Serpent's Skull (1-on-1 game with NeoSeraphi) [Archive]

Diachronos

2017-09-28, 08:54 PM

The journey by see from Magnimar to Eleder is a long one, but a journey that many take despite its length and peril due to the many ports that one must pass through. The crew and passengers of the Jenivere are no exception:
Aerys Mavato, a severe half-elven woman who boarded in Port Peril, where she immediately got into a scrape with a crude sailor. She spends most of her time in her bunk, seeming to purposefully avoid fraternizing with the ship’s other passengers.
Captain Alizandru Kovack, a Chelish man whose family has made the Magnimar to Eleder run for generations; Captain Kovack is pleasant enough with his passengers, but a strict disciplinarian when dealing with his crew.
Alton Devers, the Jenivere’s first mate who is friendly with both passengers and crew, but he sometimes seems to chafe under the strong discipline of Captain Kovack.
Gelik Aberwhinge, a sharply dressed gnome from Magnimar who spends much of his time writing in the ships’ common areas, and takes every opportunity to tell long-winded stories, boast of past journeys, or quip about anything in his field of view.
Ieana, a bookish Varisian scholar who tends to keep to herself. Ieana is traveling to Sargava to explore the ancient ruins there. Rumors aboard the ship alternately suggest that she’s the Jenivere’s owner, a Chelish agent, or Captain Kovack’s secret lover. Ieana keeps mostly to herself, and grows more intent on her studies with each mile the ship travels closer to Eleder.
Ishirou, a scruffy human of Tian heritage who boarded at Bloodcove and waits to reach Sargava with a quiet eagerness. Aloof but not rude, he gives the impression of one who has had a hard life but find himself currently without direction.
Jask Derindi, a prisoner loaded aboard in Corentyn. Captain Kovack sees to this taciturn human’s needs with curt courtesy, but insists he be left alone, sequestered in the ship’s brig.
Rambar Terillo, a taciturn man from Senghor who has served as the cook aboard several ships, though apparently not on account of his culinary skills, which seem to be limited to watery soups.
Sasha Nevah, a red-haired human who boarded the Jenivere in Ilizmagorti. Since leaving Mediogalti Island, the woman’s somber demeanor has gradually faded, revealing a boisterous and optimistic personality. None have yet questioned her about her missing left pinky finger.
Veda, a towering human with wavy black hair highlighted with golden blonde streaks who looks to be of mixed Shoanti and Tian descent. The aloof woman's amber eyes have a vague strangeness about them as she continuously stares in the direction of Eleder, clutching a wrapped package under one arm as a small birdlike reptile perches on her shoulder.

Things seemed to be going normally until the previous day, when the passengers began to hear rumors from the crew that Captain Kovack was beginning to take them off course. Nothing came of these rumors, though, and dinner was served as usual that night.

Nobody suspected that things were about to take a severe turn...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sartorius feels that he's lying on his back, but he doesn't know where. It's dark and silent. Is he in his bed? He doesn't remember going to bed... the last thing he remembers is sitting down to dinner.

Sensation is starting to come to him. He's... lying on sand, and something wet is lapping at his feet. The sound of waves lapping against a beach reach his ears, a strangely heavy pressure comes over his legs...

Then he feels a sharp, searing pain in his foot.
Sartorius takes 1 damage. I need a Perception check, a Knowledge (nature) check, and initiative. Sartorious is currently unarmed, but still wearing his armor if he would have worn it at dinner.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-28, 09:14 PM

Sartorius growls and leaps to his feet, looking around for the source of the pain. He glances groggily at the ground. What...land? Where in the Nine Hells is he?

Sartorius may not have gone to dinner with his trident, but his hide armor is firmly buckled in place. He raises his fists and prepares for battle.

Initiative: 15
Perception: 18
Knowledge (Nature): 15
Knowledge (Geography) to figure out where I am: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-28, 09:31 PM

Sartorius isn't sure where exactly he is, though that may be because of the pre-dawn darkness and his current grogginess. He also sees that he's not alone on the beach. Six other people from the ship are lying on the sand, most of them still unconscious, and not far away is a pile of gear with his trident lying near the top. His pain had been caused by a small creature crawling on the sand beside him; he recognizes it as an ochre eurypterid, commonly referred to as a sea scorpion. One is beside him, gnawing at his foot, while two others are crawling across the beach toward the unconscious figures.

Due to his condition, Sartorious is currently sickened.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-28, 09:50 PM

Sartorius glares at the scorpion and raises one hand. "(Aquan) As She breaks from the waves, so to shall I break you!"

A blast of ice flies out and strikes the creature.

5' step back.

Icicle: Ranged touch [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
(Sickened penalties applied)

Diachronos

2017-09-28, 09:54 PM

Sartorius stumbles as he fires his shot, causing the icicle to miss and hit the sand beside the creature. It moves in to attack him as one of the other figures start to climb to their feet. "Wha... where am I?"

Sea scorpion attacking Sartorius: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]; the attack deals 1 nonlethal damage if the damage roll is a total of 0

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-28, 09:57 PM

The scorpion pokes him and Sartorius growls in annoyance. "My trident! Toss it here!"

Ready an action to catch the trident and attack with it when he catches it?

[roll0]
[roll1]

Diachronos

2017-09-28, 10:06 PM

The person looks around, before grabbing the trident and throwing it to him. The throw goes wide, however, and Sartorius is still fumbling to get a grip on the weapon when he tries to attack the scorpion.

Sea scorpion attacking Sartorius: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]; the attack deals 1 nonlethal damage if the damage roll is a total of 0

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-28, 10:29 PM

Sartorius parries the attack and tries attacking the creature with lightning instead. Truly, he must be disoriented for his attacks to miss like they have been.

"(Auran) As He peers down from the heavens, so too shall I strike you from the skies!"

Lightning Arc: [roll0] touch
[roll1]

Diachronos

2017-09-28, 10:38 PM

The creature hisses as the sparks of Sartorius' attack crackle over its body, and it lashes out with its tail.

The person who'd thrown him his weapon turns to one of the other scorpions and conjures a hammer of solid stone to strike the beast.
Veda:
Hit: 1d20+3[/roll]
Damage: [roll1]/[roll2]

Scorpion attacking Sartorius:
Bite: [roll3]/[roll4]
Damage: [roll5]/[roll6]
Sting: [roll7]/[roll8]
Damage: [roll9]/[roll10] and Sartorius needs to make a DC 10 Fortitude save against poison or take 1 Dex damage

Scorpion attacking Veda:
Bite: [roll11]/[roll12]
Damage: [roll13]/[roll14]
Sting: [roll15]/[roll16]
Damage: [roll17]/[roll18] and Veda needs to make a DC 10 Fortitude save against poison or take 1 Dex damage.
Fortitude: [roll19]
Veda's attack crushes the scorpion, and it goes limp with a shrill cry.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-28, 10:46 PM

Sartorius grumbles. His weapon swings are feeble, so he must use even more power to defeat such a puny foe.

He fires another icicle at the creature.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Diachronos

2017-09-28, 10:49 PM

Sartorius' attack misses. The scorpion retaliates.

Veda grabs her hammer from the pile and starts moving toward the third creature as it approaches one of the other people lying in the sand.

Scorpion attacking Sartorius:
Bite: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Sting: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7] and Sartorius needs to make a DC 10 Fortitude save against poison or take 1 Dex damage

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-28, 11:13 PM

Sartorius parries the attacks with his arm. One of them barely leaves a mark, the other misses entirely.

He wishes he could hurt the creature more, but it is very swift. He steps back and fires another arc of the storm.

Lightning Arc: [roll0]
[roll1]

Diachronos

2017-09-28, 11:17 PM

Sartorius misses again. Veda intercepts the remaining scorpion.

Veda:
Hit: 1d20+3[/roll]
Damage: [roll1]/[roll2]

Scorpion attacking Sartorius:
Bite: [roll3]/[roll4]
Damage: [roll5]/[roll6]
Sting: [roll7]/[roll8]
Damage: [roll9]/[roll10] and Sartorius needs to make a DC 10 Fortitude save against poison or take 1 Dex damage

Scorpion attacking Veda:
Bite: [roll11]/[roll12]
Damage: [roll13]/[roll14]
Sting: [roll15]/[roll16]
Damage: [roll17]/[roll18] and Veda needs to make a DC 10 Fortitude save against poison or take 1 Dex damage.
Fortitude: [roll19]
Another scorpion is defeated, leaving just the one Sartorius is engaged with.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 12:01 AM

Sartorius tries to finish off the scorpion with an icicle attack.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 12:04 AM

Veda turns and launches a spike of stone at the last scorpion as it moves to attack the dwarf.
Veda:
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

Scorpion:
Bite: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]
Sting: [roll8]/[roll9]
Damage: [roll10]/[roll11]
Veda's attack finishes off the scorpion!
200XP for the scorpions

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 12:09 AM

Sartorius offers Veda a hand to shake. "Very well done. I wish I could have been of more use to you."

The cleric scans the beach and projects a healing spell to everyone on the ground. He looks around for Ieana. If she's on the beach, he helps her to her feet first.

Channel Energy: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 12:18 AM

Veda disregards the dwarf's hand and goes to retrieve her earthbreaker. "If you're feeling anything like I am right now, I don't blame you." She groans and rubs her head. "What even happened? I can't remember anything after dinner."

Ieana is nowhere to be seen, nor are any of the crew members. The five other people on the beach are the other passengers from the Jenivere, who are all starting to awaken.

There are numerous humanoid footprints leading between the water's edge and where they had all woken up, as well as furrows in the sand leading to their own resting places. Between that and the pile of equipment, it looks as though someone had dragged them all out of the sea.

Veda: [roll0]
Everyone's sickness seems to be the aftereffects of being poisoned, though it appears that the worst of it is subsiding and that nobody is likely to suffer any significant harm from it.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 12:35 AM

Sartorius frowns and looks around, but he can't get any idea of what's happened.

He looks at the individuals on the ground, and verifies that Jask is still chained and unarmed before he rouses the captain.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 12:37 AM

The captain, as well as the rest of the crew, are nowhere to be seen. Aside from Sartorius and Veda, the only people present are Aerys, Gelik, Jask, Ishirou, and Sasha.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 12:43 AM

Sartorius gently rouses Ishirou, before helping the man to his feet. He hesitates, but gives Gelik a poke and stands Sasha up as well.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 12:50 AM

Once everyone's on their feet, Veda looks out at the water, where part of the Jenivere's hull can be seen impaled on the sharp rocks of a nearby cliffside. "Well, it looks like our ship's done for. We should probably start looking for a place to settle in while we figure out where we are."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 12:54 AM

Knowledge (Geography): [roll0]

Sartorius nods in agreement and starts walking with the others to try and find some place to set up a camp or shelter. He keeps his wits about him now that he's no longer feeling groggy. His trident glistens angrily, ready to make up for his humiliation.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:08 AM

Now that everyone's head is clear, the group is able to get their bearings on their current location. To the south, a wall of green rises in the form of a dense jungle filled with a cacophony of life. To the east and west, ragged arms of jagged rocks reach out to embrace a wave-tossed cove, while to the north, the waters of the sea surge and churn between the beach and a line of razor-sharp rocks.

Sartorius is able to piece together where they are by the position of the stars and the sunrise. Judging by those and their previous route, they're most likely shipwrecked on Smuggler's Shiv.

Smuggler’s Shiv is a notorious island north of Eleder. It’s not shown on most maps, but is rightfully feared by those who ply the waters of Desperation Bay. The island is named not only for the knife-like shape of its coastline, but for its uncanny habit of wrecking ships that draw too near—mostly smugglers eager to avoid detection by Sargava’s navy. It’s commonly believed that the shores of Smuggler’s Shiv are haunted by the ghosts and ghouls of the sailors who have died on the jagged rocks and reefs surrounding the island. These rumors are supported by reports of several failed attempts to establish long-lasting colonies on the remote island. When Sargava was first settled, Chelish engineers erected a lighthouse on the Shiv’s southwest shore. The light was intended to warn approaching ships of the dangerous waters and, eventually, was to have been the first building in a small colony. The light and all plans for colonization were abandoned just before completion amid rumors of curses, haunts, and cannibalism. Rumors hold that a group of shipwrecked Chelish soldiers, survivors of an attempted Thrune invasion of Sargava some 70 years ago, were stranded on the island. The rumors claim that they degenerated into a cannibalistic society, and that their descendants scour the isle’s shores for shipwreck victims to add to their meals.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 01:10 AM

The dwarf is disturbed by their location. "Well, we picked a fine place to crash, indeed. I know where we are. We're at Smuggler's Shiv. For right now, let's make for the lighthouse. I bet that's where the captain would be."

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:20 AM

Gelik speaks up. "Easier said than done. The lighthouse is on the south side of the island, and it's going to take us forever to trek through the jungle. We might want to see if there's anything we can salvage from the ship first."

Jask nods in agreement. "Right. There's got to be something that survived the wreckage."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 03:41 AM

They make a good point. "Veda, can you swim out to the wreckage?"

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 07:36 AM

"Probably, but there's a lot of risk in going out there alone."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 08:02 AM

Sartorius sighs and nods. He approaches the water and starts to wade into it carefully.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 08:11 AM

Fortunately the tide is low this early in the day, exposing the rocky shore. While the slippery rocks make it a slow trek, Veda and Sartorius make it to the wreckage without much trouble.

Even a cursory glance is enough to confirm that the Jenivere will never sail again. Only the fortuitous presence of a sharp ridge of rock near the side of the sheer cliff wall has prevented the wreck from sinking entirely into the sea, for only the ship’s stern seems to have survived the wreck. This portion is wedged at an angle between the cliff and the rocks, and each wave shakes and tosses the wreck alarmingly. It won’t be long before the constant pounding of the waves dislodges the wreck and allows the hungry sea to claim the last of this once-fine ship.

As they approach, the duo hears an immense racket coming from the lower deck, like something scrabbling against the ship's wooden frame.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 08:39 AM

Sartorius keeps his weapon ready and draws closer to investigate the source of the noise.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 08:45 AM

As the duo makes their way to the lower deck, they spot the source of the noise. Another eurypterid, this one larger than the last, is frantically trying to claw its way through the door that leads into the storeroom. At the moment it seems preoccupied with whatever had gotten its attention from inside the room, and it doesn't appear to have noticed Sartorius or Veda.

The ship is currently being rocked back and forth by the waves; this, plus the angle that the ship's floor is at from the wreck, is giving all combatants a -2 to hit.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 08:54 AM

Sartorius whispers a prayer and touches Veda's weapon.

Casting magic weapon

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 09:03 AM

With a snarl, Veda charges at the sea scorpion.

Raging, charging for +2
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

Her attack misses. The scorpion's attention turns to the party!

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 09:10 AM

Sartorius growls in frustration. He still has a bit of power left, but he need not waste it.

He walks up to Veda and points to the scorpion. "The beast will strike from the left. Attack now!"

Aid another to give +2 on her roll [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 09:28 AM

The scorpion and Veda strike at each other.
Scorpion:
Claw 1: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Claw 2: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]
Sting: [roll8]/[roll9]
Damage: [roll10]/[roll11] plus poison, DC 12

Veda: Fortitude [roll12]
Hit: [roll13]/[roll14]
Damage: [roll15]/[roll16]

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 09:58 AM

Sartorius tries to coach her again.

Aid another: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 09:59 AM

Veda snarls and raises her hammer high overhead. "Just die already, beast!"

Scorpion:
Claw 1: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Claw 2: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]
Sting: [roll8]/[roll9]
Damage: [roll10]/[roll11] plus poison, DC 12

Veda: Fortitude [roll12]
Hit: [roll13]/[roll14]
Damage: [roll15]/[roll16]

With a loud crunch, she crushes the scorpion's head.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 10:04 AM

Sartorius relaxes. "Well done. Now then, what do we have in here?"

He looks around the stern for anything he could salvage.

Perception: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 10:09 AM

Veda sighs and sits down to catch her breath.

Much of the ship's lower portion appears to have been torn away when the ship ran aground, but it looks like the larder, the storeroom, and the captain's cabin are still intact. Trickles of what appear to be blood are running from under the storeroom door.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 10:13 AM

Sartorius gasps and opens the storeroom door, hoping he still has time to heal whoever is hurt behind there.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 10:16 AM

The door is stuck, but it looks weakened by the wreck and the scorpion's assault. He or Veda might be able to break through with a little effort.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 10:36 AM

Sartorius tries to knock it down.

Strength check: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 10:39 AM

Veda stands up and hefts her hammer. "Stand back."

Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

The door splinters under her blow.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 10:41 AM

Sartorius moves out of the way and gulps as he stares at what's left of the door. He calls into the storeroom. "Hello? Is anyone in here?"

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 10:43 AM

Inside the storeroom, they find Alton Devers. The ship's first mate is dead, and his body is peppered with numerous wounds, some of them enflamed.
The wounds look like a combination of rapier stab wounds and sea scorpion stings. It appears that the ultimate cause of his death was the scorpion venom.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 10:44 AM

Sartorius kneels and examines the corpse.

[roll0]

"Someone left him for dead...Maybe the person who poisoned everyone else."

He thinks about the crew and the passengers. Who carried a rapier other than Devers himself?

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 10:51 AM

Sartorius only recalls the missing captain and Sasha carrying a rapier. The scorpion wounds appear more recent, though, and there is sand clinging to his boots and hands so he's likely been to shore himself since the wreck. Besides, Sasha was unconscious with the other passengers when Sartorius had awoken.

Besides the first mate (and his masterwork studded leather and masterwork short sword), there are several items that could prove useful in establishing a campsite: a block and tackle, three large canvas sheets, two fishing nets, a grappling hook, two bullseye lanterns, 12 flasks of lantern oil, 150 feet of hemp rope, and five shovels.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 11:05 AM

Sartorius collects what he can gather and stores it. He searches Devers's body for any sign of a holy symbol. If not, he will try to guess what Devers's faith was and what his last rites would be.

Knowledge (Religion): [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 11:39 AM

Devers isn't holding a holy symbol of any kind. Sartorius isn't sure what the man's faith is, but as a sailor it's safe to assume that he would have paid respects to Gozreh.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 11:53 AM

Sartorius takes a bit of the man's hair and holds it up to the sky, trying to point it towards any cloud he can see. "(Auran) I offer this man's mind to the skies."

He collects a bit of the man's nails and scatters them across the water. "(Aquan) I offer this man's body to the seas."

He closes Devers's eyes and rolls the man into the water. "(Aquan) Gozreh, guide his spirit home."

With that done, Sartorius heads into the larder to find anything else useful.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 12:11 PM

The larder door proves to be much easier to open. Sartorius finds enough food and water to keep a single person fed for 24 days, though with their group it's a considerably shorter time that it'll last for.

He also finds the ship's cook, dead numerous bite marks on his neck and shoulders
The marks look like they came from a very large snake

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 12:21 PM

Sartorius collects the rations and examines the body.

[roll0]

He performs the same last rites for the man and approaches the captsin's quarters with dread. Two rooms and two bodies. Did the captain meet the same fate?

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 12:24 PM

Veda is rummaging through the captain's quarters when Sartorius comes out of the larder. "Find anything useful?"

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 12:25 PM

"I have some rations, and I can create water so we should be safe for a time. What about you?"

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 12:35 PM

She shrugs. "A bunch of maps and the captain's journal, and a set of keys. I haven't finished searching yet, though."

It looks like most of the contents of the room had spilled out into the surf through a hole in the wall; only the overturned desk beside Veda and a footlocker beside the bed remain.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 12:37 PM

Sartorius takes the keys and tries to open the foot locker.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:03 PM

One of the keys opens the locker. Inside are a masterwork dagger, a set of leather armor, two potions, a holy symbol of Nethys, and a spell component pouch.

Veda takes the keys back and pops open the bottom drawer of the desk. Inside she finds a bottle of brandy, a darkwood model of the Jenivere in a glass bottle worth 100 gp, and a small coffer containing 350 gp. Also in this lower drawer is a long leather satchel that holds a dozen potions.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 01:05 PM

Sartorius begins the arduous process of identifying the potions.

Spellcraft: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:09 PM

There are four potions of cure light wounds, one potion of cure moderate wounds, four potions of lesser restoration, one potion of remove disease, one potion of water breathing, and one potion of water walking. The two potions from the footlocker are also potions of cure light wounds.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 01:11 PM

Sartorius salvages the equipment, giving a lot of it to Veda to carry, before returning to shore to set up camp.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:19 PM

The two of them return, and the other castaways all look surprised at what they brought with them. "This is great! Some of the supplies survived!"

Jask is about to speak when he sees the component pouch and holy symbol that Sartorius is carrying. "Normally I'd say someone's foolish for keeping a prisoner's equipment nearby, but this time it's working in our favor. Did you happen to find the key to these manacles?"

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 01:21 PM

Sartorius narrows his eyes. "I did, yes. And you're right, it is foolish to have these things so close. Who's to say you won't attack me as soon as I return them to you?"

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:31 PM

Jask scowls. "Look, I've been trying to prove my innocence since before you even got on the ship. You can believe whatever you want, but the fact of the matter is we're shipwrecked here and there's no telling when or if somebody will ever find us. If I try to stab any of you in the back, I'm as good as dead whether you kill me yourselves or just leave me behind. The way I see it, this group's my only chance of getting off this rock and clearing my name."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 01:37 PM

Sartorius hesitates. "Fine. For now, I've got my eye on you. If you try to cast a spell without letting me know what you're doing, I will stop you and it will hurt."

He unlocks Jask's manacles and hands the prisoner his possessions before turning his attention to Sasha.

"Say, I happened to find some oils on the ship that might be helpful to us. If you lend me your rapier, I can apply one of them for you," Sartorius lies casually.

Bluff: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:40 PM

Sasha raises an eyebrow. "What are you trying to pull, dwarf? I'm from Ilizmagorti too, I'm not an idiot."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 01:41 PM

Sartorius frowns. "Listen, I just need to make sure you weren't involved in any nasty business after we crashed. Let me examine the sword, and any doubts will clear themselves up."

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:50 PM

She continues eying him suspiciously, but hands over the rapier. "What kind of 'nasty business' are you talking about? I remember sitting down to eat dinner, the next thing I know I'm waking up here on the beach."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 01:51 PM

Sartorius draws the blade to look at it before he answers her.

Perception: [roll0] to check for bloodstains or marks indicating the sword has been cleaned since the ship crashed.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 01:56 PM

There's no sign of blood on the rapier, and upon closer examination it doesn't look like the particular design of her weapon quite matches up with what had been used on the first mate.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 02:02 PM

Sartorius sighs in relief. He hands the weapon back to her. "Thanks for cooperating. Alton is dead, and someone stabbed him more than once."

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 02:06 PM

Sasha and the others stare at him. "Someone killed Alton?!"

Veda nods. "Attacked him, at least. Sea scorpions finished him off on the ship."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 02:12 PM

Sartorius nods to confirm Veda's story. "I didn't suspect you, of course, but you understand that I had to be completely certain for the safety of everyone here. Now then, if everyone works together, you can set up these canvas sheets before nightfall. Ichirou, if you would please join me, I'm going to take a look around and see if I can find the captain or the others."

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 02:20 PM

The Tian man nods and stands up while the others start looking for a place to set up camp.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 02:22 PM

Sartorius begins looking around the crash site and a bit deeper into the jungle, calling the captain's and Ieana's names.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 02:26 PM

It doesn't take long for Sartorius and Ichirou to find that the jungle isn't going to be an easy place to travel due to the thick undergrowth, steep hills, and deep mud covering the island. The dwarf's calls go unanswered.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 02:29 PM

Sartorius frowns. "Do you have any ideas as to where everyone else may have gone?"

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 02:41 PM

Ichirou shakes his head. "I don't. They may have washed up on one of the island's other shores."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 02:48 PM

Sartorius sighs and gives up for now. He heads back to the campsite. Along the way, he'll see if he can rummage up some food for himself or anyone.

Survival: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 03:09 PM

He finds some edible plants along the way, enough to supplement their food stores for the day.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 03:11 PM

Sartorius passes out the plants when he arrives at the camp. He sits down next to Veda. "It seems we're still a ways from our destination. How do you want to proceed once we've had our rest?"

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 04:17 PM

Veda crosses her arms as the small animal she keeps with her bites into a hunk of dried meat. "With the jungle being as thick as you say it is, it's going to take us a long time to get anywhere on the island. We should probably try to move further toward the island's center to see if we can find any sign of other people, or a way to call for help."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 04:31 PM

"That sounds reasonable. There may be cannibals on the island though..."

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 05:18 PM

"And? If they try to attack us, we'll kill them. It's that simple."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 05:36 PM

Sartorius raises an eyebrow. "They probably outnumber us if they are really here, you know."

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 05:41 PM

"Numbers aren't everything. We all seem like skilled enough warriors."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 05:46 PM

Not sure why she would think that about me when I couldn't even hit a scorpion with magic at point blank range, Sartorius thinks bitterly. No time to worry about that though. He heads to sleep.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 05:55 PM

The others follow his lead and head to bed, with Veda staying up to keep watch.

Sartorius is back aboard the Jenivere, bent over the railing being seasick. After his latest bout of retching, he slumps back and see the rest of the passengers and crew are on deck as well, all of them sick save for the captain and the quiet Varisian scholar Ieana. She whispers in the captain’s ear, then gives him a kiss on the cheek. At that point the captain holds up a wooden soup spoon, and Sartorius realizes that he's holding one as well. Everyone has a spoon. The ship is sinking, and the only way to stop it is to bail out the hold with his spoon! He works feverishly, but the waters keep rushing in. Just before he wakes, he can see monstrous things with pincers in the water trying to claw their way into the ship...

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 06:03 PM

Sartorius jolts awake. He looks down at his hand, breathing harshly. That woman...was that a vision sent by Gozreh? Was Ieana responsible for poisoning him?

The dwarf stands up. He decides to let the human woman sleep for now, she was up late. Instead, he rouses Aerys. "Let's go on a patrol."

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 06:08 PM

Aerys nods and gets ready to head out. She looks a little under the weather, however.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 07:29 PM

"Is something wrong?"

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 07:40 PM

"Huh? Oh, no, just feeling a little... out of sorts. You wouldn't happen to have anything to drink on you, would you?"

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 07:55 PM

Heal: [roll0]

Sartorius nods and creates 2 gallons of water to fill a jug for her.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 08:05 PM

She seems to be having some kind of withdrawal.

She drinks some of the water. "Thanks."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 08:58 PM

Sartorius decides not to say anything. He walks with her to explore the nearby area.

Diachronos

2017-09-29, 09:09 PM

The two of them begin their trek into the jungle. "So, what exactly are we looking for again? Some kind of trail?"

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-29, 09:36 PM

"Yes. We are seeking a way to the center of the forest."

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 04:25 AM

Aerys nods. "I hope we find a place with some booze..."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 08:23 AM

"Unfortunately, I didn't find any booze on the ship to bring back," Sartorius says with a worried expression. So she's a drunk...

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 09:32 AM

"Dammit..." She sighs and rubs her temples. "Sorry, don't mind my rambling."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 09:44 AM

Sartorius looks her over. "Has the voyage not given you enough time to get through the worst of the withdrawal?" he asks.

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 09:48 AM

"Not when there's alcohol readily available on the ship and at every port we stop in."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 09:53 AM

Sartorius nods. "Some force of will is a good way to take your mind off of things. Though, if you're interested, I know of a better way to help with the symptoms."

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 09:54 AM

"Oh? What might that be?"

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 10:20 AM

Sartorius describes a folk remedy for treating addiction, and Aerys decides not to take him up on it.

The dwarf shrugs and the two of them continue trekking into the woods.

Perception: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 10:35 AM

As they walk, Aerys brings up a remedy that she's heard about as well: a tropical plant known as "viper nettle", the berries of which supposedly help expedite recovery from illness and alcoholism.

After a few hours of slowly making their way through the jungle, they come to a river winding through the trees.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 10:38 AM

Sartorius starts looking for the viper nettle.

Knowledge (Nature) to think about where it might be: [roll0]
Survival to track it down: [roll1]

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 10:45 AM

He recalls that viper nettles tend to grow along riverbanks in tropical regions, so this seems like the best place to start searching if there are any to be found on Smuggler's Shiv.

Some searching takes him to a grove of thorny vines on the river's edge, with the telltale green leaves and six-inch red thorns of the viper nettle.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 10:50 AM

Sartorius picks up a shovel and digs the entire nettle out of the ground so he won't have to touch the thorns. He wraps it up in a net and hands it to Aerys that way.

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 10:58 AM

Aerys carefully looks over the vines before shaking her head. "There aren't any berries here. They might be deeper in the grove."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 11:00 AM

Sartorius is annoyed. He put a lot of effort into that. Sighing, he dumps the root on the ground and gathers his net back up.

He attaches the grappling hook to a rope and tries to throw it across the river to help them get across.

Ranged attack: [roll0]

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 11:03 AM

The hook catches in the branches of one of the trees on the other side, providing him with a secure place to attach the rope.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 11:18 AM

Sartorius ties the rope down and nods for Aerys to walk across the river.

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 11:20 AM

Aerys grabs onto the rope and starts wading her way across. "I think I can see some!"

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 11:37 AM

Sartorius grabs the rope and starts walking across the river slowly. He keeps himself ready to respond to any enemies that attack him.

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 11:39 AM

Aerys helps Sartorius up onto the opposite bank when he arrives. The nettle patch looks thicker here, but the thorns seem to be a bit smaller as well.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 12:00 PM

Sartorius looks for a patch with berries.

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 12:07 PM

The patch is thick, and while Sartorius does spy some berries they're rather deep in the grove.
It's a DC 12 Reflex save to get through the patch unharmed. Failure results in taking 1 damage, and Sartorius will need to make a DC 14 Fortitude save to avoid developing a painful rash that will leave him sickened for 24 hours.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 12:46 PM

Sartorius crawls carefully through the brush.

Reflex [roll0]
Fort: [roll1] (+4 if this rash is caused by poison)

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 12:52 PM

Sartorius makes it through the vines, and finds several bushes of brightly colored berries at the center of the grove.

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 01:01 PM

He picks as many berries as he can and brings them back to Aerys. "Here. Make them last."

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 01:03 PM

Aerys stares at them, before popping a few into her mouth. "...Thanks, Sartorius. I've been trying to kick my drinking habit for a long time. I never would've thought that I'd find the answer like this."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 01:04 PM

The dwarf nods. "Well, for now, let's hope they work. Not every cure is a miracle, you know. And even if it does help you kick the habit, you have to make sure not to pick it back up again. You need to stay sober."

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 01:07 PM

Aerys nods. "Trust me, after all the crap I went through because of that, I'm not touching another drink in a long time."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 01:15 PM

Sartorius nods. "Alright. Let's head back to the camp for now. I think we have a good idea of the area."

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 02:42 PM

The others are in the middle of a discussion when Sartorius and Aerys get back. Veda looks up at him and holds out the journal they'd found on the ship. "You might want to take a look at this."

NeoSeraphi

2017-09-30, 02:46 PM

The dwarf blinks and takes the journal from her. He opens it up and scans the contents.

Diachronos

2017-09-30, 02:53 PM

An examination of this log reveals that the Jenivere’s captain seemed to be suffering from 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. Near the end, the entries begin to take on a more ominous tone with the captain starting to complain that other members of the crew are eyeing “his Ieana.” In particular, he suspects his first mate is in love with her, and writes several times about how he wishes Alton would just “have an accident.”

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.