Round 2, grey eurypterid
(18) Cursing her first miss, Fi'Vannali boldly fires another arrow at the sea scorpion. This shot bounces off it's tough shell.
(17) Concentrating on the eurypterid and waiting for Tania to flank it, he looks around quickly to find she is nowhere to be found. Ah yes... Again the usefulness of humans. Seeing a wave slam into the beast and then turn back and rush him, Ughhhhhh! The silent scream comes once again as he is gashed by the eurypterid. Tired of being torn up by these beasts, and secure in his belief that to count on a human is good enough to get you killed, he continues his assualt on the creature with all the strength he can stand to muster. "Die you filthy beast." He says exhausted and bloody.
(13) Feeling her spine bend to its limit, Tania's cry is met only by the splash of salt water. She coughs and coughs, trying to get back to the surface and avoid the rocks against which the waves are pushing her.
Another brutal wave slams you into the splintered remains of the ship and the rocks it is moored on.
(13) That was...less effective than I would have hoped. Seeing Tania tumble from the railing, Quariel turns his attention to helping her. The water wizard leaps off the boat into the frothy white waves below. Despite having swam all of his life this water proves nearly impossible to navigate. Constant thrusting and pulling and swirling caused by the close proximity to the cliff and hazardous rocks make it so Quariel is barely able to keep his own head above the water.
(6) Eranla quickly leaps from the ledge after the others as well. She vanishes in the churning white water.
Drowning Rules, these are relevant...
Jenivere (Map)
Coughing up a bit of water, Quariel revises his plan, casting touch of the sea on himself and then attempting to help the two drowning humans; he'll try to grab them and swim towards the submerged sections of boat if possible.
That was a bad move!
Tania keeps fighting for her life.
With several of her shipmates fighting to survive the frothy surf below, Fi'Vannali quickly lowers a rope down into the water while securing the grapple to the ships railing. "Grab the rope, this is no time for a swim!"
After slicing the eurypterid in two, Tar'kanas turns towards the commotion. Quickly stepping over to where Fi'Vannali is and looking over the edge of the boat, What the devil?! So that's where she went. Unbelievable....They're all going to get themselves killed. "Remain here." He says to Fi'Vannali as he heads past her toward the others. "I'll see what I can do for these fools by the shore." Letting out a sigh of frustration, he rushes down while sheathing his sword, and heads toward the bank to try and help the others out.
Round 3, the ocean
(18) With several of her shipmates fighting to survive the frothy surf below, Fi'Vannali quickly lowers a rope down into the water while securing the grapple to the ships railing. "Grab the rope, this is no time for a swim!"
(17) After slicing the eurypterid in two, Tar'kanas turns towards the commotion. Quickly stepping over to where Fi'Vannali is and looking over the edge of the boat, What the devil?! So that's where she went. Unbelievable....They're all going to get themselves killed. "Remain here." He says to Fi'Vannali as he heads past her toward the others. "I'll see what I can do for these fools by the shore." Letting out a sigh of frustration, he rushes down while sheathing his sword, and heads toward the ledge to try and help the others out. The water is twenty feet down, and with limited gear all Tar'kanas can do is hope to help someone climb up if they reach the cliff.
Another huge wave slams Tani's head straight into a rock knocking her out.
(13) Coughing up a bit of water, Quariel revises his plan, and attempts to cast touch of the sea unfortunately he is dragged under the surf as well.
The violent water slams him towards the rocks but luckily the wizard twists and rolls past them safely.
Eranla is tossed around in the water helplessly, rocks cut and stab at her as she is bounced off them.
Giving up on helping the others, Quariel leaves them to grab the rope and simply tries to swim away from the shore, hopefully to a lower portion of the ship he can grab or climb up.
Tar'kanas returns back to the ship and looks for any type of life preserver, extra rope or anything else they could use/float on.
As you watch the waves there is the occasional glimpse of clothing and blood flecked foam.
"Fi'Vannali, I'm going to need your rope." He says as he starts pulling it up quickly and ignoring any kind of objection from her. "I am going to lower myself into the water and try and see if I can get to them before the sea does." Securing the rope around him as tight as he can, "I trust it is secure." Sounding like more of a statement than a question. "There are those other ropes, there." He points. "Tie them on the railing as you did this one." With that, he repels himself down into the water, thinking to himself, Fools!, and wondering if he is already to late.
Following the orders of the demanding tribesman, Fi'Vannali begins fastening ropes gathered from the ship to the railing, tossing the opposite ends into the sea.
Following the orders of the demanding tribesman, Fi'Vannali begins fastening ropes gathered from the ship to the railing, tossing the opposite ends into the sea.
As I'm unconscious, I don't think I'm supposed to roll something. Right?
Just checking as I nervously await my fate (and it doesn't look good!).
Swim
Round 4, the ocean
(18) Following the orders of the demanding tribesman, Fi'Vannali begins fastening ropes gathered from the ship to the railing, tossing the opposite ends into the sea.
(17) "Fi'Vannali, I'm going to need your rope," He says as he starts pulling it up quickly and ignoring any kind of objection from her. "I am going to lower myself into the water and try and see if I can get to them before the sea does." Securing the rope around him as tight as he can, "I trust it is secure." Sounding like more of a statement than a question. "There are those other ropes, there." He points. "Tie them on the railing as you did this one." With that, he repels himself down into the water, thinking to himself, Fools!, and wondering if he is already to late.
Tar'kanas lands in the water and immediately has to try to stay afloat.
The waves pull him under and he tumbles through the water beside Tania Teg.
(13) Giving up on helping the others, Quariel leaves them to grab the rope and simply tries to swim away from the shore, hopefully to a lower portion of the ship he can grab or climb up. With the rope wrapped around his arm he makes it into the shattered remains of the galley.
(6) By some miracle Eranla's head manages to bob above the surface. She clings desperately to a bit of nearby driftwood. "I admit this was not one of my wiser moves!" She looks around through blurry eyes for something better to grab onto. One of Fi's ropes floats nearby and she quickly grabs it.
Quariel spends a moment coughing up water, thinking next time I cast the spell before jumping into the water. Counting the others, he sees one is still missing; he casts dancing lights in order to help the rescuers. Four bluish-white orbs sit just under the water's surface, hopefully improving visibility for any rescue attempts.
Still underwater and unconscious. Destiny tries its best to favor the agent of the Sheod Akaeth.
After going under, Tar'kanas sees Tania next to him. He attempts to grab her and use the rope to pull them both back to the top.
Lost in a murderous fog, deafened by the cacophonic roar of the undersea crashing against the rocks, Tania suddenly feels a warm and velvet energy embracing her, making her feel desired. Roars give way to glorious singing and peace becomes her, until she suddenly awakens in a gasp of inescapable fear. Her lungs burn as sea water is pushed outside. At the same moment, she feels a strong arm grasping her and pulling her away. She lets go and follows, knowing her time has not come yet. She sees her fear washing away. She smiles, ready for anything...
After going under, Tar'kanas sees Tania next to him. The ranger grabs her arm pulling the woman onto his back and begins to carefully climb up the rope. He breaks free of the water and continues till reaching the deck.
Lost in a murderous fog, deafened by the cacophonic roar of the undersea crashing against the rocks, Tania suddenly feels a warm and velvet energy embracing her, making her feel desired. Roars give way to glorious singing and peace becomes her, until she suddenly awakens in a gasp of inescapable fear. Her lungs burn as sea water is pushed outside. At the same moment, she feels a strong arm grasping her and pulling her away. She lets go and follows, knowing her time has not come yet. She sees her fear washing away. She smiles, ready for anything...
Quariel spends a moment coughing up water, thinking next time I cast the spell before jumping into the water. Counting the others, he sees one is still missing; he casts dancing lights in order to help the rescuers. Four bluish-white orbs sit just under the water's surface, hopefully improving visibility for any rescue attempts. After a moment he realizes Tania Teg has been gathered up by Tar'kanas.
Eranla realizes that everybody is hurt and, believing that this may be Tania's problem, grabs her holy Symbol and focuses again, sending out another healing wave as she hangs from the rope.
Relieved to see her shipmates all alive and accounted for, Fi'Vannali calls out to her party, "Is everyone alright? I don't know what I fear more, the sea bugs or the harsh waters of this god forsaken island! Quickly climb the ropes, so we can get you all on deck where it's dry and somewhat safe."
Tania lands clumsily on the deck, exhausted and coughing relentlessly. She stumbles to get up, her long robes a hindrance as they are heavy with salt water. She does her best to stand straight, her head bent forward: "I sincerely apologize. I put the whole group at risk by my clumsiness. I will make up for it. I owe you my life, I almost took yours, and I won't forget it."
She remains silent, though her body shakes from time to time, as waves of sorrow run across it.
She will try to be helpful, careful to go anywhere someone needs a hand for searching or moving something.
As time passes, she will take some time to look at the place where she fell, breathing deeply and more calmly.
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
Her confidence resumes. Her training prevails.
Seeing the situation has been resolved, Quariel turns his attention to the remains of the galley he just climbed into, searching it for anything of interest or value.
"Sorry about that, Reeds." he says, as the soaked rat climbs up to his shoulder. "Help me check out this wreck."
The captain’s cabin is a wreck—a jagged hole in the side has allowed most of the room’s contents tospill out into the surf and wash away. Yet even a cursory search reveals some useful supplies, most of which are found in an overturned desk (fortunately, the desk was too large to fit through the hole in the wall). One upper drawer contains several keys. Another drawer contains several sea charts and maps, along with the captain’s log. A lower desk drawer is locked. A large footlocker leaning against the desk contains Jask Derindi’s confiscated gear, including a masterwork dagger, a suit of leather armor, two potions of cure light wounds, a holy symbol of Nethys, a spell component pouch, and a healer's kit.
Quarial's search of the galley reveals an nearly intact larder. Although the majority of the Jenivere’s food stores were kept in the now-missing cargo hold, enough preserved rations are stored here, in sturdy waterproof sacks, to supply a single person with food for 24 days. There is also the corpse of the cook. The only wounds on his body are from bites on his neck, like from a large snake.
Helping with the inspection, Tania's surprised to see a spell component pouch, but no spellbook. The sight of the holy symbol makes her wonder. A priest? What was his crime?
She shows genuine interest at the captain's log and looks at the last page to see if anything stands out.
"We'll be better putting all these safely away for now. We should get into this locked drawer. Anyone knows his way around locks? Should we try to bring back that big lobster back? Maybe we can cook it?"
Exhausted after the ordeal, Tar'kanas, down on a knee, slowly catching his breath. Turning to Tania, listening to what she is saying, he stands and responds in what you could only guess is a sincere response, "You owe us nothing." He pauses a moment then continues, "Know that we are all in this together. My tribe hasn't survived as long as they have working alone. Live or die, we fight together. That is all that I know." He gathers himself together. "One other thing Tania," he says while scanning the ship making sure everyone is accounted for, "the sea is an enemy best left alone." He finishes with what seems to be a wry smile.
Noticing Erlana is nowhere to be seen, Tar'kanas returns to the side of the ship and notices she is hanging from one of the ropes. "Hold on young human woman! I will assist you!" As he works to pull her up.
The final entry is perhaps the most disturbing, for in it the captain writes of how he’s changed course for Smuggler’s Shiv at Ieana’s request. He hopes that the two of them can make a home on the remote island, but also notes that the crew are growing increasingly agitated at the ship’s new course. The captain muses that “something may need to be done about the crew” if their suspicions get any worse.
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"Thank you for the assistance...I'll be fine." The young girl shakes off, looking over her now-ruined outfit. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, she doesn't do the cliched thing and wail about it, but it does pretty clearly upset her.
After joining in and helping take stock of everything, she looks at the locked drawer. "Well, we're not really short on time. I'll bet eventually we could use a blade and simply pry it open. The ship certainly isn't going anywhere."
On reading the log, she seems very quiet.
An examination of the the rest of the log reveals that the Jenivere’s captain seemed to have been suffering some sort of madness that grew over the course of the ship’s final voyage. Earlier entries from previous voyages are precise in recording progress and events along the way, as are entries from the first two-thirds of this last trip.
Yet as one reads further, the more recent the entries get, the less common they become—in some cases, several days are missing entries. What entries do appear are strangely short, focusing more and more on one of the passengers—the Varisian scholar Ieana, with whom the captain seems to have become obsessed. Several entries are nothing more than poorly written love poems to Ieana, while others bemoan Captain Kovack’s inability to please her or catch her attention.
"Let me have a look at the lock on this drawer." Fi'Vannali fishes her lockpicks from her backpack.
"It may take me awhile, but I think I can crack it!"
"We were sailing under a lunatic, enthralled by that Varisian woman Ieana. She came here on purpose. Chances are, she still is. But why?"
Tania looks for other clues or items that would help them survive or understand their lot.
Inside the locked drawer is a thick bottle of fine brandy, a fine glass bottle with a darkwood model of the Jenivere inside, and a small coffer containing 350 gp. Also in this lower drawer is a long leather satchel that holds a dozen potions for emergency use: four potions of cure light wounds, a potion of cure moderate wounds, four potions of lesser restoration, a potion of remove disease, a potion of water breathing, and a potion of water walking.
While Tania is looking about through the ship she comes across a door that has been partially torn apart as though by claws. Blood is leaking from underneath.
Tania moves back up. "Looks like there is potential trouble brewing downstair. I would feel better if we all were around. There is a lot of blood..."