Quest #26 "Wet Rays Of Sunshine"

[Jernau35]

The Knife

"I was wondering who had that thing!" cries The Knife. "Great idea!"

He runs to assist Keyeon with the net. Once the ray is entangled, he starts to untangle his own spool of rope and tie it to the net. "Once it's tangled, I'll run the rope off to one of those trees over there. We can let it bake in the sun for a while. That'll take the fight out of it".

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

Breathes a sigh of relief and waits for her chance to thank Keyon and the Knife

[OGRE MAGE]

The Hunters Win, But At A Price
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Midday, Hot, Humid, Sunny

I forgot how lacking low level offensive spells were for clerics.

Before the ray can pull Jinx entirely back into the water again, the half blinded Keyon and the short legged gnome have both of them tangled up tightly in their borrowed fishing net. The ray flops and turns, trying to eat more of it’s meal before it is killed.

The remaining rays that were sleeping are quickly awakened and that entire bunch soon disperse from the shore area. The biggest ray swims away slowly with a hint of dejection in its motions. The group of smaller rays surrounding it swim off as well. Several rays stick around the area, but keep themselves a good distance away from shore now. The main squadron of rays soon disperse back to their shady tree roots.

Actions?

The immobile characters should be okay in a few rounds, but I will allow the two of you to take actions in the meantime, if you wish. (like hanging it)

Keyon 6/6 (Partially Blinded/-4 to attack rolls)
Brandy 12/12 3/3 First (Held)
Feanol 4/4 CL, DM, RM 0/1 First (Held)
Elnaerel 10/10 2/3 First (Held)
Jinx -5/8 (Dead)
The Knife 5/5

[Paladin]

Keyon

The elf frowns at the hungry beast, turning his sword on its side and whacking the trapped ray across the head. "Stop that," he snaps. If the ray continues, he'll smack it again. Not killing blows, just solid whacks with the flat of his blade intended to sting and discourage it from eating Jinx. "Perhaps once the others awaken, we can find a way to remove her body without letting it escape or hurt anyone in the process." He shoots a baleful glance at the remaining rays.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

The Knife makes sure his rope is secured to one of the trees about thirty feet away. As he walks back towards the ray in the net he halts for a moment and cocks his head to one side. "Of course, you're right". Then The Knife walks towards his three paralyzed companions on the sand. Once there he covers their faces with their cloaks or similar loose items of clothing, then walks back over to Keyon.

"The Knife told me the sun shining off the ocean like that would burn out their eyes, if they had to keep staring at it." explains the gnome. "It's a good thing we've got somebody as smart as him along with us, eh?"

Then, retrieving his walking stick from the sand, The Knife gives the ray a couple of good whacks to quiet it down. "If we leave this out here in the sun while the ladies recover, that'll take the fight out of it. Then we can get Jinx back and drag it back to the boat. Hopefully it'll still be alive and we can collect the full payment".

"Anyway, Keyon, why don't you keep an eye on it now. The Knife and I will go back over there at the edge of the beach and dig out a spot for Jinx".

[OGRE MAGE]

The Hunters Win, But At What Price
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Midday, Hot, Humid, Sunny

Separating the dying ray from the dead halfling by giving it a few good whacks, Jinx is eventually pulled from the net again while the ray remains trapped.

The Knife makes a few more suggestions, good ones this time, so the gnome abides, helping his friends retain their vision while looking for a good easy place to dig a hole.

After a few more minutes, Brandy, Feanol, and Elnaerel slowly become mobile again, their excruciating ordeal of not being able to blink in the bright sun now over. They shake out their numb limbs with discomfort, finally able to join in with their party members. Unfortunately, the bright light in front of Keyons eyes remains.

The Knife digs himself a decent sized hole in the sand by the time his friends are hale again.

Actions?

Keyon 6/6 (Partially Blinded/-4 to attack rolls)
Brandy 12/12 3/3 First
Feanol 4/4 CL, DM, RM 0/1 First
Elnaerel 10/10 2/3 First
Jinx -5/8 (Dead)
The Knife 5/5

[Darklin2]

Brandy

Brandy slowly starts to move again. Feeling returning to her limbs. Realizes that she is only partially clothed and grabs her armor pieces and clothes and puts them back on. Looking around she realizes that one of their number has fallen, having been pulled back out of her line of frozen sight she could not see the final actions of Jinx.

We had better bury her and say a few words. What is everyone's thoughts? Should be take her gear and split it up or bury her with it? I for one would like to take one of her weapons. In this manner she can fight on and become a member of our new community never forgotten. Maybe some day when I am strong enough I will return to bring her back to this world. Until then I will think of new ways to trap these miserable creatures.

[Paladin]

Keyon

A foul humor has settled over the usually jovial elf. He nods at the Knife's suggestions and sets about the task of freeing Jinx from the net. "I should've gotten to you sooner," he says, voice pitched low so the others won't overhear. "It's my fault." The light remains his ever-present an annoying companion as he accomplishes his task, then carries her body to the grave being dug. He lays her beside the growing hole and turns back to the ray.

"Perhaps pouring water over the beast will keep it hanging on until we can get it into the boat. Or find some means of towing it back in the net." He shrugs. "And perhaps not." Keyon shakes his head at the mention of equipment. "Suit yourselves. I don't want it."

The young elf feels an unaccustomed mix of emotions. Guilt for failing to save Jinx and foolishness for ever attempting. After all, what did the halfling mean to him? They'd only just met. He had no reason to fling himself into an ocean full of beasts who could kill him with a single blow. No reason to care.

For that matter, he'd had no good reason to dive in after Feanol, either. This journey is revealing in Keyon an unpleasant tendency to risk his neck in the service of others--a lovely elven wizard in particular--and he isn't sure he enjoys the revelation. Life is much easier when you have only have yourself to consider. "I'm a fool," he says in a whisper, angrily shaking his head and peeling off his sodden shirt. He wrings it out, dumping what feels like a gallon of sea water on the sand, then spreads it out to dry. Sitting on the warm sand, he pulls his boots off and dumps the water from them, as well. Keyon remains seated afterward. Sitting and thinking.

[Darklin2]

Brandy

Brandy removes Jinx's backpack and weapons and sets them aside. Wraps her broken frail body in her fur lined cloak and covers her face with the hood. Stands up and walks into the jungle and looks for some type of flower to add to the grave. Gathers a hand full and makes a bouquet and returns to the body and lays the flowers next to her waiting for the grave to be finished. Watching the others as they all realize what they have gotten themselves into.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

"We might as well take her stuff. From what the captain was saying, this place isn't the most prosperous of places. We might need it ourselves later" The Knife points out. "And ...you know...well...she isn't going to". He shrugs. "Sorry". Then he looks down. "Ugh. That's nasty. I'm not going to say that".

As Keyon starts to wring out his wet clothes, The Knife tries to stop him. "Dump that water on the ray. It might keep it alive a bit longer".

Turning back to Jinx, he suggests a plan for her burial. "Let's wrap her up in her cloak and say a few words over her. Then spend a few minutes looking for logs and things to put over the top of the grave."

"Once that is done, me and The Knife have a plan for taking the boat back". The gnome tries to wipe off some the sand that's covered him whilst he's been digging the grave. Then he goes off to scour the tree line for old logs and fallen branches. When he returns, he outlines his plan.

"Those rays might be waiting for when we take that dingy out there. So we dump this ray in the boat, and tie a rope to the bow. Let it drift out forty or fifty feet, see if they attack it. Pull it in again. Do that a few times, they'll get bored when they know the boat is empty every time. Then we jump in and row away. Good idea?

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel help wherever it's needed. She agrees with The Knife that Jinx' equipment might have better use in their hands as under ground, but still wants her to be buried with some dignity (clothes and all). Once the poor Jinx is buried, she'll entone a litany on her behalf, talking about the circle of birth, death and rebirth and how Mother Nature always worked that way.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

Finally free of the magic hold she gathers her stuff. She goes to see their deceased party member. "Well its only practical for those that need them to share her gear as she won't be needing it. But we can still use her share of the bounty to provide for a decent burial and feast of remembrance for her". When it will seem less crass she will confirm with Keyon that the spell had put some of the rays to sleep.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Hunters Win, But At What Price
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Sunny, Buggy

With as much dignity that a group who were mere strangers a few days ago can muster, Jinx's body is stripped of possessions, wrapped in her cloak, and laid to rest in the sand at the edge of the beach. Brandy says a prayer over the shallow grave, decorating it with one final woman's touch by adding a handful of unique looking flowers growing in the nearby jungle.

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The Knife covers the grave with sticks and logs while Keyon tries to dry his clothing, feeling a plethora of emotions rush through him as he does so. The gnome makes a suggestion as to how to get the ray back without being hassled by the rest of the rays. He gets some water to splash on the dying ray, noticing that the rest of the rays are still keeping their distance now that they have lost one of their own.

Leaving the grave site with heads bowed and arms filled with gear, the party starts thinking about getting back to town to return the captain his boat and to collect their hard earned reward. The light partially blinding the elf's eyes suddenly fades as well, allowing him to see normally again. The sun continues to beat down onto the hot sand and the bugs do their best to give you their version of a miserable welcome.

Actions?

We can split up the gear once you make it back, but if anyone wants something specific, go ahead and speak up.

Keyon 6/6
Brandy 12/12 3/3 First
Feanol 4/4 CL, DM, RM 0/1 First
Elnaerel 10/10 2/3 First
Jinx -5/8 (Dead)
The Knife 5/5

[Darklin2]

Brandy

OOC- I already talked about taking the Short Sword and using it in her name. If anyone wants to take the short bow I can teach them how to use it.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

I'm fine with that. I don't need any of her gear. If she has rations we might want to split them up equally, but other than that I'm fine with any split you guys make.

Feanol spends some time at the grave adding a few flowers she can find in the jungles edge. She thinks and notes a star she'll name in her honor in her star log. Then when everyone seems to have gotten through their grieving. "I fear that the easy way of transporting the living ray in a net trailing behind the boat is fraught with perils. What other spells do these creatures have? So we either skirt the beach with the ray, and tow the boat, or another possibility is to put the ray in the net in the boat and let enough water in to sustain it. Hopefully in the boat it wouldn't be noticed by the others. I'm not happy with any of the options so if you see another please speak up."

[Paladin]

Keyon

Finally, the blinding light fades and Keyon blinks a few times. "There we go," he mutters. He waits until the others walk away, then slips quietly back to Jinx's grave and pushes a gold coin beneath the surface, smoothing the sand over it with a quick swipe of his hand. "The ferryman will have his coin," he says with a faint smile. "Safe travels--and wherever you end up, steal them blind."

He turns away and shakes his shirt out, pulling it back on and stepping into his boots. He also shoves away the foul humor clouding his features. "No time for navel-gazing now, mate," he chides himself. "Work to be done." Once he catches up with the others, he matches Feanol's pace and sends her a sideways glance. "Your spell put several of the rays to sleep," he informs her. "And occupied several more with trying to rouse them. They'd have swarmed me in the surf if not for you." A crooked smile softens his scowl and he offers a slight bow.

"I vote for trying to haul it in the boat," he says to the others. "Towing it seems risky, as quickly as they move in the water."

[Darklin2]

Brandy

Brandy shoulders Jinx's gear as they walk away. Sticking the short sword in her belt and bow over her shoulder. Walking with the others back to the boat. Quietly and forlorn

So we have lost one. From now on we find out what we are up against before we go off half crazed after something. I have a feeling the Captain knew that these things had more powers than he told us, but keep that to yourselves.

I vote we throw it in the boat in the net and drag the boat with a rope. It isn't that far but we need to watch for more of those little buggers. If they come at us again we take no prisoners. Now let's go get our gold.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel listens to everyone's opinions: "What if we just put the ray within the net into the boat? Remember the sea water leaks in that boat. We can put the ray in the leaky part. Dragging it behind us might cause predators to come and try taking it."

If there's any kind of dagger or knife that Jinx had, Elnaerel will take it (not the short sword though). It would be useful as a tool. That'd be it. "May she rests in peace." She says taking a last sad look at the grave.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

The Knife shakes his head at the offer of any of Jinx's gear. "No, I've got enough to carry already". Then he lowers his voice and whispers to Brandy. "And you-know-who would get jealous if I chose any of her weapons". He rolls his eyes.

Then The Knife shades his brow and squints down the beach in the direction of Beachtown. "I reckon just walking through this sand back to town would take the rest of the day. And dragging the boat would be worse. Those rays have scattered now, I'm sure. Let's throw the ray in the bilge water, tow the boat a few hundred yards away to be on the safe side, then climb aboard. We can stay just outside the surf so we can get ashore quickly if we need to."

He sighs heavily. "I've told you already. I'm not going to drop you in the sea".

[OGRE MAGE]

To Beachtown!
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Sunny, Buggy

The tattered group of demi-humans eventually leave the site of their friends grave and regroup at the shore to discuss their options. It is decided to toss the netted ray into the leaky boat and tow it by hand along the shore for a short distance to see how the other rays react.

The plan works well enough when none of the rays seem interested in following the boat for very long. After pulling the craft about a half mile towards town through the shallow surf, no more rays are seen at all. Deciding to play it safe and move along a little further, the "coast" appears to be clear. Just as they decide to hop in and row the rest of the way to town, the elves start to hear something strange coming from the jungle.

Somehow, over the noise of the many jungle animals, singing birds, splashing waves, and buzzing bugs, they begin to hear what they think must be music of some kind. It is softly floating out of the jungle from somewhere, they are sure of it now. It sounds like soft flute music or someone singing an eerie melody through the trees.

Actions?

Jinx's stuff:
Black Leather armor
Small wooden shield
Shortsword (Brandy)
Hand Axe
Shortbow (Brandy?)
Quiver of 24 arrows
Backpack
Waterskin
Belt pouch
Tinderbox flint and steel
Rope 50’
5 Candles
2 Iron rations Per week (split up equally?)
Thieves tools
Sling
Quarter Staff

Keyon 6/6
Brandy 12/12 3/3 First
Feanol 4/4 CL, DM, RM 0/1 First
Elnaerel 10/10 2/3 First
Jinx -5/8 (Dead)
The Knife 5/5