Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag's first action is to make sure that he is definitely clear of the strange trees and their hanging vines. Then his thoughts turn to the fruits.

"Before we all start grabbin' at der fruit, we need to be careful. Dese trees are full of spiders an' snakes an' stuff. Maybe we can use der poles to knock fruit down. Or we could find a couple of trees an check dem out for nasties before we strip 'em. Den move on to der next tree until we 'ave enough.

He pulls several sacks of various sizes out from his pack and his belt.

"An' let's start on der trees near to der beach".

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche smiles approvingly at Saracen's suggestion. "An excellent idea, Brother Saracen. I had not considered purifying the fruit. I also expect the trees will await our return for further analysis, and until we resolve the mystery in the cave, they're a minor concern for us. In my opinion, at least."

Andron extends his bamboo pole to test its reach (double entendre not intended ). "Also an excellent idea, Mr. Maag. I agree with starting with the fruit trees nearer the beach. We can also work in pairs. One using a pole to free pieces of fruit and the other to collect."

"There is one tree tree snake I would prefer not to aggravate again", he adds with a wry grin.

[kruk]

Lerrick

Maag
"Before we all start grabbin' at der fruit, we need to be careful. Dese trees are full of spiders an' snakes an' stuff. Maybe we can use der poles to knock fruit down. Or we could find a couple of trees an check dem out for nasties before we strip 'em. Den move on to der next tree until we 'ave enough.

The cleric shudders at the mention of spiders and snakes in the trees. ...I can't agree more with what Maag said. She smiles and gives the half-orc a wink.


Sir Chrestbrook the Mighty

The paladin moves along with the others and will offer to help collect fruit with the others when the party gets to a spot they want to collect the fruit.

[OGRE MAGE]

Outside The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Humid

Keeping their distance from the tall thin trees with the dried up clumps of vines hanging off of them, the group is eventually able to get up and over the stones again without incident.

They march most of the way back to the beach littered with cats and start collecting a few different types of tropical fruits from the trees there. Carful not to rouse any spiders or snakes, it isn't long before everyone has gathered a rather large supply of the ripe goodness that this tiny island has to offer. Happy to see their impressive bounty after only a couple hours of searching, the group is content to head back to the larger island to share their treasure.

Once back at the fishermen's boat, they find Pete and Joe ready to transport them as soon as they are ready to depart. They too have gathered a small amount of the nearby fallen mangoes and limes and have them stored on board already. Pete does a quick headcount of the passengers and comments, "looks like everyone made it back this time, eh?"

Actions?

Sir Crestbrook 7/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 5/11 0/4 1st
Saracen 28/33 0/5 1st 1/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[Storm11]

Saracen nods his head and smiles. It happens every now and again! he grins; that grim toothed smile of his.

Have you partook in any of the fruit here already? And how much is the trip back again in the coming days. We think we may have most of the caverns explored. They are surprisingly devoid of life.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche carefully stows his gear on the boat, but before settling into a seat he turns to glance back at the cats congregating on the beach. Stepping off the boat he seems to scan the congregation of felines and within moments fixes his gaze on a large cluster of the animals. "I'll be back very shortly … professional curiosity", he says a bit distractedly to those waiting in the boat. He then walks slowly towards the group of cats he had fixed his sight on, and once among them crouches down with his back to the boat. After a couple minutes he stands back up and returns to the boat, taking an available seat.

[OGRE MAGE]

Saracen
Have you partook in any of the fruit here already?

Joe spits a huge chunk of fresh mango out of his mouth mid chew. It flies over the side of the boat and lands in the water.

"WHAT? Why do you ask?"

[Storm11]

Saracen blisters away any concern. Oh no reason no reason. Just wondering if it’s tasty! he says with another grin.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag stows several sacks of fruit on the boat then climbs aboard. He selects a large curved yellow fruit from atop one of the sacks and bites into it. After a moment he coughs and spits it out, shaking his head. "Buh! Nah, nah. Nobody is gonna eat dese fings. Der 'orrible." He tosses the remainder of the fruit overboard.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan too stows his fruit - eager to rest up and get back to exploring the island. "thanks for waiting for us again.. it's appreciated"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche notices Maag bite into what appeared to be a large banana before spitting out the partially chewed mouthful and chucking the remainder into the calm Azure sea. "Mr. Maag? I believe that kind of fruit should be peeled before eating."

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Oh right. Gotcha," Maag replies. He takes another banana from the sack, separates the peel and the core and takes another bite. "Ptth! Nah, still tastes rank", he says, spitting out more peel. He holds up the other piece. "Dis looks like it might be alright though".

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

The mighty paladin takes a spot in the front of the boat and stands facing the wind, letting the wind blow through his long hair. He holds his sword up-side-down with his hand covering the hilt of the sword and the tip lodged slightly in a board which is part of a seat. He stands in one of his well rehearsed poses starring out into the sea. His facial expression show someone in deep thought.

Lerrick

The cleric moves to a spot on the boat, nodding to Joe as she goes buy. Once seated she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She mumbles a prayer to her God giving thanks that she lives to heal another day.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back On The Beach
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Humid

Andron steps towards the largest grouping of cats on the small patch of lumpy sand, talking to them softly as he approaches. They don't really seem interested in the half-elf at all.

Saracen gives their boatman a bit of grief about his fresh snack, causing the man some concern. "Oh ya. Its real tasty. We bagged up some of the closest stuff ta bring back with us, but we didn't want to venture too far into the trees, because, well, you know."

Maag has a bit of difficulty with his own snack, being slightly intellectually outmatched by his banana. Andron is quick to help the thief out when he returns to the boat catless.

Sir Crestbrook assumes his position at the bow while Joe and Pete shove off again once everyone else is aboard with their huge sacks of fruit. One difference the party notices right away is that the huge blocky dwarven ship that was anchored directly off shore is now moved down the beach towards the west a few hundred yards. The former fishermen steer the dingy straight towards Beachtown and begin rowing away. "So, ah........did you find any good treasure in there this time? Maybe a little gold or silver?"

I believe the fee for the boat trip was 10gp, but I think this trip was already paid in full. If you want to secure transport for tomorrow morning again, you can do that now as well.

Actions?

Sir Crestbrook 7/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 5/11 0/4 1st
Saracen 28/33 0/5 1st 1/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[Storm11]

Saracen clears his throat and looks at the others.

So are we agreed one last trip to try and solve the mystery of the island? Sadly there was nothing to discover this time but the corpses of friends and the previously murdered, though we found lots more statues and empty tunnels. I think we should make sure we are healed completely AND have a full compliment of spells with us before we return to the caves however. That might not be tomorrow, but the day after perhaps? If we wish to rush back tomorrow some of us might have to return slightly wounded, or I shall forgo the trip next, for I will not return without. Ring at full power to maximise our chances of success. What day you all.

[kruk]

Lerrick

Lerrick looks up at Saracen from her seat. I'd prefer a two day wait: one to heal us to full strength and the next to regain our powers to heal. I for one believe the worst is yet to come. Not going back with full strength would be foolish.


Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

The paladin remains in deep thought...every so often touching his neck gingerly and clearing his throat.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche barely registered Saracen speaking over the sounds of the rhythymic rowing and lapping of the waves against the small boat, compounded by having his nose buried deep in his spell book, assiduously writing notes in a complex, arcane font. He starts and looks up after Lerrick responds however, as she was sitting close by. "Do what now?", he asks, flushing slightly. "Oh, yes, indeed. I agree with Sister Lerrick. I also need some time to conduct research on a new spell. One which I hope will assist us when we meet Brutus. Two days should be quite sufficient." Before returning to his book he glances with curiosity at Sir Crestbrook, moments later shaking his head at what is likely just a new affectation of the young paladin.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan agrees on waiting as long as needed now that the fallen are at rest. "What spell do you have in mind? Do you have one that let's you talk to trees, perhaps?"

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga will use the rope to lower Cu down and then get herself down. "I think it is time to move."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche raises the index finger of his left hand in response to Alordan while he completes drawing an intricate geometric diagram on a page in the hefty tome. After a few moments he lowers the quill and carefully closes the book. "Sorry, I needed to complete that thought while it was fresh in my mind."

He turns to give Alordan his full attention now, "No, not a spell to speak with trees, but I do have an idea for another spell that may help with them. The spell I'm currently researching is intended to enhance my ... charisma ... if you will, to hopefully engender a non-hostile reaction when we meet Brutus. If we can convince him to talk to us, we may be able to avoid a conflict."

Andron suddenly perks up as if remembering something important, "Oh, you're also welcome to stay in my hut for as long as you need. It's paid ahead for a month. A halfling named Dexter is also staying with me. He arrived on the ... <ahem> same ship ... as I did two days ago."