Gelik looked ready to speak up, but waited. An anxious look was visible on his face at Chi's anger.
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Gelik glowered and sulked a little at Marcus' comment and looked incredulously at the socially deficient Druid, but as usual he rarely stayed morose for long and soon perked up. You returned to your warehouse to find Jask had things well in hand. Over a hot meal Gelik explained that he had been arranging for an order of several dozen crates of salted meat for the expedition when he had been captured by the Freemen. He had been blindfolded until he was on the roof with a kukri to his throat and truthfully, hadn't really understood what was happening.
Gelik looked rather offended at the insinuation. If your asking whether I know why a rabid lunatic kidnapped me and cut my throat open, no, I have no damn idea woman. The fire-fighting effort continued for about an hour and eventually, the fire burnt itself out; the volunteers and your group managing to keep it from spreading. The South Arcadian Whaling Company however, has now been reduced to little more than a stone wall.
Tun'ada quickly stabilised Gelik with first aid, and with the aid of eight force-fed Goodberries, Gelik regained conciousness. He still looked weak as he rose with grateful eyes, healing himself with his bardic magic four times. His wounds grew less dire each time until he looked reasonably healthy once more. Did you get him? he asked, still a little shaken as he rubbed the spot on his throat where Umagro slit it.
Chi managed to enlist the aid of several small gangs of concerned citizens. The fire is now hardly under control but it seems for the moment that people are keeping it at bay, with more arriving every minute.
Absolutely, without question I am in full agreement my Mwangi friend. The evening is still young- perhaps we can get Chi cured right away and begin negotiations?
So- am I to tell the Venture Captain you agree to them sponsoring our expedition? Gelik asks eagerly.
Aerys grins as the scholar hugs her, patting him on the fond fondly and returning the embrace. Gelik is the next to step up and say his farewell- promptly finishing his worship of Sargavan land. Well.. erm... you weren't completely awful company I suppose... You did blunder your way through several tasks without my help; but lets not forget who brought the engineering knowledge to the table to get the lighthouse fixed up eh? Anyway- farewell my fellow castaways- i'm going to report to the Pathfinder lodge and get that last misunderstanding cleared up; I suspect we'll see each other soon, as they will no doubt be interested in that discovery Ambroze made. Bye for now! Look me up in a few days!
Day 15 You hand over the captain's last log to Gelik, whose eyes light up in delight. Tell me the whole story- this could be my ticket back to grace with the Pathfinders! he implores, his face full of hope.
The Nightvoice has been lost for decades... Its almost a myth by now.
I'd like to accompany you to this wood spirit, if I may. The rest can manage without me for a day... barely. She might know where the Nightvoice shipwrecked, if it shipwrecked here at all...
It is about midday when you emerge victorious from the trapdoor, to cheers and smiles and well-wishing from Gelik, Sasha and Aerys. Gelik has been busy while you were underground... Well, I am pleased to report the lighthouse was almost finished. Assuming I always have a few under my supervision, I believe we can get her going again in less than a week!
You settle down to a somewhat uncomfortable evening meal prepared by Sasha- who sits at one side of the campfire with Aerya and Ishorou staring at the goblin. Ishorou has sharpened his katana several more times than necesary this evening, and his message is clear. In addition to the awkwardness presented by the camp's newest arrival, the keen loss of both Savarend and Tun'ada is felt. In an attempt to break the ice a little, Gelik clears his throat, brushes dust off his fine clothing and stands up to his feet. A toast... to fallen comrades. Flute, James, Savarend... and Tun'ada. May no more of us fall upon this accursed isle, and may those of us who survive tell the tales of the fallen. His piece said, Gelik raises his glass in a toast and begins to spin tales for the group...
Where there is one goblin, there are always more. Tread carefully... Gelik whispers to Gwenyth as Mawj enters the camp.
A mere epic? Nay my dear Gwenyth. This tale shall be told in Pathfinder Lodges across Avistan itself!
We could move down the coast towards the next shipwreck? Gelik suggests hesitantly.
Gelik bows with a flourish at Marcus' compliment. Should we ever get off this insect-infected, unwashed cannibal-ridden cesspit, I will write of this battle in my Chronicles gentlemen, ladies. I feel it is prudent to point out that the midday sun fast approaches, and we have no shelter to speak of...
The remaining cannibals attempt to leap into the river and flee the scene of battle, but are cut down and shot full of arrows before they make it. Including the two that survived the fall into the river, you estimate only six cannibals survived the brutal skirmish, seven including their leader. Sasha and Jask are safe and rescued, and you breathe a sigh of relief- miraculously nobody is critically injured. Gelik moves over to heal Marcus with his remaining magic, gently teasing the warrior about 'being so careless as to let a handful of cannibals cut through that fine armour of yours'.
Darting forward and gaining a flank with Aerys, Gelik manages another proficient strike with his longsword, wounding the savage they are attacking with a cunning lunge.
A flawless victory for Gelik Aberwhinge! the Gnome proclaims in triumph as his final stinging longsword blow wins the duel and fells the cannibal attacking him. Gelik spends a valuable few seconds striking a heroic pose and admiring his handiwork...
Gelik continues to duel his foe, scoring an excellent riposte. Aha! Gelik cries in triumph as he wounds his foe.
My bow and my abilities will function best close to the front lines. I'll hang back a short distance from the melee.
The Aspis Consortium are a group of powerful merchants that span Golarion. They are fond of hired muscle like Ishorou, and tend to be heavy-handed in their approaches to say the least. They tend to often be directly at odds with the Pathfinder Society. Although Ishorou can clearly hear whats being said, he doesn't deign to respond.
It is true that we don't know WHEN they will make the sacrifice, it is true... Gelik muses thoughtfully...
Gelik is holding back his remaining two healing spells for now.
The only useful spell I know for an attack is healing magic. But i'll cheer you on and support your fight with my bow... Gelik says stoutly.
Inspecting the remaining wounds with a critical eye, Gelik consults with Gwen. I will be able to heal three people of their wounds before my magick is exhausted for the day. I am at your disposal lady Gwen.
Gelik snorts in derision. Come now... You stumbled back into camp half-torn to pieces yourselves. Even savages have rituals. They will take them back to camp first, prepare some ungodly celebration and ritual, and then likely sacrifice them at sundown tomorrow after some elaborate dancing and shouting. Trust me- drama is my speciality. Rest tonight, lick our wounds, and tomorrow strike with all of our fury. If we can get Ishorou on his feet, we can all go with you- even Sasha's hideous pet is likely to want to help... Basically- I propose we leave at first light. Stumbling into a swarm of savages half-dead on our feet isn't going to help Jask or Sasha. History won't remember how dramatic our doomed-to-fail frontal assault looked. Hearing Chi's suggestion, Ambroze seems unsure. Hit and run tactics may make them finish the sacrifice faster... Risky.
Courage Aerys... There is still hope. Gelik says softly, for once having no cutting remarks. Tell them what you heard them screaming in battle, for there may yet be time to rescue our companions... Gelik urges gently, nursing a nasty wound on his stomach.
Packs and sacks full to the brim with crab meat, the castaways ensure they have no need to hunt for their food for a week. That... That isn't human is it... Gelik asks nervously...
Bloody hell... Gelik mutters to himself upon seeing Tun'adas claws. No one tells me anything around here...
The group make it back to the camp by about 11:30 with their newly salvaged goods. So? Were any of these shipwrecks the Nightvoice? Gelik asks impatiently.
Well... It was a mistake that cost the fame of the Pathfinder society somewhat, and made the society the enemy of several powerful Chelixian nobles... Suffice to say I was 'encouraged' to go out and make a discovery to earn the good graces of the Society back...
"Sure," James answers with a shrug, "I could use a break. So... what was this mix up then?" We're taking wagers of up to ten gold pieces James. Gelik says as Aerys deals you in. Well... I may have accidently mistaked a vase of Chelixian origin and mistook it for Azlanti work... Even one such as I makes mistakes from time to time... Chi, you turn the box over and over but you cannot find any sign of an opening mechanism, or even any indication that the box is meant to be opened. Ambroze feel free to make any knowledge rolls you feel are appropiate, please include a Spellcraft roll if you detect magic. Ishorou also cannot discern any opening mechanism or traps on the box.
"Hello everyone!" James greets the rest of castaways with a smile, "we ended up heading back early after some business with an undead crew on one of the wrecks. Gelik, if you don't mind my asking, what exactly is your position with the Pathfinders?" I AM a Pathfinder boy! Gelik says indignantly. There was a mix up with an artifact that I recently sold on behalf of the organisation that... Well, the artifact turned out to be a fake, so lets just say i'm a full Pathfinder, but currently out of favour... Will any of you be joining out game of Golem?
How long has this been here? Just today? It was there when I woke up this morning. I scraped my arm on a branch yesterday and thought nothing of it...
Why, then, would their language be spoken by these tribesmen? I don't know much of the world outside Promise, but I can tell at a glance that this savage is neither rich nor powerful. Unless this island is somehow ruled by or guided by one of these Infernal creatures, what need would there be for the indigenous people to speak such a language? Perhaps a warship from the fleet that came to subjugate Sargava many years ago shipwrecked here, and we're looking at their descendants?They had to learn the language from somewhere... Gelik looks decidedly uncomfortable for a moment, before he unrolls up his sleeve, revealing small blue-white spores sprouting within his flesh. The spores seem to throb with Gelik's heartbeat. Can someone do something about this... Gelik mutters, his voice shaking.
The group chat happily amongst themselves, and are pleased when Gelik confidently appraises the locket, and estimates its worth at five hundred gold pieces. ... Or fifty platinum of course, but as the rest of you aren't Pathfinders I imagine you haven't had the opportunity to see those rare coins... he says in his usual condescending attitude.
Savarend touches his knuckles to his forehead, "Good to meet other survivors. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only civilized person left on the whole island. Ah, a Dwarf! Gelik says in joy. We had another Dwarf staying with us you know... Not really sure what happened to him. He was rather a wit- perhaps you can regale us with your tale or a song of your exploits?
Just because I didn't spend my best years working as an enforcer in Blood Cove like you, theres no need to be jealous Ishorou. You have maybe two or three years left before your strength begins to fail you and you'll need to think about settling down...
Ah... Our noble explorers are back from the daily Smugglers Shiv Fauna Purge I see... Gelik quips playfully. I do believe you weren't nearly efficient enough- theres a beast right in our camp! Its called 'The Tale of Keyrelin', usually told in Taldor. Its a comic tragedy, with the protagonist suffering a series of unfortunate events, culminating in a gender change...
Gelik is sat nearby, attempting to amuse a stone-faced Aerys with a tale of a kleptomaniac Halfling thief that went one heist too far when he and his companion slew a baby gold dragon in order to claim the treasure it guarded. The twist and the crux of the tragic comedy within the tale is that the Halfling ended up a hunted man throughout the lands, and the cost of the daily divination spells to keep himself hidden from the ancient dragon that was the babys father almost ruined him, costing many more gold pieces than the theft earnt him. He finally escaped notice via a clever reincarnation that had the amusing side effect of also changing hid gender to female. Aerys looks utterly unimpressed as she keeps an eye out for trouble. Seeing the group approach, Aerys sniffs suspiciously for a moment but doesn't detect any alcohol on you this time. Ah... Our noble explorers are back from the daily Smugglers Shiv Fauna Purge I see... Gelik quips playfully. I do believe you weren't nearly efficient enough- theres a beast right in our camp!
Gelik's performance winds down, and he looks at Gwyneth, and goes red in indignation. I'll have you know i'm a qualified comedian...Girl has no appreciation for good comedy...
Well, I have a task far more likely to come to fruition than chasing after a sunken ship, my dear Jask. Gelik says, standing up onto a nearby tree stump to orate properly. I knows of an old story about a Pathfinder Society ship called the "Nightvoice" that went missing in these waters, and the most popular theory as to what happened is that the ship ran aground on Smuggler’s Shiv or sank near the island. I admit i'm, er... currently “on probation” with the Pathfinders, heh... and that finding out what happened to the Nightvoice could go a long way toward restoring my good name you see... Gelik draws himself up to his full height, his aristocratic clothes somehow still immaculate despite the labours of the morning. Now, I have been thinking about this camp that I supervised the setting up of. Obviously any exploration of the camp should be left to you lot, he says, gesturing at the PC's but to ensure our survival we at the camp will have to take on roles. This island is bound to be hostile, and having a safe haven is critical Sir, I say again, CRITICAL!
Defender: A defender works to set traps, shore up a shelter’s walls, and see to the safety of the campsite. The first time in a day that a wandering monster or hostile creature attacks the campsite, the defender’s traps inflict 2d6 points of damage—divide the damage done as equally as possible among all attackers. Each additional defender assigned to a campsite increases this damage by 2d6. Sasha and Ishorou can serve as defenders. Entertainer: An entertainer helps to raise hopes for rescue—each entertainer grants NPCs a +2 bonus on Will saves to increase morale. Gelik and Aerys can serve as Entertainers. Guard: Each guard reduces the chance of a wandering monster attacking the camp during the day or night by 5% (minimum chance of 5%). Aerys and Ishorou can serve as guards. Hunter: Each hunter provides enough food and water for eight Medium creatures per day. Jask and Sasha can serve as hunters. Medic: Each medic reduces the chance of being exposed to disease by 5% and increases the number of hit points healed naturally during a night’s rest in the camp by 2. Gelik and Jask can serve as medics (note, with shelter and a fire the chance for disease is down to 10%, and cannot be lowered beyond 5%).
I feel fine now. Although our current sitution is somewhat dire... Gelik mutters.
You start helping Gelik up, who croaks his thanks. By the blood of the Last Azlant, what did you and the Chef put in that wine last night, Gwyneth? he demands. Looking around about the beach, you realise that it is about dawn. The last thing you remember is the cook serving up food and the captain serving wine, late last night. The whole confused group of survivors takes the time to find their gear- much of it is wet, but it is all undamaged. Ishorou in particular is desperate to find his katana, and sighs in relief when it is found. Flute, you spot the Jenivere to the north- a gaping hole in her hull as she leans against a jagged cliff side among several sharp rocks. By the time the group has finished mostly equipping themselves, the sickened condition has worn off.
Gelik's head pokes out of the hammock to smirk down at James. Forgive me, but I never did learn to Speak with Animals like many of my other Gnome kin did, Sir. I shall endeavour to find a scroll of said magic in the ship's hold, so that you and I can someday converse.
Gelik leans out of the hammock he is relaxing in several metres above the surface of the deck, tied into the rigging, and sneers down at Aerys. Ah, I see Lady Vintage has decided to grace us with her decidedly lovely presence. Feh, I had thought this was high enough to not smell your stench, but I underestimated the potency of your breath, My Lady! Doth thou plan to captain a floating brewery? |