Tania waits a little, trying to end up on a shift with Jask, so she can learn a little more about him.
"I will take part in the last two watches. I do not rest well. But for now, I will see if I can find some food before dark. We need to preserve our rations as best we can. Any of you who wish to go, now is the time." Without another word, Tar'kanas grabs his weapons and his gear and sets out.
"I'll go with you, I wanna see your skills with a bow in action. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two, I'm eager to learn the hunting tricks of the Ekujae." Snatching up her bow and quiver, Fi'Vannali faithfully follows Tar'Kanas.
Fi'Vannali follows the lead of Tar'kanas, suggesting a western path of initial exploration. "We should go that way and tackle the tip of the Shiv first, in the days to come we can investigate the rest of the island to the south and east."
"I would come along if you'd have me. I'll stay a little behind so as not to cramp your hunting."
Without a glance at Fi'Vannali, Tar'kanas responds, "Very well."
Tar'kanas then turns to Tania, looking at her through narrowed eyes, as if questioning her motive, and then responds, "Very well." He then sets out west.
Once the others have departed hunting, Quariel will approach Ishirou. "So, it seems you were right to be worried. We're stranded on a deadly desert island, I'm down a finger...never imagined this was where the Jenivere would take me."
The three travel roughly a mile through the jungle gathering many edible fruits and plants. With the properly trained eye there is no shortage of food or water on the island. They walk around the northern side of a large hill, the top of which concealed by trees. As they round the western side A small clearing gives a view of more of the island. A large circular cove dominates the south, revealing the current area to just be a small peninsula. The group returns shortly after night fall with enough food for nine people.
9:00
While returning to camp Fi'Vannali quietly experiences a revelation, Well I'm glad we found enough food to feed all the castaways, that should raise some spirits once we get back. Some of the others seem a bit overwhelmed by our unfortunate situation. Who can blame them, the jungle is such an unforgiving enviroment. If we're gonna stand any chance at all, we must all work together, but something tells me some of us need a little pep talk. I don't wanna seem pushy, but someone has got to take charge.... Hopefully Tar'kanas will guide us, I have a feeling his skillset will be a vital key to our survival. After dinner I plan to ask everyone what they can contribute to our mutual well being, and I think I've got just the thing to ease everyones worries.
After dinner, before settling in for the night, Fi'Vannali discusses survival in the days to come with the other castaways, in front of the sputtering fire. "I would first like to say I'm glad we're all alive and accounted for, we have survived our first day on Smugglers Shiv, and that alone is a task to be commended for. If we want to continue this trend, we must all accept responsibility for each other as a whole and work as a team to face the upcoming challenges. We should work out some kind of system where everyone can contribute to our survival. Who will hunt and forage for our food? Who will heal the sick? Who will explore this forsaken island and who will watch over camp while the others are away? Personally, I volunteer to brave the jungle and see what Smugglers Shiv has to offer, after all thats why I got on the Jenivere in the first place. As far as watches go, I'd like to be on third watch with Tar'kanas, and with ten hours of watch from 9:00 p.m to 7:00 a.m. that gives us fourteen hours left in the day to explore the island. We should probably take a break and seek shade during the hottest hours of the day when the sun is at its apex. We will also have to judge closely how far we stray from camp, if we go to far we might not be able to make it back. I hope I'm not being to pushy, these ideas are all simply just suggestions, if anyone else has ideas or concerns please feel free to speak up." While waiting for a response from her shipmates Fi'Vannali reaches into her backpack and retrieves a couple of items recovered from the wreckage of the Jenivere. "Quariel, I'm sorry you lost your finger, and although I know this will not bring it back, I thought it might hold some sentimental value to you, as you are the only one among us from the original crew of the Jenivere."
"As for the rest of you, while searching the wreckage earlier, I stumbled across this fine bottle of brandy. Won't you all join me in a nightcap, perhaps a drink will take the edge off and boost our spirits! Aerys, what do you say? I know your in!" Fi'Vannali unstoppers the bottle of brandy, taking a healthy swig, then passes the bottle around the fire.
"One more thing before I retire. Although I'm not much for following orders, and we are all pretty much equals in my opinion, I do think we need someone to make important decisions when the time comes. I would feel most comfortable, with someone who is no stranger to this harsh enviroment. Therefore I nominate Tar'kanas as our guide and leader. What do the rest of you say?" As Fi'Vannali turns in for the night she crosses paths with Tar'kanas. "See you on third watch, would you like to join me in reverie?"
Tar'kanas, upon hearing Fi'Vannali's nomination, stands and responds, "No." He states plainly yet, in his own strange way, emphatically. "I will function for this group as I function for my tribe. I will do what I can to aid in the survival of this group. That is what I do. That is what I know. Wether we like it or not, we must work together to survive....or we will die." Sounding as a matter of fact.
Surprised at the unexpected whispered remark by Fi'Vannali, and just barely able to hold back a surprised response, Tar'kanas, with an intial clenched jaw and then returning to his typical stoic self, takes a few steps with her as she is walking and whispers in response, "Do not." His face an expressionless mask.
He then returns back to where he was sitting, attempting to get some form of rest before his watch.
Quariel accepts the model of the Jenivere carefully, as if afraid of breaking it. "Thank you, Fi'Vannali; I will carry it in memory of my lost crewmates."
"Your suggestions are wise. Unfortunately, I have little in the way of survival skills, other than knowledge I've picked up over years of research. However, what magic I have is at everyone's disposal; I can at least make the mid-day heat more bearable. I will begin developing some more practical spells immediately--I'm sure there's some way I could contribute to the security of the campsite."
Quariel takes a large swig of the brandy, more than most would expect one of such slight frame to be able to handle.
"I am no leader myself; I have no objections."
Exhausted from the long day, Quariel quickly falls asleep, his bags stacked under his head to create a rudimentary pillow, with Reeds' nest pouch nestled in the crook of an arm.
As she listens to the elven girl speak her heart, Tania is filled with compassion and a desire to help. She frowns as she hears the warrior simply decline the honour of leading the group's survival. She looks around, wondering who will step up to the somber task, then realizes that none of them came looking for this.
"Thank you for those wise words Fi'Vannali." She stands up, and raises her voice slightly: "Wise words indeed, and uttered when they matter most. Our very survival is at stake here."
"Who here can say how long we'll stay here before getting rescued?"
"Who here knows how to build a ship that would safely bring us to safety?"
"Who here knows what murderous beast, natural and unnatural this forest harbours?"
"Who here can safely say that they can and will survive this endeavour on their own?"
"Fi'Vannali is right. We need each other, and we need a leader. Someone who will look after our group. Someone whose purpose is to bring us to safety. Despite Tar'Kanas humble refusal, I cannot but push forward his name also, for he is the strongest and the most knowledgeable of these forests among us. Tar'Kanas, we chose our leader."
Looking at him straight in the eyes, she concludes:
"You cannot refuse."
The other castaways remain quite. Jask meticulously checks his first aid kit looking concerned as Aerys takes another drink from her flask. She swish it listening for how much is left inside.
Tar'kanas slowly stands and makes his way over to Tania. He matches her gaze through his narrowed eyeslits, with a fierce look of his own. He gets mere inches from her face thinking to himself, Who do you think you are human woman?! His irritation evident in his facial expression, yet a small part of him impressed with the confident tone of this human woman. This human woman will be my death. He slowly looks around at all the castaways. One by one he scans them all. Some will not make it. Maybe none. He returns his gaze back to Tania, still none to happy. You can see the muscles in his face moving from him clenching his jaw. After a few moments, Tania can see his face relax, and he then turns and heads back to where he was seated. He sits down and pulls a piece of cheese and a piece of bread out of his pack and nibbles on it. He then responds to no one in particular, in deep thought and oh so reluctantly...
"Very well."
As trained in the art of combat and intimidation as she is, Tania still feels the strength of Tar'Kanas' gaze move through her. Fixing him, she stands: I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer...
The slightest of smile appears on her lips as she hears the elf accept the honour.
She lets some time pass, feeling that the elven warrior doesn't wish to be celebrated. She then tries to come back to Fi'Vannali's preoccupations.
"On my part, I can help with tending to the sick. I think I would do a better job at guarding the camp though. Now, before you say anything, I know I haven't shone on the ship, but let me tell you, this is one lesson I've learned! The hard way...
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Eranla sighs. "As to rescue...we truly can't expect any from this camp." She gestures out to the sea. "Asking anyone to try to so much as bring a rowboat through that is not just folly, it's cruel. The other side of the island likely has calmer waters, so finding a way to cross the island that won't get the less hardy of us killed will be a first step. Still, this island is not remotely safe, so we shouldn't just pack up and start looking, but spend our first days scouting. At least, that would be my suggestion. As we find safe campsites further in the interior, we can come back and move the next day. It will be slow, but it reduces the risk that we'll set up somewhere we really don't want to. Does that idea satisfy everyone?" she asks.
Hearing Eranla's suggestion, Tania voluntarily defers to Tar'Kanas' opinion. She turns her head in his direction, not making eye contact, to show that she's waiting for him to evaluate the proposal.
Tar'kanas hearing Eranla speak, and noticing out of the corner of his eye Tania turn her head toward him as if expecting a response, decides to reply, "It seems, young human woman, that the obvious has failed to elude you." He says without the slighest expression.
"Enough talk. It is time for rest." He says to them all. "If we survive the night, then we will take on the day."
Aeyrs
Eranla
Fi'Vannali
Gelik
Ishirou
Jask
Sasha
Tania
Tar'kanas
Quarial
[ooc]I'm a little sad...no diseases. I guess the other group used them all up.
9th of Arodus, 8:00 A.M.
With the end of the first night, the sun rises and a new day begins. Everyone has been awakened. Jask begins to cook up a breakfast of poridge over the fire.
Gelik Morale check; is still shaken.
Ishirou Morale check; becomes frightened.
Jask Morale check; is no longer shaken.
Sasha Morale check; is still shaken.
Over breakfast Ishirou seems scared, constantly looking about the forest and muttering to himself about how the group is being watched. Jask pats him on the shoulder but he doesn't seem reassured.
Quariel's first sight upon awakening is a pair of beady green eyes--Reeds is sitting on his chest. He doesn't seem particularly startled--to the others, it seems this is a regular occurrence. Standing up and stretching, he immediately pulls out his spellbooks, combing them for spells that might be more useful than those he had prepared the day before. After about fifteen minutes, he has made his choices and settles into the routine of committing the magic to memory, with Reed perched on his shoulder.
Joining the others by the campfire, he announces, "I've prepared some spells which should make the midday heat more bearable--I thought it might help us make the most of the daylight as we search for a better campsite. Unfortunately, I do not have the strength to protect the whole group this way; in fact, I estimate I only have sufficient power to shield two of us. Still, it might be some aid. As our leader, Tar'kanas, perhaps you should select the individuals for me to shield in this manner."
Tar'kanas, unable to get much rest outside of the time during his watch, wakes up with a start, his heart racing and his breathing coming rapidly. He looks around to make sure everything's okay. He pours some of his own water onto his face, trying to wake himself up and calm himself down. He runs his hands over his face and then through his hair and then stands to prepare for the day. Must be the venom from that sea beast. Should be purged by now.
Still not comfortable with being elected 'leader' of this group, Tar'kanas thinks a moment about Quariel's question and then responds, "The young human woman," he motions towards Eranla, "and Fi'Vannali."
Noticing that Ishirou seems agitiated, he walks over to the human, "What is it that is troubling you?"
"Very well." Quariel heads over to the two women. "Hold on, this will only take a moment." He concentrates for a few seconds, then moves his left hand, tracing a complex rune in the air. Eranla and Fi'Vannali suddenly feel as though they are surrounded by a cool mist, protecting them from the brutal tropical heat.
Morning coming, Tania will tour the group, talking a little to everyone. She wants to know the status of the group, the weakest link in the chain, the ones that she should check because they might run off in the face of danger, etc. She'll also ask Jask about his first aid kit: "Did you find what you were looking for yesterday?"
As Fi'Vannali rouses from her slumber, her first thoughts are of breakfast. "May I try some of your poridge Jask? I promise to eat sparingly, but I might add that all of us need at least a little something to eat. Without nourishment, the jungle will sap our energy in no time." Gobbling down a few mouthfuls of poridge, Fi'Vannali begins straping on her leather armor. As Quariel cast his spell on her, she smiles and thanks the fellow elf. "That should be most helpful, how long will it last? It's a shame you could only cast it twice, but as one of the fortunate recipients I promise to do most of the heavy lifting once we start exploring."
"It should at least last through the daylight hours, possibly even through to tomorrow morning." He helps himself to a bowl of porridge as well, then focuses on preparing his gear, arranging his many satchels precisely so as not to impede movement as well as checking his spear for any damage from the previous day's combat. Satisfied, he slings it across his back and is prepared to depart.
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Eranla looks greatly relieved as she is enchanted against the heat. "Thank you," she says, genuinely grateful as she eats her little bit of porridge. She gathers her things up and puts on her armor, looking a little uncomfortably at the others who are going to have to suffer through the day, but the hot metal would just impede her even more. After testing her leg and discovering it to be working again, she stands up and starts to put together her pack, singing a song of home and old friends as she does.
Seeing as Jask is not in the mood, Tania makes sure that she is not the last one ready, as she eats big mouthfuls of porridge and stows a few items in her dress.
"How should we go about this? Would some of us stay behind while others explore the area? Like I mentioned yesterday night, I can make a good guard, but can also stand my ground in a fight."
"Tania we're gonna need you on the exploration team, your combat skills will be a valuable asset. I also nominate the others who ventured to the wreckage of the Jenivere to continue our scavenge here on Smuggler's Shiv. With five of us exploring and five of us at camp we should have all our bases covered. Aerys and Jask, you two seem capable this morning. Please do your best to defend the campsite while we are away. Tar'kanas is there anything you would like to say to the group? Let us make haste, we are wasting the cool morning hours!" Gathering her bow and quiver Fi'Vannali prepares herself for the dangerous journey ahead.
After listening to Ishirou continuously whispering, "they're watching us....they can see are every move....we're all going to die, painful, horrible deaths!" He has lost his mind.
In response to Fi'Vannali's question, "We will head west." He gathers his gear and readies to leave.
"Sorry, friend, the jungle, the jungle. It feels like it is watching me. Any moment something will attack us I fear," he hand grips the katana at his side tightly, "...at any moment." Seeing normally stern and taciturn man so scared is a bit unnerving.
Jask eagerly shares the meal with the others, "Of course, plenty for all, it is all our food," Jask appears to be in better mood than before, if possible. "Today I will be checking our camp, doing my best to make sure none of you get sick. The diseases in this jungle are more dangerous than the animals."
Aerys and Ishirou nod in agreement with Fi'Vannali, "We'll do our best. How long will you be gone? All day, or should we expect you back by the hot hours?"
"We will return before nightfall."
Ready to leave, Tania slides alongside Tar'Kanas and whispers: "I'm a little worried about Gelik and Sasha... I believe it would be best to assign them formally a duty for the day, to try and focus their minds. I would prefer you give the order though. Perhaps Gelik and Sasha can make the site a little more 'like home'? I know what you think, but I don't want us to have threats from the forest and our comrades."
If Tar'Kanas, with his usual charm and diplomacy, refuses to do it, Tania will go see them and ask them to help the group by doing this today. She'll also ask Gelik to come up with jokes about the jungle and the heat.
Later, as they walk in the jungle, Tania notices that both Fi'Vannali and Tar'Kanas are pretty silent and are attentive to their surroundings. Reassured, she'll offer to take the rear and keep an eye out for trouble.
Tar'kanas listening intently to Tania, turns to look at those she spoke of and then turns back to Tania and nods, "Very well." He then walks over to Gelik and Sasha, "Ishirou's fears are over taking him. Gelik, I believe you have a gift of storytelling. While we are out, try and calm him with one. It will be befitting to us all if you can accomplish this. If anyone can do this, it is you. Sasha, try and organize the camp to where if we find a better location, it will be a quick and efficient move. You both can do this, I do not doubt." He looks at them both and nods reassuringly.
The five set out into the forest with the sun still low in the sky. A different path than the previous day is taken to see more of the island. It takes a couple hours to get on the other side of the large hill to the west of the camp. Small lizards and birds fly through the warming air snatching up insects.
Moving downhill through the jungle is tricky and the group can see glimpses of the ocean to the north and the bay to the south. Finally the party emerges from the trees. The peninsula continues for another mile of bare stone and dirt. The opening of the bay is two miles wide with another island marking the far side.
This bleak island stands out to anyone who casts their gaze to the west, for whereas the rest of Smuggler’s Shiv is a luscious green and a riot of jungle sounds, this island is a silent gray scar on the horizon. Bizzare grey trees reach up from it. Though the island is too far away to see them clearly.
Of interest on the northern side of the island cliffs is another shipwreck. Those familiar with ships will recognize it as one of the rare Varisian gypsy skiffs. Known for traveling the oceans far and wide with exotic goods and wares. From atop the cliff the ship seems to be half rotten with no chance of salvaging it. The ribs of it's hull loom over the beach like the carcass of a sea worm.
"Do you think we should go investigate the wreckage of that skiff? There could be useful supplies onboard, but it looks like getting down there could be dangerous." While waiting for a response from Tar'kanas, Fi'Vannali scans the landscape for a safe place to secure a rope.
"I'd definitely be up for trying, if we can find a reasonably safe way to get to it. There's a good chance we could salvage some more useful materials from it, though given the location, we'll likely be limited to anything we can carry up on a rope."
"We shall investigate." He says as he looks out at the dismantled ship. "And Quariel is correct. If anything remains, we will be hard pressed to salvage it with just rope." Tar'kanas studies the layout of the land intently, hoping to find an easier route than climbing down a cliff.
The cliffs are steep but not unclimbable. They stretch to the west and east with no sign of an easy trail down. Tar'kanas estimates it to be a fairly smooth climb down, possibly difficult for some of the weaker group members. Though a rope could be attached to a nearby rock or tree making it almost impossible to fall down.
"We have two ropes that could be used. Best would be to come back with blocks and tackles if we wish to bring stuff back. But I'm curious to take a peek now actually."
Tania then helps the others find a good spot to tie the ropes so they can get down, and back up.
"I can go first if you want."
"Who knows, there might be useful items we can carry back without using heavy lifting equipment. I for one am curious... Let's get down there and have a look for ourselves!" Excited with adventure, Fi'Vannali fastens her rope to a nearby tree.
"I'll go next."
As she seems to struggle with the rope, Tania stops in her tracks and, following Fi'Vannali's example, slows down and goes a lot more slowly. From her vantage, she looks down at her landing zone, looking for any sign of movement.
Tar'kanas waits for the others to climb down and then follows.