On the island: About the Ship & Cove

[Nuke66]

Lauranna retires to rest a bit before spending some time memorizing all of her new spell additions.

Sleepx2, MM, Enlarge(Reduce)
Webx2

If she has time, she will scribe the two new ones into her book.

[tkrexx]

Once the young owl and dragon are sufficiently fed, Emm finds a suitable spot for the owl to rest (It IS daylight, her normal sleeping period) and continues her much-delayed training, concentrating on the proper use of her cudgel.

[Argennian]

When none gathered express interest in the ion stone or skeleton key, Bog volunteers to hold them for the party. Billy thanks him, and with no further questions or relevant points of order proffered, the meeting is adjourned.

"... please do as you like with the rest of the day, friends. You've most certainly earned it. It's my hope things will be quiet, but if the alarm is raised, make ready as quickly as you can and get to a defensive position. I'll be down on the beach in and about the tent if you need me..."


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~ With all items accounted for, the newly island treasure-strapped party departs the stern castle of the Seahawk to take on the remains of the day...

Bogdan sets out to continuing his martial training regime where he left off, going through the various sets of physical endurance exercises Zimba taught him, and practicing with his spear and longsword. In addition to his existing proficient and specialized weapons, the big fighter also begins practicing with his new Axes of Hurling, using the same discarded stump Cutler, Lauranna and the others do for throwing knives and daggers at. Once the Half-orc swordsman completes his training, he'll be able to add hand axe to his list of proficient weapons, if he so chooses...

Lauranna retires to her bunk to rest for a time before then settling in to take advantage of the incredible magical boon her new ring affords. She can now memorize twice as many spells as she'd normally be able to and gets right to it. Tango Foxtrot Alpha all the way. When the High-elf has completed loading her new roster, she seeks out Nobleman Ziffiris to see about getting the two magic-user spells from the discovered scroll scribed into her second spell book. The elder mage registers her request with a kindly nod and gentle smile but reminds the young Evoker that if they do so, the magical ink on the scrolls will vanish and they can no longer be utilized. He recommends she keep them as scrolls for now, offering a counterpoint he has both spells in his personal books anyway, so if Lauranna can successfully read and understand them*, he'll be happy to scribe them in her second traveling spell book for her...

After making sure both the party's new animal friends are well fed, Emm retreats back to her quarters in the hull of the Seahawk. She lifts the baby giant owl to a support beam juncture above where she sleeps before settling in to practice with her cudgel and study more of her master's old magical tome. The overgrown youngling raptor seems content to be out of the way and also above the maze of tarps hanging in the cargo hold, to be able to see when people come and go from main deck above. The druidess also makes time to spend with young Sam and Sheba. The little girl is happy to see her and most excited to explain everything she and her faithful stuffed bear friend Benny have been up to. Sheba considers the giant baby owl curiously when he first sees it, and after a series of weird barks and a strange uninterrupted stare, settles back in by Samantha's side like it never happened...

Ulrich retreats to the captain's cabin in the stern castle of the Seahawk, to rest and continue his clerical training. Lord Jovak, who's been busy working with Billings and the crew on and about the ship, as well as her and the cove's defense, joins him for a late lunch and a few hours for prayer and meditation. The high priest/fighter lord seems to have made great progress in accepting his new sightless station but remains unsure of Lil Pickles and his young apprentice's vigil as its surrogate mum. The little lizard-turtle has been eating, crapping and sleeping nonstop, and has grown to almost twice it's size and weight! If the young Priest is to continue caring for and carrying the potential dragon turtle hatchling, he's going to need a bigger belt pouch very soon...

************************************************

~ Day 10 on the island comes to a close with mighty Hazara disappearing beyond the watery western horizon and ushering in the cooler night after a dazzling red and orange sunset. The soft, westerly breeze dies down and the symphony of island insects slowly tapers off as coals are stoked and the beach fire brought back to life again. The party joins Billy for a delicious crab dinner and some of Shanny's revitalizing tea. The old master thief relays that Cutler and Caelvanna have since come in to report and gone back out again, relaying that the pirates from the longboat landed their dingy in a small cove further east along the southern side of the island, next to a mostly submerged shipwreck, and appear to be making camp at a site that looks like they've used before. They found the body of 'ol One Eye, the giant monitor lizard Cutler finally slew, and also investigated the Karagonian Navy longboat but seem oblivious to the presence of the Seahawk and her crew. The cook and archer duo also found tracks from the party's escaped Karagonian Lieutenant and mage, and confirmed that he entered a series of caves inside the main crater above. Whether or not he's traveled deeper within or somehow left the island all together remains to be known, but the two of them are staking out that area currently in hopes it'll be the former...

Dinner is finished, and with no other new updates available, the party retires to their respective bunks, cots and hammocks to settle in for the evening. It's been a very long day alright, and each of the young friends and Karagonian escapees have a lot to think about and consider before they finally drift off to sleep.

It's somewhere through the night when the alarm is sounded and everyone awakened. Someone or something appears to be close within the brush and treeline on the northern side of the cove...


Actions!

Questions?

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* PM going out to Nuke for Lauranna!


OOC: okay guys, go ahead and give me some Declared Actions for you characters, in regards to where they'll be positioning themselves in relation to the ship or beach, WIH, etc., and we'll see what's what!

TOD: @ late evening of Day 10 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 20 days)

If you have any questions, or need additional clarification, please let me know!

HPs/Status: Bog 34/34 ; Emm 13/13 , Lauranna 16/16 , Ulrich 22/22
WIH (primary/secondary):
Bog – ?? / Karagonian masterwork spears, longsword & dagger (bolts fired: 0)
Emm – ?? / spear & shield (stowed) SC
Lauranna - ?? / DDDs, short sword & throwing knives (& Wily) (daggers thrown: 0)
Ulrich – ?? / mace & shield
(SC = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded and ready to fire at beginning of round)
Spells cast:
Emm: none
Lauranna: none
Ulrich: none
M.O./Location:
In their bunks, cots & hammocks on the Seahawk: Bogdan , Emm (& giant baby owlet), Lauranna (& Wily) , Ulrich (& Pickles)

[Alethan]

Bogdan

Bog quickly gears up, strapping on armour and weapons and shouldering his pack - because you never know when you might get separated and need your gear - before heading out to the beach to see what might be the cause of the alarm. He moves as quietly as possible and waits for direction from Billy (or whomever is in charge) on the beach.

OOC: Yes, taking hand axes as a proficiency was going to be his next move. But also he needs to level so as to not possibly waste any gained XP in the near future.

[Nuke66]

Lauranna collects her gear and Wiley for whatever altercation is ahead. She foregoes armor so as to be able to cast.

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich wakes quickly, strapping on his armor (and fancy new boots!) and grabbing his trusty mace and shield. Unsure of what to do with li'l Pickles, but knowing that he doesn't want the little lizard left behind to his own devices, Ulrich brings his young charge along, hiding him (her?) in his cramped belt pouch. He makes a mental note to discuss his rapidly growing charge with someone who knows more of such things; but for now, duty calls.

[tkrexx]

Speak With Animals.

Emm starts awake in the dead of night to the alarm and instinctively calls to the young owl. Tell me what you see! I can allow all of us to see it, if you tell me where it is! She grabs her trusty spear and dons only her black cloak and shield.

[Argennian]

~ When the alarm is raised, the party is slapped back from Dreamland to prepare for trouble...

Bogdan wakes from sword swinging-axe hurling dreams and instinctively moves to don his armor, weapons and gear. The big fighter double-times it up on deck as quickly and quietly as able, moving over to and descending the heavy cargo nets on the starboard (south) side of the ship. Once across the service dock and down on the beach, he turns left, gets low and hustles over to the command tent. Gentleman Billy and Farlon are present, the older human fighter watching east towards the cliffs with heavy crossbow and the master thief kneeling down by the corner of the portable structure with a wand in one hand and something circular in the other while scrutinizing the northern tree line and trail head...

Lauranna snaps to from dreams of invisible levitation and makes ready. She dons her soft leather boots, equipment belt and bandoleer straight away, forgoing her Karagonian leather armor to be able to cast spells. She also grabs up an excitedly-squeaking Wily, who'd been standing on his hind legs on the bunk, waiting to be picked up and transferred to his large belt pouch HQ. The magic-user/thief moves up on deck, nodding to Griffo and Thalion as they pass by with their bows, en route to respective fire positions at bow and stern. The High-elf takes cover in the shadows of the main as her weasel familiar frantically sniffs the air for any olfactory clues...

Ulrich jumps up from dreams of divine inspiration and dragon turtles to get geared up as well. He dons his fancy new magical boots and well-maintained chain armor before equipping his mace and shield. The young Priest considers whether or not he should bring li'l Pickles and decides he'd better take him along. He sets down his shield to pick up the sleeping little hatchling, which awakens and squeaks hungrily at the transgression, and places him in his belt pouch with worried dimensional considerations ongoing. He then retrieves his pack and departs the cabin, heading out on deck to find Lord Jovak with Captain Billings. They're kneeling down at the port rail for cover and looking out to the north at the tree line through the transparent eastern spell bubble. The soon to be Curate joins them, ready to spring into action if the need arises...

Shaken awake from tending her dream druid's grove, Emm bolts out of bed like lightning in a storm! Before forgoing her leather armor to don only her black cloak and shield, the druidess locates the giant baby owl on the beam above her bunk and casts her latest speak with animals spell. The overgrown owlet hoots twice then thrice* as she instructs it to be her eyes in the night sky and target the trouble, so she can apply the fire of the faerie upon it. It hoots again nervously and attempts to fly off as bid but the results aren't so good and the never really flown before, new avian friend of The Island Hands goes down...


~ Defense Condition One is set and the gathered crew report to their ready stations. Most steer their attentions to the north side of the ship and cove. A lot of firepower, both magical and mundane is concentrated in that direction and standing by to be unleashed. Anticipation builds and trigger fingers get fidgety as nothing happens. Least they can see...

Starting low and almost intangible, a deep guttural growl suddenly rises from inside the camouflaging flora of the northern treeline. Sounds like something big, not to mention familiar. Everyone gathered remembers when the glowing red-eyed childlike demon thing and swarm of giant rats, led by a few undead cousins no less, attacked the ship and cove. The party burned and rebuffed the rodent onslaught and shot the little red-eyed menace to pieces, but when they moved into the thick brush to claim their downed, faerie-fired quarry, a large sphere of darkness appeared and a powerful, unknown beast with that growl came forth. They'd managed to draw it's alien-looking blood but in the end it had swatted Caelvanna like a fly, killed Sargent Zimba in a most gruesome manner and escaped with the carcass of the still-glowing demon-child. No one talked about it after and the reminder is one that threatens to cut deep and steal focus from the missing Karagonian lieutenant and mage and seemingly random pirates poking around...

The crew remember their fallen southern friend and stand ready to let fly with vengeance chief amongst aims and considerations. Interest begins building but the growling suddenly stops, to be replaced by the bothersome echo of silence. No ancient fields of dampening darkness generated. No alien-looking beasts materializing from the flora to make payback easier. The following strained minutes of nothing happens are painfully passed...

Meanwhile, Emm's arrived topside with a disheveled and flustered-looking giant baby owl and moves to the port (north) side where she can see what's going on and be ready to cast her faerie fire spell, once target acquired. The overgrown owlet seems hesitant to want to attempt any further aerial reconnoiter deployments and takes roost on a nearby rail out of the way. Billings finally leaves Jovak's side to move to the bow, to be able to see the beach HQ and signal Billy. The master thief and sea captain exchange a series of hand signals and gestures. Billy asks Bog and Farlon to remain at the command tent and stay crispy before turning invisible and disappearing to go take a look-see. Two, almost three terribly strained minutes threaten to punch calm and collected in the mouth. Suddenly, the old master thief materializes out of thin air on the beach, just inside the eastern spell bubble walking back towards the command tent. He signals Billings and the others negative on anything present. Huh? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! So what then? A reminder? A threat? Some kind of challenge or warning? No one cares which as all the above are neither wanted nor appreciated. Trigger fingers are hesitantly lifted, albeit not too far. Ranged weapons are slowly lowered after another couple score of silent segments. Everyone's left to guess and try to finish the hypothetical questions hanging over them...

... until Blic the halfling lookout makes another warning whistle from the crow's nest and begins gesticulating frantically west, outside the cove. Billings cusses under his breath before beckoning Bog, and the two of them move out from the beach HQ towards the inlet to the cove. As the old master thief and big swordsman cover the sandy distance, shooters and defenders reposition and business ends of magic and missile weapons are leveled off the stern to the west. Out past the purposely-staged flora and built up beachhead around the inlet of the cove are two longboats, coming their way. They're within the outer reef and rowing towards shore. It's hard to make out any real detail at distance in the soft moonlight but there appears to be one man rowing each craft and others huddled low to stay out of sight...

***********************************************

* PM going out to Rexx for Emm!

[Argennian]

~ Magical means and weapons of all kinds are made ready as the two vessels close. The first seems heavily laden and rides very low in her draft, nearly taking on water through the waves whilst her slight pilot fights the oars mightily. The craft behind rides higher with a much larger rower. The others visible in both craft remain low and on guard with bow and crossbows ready as if expecting trouble. By some of their manner and directional focus, however, they do not appear to see the ship...

Before they reach the beach at the southern side of the inlet, Billy and Bogdan are in position by the woodpile, located off the Seahawk's starboard stern corner and just inside the nearly translucent eastern spell bubble. When the boats land, the reactivated master thief and his soon to be Hero-level fighter counterpart can be on them before they'll know what happened. They make ready to do so but as the first craft is mere meters from shore, someone within sounds a bird call. A special bird call. Gentleman Billy jumps straight up and nearly out of his armored skin. He spins around towards the ship and throws his hands in the air, waving them and crying out in a loud whisper for everyone to stand down and hold their fire. Weapons are averted and everyone gathered holds collective breaths and hopes.

The first longboat's keel hits the sandy bottom by the beach and not a moment too soon for the waterlogged craft. The oarsman stands up and spins around. It's Uncle Ziller, halfling lord and former commander of the Hatmarin Division. Also rising up with heavy crossbow to hand is Mila, the young female half-orc and fellow member of the missing rescue team. She looks injured and can barely stand. When she attempts to disembark the old dingy, she falls backward but is caught by the compromised craft's third conscious passenger, a young knight wearing splint mail and a shiny, circular, familiar-looking medallion around his neck. He helps her sit back down before jumping out into the shallow water to pull the boat up closer. Ziller jumps out to assist as the second longboat comes in next. Once her hull is also on sandy bottom, the rower of the second craft grabs up a massive war hammer and stands, turning about to reveal a large, metal-armored dwarf. In the much better condition dingy with him are two others, a young man dressed in seaman's garb with a light crossbow and another slightly older and harder-looking one in banded armor with a short bow to hand. The younger of the two sets his weapon down and jumps out to pull their craft up to the beach as well.

When both craft are beached and appear stable, Gentleman Billy returns the special call from behind the wood pile, causing the just returned team and other newcomers to flinch in surprise, get low and ready weapons again. Ziller walks up onto the beach, a wand in one hand and the other on the handle of his sword. "Billy?"

On cue, the old reactivated master thief steps out from behind the woodpile, stashing his wand and other weapon and raising his hands before walking toward him.
"Here, sir," he announces as he passes through the barrier of the protective spell, to seemingly materializing out of thin air mere feet in front of the halfling lord with hands up.

The others just arrived on the beach and still in boats flinch and level weapons at the surprise appearance but Ziller is already waving them off. "Tis good to see you again, my old friend," the tired halfling exalts before stepping forward to embrace the taller human. "The ship, the crew, our new young friends... still okay?"

Billy kneels low and returns the gesture, tears of joy and relief welling up in old, tired eyes.
"Aye, but we've had a rough go lately, I'm afraid. And there are enemies close, even as we speak..."

Ziller reinstalls his look of concern and nods his understanding. Nothing more needs to be said, at least in the moment. Billy spins around and signals the ship for help but those of the crew not manning weapons are already disembarking the Seahawk to reunite with their beloved commander. With Bogdan and the others' help, the two longboats are dragged around the camouflaged shallow breach at the inlet and pulled inside the eastern spell bubble. When the unfamiliar newcomers pass through the protective spell wall, they double over as if kicked in the guts and throw up what little food they have in their bellies, a testament to how powerful its effects can be on those without the special-access bracelets. They recover in time to look up and around in amazement that hidden within a seemingly empty and unoccupied cove mere moments ago is now a massive eastern ship and island repair base!

The two longboats are brought up to the service dock and tied off. After a short salute, Ziller is quickly debriefed by Captain Billings on the tactical situation. Once the report is received, he issues instructions and motions his newcomer friends to board the ship with him. Mila will need to helped out of the waterlogged boat and she, the still-unconscious injured easterner Yousef and three wrapped up bodies still lying inside the two small craft will need to be taken aboard the Seahawk and down into the hold...


Actions!

Questions?

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OOC: Apologies for the long delay here, all. I'd intended to break up the above posts a bit more and get everything up within the last couple of weeks & over the holiday break but been having a rough go of all things RL and decided enough time had transpired.

~ It's been years in the making, and some were lost along the way, but Group 2 has now finally officially merged with the main group. Everyone please welcome onlyme!

POP: More to come later in the following days as I get stuff caught up. Although I have yet to lay down the In Game details, we will be completing everyone's current training regiment within the next few action posts and getting XP awarded/sorted.

TOD: just before midnight and beginning of Day 11 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: almost 21 days)

If you have any questions, or need additional clarification, please let me know!

HPs/Status: Bog 34/34 ; Emm 13/13 , Lauranna 16/16 , Manoah 27/27 , Ulrich 22/22
WIH (primary/secondary):
Bog – Karagonian masterwork spears & longsword, axes of hurling & dagger
Emm – spear & shield / SC
Lauranna - magical DDDs or S.C. / short sword & throwing knives (& Wily) (daggers thrown: 0)
Manoah – Argie the longsword or short bow / dagger (fine arrows fired: 16 of 20)
Ulrich – mace & shield / li'l pickles
(S.C. = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded and ready to fire at beginning of round)
Spells cast:
Emm: speak with animals
Lauranna: none
Ulrich: none
M.O./Location:
In the stern castle of the Seahawk: Bogdan , Emm (& giant baby owlet), Lauranna (& Wily) , Manoah , Ulrich (& li'l Pickles)

[Alethan]

OOC: Welcome, onlyme! Glad you survived the slightly lengthy bout of separation! Will be nice to have someone on the front line with me!

Bog welcomes the new members to the group, paying no less nor additional attention to the female half-orc, to the surprise of some others, and he helps carry her to Shanny's tent for aid. He returns, sizes up the ranger, and says, "Welcome to the front line, kid. Name's Bogdan. But everyone calls me Bog."

[tkrexx]

A round of hooting can be heard topside of the Seahawk, then Emm bounds down the gangplank to shore. Ulrich, Yousef and Mila have been wounded! She calls as she trots toward Shanny's shack. She pauses momentarily and points at Manoah. Ranger! We will talk later. She nearly runs into the large, hammer-handed Dwarf, and after regarding him with some awe, moves quickly about her purpose.

Welcome to the game, onlyme!

[Nuke66]

Welcome!

Lauranna sneaks to the shore, cautiously trying to figure out what is going on, she takes cover and tries to determine any incoming threats.

[onlyme]

Thanks, all. Been looking forward to joining up...


Manoah eagerly acknowledges all the folks who he is being introduced to, looking around for familiar faces. He doesnt see any at the moment, so he asks.

"Speaking of Uncle Rivas. Do you know where he is? He sent for me with instructions we would meet up. But when our ship was attacked, and then we capsized, I have no idea where he is expecting me. For him to leave so abruptly, it must be important, whatever he needed me for. "

[Argennian]

... Bog welcomes the new members to the group, paying no less nor additional attention to the female half-orc, to the surprise of some others, and he helps carry her to Shanny's tent for aid. ...

~ Although badly wounded and barely able to hold up her heavy crossbow, let alone move about on her own power, Mila remains stubborn, fighting off the young paladin of Pelor she arrived with as he tries to continue assisting her. To perhaps not his but everyone else's surprise, Bogdan steps over and picks her up out of the waterlogged longboat. The big fighter is businesslike and the effort practically effortless due his great strength. She quickly realizes she couldn't fight him off. Not even if she wasn't wounded. Not even if she wanted to. The young, proud Half-orc woman stops struggling and ceases all hostilities as the big Half-orc swordsman carries her to infirmary. Billings advises that Shanny is not in her tent on the beach but down in the armory preparing for her ritual to speak with her ancestors...

A round of hooting can be heard topside of the Seahawk, then Emm bounds down the gangplank to shore. Ulrich, Yousef and Mila have been wounded! She calls as she trots toward Shanny's shack. She pauses momentarily and points at Manoah. Ranger! We will talk later. She nearly runs into the large, hammer-handed Dwarf, and after regarding him with some awe, moves quickly about her purpose. ...

~ The druidess calls out to Ulrich that there are wounded amongst the just-returned rescue team, before making to depart the Seahawk to assist. The dwarf cleric is close enough to hear her but does not immediately acknowledge the request. He remains kneeling down by Lord Jovak at the port rail, locked in what appears to be prayer or meditation with the blinded high priest/fighter lord. She also leaves the giant baby owl up on the rail of the stern deck by the port side, so it can keep its superior night eyes and ears watching the northern treeline for any signs of their recently returned island nightmare or any other potential dangers. The overgrown owlet and failed first flyer eventually calms itself down and settles in to begin its druid-induced watch shift...

Emm greets Manoah when she first sees him, not knowing his name straight off but somehow knowing or perhaps guessing he's a ranger. After eliciting a promise of future conversation and meeting the young man's icy blue eyes yet curious stare, the young druid turns and nearly runs straight into the large, armored dwarf that returned with the rescue team. He's older and a rather large bloke for a dwarf, which reminds her of Jovak. He sports long red hair in a ponytail and a thick, trimmed beard below penetrating green eyes. There are battle scars evident on his weathered visage, which looks to be one mixed with many emotions at present: anger, contemplation and grief among them. He averts his eyes and says nothing as he passes her, ascending the cargo nets to follow the other friendly dead and wounded being brought to the infirmary in the ship's hold below...

Lauranna sneaks to the shore, cautiously trying to figure out what is going on, she takes cover and tries to determine any incoming threats.

~ As the unexpected marine incursion takes place, Lauranna leaves the shadows of the main to depart the ship and get closer to the potential action. She makes her way down to the cargo nets fast and fluid and onto the beach as Billy waves off shooters for fear of friendly fire, and then makes himself visible walking through the eastern spell bubble to greet their just-returned commander and new contingent of escapee friends. Still not 100% sure, she makes her way quickly toward the inlet, ready to start swinging spells and taking names, but upon arriving, realizes they're all friendlies, so stands down. She exchanges looks of recognition and relief with Ziller, who grasps her hand when he walks by and smiles warmly for being in such horrid-looking condition. The cautious and reclusive High-elf also sizes up the newly-arrived dwarf, paladin, ranger and young man in seaman's garb before moving over to find a good place to be concealed and doing so. She monitors that entire area of the cove and surrounding brush for any sign of danger or trouble, and remains ready to do her part should the opportunity to do so present itself...


*****************************************

Once the friendly dead and wounded are loaded aboard the ship, the large, armored dwarf accompanies them below without a word, followed by the young man in seaman's garb and apparent paladin of Pelor. When Ziller escorts the young Karagonian man in banded mail to the stern castle, Billy makes his way around and gathers the entire party, minus Griffo and Thalion still on guard and Caelvanna still out with Cutler on their mission. Once in the main room and the lights carefully turned up, everyone can now see the just returned halfling commander is severely blackened and burned and covered from head to toe in dried blood anywhere the sea water could not wash it off. He looks so bad in fact that Billy offers him one of Shanny's healing elixirs, which he imbibes straight away without argument. Once finished, he sets the empty bottle down and addresses the small assembly.

"It's good to be back and see you again, friends," he starts off, looking around the table to Bog, Emm, Lauranna and Ulrich. "Needless to say, our little rescue mission was a dangerous one and made complicated by a number of factors, but there will be time to speak more of this later. For now, I want you to meet one of the others that also departed Karagonia. We were supposed to meet up with them over a week ago, at the Great Kelp Beds south of here, but once plans of our departure had been discovered by the enemy, we did not know how much else they knew and could not risk it. For this I am most sorry, as I understand they had a very rough go of making it to the islands and surviving their time there until we could find them. Although our fears were justified, our not being there to help them sooner is a terrible regret, and a burden I alone must bear..."

The embattled commander stops and indicates the young man to his right. He's human, tall and skinny with icy blue eyes and brown hair. He wears Karagonian banded metal armor, which is also covered in dried blood, and carries a beautiful elven bow and well-used longsword. "This is Manoah, son of the late General Lasley and nephew to... our own Captain Rivas. He is also a ranger, and very dear friend to the Hands of Balance..."

...<snip>... Bog sizes up the ranger, and says, "Welcome to the front line, kid. Name's Bogdan. But everyone calls me Bog."

... Manoah eagerly acknowledges all the folks who he is being introduced to, looking around for familiar faces. He doesn't see any at the moment, so he asks.

"Speaking of Uncle Rivas. Do you know where he is? He sent for me with instructions we would meet up. But when our ship was attacked, and then we capsized, I have no idea where he is expecting me. For him to leave so abruptly, it must be important, whatever he needed me for. "

Ziller once again looses his more relaxed, recovering state and this time drops it hard. He grits his teeth as Manoah speaks, and swallows a massive lump that's suddenly appeared in his blood-stained throat before looking over to Gentleman Billy. The old master thief's face is pale as he closes already watery eyes. The halfling lord looks away, shuts his own bloodshot eyes for a fleeting moment while he waits for the young man to stop speaking. Whatever little ray of hope and respite that remained clinging is shattered into a million pieces...

Looking much more tired and older, Ziller takes a deep, steadying breath before stepping over to Manoah. He removes one of his bloodied and blackened gauntlets and places a scarred, pale hand gently on the junior Scout's neck. He looks him square in the eye, his impenetrably-tough, battle-hardened visage is suddenly one of compassion and incredible sorrow.

"I am so sorry, Manoah... sorry you must hear, like this and only now...

"Your uncle, one of my most loyal and trusted officers, and dear friend to us all... ... is dead..."

[onlyme]

Manoah hears the final, feared statement. He clutches the hilt of Argie, takes a knee, and quietly allows a tear or three to fall.

After a moment of reflection, he thinks to ask...
But how, why? What was he doing? I need to make sure his mission was complete. He cannot have died in vain. I trust it was worthy of his sacrifice. And would be of mine.

[Argennian]

~ Ziller steels himself against the onslaught of grief he's just released upon the young, now uncle-less, ranger...

"He did not die in vain. He gave his life to save us... all of us. He died as he lived. A true hero..."

The halfling lord goes on to explain what happened when he and the others attempted to depart Karagonia in secret, under cover of night, and were ambushed by an evil, off-worldly duo that ended up being half-human, half-goblin...

"...One was a powerful wizard, we found out later was known as Gra'naag by his minions. The other a mighty warrior called Kro'lorr, whom wielded a powerful, ancient relic weapon. They commanded a platoon of shadow goblins, not seen upon this world since the Age of Birth. That villainous mage was also somehow able to summon an ancient demon, right there upon the coastal trail, in an attempt to utterly destroy and end us...

"... The tide of battle was against us. Our chances of surviving falling fast. Rivas, your uncle, recognized the threat and his only chance to counter it. He reacted immediately, with no thought of his own life and safety. He bravely charged the entrenched, hidden wizard, to draw his fire. His plan worked, which gave me the time I needed to locate and eliminate him, but your uncle was felled by his powerful magics. Were it not for his brave, selfless act, we would all be dead...

"Since you ask... his mission was to aid in the protection of young Prince Aramis, your cousin. To ensure his escape from Karagonia and the King's Eyes and for safe passage west with the rest of us. We lost a lot of good, loyal men back on that trail, amongst them Lord Garavin of Pelor and the elven archmage Lathalamas. Your uncle succeeded in his mission as far as he could... but we have not yet made it to the western frontier..."

[tkrexx]

You are the one the Great Owl spoke of, Emm's black eyes drill into Manoah, The Lost One, on the sandbar islet, who evaded the Karagonians. Of the hardships you must have endured, only a Druid or a Ranger might stand away so healthy. I do not wear that sort of armor, Ranger, nor wield these sorts of weapons. We are natural allies, by nature and, in this instance, by politics, and your skillset fills the gaps in my own. You are most welcome.

[Alethan]

Bog eyes the newcomer in a different light, upon hearing of his trials thus far.

"Didn't get a chance to get to know your uncle, but you only need to know one thing about great people - how they died. He died saving us, and for a greater cause."

[Nuke66]

Lauranna decides to return to the ship, passing once again through the bubble. Once she passes through, she moves to the ship for the expected pow-wow, de-breifing the new-comers.

[SocraticLawyer]

~ The druidess calls out to Ulrich that there are wounded amongst the just-returned rescue team, before making to depart the Seahawk to assist. The dwarf cleric is close enough to hear her but does not immediately acknowledge the request. He remains kneeling down by Lord Jovak at the port rail, locked in what appears to be prayer or meditation with the blinded high priest/fighter lord.

Ulrich snaps out of his reverie, finally acknowledging Emm's call. He looks around, finally spotting the wounded Yousef and Mila. He lays hands upon each of them.

Cure light wounds [1d8] = 1
Cure light wounds [1d8] = 5

OOC: Battle sheet updated to reflect spell use.