Quest #34 "The Search For The Ruined Tower”

[OGRE MAGE]

The Search For The Seaside Tower
Earthday, 25th of Goodmonth
Morning, Warm, Humid, Less Buggy

Once at the top of the long cliff edge, the group heads east towards their destination far off in the distance. The cliffs appear almost volcanic in nature, standing a good 60 feet or more above the crashing waves of the Azure sea below. The surface of the porous rock is uneven in most places, with large gaps periodically that need to be traversed with caution. This gets worse the closer you get to the waters edge, but is slightly better along the tree line that runs perpendicular to the sea, a varying 50 feet or so away from the cliff edge. The cliffs jut out into the sea in several places, causing you to weave back and forth in some spots, as if you were following a snake's path.

The breeze blows constantly up here, keeping the bugs away fairly well, but the biggest issue is exposure to the sun. In the morning hours, staying close to the tree line will offer some protection, along with the better footing, but once the sun climbs directly overhead, there will be little shade to be found unless you enter the jungle again.

After traveling for about an hour or so, and seeing nothing but jungle and black rock, there appears to be some bleached white bones laying haphazardly in a small pile on the rocky surface up ahead. There is no sign of life around them, and you cant see anything in the trees that indicate how they got here.

Actions?

This is the marching order that was presented to me. If you want anything moved around, just let me know.
Keg Woodwright 13/13
Gnodric AC5 10/10
Darklin Sylvanas AC4 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Elnaerel 10/10 3/3
Max AC2 8/8 CL 2/2 MU 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Feanol AC10 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
The Knife AC4* 5/5
Keyon 6/6

[Jernau35]

The Knife

"You know," says The Knife, cocking his head to one side. "I've got a bad feeling about those bones. Like it's that the bones are the danger. Not the thing that killed whatever it was. I can't really explain it. Does anyone else feel like that?"

"If anybody feels like checking them out, I'm going to stay back a bit from them".

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"I'm thinking about some kind of flying creature." She looks at the tree tops and the sky. "At some point will have to go through the jungle. It's too hot out here... And that'll make our progress even slower." Going back to the bones. "If anyone approaches that, better to investigate it with some kind of long pole , from a distance."

[Paladin]

Keyon

"Well. Curiosity killed the...pirate." He speaks quietly under his breath and edges closer to the bones, though not close enough to touch. "I'm for climbing down to find some shade around midday, as well," Keyon adds.

He will look for skulls in particular.

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Eyeing the trees up on the cliff and looking out over the water he begins musing out loud. What do you think about having "Clifftown" instead of "Beachtown"? This volcanic soil looks like it is good for growing... We have plenty of timbre for construction of homes and defenses.... All we need is a water supply and to work out access to a dock... Plus we will be well away from the dwarves... Thoughts?

When they spot the bones Keg doesn't even shy away. Just bones... he walks over and begins looking them over, prodding them with his axe.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"I agree Keg, that's something to consider. Maybe the tower holds riches for us, but it could also be a settlement site. It might already have beach access and water." Looking up at the sun "As for that we may need to lie low under the trees and then move at night and morning with this heat."


Gnodric

Joins Keg examining the bones. Prodding about with his staff. "Looks like bones to me".

[OGRE MAGE]

The Search For The Seaside Tower
Earthday, 25th of Goodmonth
Morning, Warm, Humid, Less Buggy

Lots of incorrect visuals makes me want to detail your surroundings a little better.

The unrelenting unevenness of the rocky cliff tops is difficult to walk upon, requiring great concentration with each step. To the groups right is a sheer drop-off of about 60 feet to the surface of the sea. To their left is thick jungle, far more patchy and dry, but otherwise similar to areas they have seen on other parts of the island. The rocky ground near the tree line is not quite as uneven and might be easier to walk on. There is no loose soil to be seen, and the nearest patchy foliage appears to be growing directly out of the rock. There are no buildings, or remnants of such, and there is certainly no dock to be seen from up here. The idea of settling this area might appeal to a hermit crab, but few others would find this place inhabitable in the least.

A few members of the group move forward once the bones are spotted. It appears to be a single skeleton of a humanoid creature, but what they originally belonged to cant be discerned at first glance. Many of the bones look broken, and the skull is badly crushed, as if a massive trauma or fall from an elevated place befell this sorry chap. The bones lie about half way between the jungle and the edge of the cliffs, but little else can be learned by poking at them with a stick.

Actions?

This is the marching order that was presented to me. If you want anything moved around, just let me know.
Keg Woodwright 13/13
Gnodric AC5 10/10
Darklin Sylvanas AC4 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Elnaerel 10/10 3/3
Max AC2 8/8 CL 2/2 MU 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Feanol AC10 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
The Knife AC4* 5/5
Keyon 6/6

[Bluehorse]

Keg

On closer look at the plants growing out of rocks he scoffs. Well, maybe further in I mean... but defense wise not bad... Something to be said about having the high ground. Looks like this poor chap left no clues as to who he was. I saw leave them for now. He's been here long enough to bleach his bones, I say we leave him to it until we have cause and a means of moving him. Maybe one of the praying types will know what to do with him. Keg will then continue picking his way along the path towards the tower, careful of his footing.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

"His bones were smashed? Like he fell from somewhere?" The Knife shades his eyes and looks up into the sky. "We definitely need to travel near the treeline. It seems there's something around here that's big enough to pick up it's prey and drop it from high up there."

"The good news is, I'm probably to small for it to bother with. The bad news is..." He looks around at the group of men and elves. "... You're not".

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"What if the bones were smashed against the ground by some kind of flying creature?" She looks around and to the sky. "Maybe we should go along the jungle and use the trees as cover."

Edit "It was you who read my mind this time, Knife." She smiles at the gnome. "But, I think we disagree in what might please a flying predator better. You're lighter and easier to carry." And winks at him.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"While moving into the jungle some for shade may be the best place for us, I wouldn't get too worried. Anything big enough to even carry the knife would be big enough we could spot it and take action before it was on us. A concern for sure, but not a thing to worry too much about."

[Bluehorse]

Keg shrugs. Poor guy probably just fell. Let's keep moving. This sun is only getting hotter and I don't care for it.

[Paladin]

Keyon

"Fell from what?" Keyon asks, looking into the empty blue sky. He shrugs. "Too much more of this sunshine and I'm dropping beneath the canopy a while. I care not for the aroma of roasted elf. He'll grin and hug the side near the trees to steal as much shade as possible as they forge ahead.

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Well poor guy is dead there is nothing we can do for him. Let's hit the tree line and cool down. Our water won't last at this rate. Max, What is this thing that is supposed to be guarding this item? Any ideas of hints from who ever told you about it? Probably another Squid with 900 testicles, Opps, Sorry, I ment tenticles. Some translations don't work to well in the Elven Language. Miss one letter and it changes the who situation.


Max

I think the jungle line is a good option. Stay as cool as we can. Once the sun gets down some the jungle will shade us for some good marching. No I have no idea what the guardian is but I guess we will find out when we get there. Maybe it is a Dwarf shrinker or wand of Metal melting.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Search For The Seaside Tower
Earthday, 25th of Goodmonth
Noonish, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Leaving the bones behind, the party moves closer to the treeline to shade themselves from the early sun and continues their march east. Max remains suspiciously mum about what they can expect to find guarding this so called magic treasure they seek, though some get the impression he is not telling them everything he knows.

The black rock closest to the jungle is indeed much flatter and easier to traverse, speeding up their progress a good deal. Unfortunately, the bugs are a bit worse here, as they also seem interested in the shade and wind block the patchy trees provide. The group finds another bleached skeleton about a mile further along, and then another one after that. None of them seem special in any way.

Making decent time, they walk till about midday, slapping at bugs, but enjoying the breeze. Finally stopping for a lunch break, they notice they are already pretty tired from walking around with so much gear on them. They also notice that they are going through their water rations much faster than expected. There are a few strange dull reddish-orange, flat rocky formations up ahead that might make a nice place to have a shaded picnic. The sun eventually reaches its zenith in the sky, so the group knows they wont be in the shade of the trees any more once they start out again after their break.

Actions?

Keg Woodwright 13/13
Gnodric AC5 10/10
Darklin Sylvanas AC4 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Elnaerel 10/10 3/3
Max AC2 8/8 CL 2/2 MU 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Feanol AC10 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
The Knife AC4* 5/5
Keyon 6/6

[Bluehorse]

Keg makes a face as they come across more bones. Okay, now I am taking notice. No way they fell... do they look gnawed on or anything?
Are they natives or.... you know.... someone like us from elsewhere? he picks up a skull and looks it over for any indications of race or if the teeth seem worn in funny ways. Who are you, bonehead?

Once they are to their place to rest and eat, Keg will look out at the sun and shake his head. Would be we better off waiting for a little while for the sun to start going down before we head out? Let the hottest part of the day pass and take a short rest before making a push for the tower? I know our water is not holding out, but we might fair better in another hour or two than if we set off right away.

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"I think that's the only real solution. And, we probably need to wait for more than 1 or 2 hours. We need the sun to go down a bit, and I'd say traveling after dark would make a lot of sense."

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"Yes, I agree with you on two. I see we won't have enough water with what we brought, but don't worry, I know of a prayer that will ask to my goddess to refill our water skins. I think there will be more than enough for the whole group."

[Jernau35]

The Knife

"I agree that we should travel later in the day," says The Knife. "But Keg won't be able to see after dark. If he has a light, then the rest of us won't be able to see as well as we normally do. And the light will be visible from a long way away. It might attract unwanted interest."

"Plus, if we use up torches and lamp oil out here, we won't have that stuff when we reach the tower"

"Now Elnaerel says she can keep us supplied with water, I say we stick to travelling during the day. Even if it's just early morning and late afternoon."

[Paladin]

Keyon

"Provided we have water, I'm fine either way. But hiding from the noonday sun does have advantages in this hellish jungle."