Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Storm11]

Saracen hands over his gold to the two fisherfolk and climbs on board. He is happy to swap places with the ranger in the marching order or to just stay where he is but have Alordan take his place in front of him.

Perhaps a trip around the island wouldn’t be a bad thing first, maybe even a walk around the perimeter completely to see what else can be detected before we head back to the caves. I wonder if talking to the cats upon the beach might be wise, perhaps we could recruit them to show us the lair of the medusa if they are friendly to us, or would it be a waste of time do you think? The holy champion directs his last query to the obvious Druid lady for her expertise.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

To the fisherman, "He will be fine in your boat, I suspect he is better behaved than you are."

Turning to Saracen, "We can try talking to the cats, never know with cats they tend to be bit more unpredictable than other animals, but they may have some info and be willing to trade it for some food."

If they go to the cats, she will cast Speak with animals and offer them some fish if there is any.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche
Andron hurries over to the boat and provides his one gold coin for his share of the travel fee. Settling into a seat on the boat he overhears Saracen's conversation with Tlachtga. I concur with scouting the perimeter of the island, we can ill afford a surprise encounter with the medusa, let alone a minotaur. Given the magnitude of our foe any opportunity to obtain information or an ally would not be a waste of our time. Speaking now in a tone a bit less audible ... I fear we may also be limited to a verbal parley with the bull men, as my supply run yielded a fair bit less than I ... expected. At this he clears his throat and pulls a large tome from his backpack and begins to idly page through its contents, his cheeks blushing slightly.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan nods at the groups caution. "Scouting the perimeter makes a lot of sense. Would be best to do on the island - we sailed around once before and heard some noises but saw nothing. Cora did warn us of a pet of hers - Brutus, as I recall - that we should be cautious of as well..."

[Storm11]

Saracen nods at the ranger as he jogs their memory. It wouldn’t hurt to see if we can find some safe and sturdy shelter here whilst we scout. And asses the potential on the island for food, given the shortage of Beachtown. I wonder how the residents survive here. There must be fresh water somewhere, though with all the holy members of our company that’s not really a concern. And there are plenty of animals here, and a noticeable lack of swarms of bugs, thankfully. Yet it seems far more dangerous somehow. The moving trees are just, well .. sinister! the orange robed half-orc says sheepishly, looking at the druidess and then the floor.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag hands over his gold piece and climbs aboard the crowded boat with his gear and his four 10' long bamboo poles. "Wotch out...Comin' thru...Sorry 'bout dat...Nice dog...WOAH! Dat is not appropriate..."

He offers up a few suggestions of his own. "Yeah, maybe a bit 'o scoutin' would be a good idea. If we keep walkin' dat same path wiv all der minotaurs, I'll bet der movin' trees will notice"

"We can look for some fruit as well before we go back. I bet der trees 'ave plenty over 'ere. Fill up any spare sacks we got left, and Alordan can fill dat big net of 'is wiv der stuff"

When the conversation turns to cats, Maag realizes that there is another way they can be useful."Alordan mate! I've 'ad an idea for dat net of yours. We can catch some of der cats in it, an' take em back to town. I bet nobody back der would turn der nose up at a few slices of barbecue cat".

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

The paladin walks slowly up the ramp and onto the boat. He passes one of the oarsmen and hands him a gold coin, then moves forward onto the boat in somewhat of a trance. Looking towards the direction of the island he mutters We're coming Cora...we're coming.


Lerrick

The cleric follows behind the paladin and also gives the oarsmen a coin for the fare, thanking him for the ride and giving him a pleasant friendly smile. She then finds a seat on the boat and closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she prepares herself mentally for the dangerous mission which lies ahead.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"I can certainly help with finding food and water. You said there are moving trees? Did they attack or simply warn you off? This is getting interesting."

Turning to Alordan, "I agree with this fine fellow that a circumnavigation on foot would be best. Perhaps the boat can shadow some of us on foot and we could fall back to the boat in an emergency. By the way I am Tlachtga of the Dreadwood" She reaches out with her hand.

[wolfpack]

Gramble hands over his gold

Whatever we are doing lets get moving, but I am telling you the Minotaurs are coming through that dais. The 2nd one appeared the same time we were teleported to a different part of the tunnel.

Maybe light is the trigger since it all happened when our torch went out.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan shakes the offered hand with sincerity. "Welcome. You'll find no shortage of danger on these islands. Best to keep prepared"
"The trees we now little about - except that the move. When we left the cave last time, several had moved just outside of it and were dangling vines which appeared as a trap. We gratefully avoided that one..."

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"It sounds like something very unnatural is at work here. Yes, much danger we should be vigilant."

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To Cat Turd Baech
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Rainy, Misty, Humid

Joe ignores the wise crack from Tlachtga as he takes one gold coin from each of the passengers. (Please track that yourselves. I am not going to check 9 sheets for 1 lousy coin)

He tries to make sense of all the suggestions he is hearing, but the contradictions seem to baffle the simple fisherman.

"We can drop ya off wherever ya want, and follow ya round in the boat, if ye like. But just remember that the vegetation grows thick around the island, right up to the shore in most places, other than the beach. So it will be rough travel for you around those parts if'n yer on foot. That's why we dropped ye off on the beach in the first place."

As Magg gets his long poles situated just right, Pete grabs the oars and puts his back into the task. A light rain continues to fall from the unusually cloudy skies above, making the morning chore of traveling a bit less appealing to most everyone involved. The area around the boat starts to smell like wet dog.

Actions as the boat slowly pulls away from shore?

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

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Sheet updated.

Tlachtga keeps watch over the beach and her sling handy with a bullet in case it is needed.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan listens to the grizzled sailor, "if the vegetation indeed is thick, and I start to recall, we can row close to shore in these areas - it will be better than nothing. Perhaps we'll see, hear or learn something new..."

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag inspects his crossbow to make sure it's okay and takes a practice aim off the side of the boat.

"Come 'ere Mr Tiddles... he whispers.

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric places a bolt in her sling as well, then scans the area ahead of the party for a large tree to climb to get a better view of the area. If there is one up ahead she will climb it.


Sir Crestbrook the VERY VERY Mighty

With the energy and anticipation surging through the paladin's body the paladin equips his shield and sword, looking back every so often to see if the rest of the group is ready to go. Let us rid this wretched place of evil he said quietly through clenched teeth as he grips his shield and the hilt of his sword tightly. It is clear to tell that the paladin is well focussed on the mission that lies ahead.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche
Perhaps we should proceed with attempting to communicate with the cats on the beach. From all accounts this island doesn't appear to be normal in either its flora or fauna. Personally, I'm rather curious as to why hundreds of cats would be milling on the beach. What is drawing them there? What is their food source ... assuming the cats are natural?

[wolfpack]

Gramble snoozes on the boat ride there

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Cats on a beach? Easy answer is fish parts from the fisherman, rats from the boats, and occasional bird or egg. Not to mention people in general have always attracted cats."

[Storm11]

Saracen disembarks with the others, getting quickly into formation. How long will you wait for us here? he asks the fishermen?