<DM> The first week after the Radiant Knights leave is peaceful; the townsfolk nervously try to return to their normal lives. <DM> Slowly, as no more disappearances occur, no outbreaks of violence disturbs their days, Threecrown returns to its regular bustle of activity. <DM> Still, there seems to be an aura of awe around you. The townspeople give each of you wide berth, most avert their eyes when you approach, and their interaction with you is brief and timid. <Fordran> (maybe i should stop glowing all the time) <DM> Foster takes his leave after identifying all of the spoils of your recent adventure. <Foster> (in a process that takes somewhere around 10 days) <DM> After selling a portion of it to the mage, Apol takes its leave as well, returning far less encumbered. <DM> Foster returns shortly after Apol does. <Erias> (Trying to imagine Apol flying erratically under a huge pile of loot) <Sam> (they leave me alone, i leave them alone...we understand each other!) <Grith> (Like Squeaky, the Dragon Slayer) <Grith> (re: Apol under loot) <DM> One day, there is a strong knock at the door; the knock itself is surprising, as no one has bothered you in weeks. * Foster answers it, warily. <Grith> (Are we all staying at Foster's?) * Vita peers through another doorway at the door, warily * Erias continues washing dishes. * Foster assumes that a thousand gold buys you a fairly large house in a silver-based economy <DM> There's an impatient looking half-elf at the door, male, graying at the temples. <Grith> (Erias is my hero! Such a noble... and brave soul. What with Grith living there.) * Foster looks at him. "Can I help you, sir?" <DM> <half-elf> "Good day, uh, m'Lord." *knuckles forehead* <DM> <half-elf> "Are you the, er, Heroes of Threecrown?" * Apol continues licking the plates before handing them to Erias. <Foster> "People seem to call us that when they're not steadfastly refusing to meet our gazes, yes." * Erias smiles at Apol and puts the plate down, turning to look through the doorway at the front room. <DM> <half-elf> "Mmm... yes. I want to hire you for an expedition." <DM> <half-elf> "What are your going rates?" <DM> (as if you needed money) <Foster> "Why don't you come in, and we'll discuss matters." <DM> <half-elf> "Ah, thank you." * Foster leads the man to a sitting room. <DM> <half-elf> "Cozy little place you have here. I'm Brynwylld, by the way." * Fordran appears from a hallway with an orange in hand. <Fordran> "...Oh. Hello, who's this?" * Grith pokes his head out of his (wisely downstairs) bedroom. Cocks his head to listen from down the hall. <DM> (god, I'm going to hate myself for having to type that over and over again) * Erias appears in another doorway, drying off his hands with a rag. <Foster> "This is Brynwylld, who appears to want to hire us for an expedition of some sort. I'm Foster, by the way." <DM> Brynwylld sizes up each of you in turn. * Vita wanders over and introduces herself.... she's almost at eye level with him since she's standing and he's sitting <DM> <Brynwylld> (I just copied that btw) "Pleased to meet you, Miss Vita." * Fordran offers his free hand. "Pelor be with you this day. My name is Fordran." * Erias puts the rag down and enters the sitting room. * Sam stands straight, but doesn't move much otherwise. "Sam." <DM> He stands as Fordran extends his hand. <Erias> "Erias. Welcome." * Grith booms out from down the hall, "Hey?! We have company?" * Erias shakes his hand as well. <Fordran> "How may we assist you?" <DM> He shakes it. "Fordran, pleased to meet you, grace be with you." Nods to Erias, "Erias. Pleased to meet you." * Apol decides to join the rest and lands on Erias' shoulder, dripping suds onto his shirt. <DM> He waits for the owner of the booming voice to arrive. <Apol> "Martivir." <DM> He bows a little, "Martivir, Darastrix." * Fordran calls out to the hallway. "Come out and meet our guest, Grith." * Erias looks around for the rag, sighs, and wipes off the suds with his hand. <Erias> "You speak the dragon tongue?" <DM> <Brynwylld> *nods, smiles* "I am an interpreter by trade." <Grith> "Guest? A guest..." He ducks back into his room, throws on a shirt, grabs his new club from a weapons rack, props it on his shoulder in typical Grith fashion, and heads down the hall into the sitting room. <DM> Brynwylld's eyebrows jump a little as Grith enters, club in hand. <DM> <Brynwylld> "...Pleased to meet you... I am Brynwylld." * Erias raises his hands slightly toward Brynywyllynyyd in a placating gesture. * Grith stops up short, eyes the half-elf, then colors slightly, "Oh... er..." He tosses the club behind him with a crash. Winces. Then nods, "I'm, er... Grith." * Foster also winces as the club scuffs his floor. * Vita just winces in general <DM> <Brynwylld> "Grith." He begins to offer a hand, then decides better of it, half bows instead. <DM> He looks to Foster. "Is this everyone?" * Grith looks puzzled, then tries a half bow of his own. It's not bad. <Foster> "I believe so." <DM> <Brynwylld> *smiles* "Then I shall begin." <Fordran> (thermal detonator GO!) <Grith> (His Jedi mind tricks apparently worked...) <DM> <Brynwylld> "A group of traders hired me a few months ago from out of the Blood Shoals further up the coast. They were looking to trade with the tribes living on the islands off to the West." <Sam> (working on stats sheet, now that i have everything in pencil...) <DM> <Brynwylld> "The first two stops were fair, we were able to acquire a decent amount of sugarcane and spices at a good margin." <DM> <Brynwylld> "As we approached the third, however, we saw pirates on the horizon. The first mate swore it was the dread corsair Bloodnose, but I don't believe he actually exists." * Foster smiles slightly. <Fordran> (arr) * Fordran glances sidelong at Foster. <DM> <Brynwylld> "In any event, as they closed on our heavily-laden ship, we turned towards what we believed to be an uninhabited island, hoping to escape with our lives, if not our cargo." <DM> <Brynwylld> "Strangely, the pirates did not pursue. Oh, yes, by this point in our journey, I was bedridden with illness. A... fever... I succumbed to during the second trading stop." * Erias looks at Brynwylld. <DM> <Brynwylld> "Thus it was that I stayed with the ship as we sent some of the men to check the island." <DM> <Brynwylld> "When they didn't return by nightfall, the captain grew worried, and took the rest of the men aground, armed with crossbows. I, of course, stayed with the ship." <DM> <Brynwylld> "I fell unconscious in the throes of the fever. When I awoke, the vessel was under full sail, to Threecrown. <DM> <Brynwylld> "Only a skeleton crew was aboard, some of the men injured, with no explanation of what had occurred." <Fordran> (that is: a crew composed of skeletons.) <DM> <Brynwylld> "None of the merchants were among those that returned. After the first threat of violence when I asked after them, I hid in the cargo hold, for fear of reprisal." <DM> <Brynwylld> "When we docked, each of the men fled the ship, without even taking any of the cargo." * Erias looks thoughtful. <DM> <Brynwylld> "So. My proposal to you, good sirs and lady, is to sail with me back on the Whispering Kite, discover what happened to the crew, and rescue them if possible." * Vita frowns a little at the word "sail" * Erias frowns a little at the word "sail" * Fordran will melt faces in PvP. * DM frowns a little at- * Grith frowns a little at the word "sail". * Fordran frowns a little at the word "sail", that is. * Grith actually frowns a lot. * Sam remains stoic. <DM> (Sam dodges the sail?) * Foster raises an eyebrow. <Erias> "So you have no idea what happened..." <Apol> "Wux sveargith *gethrisj* korth." <Grith> (Sam dodges the eyebrow.) <DM> <Brynwylld> "None whatsoever." <Sam> (i see your eyebrow and raise you a sideburn.) <Grith> "Hmmm..." <DM> Brynwylld bows slightly to Apol. * Grith looks thoughtful. <Fordran> "About how many of the crew were lost?" <Erias> "I do not mean to pry, but you seemed hesitant speaking of your illness. Is there more we should know?" * Vita whispers under her breath "Bloodnose, eh..." <Foster> "Aside from my ability to assure you that while Bloodnose exists, 'dread corsair' is not the first term I'd use to describe him, I would say that you have an excellent story." * Apol whispers to Erias. * Sam mumbles, "...items which turn men against each other...but away from each other?" * Sam looks moderately confused. <DM> <Brynwylld> *blushes a bit at Erias' subject* "Er. Suffice to say that I thought it was a pleasant way to become ill, at the time." <Erias> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 22 | [d20=19] [+3=3] (Erias) * Erias has a look of sudden understanding. <Erias> "...ah. No more need be said, then." <Foster> (Erias succeeds in realizing that poxy whores exist, and even comprehends what you do with them!) <Fordran> (as long as they're not proxy whores) * Erias mutters a few words to Apol, glancing at Brynwylld apologetically. <Sam> (how does that even work?) <Foster> (Goddess of Seduction~) * Erias looks at the others. <Erias> "Perhaps we should discuss this request privately?" <DM> <Brynwylld> "Certainly. I can wait outside, if you wish." <Erias> (whoops, forgot Fordran's question up there. but maybe he did too.) <DM> (oh oops) <DM> (scrollback, sec) <DM> <Brynwylld> (to Fordran) "I think there were about 20 to 25 crewmembers at the outset, and 9 members of the trading company. Only 11 crew returned." <Fordran> "Ah." * Fordran looks down a little. The astute will notice him counting on his fingers a bit. <DM> Brynwylld goes to wait in the foyer. <Foster> "I think that would be best, yes. We'll be with you shortly." <Foster> (transpose those two lines for maximum sense) <Sam> "Investigation is not a strength of mine." <DM> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 10 | [d20=5] [+5=5] (DM) <Erias> "Nor mine, but some of the crew could still be alive." <Vita> "Water is not a strength of mine." <Fordran> "Indeed. If his story is indeed true, then there are people who need help." <Foster> "I've certainly done my fair share of it in the past, but I wouldn't call it a strength. More of a hobby." * Fordran looks at Vita. "Yes... I can't say that I've had any experience with the... ocean." <Erias> "And even if not, a danger such as this near a trade route... it would be worth visiting, to ensure the safety of others." <Apol> "It does sound like something fun. This place hasn't been fun since Halley and Ingrid told me I can't play with the cows anymore. They say I make the milk go sour." *pout* <Fordran> "What were you-- no, I don't want to know, Apol." * Erias has learned not to ask. * Vita scuffs her feet "I don't know how to deal with the big water. How much would we have to, uh, sail?" * Fordran shrugs. "It didn't sound like the islands were too far away, but I guess he didn't actually say." <Foster> "I'm all for giving it a shot, honestly. There are good humanitarian reasons for doing so, and life has been a bit boring lately." <Erias> "I imagine it would have to be a few days at least to get there, for such an expedition to be worthwhile." <Foster> "Besides, I've already read all my books twice." <Grith> "Water is definitely not a strength of mine..." Grith seems distracted, as evidenced by his very delayed reaction. <Vita> "I suppose it would be good to go out and do something." <Sam> "It's only water." <Vita> "It's not really the water that bothers me Sam, it's the lack of land." * Sam , failing to read thoughts. * Grith tilts his head one way, then the other, then looks at Sam, "Yeh, what Vita said. And the water. Don't love the idea of sinking into it." <Fordran> "Well. Boats should be safe, right? They use them all the time. I'm sure they're... wait, don't you have a lot of books, Foster?" <Erias> "It's not without danger, but if we prepare well and find a reliable ship, it should be only a small concern." * Grith mumbles "...could always buy more..." unhelpfully. * Vita subdues a little <Vita> "I wonder what Bloodnose has to do with all this.... if anything." <Sam> "Enough provisions and a competent crew." <Fordran> "I was just going to ask. I forget if he's still upset with us. It's been so long." <Foster> "Well. If the island is anywhere near here, it's part of the archipelago, which means we'll rarely be out of sight of land." * Vita perks up <Foster> "And, um, I think Bloodnose will be upset with us until one of us finds and unpleasantly shallow grave." <Fordran> "Part of the what not?" <Fordran> (now) * Vita didn't understand the middle part of that sentence, but liked the last part <DM> (Archaepelican: An ancient sea bird) <Foster> "An archipelago is a chain of islands. One starts just near here." <Grith> "I can't walk a hundred yards along the bottom of tha sea any better'n I can walk twenty leagues at the bottom of tha sea..." <Sam> "This is why men build boats." * Grith nods, sighs, "I s'pose I could just not wear my armor 'til we get there." <Fordran> "I'm up for it, then. Assuming that we think this Brynw..Briar...Br...half-elf is trustworthy." <Erias> "He seemed so, to me. That's no guarantee, but I think this is worth checking on." * Fordran shrugs, looks at the rest. <Sam> "It is travel. I am not unfamiliar with it." <Erias> "I know that there are magics that can allow people to breathe under water... perhaps we could find something like that, in case of emergencies?" <Foster> "Well, if he's leading us into a trap, we'll just deal with it and bring him to justice." * Vita shrugs "Guess I'm in. When does the floating thingy leave?" * Apol nods along with Sam's comment, "Yeah, I would like to get out again. And ... what is sugarcane?" <Fordran> "You always make it sound so easy, Foster." <Grith> "Brynwylld is... waiting. He seems impatient... but..." * Grith shrugs uselessly. <Sam> "Sugar cane is a useful plant." <Grith> "I don't think he's up to anything right now, at least." <Sam> "Though we did not grow it where I lived. Too cold." <Erias> "It sounds like we're all willing. Don't worry, travel by boat is... not that bad." <Vita> "Well if we've decided we shouldn't make him wait longer..." * Grith studies Erias silently. <Foster> "I quite enjoy travel by boat, to be honest. I did a fair bit of sailing before I came here." * Erias glances around quickly to see if anyone will contradict him, then turns toward the other room. <DM> Brynwylld looks up at Erias' approach, smiles. <Erias> (sorry, just trying to hurry things along) * Erias beckons Brynwylld back into the main room. <DM> Brynwylld follows. <DM> He looks at you expectantly. <Fordran> (i cast flamestrike.) <Erias> "We'll need more details, but it sounds like we're willing to look into this." <DM> <Brynwylld> "Excellent, excellent!" *smiles* "Shall we discuss payment?" <Fordran> (Your Quest Log has been updated.) <Erias> "Uh... sure." * Erias glances at Foster and Apol. <Grith> "Got any especially large magical greatswords, by any chance?" <DM> <Brynwylld> "What is the going rate for retaining your services?" <Erias> (Erias has no idea what this should cost, and obviously we don't need money right now.) * Vita tries NOT to look like she already has more money than she knows what to do with <Foster> |roll d20+10 <tafal> 13 | [d20=3] [+10=10] (Foster) <Apol> "Have you sold the cargo?" <Foster> (and the tafal hate begins anew) <Grith> "Er... I don't think it's a good idea if you eat that much sugar, Apol. Could be dangerous. For us, I mean." * Sam lacks business sense. <Apol> (Need the letters "DM" for tafal love) <Erias> (Um... I'm sort of at a loss here, guys) * Fordran is too altruistic to be involved. <Foster> (I'm working on it) <Erias> (Erias would do it for free, but is pausing because he knows the others would probably prefer recompense. I'll pause for Foster.) * Apol flies near Foster and talks to him quietly. <Vita> (Vita also is in a position where she basically wants things they might come across, and not much else) <Fordran> (does any epic loot drop in the islands) <Foster> "Say, 650 gold per person per day?" * Erias tries to conceal his shock. <DM> Brynwylld looks up as he does some mental calculation. <Erias> (side note: what book has Holy Surge?) <Foster> (DMG II) <Erias> (Ah, thanks.) <DM> <Brynwylld> "And travel expenses, and anything acquired legally during the expedition." * Sam has an opinion about that figure plainly on his face. <DM> <Brynwylld> "Does that sound fair?" * Vita nods wordlessly * Fordran shrugs noncommitally. * Erias glances at Foster, and nods. <Foster> "I believe that sounds good, though I believe that my draconic colleague has expressed some interest in ownership of the island itself." * Erias winces. <DM> <Brynwylld> "..." * Fordran nods, then stops nodding. * Vita conceals nervous/silly laughter <Apol> "But we can ask whoever is on there." * Fordran starts to Gabeface. * Sam smirks. <Vita> "Apol, what would you DO with an island?" <DM> <Brynwylld> "I would certainly be willing to broker such negotiations with the owners of the real estate for you." * Grith just blinks. <Foster> "The hazy nature of ownership among the island tribes being what it is, I believe that we can deal with that eventuality when we are in contact with the current holders of the land." <Apol> "Always good to have many places to put things, that's what Bob always said." <DM> (Great. You're starting the Colonial era all by yourself. Pat yourself on the back :P) <Sam> (don't blame me, i started as a subsistence farmer!) <Foster> "How long do you expect this trip to take, and when do you expect to be ready to set sail?" <DM> Brynwylld whips out a piece of parchment, and begins filling in some blanks as he answers. <Apol> (Well, what else is the purpose of having colonialization except to get more stuff and have a place to put other stuff? :p) <Foster> (Foster. medium imperialist aberration.) * Vita says to no one in particular, "Why does Apol owning an island make me nervous?" <DM> <Brynwylld> "Unladen, we should get to the island in 3-4 days. How long the expedition will take, I don't know, but if we discover nothing in 3 days after arrival, I'm willing to drop it. We can depart today." <Grith> (slaves) <Grith> (Though I guess in the slaver's point of view, that fits under "more stuff".) <DM> Brynwylld passes the filled-out contract to Foster for perusal. * Foster scrutinizes it carefully. <Apol> "Oh, I guess I could get my own cows to put on an island...." <Foster> (K: Accounting and contract law~) <DM> It's pretty standard boilerplate, with the payment and conditions you just negotiated filled in. <Grith> "Cows? <Grith> " <Grith> "You like cows?" <Vita> "Cows are so big. And smell funny." <Foster> "I believe that all is in order, then. I suppose that you would prefer us all to sign this?" <DM> <Brynwylld> "One of you is fine. The leader, or captain, or chairman of your company." <Apol> "Cows are funny. See, what you do is ..." Apol proceeds to explain how to make cows blech by giving them certain herbs and making them run around a lot. * DM * Crickets. <Erias> (heh) * Foster looks around. <Apol> (belch) * Vita looks around * Erias turns a little awkwardly toward Foster, and shrugs. <Fordran> "You're holding it." <Foster> "We tend to operate as more of a council, really. I suppose that I'll shoulder the burden." * Grith folds his arms over his chest and leans against the wall. * Foster locates a pen and signs. <DM> (We're more of an anarcho-syndicalist commune, who take it in turns as sort of an executive...) <Grith> (all part of Foster's plan... eeeexcellent) <Erias> (I thought we were an autonomous collective...) <Foster> (Grith: That's Captain Foster to you.) <DM> Brynwylld signs next to your signature, dates it, blots it. <Grith> (Captain Sworded in a second!) <DM> (Shoulda gone with "Morgan," imo) <Fordran> (arr) <Foster> (heh) <Grith> (Grith'd follow Captain Morgan anywhere...) <Erias> (Rock) <DM> <Brynwylld> "Very good. Shall we meet at the docks in, say, three hours? I'm eager to leave, and I've assembled most of the crew." <Erias> "I can be ready that quickly." <Erias> "Is this the same crew?" <Foster> "I'm fine with that if my friends are." <DM> <Brynwylld> "No, haven't seen them since." * Erias nods. <DM> <Brynwylld> "These are locals." <DM> <Brynwylld> "Very good." He bows to the group of you, and lets himself out. <DM> If you've got everything you need, I'll go "Three hours later..." * Vita is fine with that <Foster> I believe that is acceptable. <Sam> (nog.) <Grith> (extra rations or water or anything?) * Apol dusts off the good old haversack. <Erias> One moment <Grith> (things to kick shit out of ghosts and the goddamn dirty undead? Just in case...) <Erias> Is it okay if I grab a couple things from unclaimed loot? If anyone else wants to... I figure we just have a big closet in here somewhere. <Foster> I was thinking securely locked basement, but yes. <DM> (After that) You wander out together down the wide avenues near the pier used for moving cargo. <DM> The sun is shining brightly on the water, and only a few wispy clouds marr the sky. <DM> Brynwylld is directing some men to move sacks and barrels of provisions up the ramp of a small trading ship. * Vita squints in the bright light <Vita> "I need to get out more ..." <Sam> (gah) <Fordran> (shouldn't you have been out all this time?) <DM> The sharp tang of brine is in the air and gets in your nose. <Fordran> (with your ranger-y thingies) <Vita> (I was hanging around the house, lazing!) <Vita> (oh, right, right ranger) <Fordran> (bad ranger!) <Vita> (/me retcons that line) * Foster fails to react to the light in any way, despite not, as far as any of you can recall, having left the house for several days. <DM> One of the sailors calls out to Brynwylld, who turns around to wave at your approach. <Foster> "Hello there. I trust that we have arrived in a timely manner?" <DM> <Brynwylld> "Excellent, excellent! We're almost ready to leave. Feel free to take any of the staterooms; I've moved the companies' possessions to a local broker." <Grith> "This is the same ship?" <DM> s/companies'/company's <DM> <Brynwylld> "The Whispering Kite, yes." * Apol hisses at the seagulls who have been taunting it and leaps up to chase them. <DM> (That's an archaepelican) <Foster> "All aboard, I suppose." <Grith> "Close enough, anyhow..." * Grith squints up after Apol. * Erias is carrying a small backpack and a slightly larger sack strapped on as well. He's well armed and armored. * Foster locates a stateroom away from potentially noisy parts of the ship, and claims it. <DM> There's some whispering among the crew as you board. * Foster is wearing a new set of spectacles and actually carrying weaponry, but aside from a few new articles of clothing, not much is different. <DM> Any of you wishing to potentially experience seasickness, except Foster and Erias, make Fort saves. * Vita just picks a random stateroom * Fordran is carrying a similar pack and sack, but appears to be wearing robes with the symbol of Pelor on them. <Vita> |roll d20+7 <tafal> 22 | [d20=15] [+7=7] (Vita) <DM> Nope. * Grith is more heavily weighted down. He now carries that greatclub fastened to his belt in addition to Shara strapped over his shoulder. * Grith is carrying a Haversack as well. * Fordran hesitates before stepping on the gangplank, which shows an incredible lack of handrails. * Sam travels only slightly heavier than before, but still rather lightly. * Vita has been eagerly looking around the world with strange glasses/goggly things on * Vita also has a new backpack * Sam takes a small stateroom, if such exists. <Fordran> |roll d20+9 <tafal> 26 | [d20=17] [+9=9] (Fordran) <DM> No seasick * Fordran walks around cautiously. * Erias takes a room or offers to share one with Fordran if there aren't enough for everyone. <DM> The 3 day's journey is fairly uneventful, and the winds mostly favor you. * Grith puzzles over Vita, then eventually lets curiousity get the better of them, "So, uh... what're those doo-dads over yer eyes for?" <DM> Apparently some rumor got around the crew, and they avoid you studiously. * Vita says excitedly "I notice things even better than before, now!" * Fordran spends most of his time above deck, taking in the sun and contemplating all the water around him. * Grith blinks once, then nods, "Oh... well, that should be helpful." He smiles down at her. * Erias spends most of his time avoiding the crew. * Vita gazes at the little bits of land she can see even more <DM> On the third day, the lookout yells down "Land ho!" * Vita smiles at him "I'd let you try them, but they might be a little small for you... * Sam spends time doing funny stretches, and getting rebuffed whenever he offers to help the crew. * Grith spends most of his time practicing with Shara and the club on a part of the deck that sees little foot traffic. * Vita looks around for the land <DM> It looks much like the other islands you've been passing, but more forested. * Apol flies back down, content after driving away the gulls. Apol is wearing another ring and an amulet, and has a small vest and cloak over its neck. <Sam> (fully armed and operational jasmine tea) <DM> You see no little fishing villages along the beach, or smoke. <Apol> (sorry for the delay) <Vita> "Oooh. Those trees are niiice." * Foster inspects the island from afar. * Grith ducks below, then comes back on deck, snugging his gear around himself, double-checking straps... "So... what should we be expecting here, do you all think?" <Fordran> "I can barely make out the trees. It's just a blur of green to me." * Fordran shrugs at Grith. "Could be anything. Could be nothing. I think we should hope for nothing..." <DM> The captain drops anchor a ways out, and has two rowboats lowered. <Sam> "Nothing wrong with an unsettled island." <Grith> "I think we can be pretty sure it's something..." <Fordran> "Yeah." <Grith> (I'd rather the island felt settled. Unsettled sort tend to be unpredictable.) <Grith> (*ducks*) <Erias> "Everyone ready?" <Foster> "Well, I suppose we had best get to work." <Grith> "Ready." * Foster climbs into a boat. * Erias climbs into a boat. * Fordran climbs into a boot. * Grith climbs into a Canadian boat. * Fordran looks nervously at the water around him, which is much much closer than it was on the ship. * Vita follows * Grith stares at the island intently. <Sam> (cana...huh?) * Vita stares at the center of the boat intently <Foster> (joke about boot) <DM> The sailors start rowing you to shore. * Erias is glad his armor is well-oiled. * Apol flies above and slightly ahead of the boat. * Sam retrieved his gear at some point, and boards a rowboat. <DM> You enter the shallows soon, and as soon as they're able, some of the sailors hop into the knee deep water, and haul you ashore. * Foster exits on the beach, nods to the sailors. <DM> Brynwylld looks at the beach, the sky, the jungle, all around. * Fordran carefully steps onto the sand, checking to make sure that it's stable. <DM> The sailors remove some barrels, crates and sacks from the other rowboat, and put them above the tideline. * Sam doesn't seem to mind that theh sand and water slosh all over his sandals. * Grith hops ashore, and helps the sailors unload... * Erias walks a few paces inland and looks out into the jungle. * Vita studies the beach for tracks * Apol plays in the shallows looking for anything shiny. <DM> It's denser than the forests you've seen, but diffuse light comes through the canopy <Foster> "Ah, the wilderness. It's been a few months." * Sam looks, listens, and generally appreciates the wilderness. * Fordran catches up to Vita. "See anything out there?" <DM> Vita: Small strange tracks <DM> closely bunched, parallel <DM> They're recent, in the wet sand. <Fordran> (sandpeople usually travel in single file to hide their numbers.) * Vita says "Little recent small tracks" * Vita points <DM> They're about an inch across. <Foster> "Any idea what they're from?" * Erias looks at the tracks. * Vita shrugs * Foster examines them. <Vita> "Birds?" <Sam> (werelungfish?) <DM> <Brynwylld> "Well. Shall we take a look in the jungle?" <Fordran> (beholders?) <Vita> "Probably not anything important. Certainly not people." <Foster> "Unless they are very small and move by hopping, I suppose not. Let us move along." <Sam> (tony explodes into laughter for no apparent reason.) <DM> <Brynwylld> "Pardon me. Lead on, Captain Foster. Shall I have the men split up?" <Vita> "How big is this island?" * Fordran nods, checks his backpack straps, and starts moving. * Erias begins following Captain Foster. <Vita> "We might want to try and find where your people started going into the forest. That many people would be pretty obvious." <Fordran> (tony: i understand.) * Vita looks at the forest <Sam> (i thought you would.) * Erias adjusts his tiara. * Grith automatically moves to "drag" position. <DM> (HEE) <DM> (I think Erias is in "drag" position) <Fordran> "How long ago were you last here, did you say, Brynwylld?" * Foster smirks a bit, and looks to Vita. "If you have an idea of where to start, lead on." <Grith> (It suits him.) <DM> <Brynwylld> "Four days ago, I think. Give or take a day of fever delirium." <DM> <Brynwylld> "This should be the coast we lowered anchor." <Vita> "Again, I'm all for circling the island looking for traces if it's small and not just dashing into an unknown forest" * Sam gets out his "walking stick." <DM> Vita: Survival roll to track * Vita starts walking down the beach, purposefully looking at the forest * Apol gets out of the water and stays close to Pup and Vita. <Vita> |roll d20+12 <tafal> 13 | [d20=1] [+12=12] (Vita) <Vita> (ARRRRRRRRRRG) * Erias follows, keeping an eye on everyone. <Fordran> (thanks, tafal) <Vita> (What a great start) <DM> You find a trampled area of jungle. <Vita> (hah!) <Fordran> (let's just chill out for an hour and try again) <Erias> ("On second thought, let's just charge straight in.") <Sam> (fuc^H^H^Hthank you very much, tafal.) * Vita points at an obvious trampled area of jungle <Vita> "Like this, this could be where they went." <Foster> "Well, that would certainly be a starting point." <DM> Brynwylld and crew follow the Burly Adventurers * Vita offers to take point and try to track, oblivious that today is an "off-day" <Grith> "Er... 'Captain' Foster?" * Fordran is all about letting the ranger take point in a forest. <Foster> "Oh, yes. Hm. Perhaps some of the crew should remain on the beach to set up a base camp?" <Foster> "Yes, Grith?" * Grith nods, "That was it." <DM> Brynwylld nods, directs some of them to make camp. <Foster> (Perhaps I shall have myself designated Admiral. Then I can taunt Bloodnose with outranking him when he inevitably shows up to try to kill me.) <Fordran> (ooh, i want to be a Commodore) <DM> You make your way through the jungle, following the trampled undergrowth. <DM> |roll d8 <tafal> 1 | [d8=1] (DM) <Foster> (Erias can be Rear Admiral) <Fordran> (BDDD) <DM> ; ; * Erias adjusts one of his earrings. <DM> Foster is incessantly plagued by stinging gnats. <Sam> (ahem. moving on.) * Sam incessantly ignores stinging gnats. <DM> Listen checks <DM> |roll d20+1 <tafal> 9 | [d20=8] [+1=1] (DM) <Sam> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 7 | [d20=2] [+5=5] (Sam) <Vita> |roll d20+13 <tafal> 25 | [d20=12] [+13=13] (Vita) <Erias> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 8 | [d20=5] [+3=3] (Erias) <Apol> |roll d20+11 <tafal> 23 | [d20=12] [+11=11] (Apol) <Sam> (mumble mumble tafal mumble gently mumble chainsaw mumble.) * Vita stops suddenly <Fordran> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 15 | [d20=12] [+3=3] (Fordran) * Vita cocks her head, listening * Erias tries not to run into Vita. * Fordran does run into Erias. <Sam> (clang! crunch!)] * Apol faces NorthWest and starts to hiss. <Foster> |roll d20+1 <tafal> 12 | [d20=11] [+1=1] (Foster) <Vita> |roll d20 <tafal> 5 | [d20=5] (Vita) <Fordran> (tafal >> us) <Vita> "there's an animal out there. bear, maybe?" * Foster looks to wherever Apol does. <Vita> "I can try and sneak up and see." <Foster> |roll d20+9 <tafal> 23 | [d20=14] [+9=9] (Foster) <Vita> "Maybe make friends. Bears can be niec." <Foster> "Bears don't live in jungles, as far as I'm aware." * Apol stays in place but raises wings to try and look bigger. <Sam> "And if it is not friendly, we act like predators and not prey to scare it off?" <Vita> (I thought this was a forest) <DM> (Jungle) <Vita> (Oh) <Fordran> (landshark) <Foster> (That'd suck) <Sam> (oh, that must be my husband) * Vita turns to Sam "probably" <DM> _/|_ <Vita> "Well, it's bear-sized... which could be problematic" * Erias is peering into the jungle, trying to make it out. <DM> The crew bring out their crossbows nervously. * Sam mumbles a word and electricity crackles around his walking stick. <Vita> Wait, which direction are the tracks going? <DM> North * Erias readies his shield, just in case. * Fordran readies his very spikey shield, trying not to injure anyone else in the process. <Vita> "I'll go see what's up. You guys make too much noise. If I yell...." * Foster readies his rapier, just in case. <Erias> "Be careful." <Foster> "Certainly." * Erias prepares to charge forward. <DM> (mmm.. tasty gnomes...) <DM> (ahem.) * Vita sneaks NW <DM> Roll MS <DM> and hide <Vita> |roll d20+12 <tafal> 21 | [d20=9] [+12=12] (Vita) * Sam promptly looks to the heavily-armored people at mention of being too noisy. <Vita> (oops, that's +17) <DM> Ok. <DM> The other <Vita> |roll d20+18 <tafal> 22 | [d20=4] [+18=18] (Vita) <DM> Ok. <DM> Listen checks (all) <DM> |roll d20+1 <Fordran> (ninjaz) <tafal> 18 | [d20=17] [+1=1] (DM) <Fordran> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 11 | [d20=8] [+3=3] (Fordran) <Foster> |roll d20+1 <tafal> 16 | [d20=15] [+1=1] (Foster) <Erias> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 22 | [d20=19] [+3=3] (Erias) * Grith is in the back for a reason! <Sam> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 16 | [d20=11] [+5=5] (Sam) <Vita> (shit, that's -2 due to chain shirt penalty) <Apol> |roll d20+11 <tafal> 29 | [d20=18] [+11=11] (Apol) <Grith> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 23 | [d20=18] [+5=5] (Grith) <DM> (Vita: ok) <Erias> (I can't manage a late night tonight, btw; maybe another half hour.) <DM> Vita soon disappears from view <DM> (ok) <Foster> (if it's the mithral shirt, it has no armor check penalty) <Vita> (Oh! Oh. Awesome.) * Erias turns to the East. <Erias> "What was that?" (quietly) <Fordran> "Where?" * Grith tilts his head, says quietly, "I heard it, too... to the east." <DM> Spot checks, except Vita * Erias points into the jungle. <Erias> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 9 | [d20=6] [+3=3] (Erias) <Fordran> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 14 | [d20=11] [+3=3] (Fordran) <Grith> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 12 | [d20=7] [+5=5] (Grith) <Foster> |roll d20+11 <tafal> 19 | [d20=8] [+11=11] (Foster) <Apol> |roll d20+11 <tafal> 21 | [d20=10] [+11=11] (Apol) <Sam> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 15 | [d20=10] [+5=5] (Sam) * Apol turns around <DM> One of the crew members disappears in a strangled yelp into the trees. <DM> You see only a blur of motion. * Erias will charge, when time continues. * Apol hisses and flies after him. <Grith> <quietly> "Shit!" * Foster takes a step towards the area. <DM> Ok, declare your actions. <DM> No init. * Sam looks about for the perpetrator, staff at the ready. * Fordran prepares to follow Erias if he starts moving into the forest after the crewman. <Foster> I watch for where Apol went, and get ready to blast something if it goes for another grab. <Erias> Move toward the place where he disappeared, while drawing mace; if I don't see anything after 30', then spend my standard action to use Divine Vigor. <Erias> Oh, wait, 20'. <Grith> Draw Shara, Vigor boosted to 15. <DM> You don't see anything. * Fordran will look up as well. <DM> Apol zooms into the canopy and disappears in the thick cover in seconds * Apol yells, "Come back down here! It went up!" <Fordran> (octopiri.) <DM> The crew members look around in fear, crossbows out. <Sam> (you can't be serious.) <DM> <Brynwylld> "What? What was it??" * Foster activates his shield. <Fordran> (and then they laugh as only landbound encephalopods can, and quietly plot their revenge.) <Erias> (Let me know when we hit the next "round") <Sam> (medieval fantasy electric cattle prod 4tw. takoyaki anyone?) <DM> Next round * Apol yells, "It's big. It's like a hairy Grith." <DM> Apol's voice is faint <Fordran> "...Great." <Erias> (Coming from above?) <DM> It sounds like Apol's yelling from a fair distance, and up. * Grith grunts, bellows back, "Big like I am now, or like I am... when I get bigger?" * Erias leaps into the air. * Foster floats upwards 20'. * Erias doesn't come down. <Grith> (nice) <DM> The canopy is dense here, you can barely see 10' ahead of you <Fordran> (how does he DO that!) <Erias> (Standard action (I assume) to activate boots of flying. Fly upward 60' (or 30' if upward is 1/2 speed) toward Apol.) <Grith> <Quietly> "Big and hairy, huh? Sounds fun." <Fordran> (shiny) <DM> Apol's voice was from an angle. But you see no sign of Apol, and don't hear Apol anymore. * Grith suddenly sprouts tiger fur. * Foster floats up until he is above the canopy. * Grith also moves 50' in the direction of Apol's voice. * Fordran doesn't do any fancy flying. <Fordran> (what are the trees like? climbable? branches at what heights?) <Grith> (unless the undergrowth hinders movement) <DM> Undergrowth inhibits movement, indeed. <Fordran> (and why aren't i 17th level yet) <Sam> (zomgnerfed) <DM> Fordran: Smooth bark, brances only at the top, tangle canopy. <DM> Foster: Fairly solid canopy below you, sun and sky above <DM> Can't see anything through the canopy <Foster> "All clear up here." <DM> Vita sees frightened crew members, who almost shoot her when she emerges from the plants. * Foster floats back to the group. <Erias> "Is Vita back?" <Grith> (How far does Grith get?) <DM> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 21 | [d20=16] [+5=5] (DM) <DM> |roll d6+5 <tafal> 10 | [d6=5] [+5=5] (DM) <Grith> (That's not good.) <Vita> "What's happening?"{ * Erias continues darting about in the air, crashing through the canopy like a massive, armored hummingbird. <DM> Vita arrives behind you, and asks "What's happening?" * Erias doesn't go more than 60' from the group. <Grith> (Now that's a mental image...) <Grith> (Behind Grith?) <Foster> "Apol went flying off after some hairy, large humanoid thing." <Fordran> "Something grabbed one of the crew -- it's up in the trees somewhere..." <DM> |roll d20+7 <tafal> 20 | [d20=13] [+7=7] (DM) * Vita puts down her pack and quickly grabs some strange slippers, throws them on, and starts walking - at a 90 degree angle - up the tree * Sam looks at the trees, looks at his staff, and grumbles. <Vita> (dunno how long that all takes) * Vita has crossbow in hand <Erias> (ah, sorry, I'm at 40' fly speed; I don't think my +10' from divine vigor applies, either.) <Vita> (at 20') <Fordran> (move equiv to pull from pack, move equiv to equip, 5' movement) * Foster starts hacking his way through the underbrush in the direction of Apol. <Apol> |roll d4+5 <tafal> 6 | [d4=1] [+5=5] (Apol) <Erias> (Oh, that's right, Apol is still gone) * Erias continues moving farther out, in Apol's direction. <DM> you honestly have no idea which way Apol went anymore. <Erias> I take that back, then :\ <Erias> "Apol!" * Vita looks around for signs of, well, anything as she walks up the tree * Sam frees up a hand by lashing his staff to his pack. <Grith> (Let me know when Grith reaches a point where I need to do something.) * Fordran keeps looking up, shield at the ready. For shooting. <Erias> "...Damn it." * Foster sighs. * Erias darts back down toward the group. <DM> The jungle is quiet but for the sound of your heavy breathing from exertion. * Erias drops to the ground. "Does anyone know which way it went?" <Foster> "I haven't the faintest." <DM> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 6 | [d20=1] [+5=5] (DM) * Fordran frowns. <Foster> "Apol was the only one that got a good look at it." <Fordran> "Apol still chasing it?" <Erias> "Then we keep going, I guess. Hopefully it'll come back, or we'll find its lair." <Vita> (Did I manage to see/hear/find anything while in the tree? If I don't I'm going to go back down since I dont' want to waste boot charge) <DM> |roll 4d6 <tafal> 21 | [4d6=21] (DM) <Sam> (um. huh.) <Apol> |roll d20+7 <tafal> 12 | [d20=5] [+7=7] (Apol) <Fordran> (this can only go well) <DM> Vita: Nothing but jungle, insects. <Vita> Ok, me takes a look around when/if she gets to the top of the tree within a minute or two, then goes down to join the others <Vita> (/me, even) <Erias> "Vita -- do you have that bracelet?" <DM> You guys never keyed it... <Vita> "Yes, but I haven't tuned it to anyone..." <Erias> (Bracelet description says nothing about needing another to be present for keying -- is that the way it's being ruled?) <DM> Lemme read, sec <DM> Actually yeah, you don't need to be there <Vita> Huh. <Vita> "Sure... are we worried about Apol? Maybe it could find the creature's lair...." <Vita> "Dont' want to interrupt that." <Erias> "True... but we don't want it dying either..." * Erias yells, "Apol!" <DM> Your yell echoes a bit. <Fordran> "And don't forget the sailor." <Erias> "Uh... right." * Erias looks embarassed. * Vita gives the bracelet of friends to erias <Vita> "I don't know what's right, here" * Vita looks hesitant to actually activate it <Erias> (Yay, moral decisions!) * Erias takes the bracelet somewhat reluctantly. <Foster> "I think Apol is quite capable of taking care of itself." <DM> God, why do these always come up? :P <Fordran> (because we have a paladin) <Vita> "That's my thought, too." <Vita> "But that sailor..." <Foster> "If nothing else, it's capable of fleeing from almost any situation it can get into." <Erias> "I think any of us are quite capable of taking care of ourselves. But if we go running off chasing a big scary monster and don't come back..." <Erias> (This is why we need Linked armors.) <Vita> (We really really do) <Erias> "It's just a magic item. I don't want to risk the life of a friend." * Erias takes the bracelet and concentrates, attempting to key a charm to Apol. <Foster> "True enough." <DM> The charm shapes itself into a stylized rampant dragon. <Fordran> (omgrampant) <Vita> "I suppose it will probably just not be willing if it's doing something important." * Erias grasps the charm, concentrates, and says "Apol!" <DM> You feel a tingle, but you feel resistance through the link. <Erias> "...nothing. Apol doesn't want to come, or can't come." <Vita> "Is it possible to prevent it from coming?" <Vita> "If it wanted to?" <Erias> "I don't know. It's magic." * Vita looks at Foster <Foster> |roll d20+9 <tafal> 11 | [d20=2] [+9=9] (Foster) * Foster shrugs. <Erias> "Let's continue. Stay close together, and be ready." <Fordran> "I suppose we go in the same direction that it left?" <Fordran> "Although it seems like it tried to distract us in one direction." <Foster> "If we can figure out which direction that is, yes." <Vita> "What direction is that?" <Erias> "Are there still tracks here?" * Vita looks up at the trees <Apol> |roll d20+11 <tafal> 14 | [d20=3] [+11=11] (Apol) * Vita looks around for the beaten down jungle <Grith> (Okay, I'm going to go. You guys keep going without me for however long you need to. Good night, everyone.) <Erias> (I'm running out of steam...) <Grith> (My timing is good.) * Grith has quit IRC <DM> (Soon) <Fordran> (i loot grith) * Vita leads everyone in the direction of the tracks, again * Foster follows along. <Vita> (assuming I don't get any new information) * Erias follows along, and so do the others. Yes. Yes they do. <Fordran> (i'm going to solo the jungle) * Sam follows. <DM> Listen check <Foster> |roll d20+1 <tafal> 6 | [d20=5] [+1=1] (Foster) <Vita> |roll d20+13 <tafal> 17 | [d20=4] [+13=13] (Vita) <Sam> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 25 | [d20=20] [+5=5] (Sam) <Vita> (oh man, my rolls tonight are priceless) <Erias> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 5 | [d20=2] [+3=3] (Erias) <Fordran> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 16 | [d20=13] [+3=3] (Fordran) <DM> Except for Erias and Foster, you hear a guttural hooooooooot <DM> Now, even Erias and Foster hear the return hooting, from all around in the jungle. <Erias> ...hunh. * Vita looks nervous <Foster> "Oh good." <DM> And we'll stop here. <Fordran> O RLY? <Fordran> (apparently, only WE can stop jungle fires.) <Foster> (tafal truly does hate Foster. :P) <DM> dun dun dun <DM> Thanks folks :) <Erias> Thanks :) <Erias> next week: owl massacre. <Foster> uh huh <Fordran> YA RLY. <DM> Hehehe. <Foster> I'm thinking dire or horrid apes~