjoying the research? Did you find anything we should be aware of?"

After he's had a moment to compose himself, Gelik turns back to Lorenz to answer his question. He clears his throat and adjusts his hat. "Lorenz, yes, you were asking about the research. Yes, I'd have to say I'm most definitely enjoying it. It's great to be back in the fold again, working with experienced and knowledgeable Pathfinders." He glances nervously at Amivor and Finze, but the two of them don't seem to be paying attention to him at the moment.

"I think we've covered everything you need to be aware of, but if we discover anything else, we will certainly try to send word ahead to you."

"You do realize that we could just leave them two here to distract anyone who'd want to horn in on our expedition?"

Gelik laughs, then flushes red with embarrassment. He turns away slightly to avoid anyone noticing, but it's too late for that.

Gelik sighs and mutters under his breath.

Douena has been staring at Gelik across the table. Now her lips move.

** spoiler omitted **

Gelik looks across at Douena, his eyes narrowing in anger. Then he looks away. With a scowl, he straightens his hat. He doesn't respond.

"Gelik has not apologized!" Douena answers just as hotly. "I've never heard him say anything of the sort! He doesn't think he has anything to apologize for!"

Unless I've missed it somewhere, of course. But I haven't seen him apologize to anyone, even when Douena was out of the room. All he's said is that he acted in our best interests and we should thank him for it. And if he did apologize when she was out of the room, then she hasn't heard it. As a matter of fact, what he actually said when she was out of the room was that he refused to apologize to her under any circumstances.

You're right. He never actually apologized.

Gelik sighs and looks about to say something, but stops and lets the conversation continue. He nods at the comments of Lorenz and Makoa. "You are absolutely right. The Pathfinders present the best chance for reaching and exploring Saventh-Yhi. I recommend taking them up on their offer, as I highly doubt any other group will offer anything better."

He pauses a moment and sighs again. "However, I have a suggestion to help ease the troubles in the group." He clutches at his hat and shifts on his feet uncomfortably. "I suggest that I travel with the main Pathfinder expedition behind your smaller advance group. Douena and I obviously need time to allow our tempers to cool and this seems the best way. I apologize for my part in the conflict that has arisen. I do honestly believe that I was acting in the best interests of the group, and I thought--perhaps naively--my actions would be seen as a happy surprise or gift. Nevertheless, I probably should have conferred with the rest of the group before going ahead with them."

He takes a deep breath, nods, and places his hat back on his head. "Well then, I'll let you continue your discussions alone. If you should decide not to sign with the Pathfinders and go with someone else or even go it alone, well...I wish you the best of luck." He nods again and walks to the door, patting Lorenz on the side as he passes him. He opens the door, goes through, and closes it again behind him.

"Yes, we were hoping to use the Colonial Archives to get a better idea of the exact location," Gelik says. "However, if you can figure it out yourself, then..."

He pauses and glances at the others, particularly at Douena hiding behind Pezock's feathers. He clears his throat. "Of course, before we start giving this information away, my friends would like to know what the Pathfinders are offering."

Gelik hesitates as the rest of you gather prepare to rush out. "Let's not forget that the appointed time is noon," he says. "It would be rude to show up too early. It would also make us look somewhat desperate." He pauses. "Then again, if Douena's gone early by herself, that could be outright disastrous." He sighs. "Very well, let's go."

Urza looks at the doorway to make sure someone isn't there. "We'll I'm not looking forward to have to deal with Douena at our meeting with the Pathfinders. It ought to prove an interesting conversation at least."

Gelik laughs nervously. "Indeed, it should be very interesting," he says. "Perhaps she's still sulking and will refuse to come to the meeting. That might make things go more smoothly." He glances at the rest of you, particularly Sasha. "Not that I'm suggesting she shouldn't, of course," he adds quickly.

"Blood?" Gelik says. "I don't think he owns any blood that doesn't run in his veins. What a strange question. But as for what he's like, I'd say he's a good person. You have to realize I don't know him particularly well, but I have spent a bit of time talking to him last night and today, and he is certainly knowledgeable about the area and of Pathfinder operations, which of course, he ought to be, given his position. Based on early impressions, I would consider him very competent."

Gelik nods slowly and places his hat down on the table with a sigh. "I'm sure you will be quite pleased with what we can offer," he says.

Gelik looks around the table, waiting expectantly for a response. When none comes immediately, he starts to look crestfallen. "I'll remind you, you did ask me to set up a meeting," he says. "You could at least respond."

As Bergi begins to serve drinks, and the lizard entertains, Gelik enters the tavern and strides over to the group. He glances at Douena playing with the lizard before taking a seat at the table. "Good news!" he says. "As requested, I have arranged for a meeting with the Pathfinders tomorrow at noon. We'll meet with Venture-Captain Finze Bellaugh. He's very excited to meet you all."

Urza looks at Lorenz, "I didn't realize that you were a pathfinder. No matter. Gelik, why don't you arrange a meeting?""

"I'd be happy to arrange a meeting with the Venture Captain for you," Gelik says, his mood clearly perking up a bit. "I'll head back there after breakfast."

Mahjik tries not to get too distracted from his bread, but once Douena and Sasha have vanished from ear and eye sight he gets up and sternly stands over Gelik. "Didn't you teach that a sense of timing and understanding your audience is the key skill in performance?" He sighs a little, "I suppose we're all finally off the Shiv, so all that pent-up anxieties now look for release; you and Douena both - you to ratify yourself and Douena to find her inner star; you're both looking for recognition. ...I don't suppose you can find it in you to apologize to her? She and Jask - with the power of their gods - have been the cornerstones of our survival on the island. I cannot imagine an expedition without her, and I certainly wouldn't want to join one."

"The cornerstone?" Gelik sputters. "Douena? Have you ever truly listened to her? Everything she says and does comes down to 'me, me, me'. She is unrepentantly selfish and cares for nothing but her own amusement. She likes you if you agree with her; she hates you if you don't. And if she doesn't get her own way, she cries like a child to draw attention away from why she didn't get her own way and to garner false sympathy." He takes a deep breath and looks up at Mahjik. "Are pent-up anxieties looking for release? Most definitely. Will I apologize to Douena? Most definitely not. I will happily accept her apology, although I am sure such an apology will never materialize." He grabs a piece of cheese and shoves it in his mouth.

"Well, Gelik, why you over any other group that would want to 'help'."

Gelik takes a moment to finish chewing while he ponders a response. "Why should we work with the Pathfinders over some other group, you mean? Well, first off, few other groups have the resources or experience with this kind of thing. We will receive better help from them than just about any other group we could go to. I suppose we could go to the Aspis Consortium, but I warn you, go to them, and they will try to take control. Go to them and it really will become what Douena is accusing me of doing. It will be their discovery and none of us will get any credit for it, even though we will do the brunt of the work."

Gelik puts down his bread and stands up. "Now just one moment," he says crossly. "I did not sell anyone out. I did not claim that this was my discovery. I told them what the whole group had discovered, and I gave them the transcript of our experiences that Lorenz and I worked on together. The Pathfinders would like to fund an expedition to the city. Precisely the sort of thing we need. We can't just traipse off into the jungle without proper supplies, and proper supplies will cost us money. The Pathfinders have money, and unless you want to use up the entire treasure you found, we need that money. And yes, Urza, I promised to make sure the Abendego Cantos were publicized and I fully intend to do that. It's a brilliant work and deserves attention. It will take several days to prepare for the expedition, and in that time, I can start dropping word of it at various locations in the city, particularly at the Pathfinder lodge. But you will need to be patient. It will take time for the word to spread to other towns and cities. I can give it a good boost in the next few days and then another boost again when we return from the expedition, possibly even a few in between as we send messengers back."

He sighs and clutches his hat in annoyance. "Really, everything I've done, I've done in the interest of everyone here and this is the thanks I get."

Gelik walks into the tavern. "Good morning, my friends!" he says jovially and sits down at the table. You're not entirely certain whether he returned and slept in the inn last night or if he's just getting back now. He grabs a piece of bread and some cheese for himself.

"I have had a most productive time," he announces. "I am once again in good standing with the Pathfinders. The records from the Nightvoice that you so ably helped me find went a long way. However, I dare say Venture-Captain Bellaugh was much more interested in the lost city. Indeed, he's offered to fund an expedition and has asked me to join it. Naturally, I suggested the rest of you should be involved too, and he was most open to the idea."

Gelik is also amongst the first to use the baths (unless someone else stops him), then eats. As soon as he's finished eating, he stands up. "Well, I mustn't delay. I'm off to the Pathfinder Lodge. Wish me luck, everyone!" He rubs his hands together gleefully, then places his hat on his head. "I'll return in a little while."

He leans over to Lorenz and says quietly (but not so softly that no one else can hear), "Once everything's cleared up there, I'll bring you round and introduce you."

With a broad smile on his face, he turns and heads happily out of the Sargava Club.

Mahjik sidles up to Gelik as they make their way to the Sargava club. He doesn't feel he particularly is unpresentable and shabby after their long stint on the Shiv, but that may be because his Vudran blood lends him a certain unkempt look that is considered by and large as normal for the bronze-skinned people. Wise woman insists that a bath never hurt anyone, though, so must try it. To the bard he mentions, "Do you know if Eleder has a lodge or some other representation of the Pathfinders?"

"Of course it does!" Gelik says. "Why else do you think I'm so eager to get to it to restore my good name? All major settlements worldwide have a Pathfinder Lodge. Eleder may be small for a capital city, but it's still a capital city."

"There is nothing wrong with being neat and tidy," Gelik says. "It lends you credibility. And if you don't believe me," he says, eyeing Douena, "you'll find out the truth of that here in Eleder. Now, given the situation we've been through, I certainly don't hold anything against any of you for looking like you do. However, people here don't know what we've been through, so Lorenz is absolutely right. We need to get cleaned up, even me. There's only so much my spells can do. The sooner we do that, the sooner I can report to the local Pathfinder Lodge and restore my good name!" He straightens his hat.

Gelik harrumphs. "Fun?" he says. "I will be very relieved to be off this island. Hopefully a ship will pass by sometime in the next few days, notice the light and come to investigate. If you're looking for fun and excitement, I'm sure you'll find much more off the island, travelling the world. This tiny island is nothing compared to that."

He straightens his hat and gazes wistfully towards the sea. "Only a matter of time now," he says.

"Oh, some of use should definitely stay here," Gelik says. "Like Douena says, we need to test the light, and if it's not right, we need to make it right. The sooner we get it working, the sooner we can be rescued, get off this island, and return to civilization." He straightens his hat and jacket. "Obviously, I'll stay here to supervise the lighthouse test. Who'll be with me?"

"The wall-writing didn't say where it was," Douena intrudes, "but it said somewhere to go to find directions to where it is. Only we didn't know where that place was, either."

Which NPC has Knowledge (geography)? Jask?

Both Jask and Gelik, though Jask has the higher bonus.

"Really?" Gelik sounds very excited. "Tell me what it says!" After listening to the description, he thinks for a moment, hopping agitatedly from one foot to the other.

Gelik Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Jask Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Finally, he shakes his head. "No, I don't recognize it." He looks over at Jask who also shakes his head. He frowns momentarily, but then brightens up again. "However, one we're in Eleder, we can use the Colonial Archives to find out where this place is. They have extensive volumes of the Pathfinder Chronicles there, as well as numerous other sources that could help us narrow down this location! We must get back to work on the lighthouse immediately!"

Without waiting for anyone else, he scurries back into the lighthouse.

Gelik applauds heartily when Lorenz finishes the tale. "Well done, my boy! Well done! You've come a long way in these last few weeks. Now, tell me again, what did you say the name of the ancient city was?"

After Lorenz has informed him, he nods. "Yes, I thought you said that. Well, I'll be." A glint has formed in his eyes, and he continues slightly more excitedly, "Saventh-Yhi is one of the most sought-after lost cities of Garund. Legends speak that it was built by the Azlanti. Such a discovery could revolutionize what is known about the ancient empire! The information you've found, properly transcribed and recorded, could be worth thousands! Hard evidence about the location would be priceless!"

"Yes, yes, most definitely going well," Gelik interjects. "Much better than I expected in fact. Another day or two and it should be ready."

He strides over to Lorenz. "My boy, I'd like you to tell me every detail of your encounter with Ieana. This needs to be recorded for posterity."

"It seems we are agreed on how we are proceeding then," Gelik says. "I suggest we get a good night's sleep in. Whichever group we're in, we have a lot of work to do in the morning. Good night." He straightens his hat and heads to bed.

"I think that is an appropriate plan," Gelik says. "I would be quite happy to help with the lighthouse. I have some understanding of that kind of thing."

Gelik steps forward and adjusts his hat. "In the last few weeks, I only got to know Aerys a little bit even though we spent a lot of time together at the various camps. At first, she was distant as she battled her personal demons, and then she was generally handling guard duty. However, what I did get to know of her was good, especially what I learned of her through her writing. It was a great honour to perform her Cantos. I will always treasure the opportunity. The work deserves wide recognition, and once I have regained favour with the Pathfinders, I will use my contacts with them to ensure that this work is spread far and wide. Farewell, Aerys." He steps back again and wipes tears from his eyes.

Approaching quietly, Lorenz says, "Thank you for the lesson, Gelik. I think this has been one of the best days I've had on the island thus far. When we finally get to Eleder I'll buy you a drink and maybe we can tell more stories in a nice clean tavern away from the distractions of this harsh climate and the brutal sun."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, my boy," Gelik says. He takes off his hat and gazes at it forlornly, adjusting the tassel a little. "But there's no denying I was not at my best today. More things for Douena to mock me about. But don't worry. I'll get over it. And we'll definitely have that drink once we're finally off this island. Gods know, I'll need it."

Jask also joins the group with Gelik (Mahjik, Douena, let me know if you're joining in too), and once everyone is ready, Gelik begins with a tale about his "stupid hat", a day when a gust of wind blew it away and it suffered all kinds of misfortune (falling in mud, getting stepped on, chewed on by a dog, getting caught in a tree, and so on) before finally, by pure chance, winding up back with Gelik again, at which point he repaired and cleaned it. He uses the story as an example of effective use of language. He then launches into a lecture on how to choose the right words for a given situation (choosing between synonyms, etc.). He colours the lecture with several additional funny stories.

After the break during the hot hours of the afternoon, he discusses methods of comedy, once again using numerous funny anecdotes as examples.

Gelik Perform (comedy): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Alas, his comedy routines really seem to fall short today, much weaker than what he's generally capable of. By the end of the day, he's obviously frustrated and he slips off quietly to a secluded part of the grove.

Gelik adjusts his hat after Pezock's outburst. He turns to Mahjik. "I feel quite ready. We will use the same area that Jask used yesterday. All those who are interested may join me there after breakfast. I am sure you will find it very rewarding."

"I thought I was going to do some teaching today," Gelik says with a frown. He looks quite disappointed.

"Of course it doesn't like us, Douena," Gelik says. With a quick wave of his hands, he smooths out the wrinkles in his clothes. "That thing has been nothing but threatening towards us since we arrived. Dropping dead animals on top of us is not its way of saying, 'Please be my friend.'" He turns to Lorenz. "I think you've got it right, my boy. We're a large group, and thus a threat to it."

As you sit down to the evening's dinner, Gelik stands up and says, "Tomorrow, if we are waiting another day, I will gladly teach all who are interested my linguistic secrets! I assure you, you will find them both rewarding and fun!"

Lorenz approaches Gelik. "You've mentioned before that you have some skills you might be able to teach. I would greatly appreciate studying under you. I don't know that I have any talent in those directions but I admire your skills tremendously."

Gelik smiles and nods happily. "Of course, my boy. I'd be happy to teach you!"

"I am certainly itching to finish the poem," Gelik says, straightening his hat. "There is only one segment remaining! I think we've come to a good basic plan. Pezock, Douena, Sasha, and Mahjik sneak into the village to deal with the skeletons while the rest of us create a diversion. We can refine the plan with more specifics over the next day or so as we rest. Agreed?"

Gelik clears his throat annoyedly. "I'll have you know I perform a very valuable service," he says. "I keep everyone's morale up. You'd have all wasted away in depression by now if it weren't for me." He adjusts his hat with a scowl.

"Certainly, my boy!" Gelik says. With a quick word and a wave of his hand, the cobwebs fall away from Lorenz's sword. "It's important to keep your belongings clean when you can. But tell me, why in the world would someone throw their weapon into a spiderweb?"

"I thought it might be nice if we could finish Aerys' cantos and maybe Jask could begin showing us what he knows, assuming you feel better, Jask."

Gelik frowns a little at the mention of finishing the cantos. He adjusts his hat. "Yes, yes," he says, his frown switching quickly to a smile. "I would be happy to finish reading it today." He turns to Aycenia, but points at Aerys. "It was written by Aerys here, you know. She's our resident poet. Any problems you have with it should be taken up with her."

Both Aycenia and Aerys look confusedly at the gnome.

"Anyway," Gelik continues. "The remainder should only take about two more hours to read. I could perform them this morning or this evening. I'd rather not do so during the middle of the day, though, as the heat is just too much."

"I agree with using the potion," Gelik says. "He looks on the verge of passing out, and we don't want that happening."

"Well, whatever we decide to do, we won't be doing it tonight," Gelik says, straightening his hat. "Our captive won't be wakening up for a while. I believe we were about to have some dinner. I suggest we do that and discuss our plans further while we eat. Then I'll perform the next section of Aerys's poem and we can get some sleep. I'll just go and prepare while the food's cooking."

"Or maybe a dryad if she actually lives inside the tree," Gelik suggests, striding over to the group. "Or perhaps she's just one of those tree-loving elves. Perhaps she's carved a home out of the trunk. Nonetheless, allies would definitely be a good idea."

Perception 1d20 + 8

-_- what a time to roll a 20...

"You don't suppose," Mahjik appears next to Gelik almost abruptly "that your lesson could specifically help me improve my skill to copy and imitate?" Perform (mime) to copy Gelik in his more thoughtful poses 1d20 + 3 "Some fish stew? It has plant things in it."

Mahjik certainly has terrible luck with his mime skill! :)

Gelik grabs a bowl of fish stew. "That particular skill, no. However, with time, I might be able to teach you to improve your comedic timing. That might help you." He sits down to eat.

DM Note: In game terms, this would amount to a fluff description of where any skill ranks you decide to put in Perform (mime) or Perform (comedy) came from.

Gelik shuffles his feet a bit. "Well, that section of the log has been greatly damaged, so it's hard to be sure of their final fate. But they were infected by the mold from the pod. The bodies in the hold would be a good guess as to their final fate. Not pleasant at all from your description."

He clears his throat. "Yes, well... Lorenz, my boy, a word." He pulls Lorenz aside again.

After speaking a moment with Lorenz, Gelik says loudly, "And I'll teach anybody else interested as well!" He then marches over to get something to eat.

"The Nightvoice is a ship, obviously," Gelik says to Douena. "As for info on the fungus, I don't know yet. I'm still reading. I was just conferring with Lorenz here about a few details. Now, if you don't mind..."

He leads Lorenz further off to the side. When Douena presumably follows, he sighs and says, "Oh very well. I was going to tell everybody everything anyway. The Nightvoice was a large Pathfinder exploration vessel from Almas that disappeared in this vicinity several decades ago. Some time back, I asked Lorenz here to keep an eye out for it. He expressed interest in joining the Pathfinders, and a find like this would give him a good way in. Not to mention, it would also help me, as...ahem...I'm a bit...um...out of favour with the Pathfinders at the moment and um...this would help me regain favour."

He pauses a moment. "At any rate, I'm still working on deciphering everything in the log. It's very heavily water-damaged. However, I can confirm that they appear to have found a strange leathery pod in a seaside cavern. It burst open and infected the crew with russet mold spores. Only their captain resisted infection. What happened after that, I haven't figured out yet. You'll need to give me more time."

When she sees Gelik emerge and talk to Lorenz, her eyes narrow. Considering that she has the most intense interest in anything having to do with the fungus -- well, and Mahjik, but she keeps forgetting about him -- she decides she is justified in casually moving closer and trying to hear what he is saying. Perception 1d20+9 Bluff to try to look like she's not eavesdropping 1d20+7

Douena successfully overhears what Gelik said to Lorenz in the spoiler above.

Gelik Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Gelik glares at Douena. "Do you mind?" he says. "We're trying to have a conversation."

You set up camp behind the giant crab, while Gelik works on deciphering the logbook. There won't be time to head out to the fungus island and make it back before night, so you settle down there for the remaining time in the day.

After a while, Gelik emerges from the crab and pulls Lorenz aside.

Douena sighs. "I don't suppose there's time to make it back to the fungus island today, not if we're going to set up camp properly. Pezock, would you mind if Gelik came into your shell for a while? He's sort of a scholar or something; anyway, we need him to look at a book we found, and it's better done out of the weather." She sidles up to Gelik. "You'll be much dryer and cleaner inside," she murmurs to him enticingly.

"Yes, I suppose I will," Gelik says. He straightens his back, adjusts his hat, and marches forward towards the crab.

Pezock moves slowly to the side, watching Gelik intently, but says nothing. The gnome heads into the crab and sits down to read.