Aerys scowls and speaks in a harsh tone. "I don't believe this. Somebody better get me a drink."
I gather all the loot in one spot and start separating everything into piles.
After a couple of hours sitting under a tree recouperating from the disaster of the sea scorpian attacks and the swimming attempts. After dozing for a bit he gets up and heads over to Luther asking, "Cleric, you have anything for puncture wounds, bites and being heaved against sharp rocks?"
Alyosha finds a nice cool spot under a tree to rest for a couple of hours. All that swimming and watching people fight sure was tiring. After his nap Alyosha walks over to Rorie and watches him split up the loot.
Smian straps his spiffy new spell component pouch to his belt, and puts the healing potion in his belt pouch.
He takes a look at the two unidentified potions and attempts to identify them.
Dark clouds begin to gather overheard. It looks like rain.
Rorie sorts and distributes the loot based on who he things will get the most value out of it.
Smian is unable to identify the potions.
Luther casts cure light wounds on Addam.
Gelik speaks up. "Are you going to leave the prisoner like that? Maybe he is innocent. Even if he is not is says right there on those papers that he was arrested for petty theft. Even if he's guilty; I mean a life sentence?"
Aerys begins to pester whoever will listen. She wants a hard drink.
Gelik speaks up. "Are you going to leave the prisoner like that? Maybe he is innocent. Even if he is not is says right there on those papers that he was arrested for petty theft. Even if he's guilty; I mean a life sentence?"
"Agreed. A life sentence for petty theft is not justice at all. He's suffered enough already after being bound up in that ship for weeks. I say we unbind him."
"At any rate, we're not prison guards; it was not we who signed up to shackle and transport this man. That was that damned captain of the Jenivere, and he's likely long gone by now."
"Besides, even if he attempts something, there's enough of us here to quickly subdue him."
"And if you are wrong about his innocence and slits your throat in the middle of the night?!
Alyosha moves between Smian and the prisoner.
Aerys invites herself into the conversation. "The elf is right. We'll probably get rescued in a few days. I'll take him in myself for the 2,000 gold. Let me have that wanted poster..."
Ishirou interjects. "What makes you think we are going to get rescued? Who will save us? I happen to agree with Smian. I'm much more concerned with what else is on this island. "
Sasha addresses this in a serious tone. "If this is Smuggler's Shiv, there's been a hundred ships that sank before us, and I've heard more than a few of their tales. No one ever gets rescued."
Gelik pipes back. "Ya, right. If no one gets rescued, why are there tales?"
I walk up to Jask. Tell me your story...
Smian turns a disgusted look at Aerys. "So you can blow it all on ale?"
Jask explains his story again, with less patience this time.
"Look, I already explained. I was a page in Eleder for Councilman Phaerus Corydona. When I found out he was corrupt I turned him in, only to find myself placed under arrest. I escaped because they gave me a life sentence for petty theft. Then Phaerus placed a 2,000 coin bounty on my head that is still active ten years later. Does any of that seem a little much for petty theft? Phaerus means to get rid of me for knowing his dirty secrets!"
Jask continues, "I only want to help. I can help you, but not if I'm restrained like this. If you free me I can help."
Addam decided it was time to chime in, "I agree that he's a criminal but at this point we're on an island where is he going to go. I'd prefer to have him helping us get our crap together during the day, if you wish to tie him up at night then so be it."
Addam then studies the tracks that are still showing higher up on the beach where they were dragged? If we were all unconcious how were we dragged?
Addam begins looking around the area for any tracks leading into the brush.
Perception:
Identify tracks found: Survival+Track
Luther casts cure light wounds on Addam. 1d8+1
Sense motive on Jask:
Smian laughs at Alyosha."If we are to suspect everyone guilty petty theft of plotting to slit our throats, we'd do our best to keep our eyes on this rogue as well," he says to the rest of the group.
Following Addam's gaze toward the tracks, Smian decides to walk over and investigate. He bends down and looks closely at the patterns in the sand.
Sasha sighs, and looks down, hands on hips. "Lets just get it settled now. We have four in favor of freeing Jask, and two against."
"Unshackle him but dont ask for my help when ya lay bleeding in the sand."
Alyosha throws his hands up and retreats to the outskirts of the camp.
Gothard asks those who stayed at camp, "What did you learn about the island while we were gathering supplies? Are there any trails from here or an indication of which way we should travel? Staying here on the beach will not be a long term solution."
Sasha lets Gothard know, "We'll talk about that soon."
"We need all the help we can get. Take his chains off. We can start thinking of what we can do. Have to find a way off the island. And going inland may be our best option. First things first though. We need to finish setting up our base camp. Night is going to come in soon, and i dont want some critters comeing up and bitting us as we sleep. Any ideas how to stop that from happening?"
Side note i did make a check to see if i could find tracks back on page one, and with a roll of 29 nothing showed up.
And luther can also purify all food that comes into camp, i prepared that spell as well as the water one. So we will have fresh water all the time and the food we will get will be clean and healthy.
"Free..." I try the keys to unshackle Jask.
Rain begins to fall heavily.
"Free..." I try the keys to unshackle Jask.
One of the three keys on the ring unlocks the manacles. Jask lights up. "Thank you for being sensible, may Nethys fill you with knowledge. You won't regret this." Jask retrieves his leather armor and his cleric robe from camp supplies. He produces his holy symbol from a deep pocket. "I see you found my dagger. I also had two potions of healing. I don't need those right now but I can assist anyone that has wounds."
With the business of Jask settled, for now at least, the conversation turns back where you are, and what you will do. Ishirou sits with his back to a tree and tries to stay dry. "We didn't see any trails. Except for the wreck we didn't see any sign of anything."
Sasha holds on to her brimmed hat, trying to funnel the rain back. "I don't know what the next move is. There is plenty to eat here. We saw muscles,clams, turtles, squid, crab, and fish in the bay. Who knows what else. There was some exotic looking fruit growing on the edge of the jungle, and a few common species of berries, and a few dozen unknown. Other things must live in the jungle. I wish we had some protection from this rain."
Luther: You think about the tracks you saw in the sand when the tide was still low. There was only one set, and the drag imprints leading to the water. You remember that the tracks left a very unusual heel print. Alyosha, who is now wearing the boots that came with the masterwork studded leather armor he claimed, is making the exact same tracks now.
The rain makes the temperature almost tolerable, for the time being. Small waterfalls begin to form in the cliffs around you. The trees and fauna rise and fall from the shear volume. The last of the wreck is washed off the rock. The scene in the little bay is rather beautiful, while undeniably tragic.
Gothard states to the group "First things first! We need to build shelter for tonight and then see to eating. After dinner we may discuss what our next steps may be. I would suggest someone take these fishing nets and catch us something fresh for tonight. Who knows when we will be able to have fresh food again; we should also empty this keg of ale so that we may fill it with water for our impending journey. How we empty the keg is open for interpretation!'
Gothard gathers up the spare lumber, rope and sails and begins to lash together a large crude tent. He build a three conical frames from the lumber and proceeds to wrap the sails around the outside to serve as walls
knowledge engineering check (for shelter):
survival check (for catching fish with nets) :
To Jask "You are a cleric?"
I aid Gothard as best as I can.
Gothard empties another cup of ale and belches loudly. "Now is a good time to discuss our plans. Staying on the beach will not be a good idea; we are too open to attack from the sea and the jungle. We should rise at first light before the heat becomes unbearable and investigate the immediate area. I can climb well and will go to the top of the cliffs to the east to see what I can; it would perhaps be best to go in groups of 2 or 3 comprised of those with varying skills. Perhaps a fighter, healer and tracker for each group."
After a pause for another gulp of ale Gothard begins anew, "As far as tonight goes, we have enough people here to take turns on watch. Two people per shift and two hours per shift. I do not care who is paired with who, I will leave it to others to decide. We will survive this jungle.". He looks around sternly at all gathered party members.
Although he does not say it now, Gothard will refuse to allow Jask to be part of the watch rotation until he had proven himself trustworthy.
Alyosha begins to search the underbrush around and in the jungle for any brush or twigs usable for fire and shelter.
After gathering what he can find Alyosha choose to sleep in a secluded area of the camp.
"I will have no part of this so called 'cleric'. I will stand guard for my two hours but not with that criminal. This man has already been judged and his punishment measured..." Alyosha trails off as he enters the edge of the jungle. He begins to slip in to his native Elvish tongue, with some Orcish curse words added in.
Knowledge (Nature):
Before the words even leave Gothard's mouth Aerys its tapping the keg and begins to fill her empty bottle.
Even in the torrential rain Gothard is able to frame out a durable tent using the lumber and canvas sheets. With help, work will take him until about nightfall to complete. The rain has put the fire out.
Jask speaks to Rorie. "I am a cleric of Nethys, overseer of magic. My power is modest but like Luther I can summon clean water and purify food. I also know some healing and protection spells."
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 1
Alyosha scavenges for prime branches and fire wood. Not far into the jungle, just south of the camp, he finds a tree with a twisting trunk and branches, but no leaves. It is covered in a dense moss which seems to shed the rain water. It appears to be and in fact is premium kindling.
After collecting some Alyosha finds his hands covered in a fine sap. Attempts to wipe it off seem only to spread it. Very quickly it is absorbed into the skin, and produces an overwhelming skunk like odor. You can hardly stand it. Even the heavy rain does little to dampen, or remove the smell.
I do not partake of the ale, though I will have a sip or two of the rum.
I offer some of my soap to Alyosha.
Aerys smiles at Rorie. "Oh I didn't see that! Fifty gold per bottle, that is not your average swill. Mind if I?..."
Over in the jungle, the smell overwhelms Alyosha and he makes a dash for the open water. Back in camp you smell the musk before you see or even hear him running out of the jungle.
The salty sea water seems to do nothing to dampen the smell. It is not until Rorie offers his soap, and a good period of scrubbing, that Alyosha is able to remove the the smell from his body.
The rain stops as this is going on. The temperature remains tolerable but swarms of mosquitoes, gnats, and flies have invade the camp. The bad odor followed Alyosha into camp, and lurks in the air.
As light fades you gather around a restarted campfire, eat, and talk about your situation.
Addam is able to defeat the infectious disease before it has a chance to take hold.
Gothard looks around in disdain "Ugh! He will bring every beast within 5 miles to us smelling like that. Why don't you just set out fresh bleeding meat to attract the creatures as well?", he grumbles.
Shouting to Rorie "Dwarf! You seem to be one of the few who know how to take care of himself; what is your opinion of tomorrows course of action? I need to know at least someone here will not go out of their way to get me killed."
Dusk slips into night. While the insects are thicker than mist, you do your best to cover your exposed skin, and keep feeding leafy greens into the fire. They are not just around you in camp, but their presence in the jungle is felt by the orchestra of noises, chirps, and songs constantly emitting from the brush and beyond.
It is hot again, the humidity is thick and makes the air heavy.
Aerys is drunk, but pleasant. In fact you’ve probably never seen her so happy. She takes a long drink of ale, and wags a finger. “Let me tell you a little something about this iiisland. You won’t see it on most maps, but it’s there, it iss, cause you see… It’s wrecked a lot of ships and that’s why there were smugglersers here before hiding. And its Smiglers Shove. Itsz… what it’s called.”
Gelik the gnome throws a stone behind Aeyrs, which startles her into chasing shadows around the perimeter of camp, trying to find what she heard. “Smuggler’s Shiv. She was mostly right. Rather impressive for her condition. It’s haunted. Ghosts and ghouls of all the dead sailors. There’s been a few attempts to colonize it. I don’t think they went very well.”
Sasha sits by the fire and twists a long stick in the coals. "I’ve heard that too. The colonies had to be abandoned. I’m not so much sure it was because of ghosts though. Seventy years ago, just before the navy of Cheliax was defeated by pirate forces, one of their warships wrecked on Smuggler’s Shiv. Most survived but Cheliax was unable to rescue them, if they had any idea they were alive. The troops lived out long years, and even bore offspring, but a hundred year monsoon sent them into depraved madness, and they cannibalized each other. The victors sank deeper into madness and moved deep into the jungle. Decades later they reemerged and took the colony by surprise. They left no survivors, but the next boat that came in found their remains, which were nothing but a pile of charred, gnawed up bones."
Everything is silent for a moment. The sounds of the jungle are indulging the mood, to say the least.
Jask clears his throat. “I can tell you something else about this island. I don’t know anything about ghosts, or cannibals, but I do know something about the colony. They built a lighthouse on this island, or rather they tried to. Jask refers to the torn map. The colony was abandoned before it was ever put into operation, but it stands, on the south west end of smugglers shiv. It’s close enough to the main Eleder shipping line that it would no problem to get some passing vessel to take notice. If you can somehow reach that light house, we can get rescued.”
Jask takes a drink from his own improvised ale mug. “Look, I know we are on strange terms. I’d like a chance to explain myself a little better.”
Now relaxed, Jask slips into his native dialect, which sounds like what you might expect from a pacific islander. “I was born in Eleder. That’s the capital city founded by Cheliax when they colonized Sargava some five hundred years ago, in case you did not know. It was like a wolf stumbling into a herd of sheep and before long the colony had the wealth of a small kingdom. The primitive Mwangi tribes were recruited as an entire class of cheap labor, or otherwise driven away from Eleder. My father was colonial, and the son of the owner of a modest pineapple plantation. My mother was from a Mulaa tribe; I guess that kind of puts me in the unique position of having a foot in two very different worlds.”
“When I was a much younger man I was able to get a job in a government office. The pay was not great but jobs are few and far unless you want to harvest pineapples, or mine . I worked for a council member named Phaerus Corydona. I don’t know what it means to you but in Eleder being a council member means being the hands of Baron Utilinus. They manage different parts of the city and generally aim to please Utilinus since he’s the one that’ll fire you. I began to see, and hear, enough to have some idea that Phaerus wasn’t playing things straight. Numbers didn’t add up. I would come in some days and numbers that I had figured the night before would be smudged. “
“There’s not too many people more powerful than a council member in Eleder. The baron is unattainable so I went to one of his personal aids. Now you know that to my surprise I was placed under arrest. They put some coins in my pocket and said I stole them from the tax vault. In order to make sure that I wouldn’t be a problem I was jailed, booked, and shipped off into the depths of Sargava to clear jungle for a road. They been clearing a jungle for a road for thirty five years and there ain’t no road because the jungle grows faster than any prison gang can cut it down."
Jask trails off and is silent for a moment. "Well you know the rest right? I ran. I spent eleven months making may way through the jungle, all the way through Sargava, which is just a heel of the Mwangi Expanse. I spent three months wandering in the deepest depths of the Mwangi. I was diseased, starving, and raving like a lunatic when dumb luck struck down and crossed my path with a band of explorers. They were followers of Nethys, searching for an ancient temple of legend which was reputed to contain some artifact of incredible power. They took me with them and led me north to more civilized lands. I kind of stuck with them, and kind of had a good thing going."
At that you hear a noise from the jungle. You hear ten thousand noises from the jungle, but this one is loud and heading towards you, from the exact area that Alyosha emerged from smelling like skunk.
You’ve got plenty of time to hear whatever is coming. Make a pre-combat action if you like, and include your initiative roll for the start of combat.
"These five guard. Build better shelter to keep bugs out maybe?" I motion to the NPCs. "The rest explore. Perhaps the lighthouse would be good."
At hearing the noise, "Something comes!"
Initiative:
Addam listens to the groups chatter while pretending to doze. Its calming for him to be out in parts like this, meaning out in the middle of no-where. The sounds and smalls make him feel in his element.
He hears Rorie's warning and stands bringing his bow to aim towards the sound coming towards them.
Initiative:
Still in awe about what was just said, he shoots up upon haring the noise, getting ready for the worst, he holds his marked hand in front of his face and mutters a prayer.
Everyone in the party now is blessed. +1 attack, and saves vs fear for one min.
"Abadar protect us." He reaches for his cross bow.
Everyone in the party now is blessed. +1 attack, and saves vs fear for one min.
Gothard rises and looks out towards the noise mumbling under his breath "I told you so." Axe and shield brought to the ready, Gothard begins to slowly swing his axe back and forth a few times testing the weight and loosening his muscles. He now feels prepared for whatever onslaught the jungle might bring.
He then shouts to Jask "We will finish your tale later, for now get ready to fight. Everyone who does not have a weapon, find something! A rock or a burning branch. And anyone who knows the animals of this land be prepared to tell us anything you can about what approaches, especially where to hit it!"
initiative check:
At the strange sound Alyosha readies his weapons, masterwork short sword and masterwork dagger, and begins to slip in to the shadows ready for an attack. He attempts to move quietly toward the noise without moving to far in to the forest.
Stealth:
Jask retrieves his dagger. Gelik, Ishirou, Jask, and Sasha arm themselves with improvised weapons.
Large reptilian creatures charge through the brush at full speed. The activated tree oil has sent them into a feeding frenzy. image The leader rushes in all the way to the water line, where the direct trail is lost. Two smaller shiv dragons, which might only be seven feet in length follow onto the beach.
Addam has an arrow ready and fires as soon as he has a target.
The arrow is off course.
Luther fires a bolt as the lead monitor emerges from the brush.
"BAHH!" Addam misses the monitor as they burst from the foliage he quickly knocked another arrow. The first monitor went straight into the ocean so he focused on the monitor #2.
Addam lets loose his second arrow.
Ranged Attack:
Damage:
Seeing the giant lizards, Smian whispers to his fellow travelers, "Hit them with your arrows and bolts while they're far away". When they close in, I'll use my magic.
A mischievous glint comes over Smians eye, and the corner of his mouth turns up into a slight smile. "My friends, you're all in for quite a light show."
Smian moves to the square right behind Gothard, and gets ready to cast daze (25 ft range) on the first shiv dragon to enter the spell's range.
Realizing that the lizards have yet to see him Alyosha drops his melee weapons and readies his longbow. Aiming at lizard #3 Alyosha lets loose an arrow from his longbow.
Ranged Attack:
Damage:
The rogue must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A rogue cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment.
Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet.
Gothard continues to hold his attack until the enemy comes into range, letting the groups ranged attacks weaken the enemy. He suggests that the NPC's with melee weapons move to the front to protect the ranged attackers.
ready attack for first opponent that comes into melee range:
damage, battleaxe:
I move to the square NE of Gothard and throw a shuriken at #2.
Attack:
Damage:
EDIT:
Alyosha barley plucks and arrow into the third monster.
Ishirou runs to the front line and readies an attack with his Katana on the next square in front of him.
Smian moves behind Gothard and readies a spell.
Sasha splits a manic smile and runs to back up Ishirou and seal the flank.
Shiv Dragon 2 snorts with rage and attacks it's nearest enemy. It triggers the readied attacks of both Ishirou and Smian.
Ishirou swings the katana.
Ishirou misses.
Smian casts daze on Shiv Dragon 2.
Shiv Dragon 2 is dazed.
Gothard steps up to Shiv Dragon 2 and slashes it with his battle ax.
Jask moves behind Ishirou and casts shield of faith on the unarmored fighter.
Addam aims but Ishirou is providing the Shiv Dragon with cover (-4 to attack). His shot goes wide.
Luther sees that Shiv Dragon 3 is still unengaged. He reloads his light crossbow and fire another shot.
Luther scores another hit!
Shiv Dragon 1 moves up to join in the attack on Ishirou.
Shiv Dragon 3 engages Gothard.
The attack misses.
Rorie moves up and throws a fighting star, but his attack is off.
Gelik moves to the back of the pack. He begins to sing a song of bravery that inspires you with great courage.
Aerys tries to secure the southern flank. She uses a move action and then readies an attack on the square in front of her.