Nameless girl nods, "This place is alien, and maybe we've taken the thing enabling them to attack the surface, It would be good to escape. A quick search, then lets go." She joins in the searching.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
If they truly have vanquished those responsible for the sinking island, then Hansel is happy to leave this ugly place... But will gladly join in the salvage efforts, particularly if there are any items of artistic beauty.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
From here, from that underwater coral dome, you would not be able to tell if the island(s) is safe now but any attempts to sense magic around brings up only the items on the group (is Hansel the one carrying the rod now?).
Scooping the treasure is surely possible, though it will be quite heavy and cumbersome to take all. Sure, there are more expensive and less expensive items, but sorting out some particularly pretty jewels or golden miniature statues from rabbit's feet and shell necklaces would take time. And you spent enough of it already while the ship is waiting above and the return of some other potential residents of the place can be expected...
Davis would have the rod back in his pack then. He would simply try to grab any weapons that look not to be rusty, any gemstones and/or art pieces that look worth anything. He would not spend a lot of time at it, so just grabbing what he can on the way out.
(An important device, sure, but Hansel would need to spend quite some time studying the rod to make it a plot point)
The weapon is not worth taking. Davis can do it, of course, but even the prettiest of the rusting blades are the common kind and the bulkiness and encumbrance overweight the questionable pleasure to carry them to the surface. The treasure, though, could be scooped the merc "filled his pockets with gold" quite literally.
The long travel to the surface began. It was not nearly as dangerous as before. The group swam again through the "cave of decay", the local morgue if you wish, and to the ship, you entered the place. You could probably search for the main entrance but losing the guiding side of the trench could be dangerous. From there, all you had to do is to "hug the wall" and go up. One thing, though, was immediately apparent - the grotesque structure was not covered in the black cloud anymore. You could see the silhouettes of ships forming the construction as far as your dark vision allowed it. And so far, nothing threatening seemed to come from any direction.
The vail of the giant jellyfish was still there, but so were your wits and experience - the group swam through without any harm, getting closer to the sun by the minutes. Vadok seemed to get younger as he got higher, at least in his eagerness to see the surface. The moment first not really apparent light touched his shell, he shivered in excitement and with one powerful move got ahead of the party. But eventually, everyone's head emerged from the water.
The evening did not fall yet on the ocean here, the sky was still bright blue and though you could not take the helmets off just yet to get the first breath of truly fresh air, you could at least see the light again. Vadok, who did not have a helmet, breathed for all five of you with the tears on the wrinkled eyes and absolutely ecstatic facial expression.
"Ahoy there!" The voice belonged to Kalis who yelled and waved from the bridge of "Relentless". It took a couple of minutes to lower the dinghy and the captain was first to jump in, pointing in your direction to the rowing team. Everyone was collected onboard. "You are alive and I do not see the dark spot anymore. What did you do down there?" Kalis's eyes were burning with curiosity.
Meanwhile, the sailes were set and the ship took the course to the (ex)island.
Nameless one does not answer. Answering is for the others. She pulls herself up the rope net thrown over one side and climbs aboard, dripping with water. She takes the helm off and takes a deep breath of air. Standing in a growing pool of water she takes a few breaths, appreciating the sea air blowing on her skin...and the firm pull of gravity down to the decking. Then without any fanfare she finds a sailor and asks for some relatively clean rags. She sits on a stool on the deck, listening to any conversation, while using the rags to dry any salt water off her metal gear, and then oiling up the components of her hand crossbow, armor, and rapier. Once done, she looks for someplace to strip down to her underwear, hanging gear up to dry, before leaning back on a stool nearby to catch a short nap.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
"Relentless" was by far not a luxury yacht, but you were expected (or "hoped for" at least) and three small cabins with hammocks in them were waiting for the tired adventurers. After almost two days underwater, the sweet pull of gravity was a bit too strong and needed some getting used to again. But once the impatient Captain Kalis realized you could probably be tired and in need of some rest, you certainly had a place to dry yourself (and sleep if you wanted, without fear of yet another zombie attack).
It was seeing the sunlight that most overjoyed Hansel. Likewise stripping off his wet clothes (and feeling very comfortable with the others doing the same) he did not immediately recline his weary muscles, but instead stood out on deck and basked in the fading rays of the sun. It was a sunset like any other, but to Hansel it was the most beautiful he had ever beheld.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Davis nods to the captain of the ship. Assuming a military at-rest stance, he would give a terse and concise recitation of the events from leaving the ship until they returned. He does not leave anything out on purpose, but also does not go into deep detail on anything. It is short, to the point, and, overall, brief. Once finished he would find a place he could change out of the sodden gear he has on, and just enjoy breathing fresh air once again.
Trudie had drifted to the back of the group, lost in her own daydreams. Eventually she realized they were leaving. The druid had saved a little trick for the trip back, but it appeared she clued back into reality much too late. They were taking the scenic route back, and she was happy enough with that. The old tort was comfortable swimming along at her own pace.
Eventually coming to surface, Trudie was indeed reminded how good it felt to feel the sun on her shell again. Though with the surface came gravity. Ah yes. Once upon the deck grandma slowed down. She was not the same spry turtle as she was in the water. At least she could feel her toes. Wiggle.
Relying more on her staff, Trudie would shimmy, slowly, shoulder to tail, sloshing water off and out of her shell. She'd then lean to one side and shake the water and salt from one foot, then in her own time, the other. The druid would proceed to take her time dusting her shoulders off. Going to run her hands over her head, she'd come to realize she still had her helmet on. Taking it off with a pop, the old tort would finally inhale a big fresh breath then smack her lips. "Still salty..." Then as if remembering something, Trudie would withdraw into her shell. One listening could hear a couple deep inhales. Smoke would then exhale from the holes in her shell. Soon enough she'd pop back out with an all knowing smile.
Actually catching Davis nodding to the Captain, Trudie would be reminded she was standing in front of Kalis. With a butt-naked Hansel sunning himself alongside her and Sugar and Spice off in her corner, she'd realize someone should answer the Captain. "Ah yes..." She'd start. "Well. We snooped aboot. Met some zombies and invisible seals." Pausing she'd be sure to take the time to add. "The mammal kind of seal."
"Then we found a tentacle person who brought her mermaid friend along." The old torts eyes would wander around as she strung memories together. Landing on Vadok, her lashes would bat. "Found a brilliant bright shell." Her mouth would pull into her signature smile before returning her attention back to the Captain. "The light and one of the only living beings left in that depth."
Pulling out her pipe Trudie would take her sweet time to settle in for a long tale. She'd begin explain how there was practically nothing but death. Then go on to explain to the Captain in a grand story, much like an elder would, how the others overcame the environment turned against them. How they eventually overcame their challenges and conquered the darkness that consumed that space.
Probably the correct description would be "the ship tried to sail back" because the crew was glued to the deck around the brave adventurers and nothing in the world could force them away from the story one can hear once in a lifetime! Kalis made a gesture as if wanting to invite you all into her cabin, but she was an experienced captain and understood when to use power. Davis and Trudie could tell the tale freely and none of them ever had such a captivated audience.
Vadok, after the short introduction, just nodded in the appropriate moments, slowly blinking at the sun and quietly but visibly inhaling fresh air. On that sunny day, the horrific images of the rising dead and monsters from nightmares when told about began to sound like a bad dream, and yet, all of these happened - the rod, the scooped treasure and the old turtle were the evidence of that.
"This is quite the story!" Kalis was as silent as everyone else. "Worth my best wine and the old keg of rum for the crew". She looked pointedly at the burly half-orc, but as his body obediently raised from the place he was sitting on and listening, he moved away only after he was sure the story ended. The man returned with the keg, while Kalis finally gestured you to join her in the cabin (she did not insist for Hansel to dress up, the "costume" of the shark-hunter was well-respected in this part of the world, assuming one could wear it well). "Here, try this." The wine she offered you tasted like the weather outside the cabin - sunny, sweet, hot, full of earthly fruit flavour and spiced up with the aerial fragrance of the tropical flowers. And it was offered in the proper crystal glass. "To your safe return and great victory!" She sipped her wine, allowing a relaxed smile to grace her lips, but then open eyes wide and with a more business tone added. "Speaking of victories. I am out of the loop. The last news we got here about the coast, is that everyone is arming up and expecting sahuagin to strike. They will be glad to hear your story. Though... From what I got, you fought very few of sahuagins and they live in big clans. Guess we will see when we get there."
And so you did. The crew's excitement finally allowed them to set sails (they probably figured out that they were first witnesses and future centres of attention). By the early evening, you saw the familiar shoreline. Too familiar - the island was back. It was still rising - very slowly, but for the most part, it returned. No one risked yet to set a foot on it, not a single boat dared to cross the short canal between it and the mainland. But it was back! The surprisingly big (and armed too) crowd on the shores was discussing something, pointing in the island's direction.
"Lovely place!" Commented Vadok looking at the island (and the shores, and the mountains) but Hansel had some momentarily ... vision or a fleeting feeling of irritation as if someone had undone a good work. It passed right away, though. The ship was noticed on the shores and the crowd wawed and yelled something towards it.
"Want to be the first one on the drowned island? Or do you want to get to the shores right away?"
"Gladly, dear Trudie!" The old turtle looked good 300 20 years younger now - the sun, the open sky, the wine all did him wonders! "So, this is where your journey had started? It seems this island had some adventure of its own".
Indeed, it did. You could see from the deck all the destruction it suffered. Some palm trees survived, but most fell. Almost all buildings were destroyed. some debris was washed away during descending and then ascending of the island, but a lot remained.
Kalis, that was watching the scenery through the spyglass, finally put it down. "Thought I saw some movement over there. You know what, I'll go with you too." Those of the crew who heard it, became a shade paler, spat over the left shoulder and touched each a protective amulet. The crowd on the shores stopped shouting and stood now dead still, watching the small boat from Relentless with the brave adventurers reaching the island.
Despite her bravery (or bravado), Kalis let Hansel be the first one on the sandy beach of Peara Tira. But she was second. The solid ground under the feet felt good and if not for the signs of destruction, the island would still look like a paradise (at high tide). "Over there," pointed curious cat at the remnants of one of the huts. Now, at closer look, some piles of debris looked strangely organized. And some were even sealed with corals - an impossible feat should it be work of nature. But nothing and no one attacked (the spectators on the mainland collectively exhaled in relief). Kalis was deliberately avoiding the suspicious (though familiar to you) masses of debris, moving toward the hut.
Indeed, something was moving there. That hut was destroyed by the fallen palm tree and under the mass of broken and messed up leaves was hiding a girl, barely a teenager. Pale silver-green skin and blue hair of the typical sea-elf worked like a good camouflage in the heap of foliage, if not for the movement, you would not notice her there. Wide-open, tilted, sparkling green eyes stared at the group for a few moments and a dead-scared expression slowly disappeared from the girl's face: "Are they all gone? The devils?"
Hansel stared for a moment at the girl. He'd never seen a sea-elf and... she was beautiful! So delicate. So vulnerable. Hansel extends a hand, and with his golden hair waving in the breeze, says with a deep but soft voice: Yes, the devils are gone. You're safe with us.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
A girl answered with a shy smile but eventually began to talk. She was stuck in this corner from the moment the island got underwater and all the way through. Even before the island stopped moving, a big group of sahuagin came there. They probably were talking telepathically mostly, because the girl could not say anything about their plans, but she saw them moving things around as if they trying to build something here. At some point - not long ago - a tentacled creature came, and the main sahuagin - the biggest of them all - screamed in rage, took the others and left the island. This is when the girl noticed that the island was going up again.
The story about sahuagin presence was confirmed by the shark-hunters, who were the first among the villagers, daring to follow the group's example. There were a lot of questions, a lot of stories (many saw sahuagin - and sahuagin were staring at them, people were expecting an attack, this is why so many were armed), scared and happy shouts, tears, laughter and anything you can expect from the big crowd of people that survived terrifying attacks of the known enemies and the unknown curses. The last part, sadly, included Hansel. Half the villagers and guests were calling him saint, and half declared him "cursed", firmly believing he took the curse of the island on himself, but both sides tried to keep their respectful distance ("you do not have to believe in curses to get one"). Very few dared a close contact. The rest of the group was mostly free from superstitious suspicion but not from the attention (Nameless girl had to use her gift if she wanted to avoid it, though, she specifically had the personal attention of Quinnie, something one would not want to trifle with. The ex-busgirl-turned-hero was not only someone she cared about but a future attraction for the future rebuilt tavern and was informed about the possibilities on every occasion).
Your friend Brados followed the shark-hunters and the first thing he did, was to ask about his precious helmets. Once he made sure they are all here and undamaged, he became the embodiment of hospitality again, endlessly thanking the group for the great deed - the man had big plans for the island and the next season of the game (though the current one was not over either, and Brados was going to squeeze every ounce of usefulness from the events and the stories about them). Of course, the group was the dearest guest (and one of the main attractions) of the show. There was a good side of it too - the gold as a reward for a deed well done, the free lodging on the island, in the village or in Brados's house, the endless flow of any kind of drinks from never-ending crowd willing to listen about the adventure, and the tremendous respect from every living soul for the miles around. Kalis (who decided to stick around for a while) even said she heard about plans for the new monument that will depict all five of you.
Yes, only five. Vadok was counted as another man saved by The Five Heroes. Technically, that was the truth, the old turtle never claimed to be anything but a humble helper, grateful for his rescue. He was spending his days on the island, claiming that he needs to get used to the world again. But more often than not, he could be found near Trudie talking about Chult and getting his courage to ask her to accompany him there.
Sylsa - the girl Davis saved from sahuagin the day the island has drawn, listened to his story at least five times with inextinguishable interest, before declaring that she decided to become a warrior. She humbly asked to be trained by him but as humble as the request was, "no" was definitely not the answer she was ready to accept.
Whether Yusko planned to open a medical practice around here or to hire himself as a more of a "special requests" guy - he was now famous enough to pull any of his schemes off and then some. As every hero too, of course. You were welcome to stay and observe or help the raising popularity of the place. The sahuagin never returned, however, now there was a permanent guardpost here, on the island, and along the shoreline too. Any willing and able could help in organizing defence, especially a living legend.
There was the matter of the rod too. The thing was unanimously declared "dangerous" by both Brados and Kalis (actually, by anyone else who saw it). Both, however, could not hide the desire to get it off your hands - the story alone would make the thing precious and could make the centrepiece of a collection of any eccentric collector. But most importantly, it was bound to the island and could become a symbol of victory over the sahuagin. So, until the fate of the rod was decided, any conversation one way or another was ending with the ultimate question - would you part with it?
But any decision could wait, for now, you could finally just relax and enjoy the lazy summer on the lazy beach of the true paradise - Peara Tira.
"Seems that way." Davis confirms. "Let us see if there is anything of value, or interest, and take what we want to salvage and get out of here."
Nameless girl nods, "This place is alien, and maybe we've taken the thing enabling them to attack the surface, It would be good to escape. A quick search, then lets go." She joins in the searching.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
If they truly have vanquished those responsible for the sinking island, then Hansel is happy to leave this ugly place... But will gladly join in the salvage efforts, particularly if there are any items of artistic beauty.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
From here, from that underwater coral dome, you would not be able to tell if the island(s) is safe now but any attempts to sense magic around brings up only the items on the group (is Hansel the one carrying the rod now?).
Scooping the treasure is surely possible, though it will be quite heavy and cumbersome to take all. Sure, there are more expensive and less expensive items, but sorting out some particularly pretty jewels or golden miniature statues from rabbit's feet and shell necklaces would take time. And you spent enough of it already while the ship is waiting above and the return of some other potential residents of the place can be expected...
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
(I think Hansel would have given it back to Davis. I just did that in case we missed some important story point.)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Davis would have the rod back in his pack then. He would simply try to grab any weapons that look not to be rusty, any gemstones and/or art pieces that look worth anything. He would not spend a lot of time at it, so just grabbing what he can on the way out.
(An important device, sure, but Hansel would need to spend quite some time studying the rod to make it a plot point)
The weapon is not worth taking. Davis can do it, of course, but even the prettiest of the rusting blades are the common kind and the bulkiness and encumbrance overweight the questionable pleasure to carry them to the surface. The treasure, though, could be scooped the merc "filled his pockets with gold" quite literally.
The long travel to the surface began. It was not nearly as dangerous as before. The group swam again through the "cave of decay", the local morgue if you wish, and to the ship, you entered the place. You could probably search for the main entrance but losing the guiding side of the trench could be dangerous. From there, all you had to do is to "hug the wall" and go up. One thing, though, was immediately apparent - the grotesque structure was not covered in the black cloud anymore. You could see the silhouettes of ships forming the construction as far as your dark vision allowed it. And so far, nothing threatening seemed to come from any direction.
The vail of the giant jellyfish was still there, but so were your wits and experience - the group swam through without any harm, getting closer to the sun by the minutes. Vadok seemed to get younger as he got higher, at least in his eagerness to see the surface. The moment first not really apparent light touched his shell, he shivered in excitement and with one powerful move got ahead of the party. But eventually, everyone's head emerged from the water.
The evening did not fall yet on the ocean here, the sky was still bright blue and though you could not take the helmets off just yet to get the first breath of truly fresh air, you could at least see the light again. Vadok, who did not have a helmet, breathed for all five of you with the tears on the wrinkled eyes and absolutely ecstatic facial expression.
"Ahoy there!" The voice belonged to Kalis who yelled and waved from the bridge of "Relentless". It took a couple of minutes to lower the dinghy and the captain was first to jump in, pointing in your direction to the rowing team. Everyone was collected onboard. "You are alive and I do not see the dark spot anymore. What did you do down there?" Kalis's eyes were burning with curiosity.
Meanwhile, the sailes were set and the ship took the course to the (ex)island.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Nameless one does not answer. Answering is for the others. She pulls herself up the rope net thrown over one side and climbs aboard, dripping with water. She takes the helm off and takes a deep breath of air. Standing in a growing pool of water she takes a few breaths, appreciating the sea air blowing on her skin...and the firm pull of gravity down to the decking. Then without any fanfare she finds a sailor and asks for some relatively clean rags. She sits on a stool on the deck, listening to any conversation, while using the rags to dry any salt water off her metal gear, and then oiling up the components of her hand crossbow, armor, and rapier. Once done, she looks for someplace to strip down to her underwear, hanging gear up to dry, before leaning back on a stool nearby to catch a short nap.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"Relentless" was by far not a luxury yacht, but you were expected (or "hoped for" at least) and three small cabins with hammocks in them were waiting for the tired adventurers. After almost two days underwater, the sweet pull of gravity was a bit too strong and needed some getting used to again. But once the impatient Captain Kalis realized you could probably be tired and in need of some rest, you certainly had a place to dry yourself (and sleep if you wanted, without fear of yet another zombie attack).
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
It was seeing the sunlight that most overjoyed Hansel. Likewise stripping off his wet clothes (and feeling very comfortable with the others doing the same) he did not immediately recline his weary muscles, but instead stood out on deck and basked in the fading rays of the sun. It was a sunset like any other, but to Hansel it was the most beautiful he had ever beheld.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Davis nods to the captain of the ship. Assuming a military at-rest stance, he would give a terse and concise recitation of the events from leaving the ship until they returned. He does not leave anything out on purpose, but also does not go into deep detail on anything. It is short, to the point, and, overall, brief. Once finished he would find a place he could change out of the sodden gear he has on, and just enjoy breathing fresh air once again.
Trudie had drifted to the back of the group, lost in her own daydreams. Eventually she realized they were leaving. The druid had saved a little trick for the trip back, but it appeared she clued back into reality much too late. They were taking the scenic route back, and she was happy enough with that. The old tort was comfortable swimming along at her own pace.
Eventually coming to surface, Trudie was indeed reminded how good it felt to feel the sun on her shell again. Though with the surface came gravity. Ah yes. Once upon the deck grandma slowed down. She was not the same spry turtle as she was in the water. At least she could feel her toes. Wiggle.
Relying more on her staff, Trudie would shimmy, slowly, shoulder to tail, sloshing water off and out of her shell. She'd then lean to one side and shake the water and salt from one foot, then in her own time, the other. The druid would proceed to take her time dusting her shoulders off. Going to run her hands over her head, she'd come to realize she still had her helmet on. Taking it off with a pop, the old tort would finally inhale a big fresh breath then smack her lips. "Still salty..." Then as if remembering something, Trudie would withdraw into her shell. One listening could hear a couple deep inhales. Smoke would then exhale from the holes in her shell. Soon enough she'd pop back out with an all knowing smile.
Actually catching Davis nodding to the Captain, Trudie would be reminded she was standing in front of Kalis. With a butt-naked Hansel sunning himself alongside her and Sugar and Spice off in her corner, she'd realize someone should answer the Captain. "Ah yes..." She'd start. "Well. We snooped aboot. Met some zombies and invisible seals." Pausing she'd be sure to take the time to add. "The mammal kind of seal."
"Then we found a tentacle person who brought her mermaid friend along." The old torts eyes would wander around as she strung memories together. Landing on Vadok, her lashes would bat. "Found a brilliant bright shell." Her mouth would pull into her signature smile before returning her attention back to the Captain. "The light and one of the only living beings left in that depth."
Pulling out her pipe Trudie would take her sweet time to settle in for a long tale. She'd begin explain how there was practically nothing but death. Then go on to explain to the Captain in a grand story, much like an elder would, how the others overcame the environment turned against them. How they eventually overcame their challenges and conquered the darkness that consumed that space.
just an unstable unicorn.
Probably the correct description would be "the ship tried to sail back" because the crew was glued to the deck around the brave adventurers and nothing in the world could force them away from the story one can hear once in a lifetime! Kalis made a gesture as if wanting to invite you all into her cabin, but she was an experienced captain and understood when to use power. Davis and Trudie could tell the tale freely and none of them ever had such a captivated audience.
Vadok, after the short introduction, just nodded in the appropriate moments, slowly blinking at the sun and quietly but visibly inhaling fresh air. On that sunny day, the horrific images of the rising dead and monsters from nightmares when told about began to sound like a bad dream, and yet, all of these happened - the rod, the scooped treasure and the old turtle were the evidence of that.
"This is quite the story!" Kalis was as silent as everyone else. "Worth my best wine and the old keg of rum for the crew". She looked pointedly at the burly half-orc, but as his body obediently raised from the place he was sitting on and listening, he moved away only after he was sure the story ended. The man returned with the keg, while Kalis finally gestured you to join her in the cabin (she did not insist for Hansel to dress up, the "costume" of the shark-hunter was well-respected in this part of the world, assuming one could wear it well). "Here, try this." The wine she offered you tasted like the weather outside the cabin - sunny, sweet, hot, full of earthly fruit flavour and spiced up with the aerial fragrance of the tropical flowers. And it was offered in the proper crystal glass. "To your safe return and great victory!" She sipped her wine, allowing a relaxed smile to grace her lips, but then open eyes wide and with a more business tone added. "Speaking of victories. I am out of the loop. The last news we got here about the coast, is that everyone is arming up and expecting sahuagin to strike. They will be glad to hear your story. Though... From what I got, you fought very few of sahuagins and they live in big clans. Guess we will see when we get there."
And so you did. The crew's excitement finally allowed them to set sails (they probably figured out that they were first witnesses and future centres of attention). By the early evening, you saw the familiar shoreline. Too familiar - the island was back. It was still rising - very slowly, but for the most part, it returned. No one risked yet to set a foot on it, not a single boat dared to cross the short canal between it and the mainland. But it was back! The surprisingly big (and armed too) crowd on the shores was discussing something, pointing in the island's direction.
"Lovely place!" Commented Vadok looking at the island (and the shores, and the mountains) but Hansel had some momentarily ... vision or a fleeting feeling of irritation as if someone had undone a good work. It passed right away, though. The ship was noticed on the shores and the crowd wawed and yelled something towards it.
"Want to be the first one on the drowned island? Or do you want to get to the shores right away?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Someone needed to set foot on the island, perhaps to look for any remaining enemies or for any poor victims. Hansel suggests they go there first.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Very well." Davis agrees. "Please set us down on the island." He requests of the captain.
Nameless one. Still looking rather bedraggled, nods and checks her crossbow and other gear and readies to set foot back on the island.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Trudie sidles up beside Vadok, “Will you be joining us?”
just an unstable unicorn.
"Gladly, dear Trudie!" The old turtle looked good
30020 years younger now - the sun, the open sky, the wine all did him wonders! "So, this is where your journey had started? It seems this island had some adventure of its own".Indeed, it did. You could see from the deck all the destruction it suffered. Some palm trees survived, but most fell. Almost all buildings were destroyed. some debris was washed away during descending and then ascending of the island, but a lot remained.
Kalis, that was watching the scenery through the spyglass, finally put it down. "Thought I saw some movement over there. You know what, I'll go with you too." Those of the crew who heard it, became a shade paler, spat over the left shoulder and touched each a protective amulet. The crowd on the shores stopped shouting and stood now dead still, watching the small boat from Relentless with the brave adventurers reaching the island.
Despite her bravery (or bravado), Kalis let Hansel be the first one on the sandy beach of Peara Tira. But she was second. The solid ground under the feet felt good and if not for the signs of destruction, the island would still look like a paradise (at high tide). "Over there," pointed curious cat at the remnants of one of the huts. Now, at closer look, some piles of debris looked strangely organized. And some were even sealed with corals - an impossible feat should it be work of nature. But nothing and no one attacked (the spectators on the mainland collectively exhaled in relief). Kalis was deliberately avoiding the suspicious (though familiar to you) masses of debris, moving toward the hut.
Indeed, something was moving there. That hut was destroyed by the fallen palm tree and under the mass of broken and messed up leaves was hiding a girl, barely a teenager. Pale silver-green skin and blue hair of the typical sea-elf worked like a good camouflage in the heap of foliage, if not for the movement, you would not notice her there. Wide-open, tilted, sparkling green eyes stared at the group for a few moments and a dead-scared expression slowly disappeared from the girl's face: "Are they all gone? The devils?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Hansel stared for a moment at the girl. He'd never seen a sea-elf and... she was beautiful! So delicate. So vulnerable. Hansel extends a hand, and with his golden hair waving in the breeze, says with a deep but soft voice: Yes, the devils are gone. You're safe with us.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
A girl answered with a shy smile but eventually began to talk. She was stuck in this corner from the moment the island got underwater and all the way through. Even before the island stopped moving, a big group of sahuagin came there. They probably were talking telepathically mostly, because the girl could not say anything about their plans, but she saw them moving things around as if they trying to build something here. At some point - not long ago - a tentacled creature came, and the main sahuagin - the biggest of them all - screamed in rage, took the others and left the island. This is when the girl noticed that the island was going up again.
The story about sahuagin presence was confirmed by the shark-hunters, who were the first among the villagers, daring to follow the group's example. There were a lot of questions, a lot of stories (many saw sahuagin - and sahuagin were staring at them, people were expecting an attack, this is why so many were armed), scared and happy shouts, tears, laughter and anything you can expect from the big crowd of people that survived terrifying attacks of the known enemies and the unknown curses. The last part, sadly, included Hansel. Half the villagers and guests were calling him saint, and half declared him "cursed", firmly believing he took the curse of the island on himself, but both sides tried to keep their respectful distance ("you do not have to believe in curses to get one"). Very few dared a close contact. The rest of the group was mostly free from superstitious suspicion but not from the attention (Nameless girl had to use her gift if she wanted to avoid it, though, she specifically had the personal attention of Quinnie, something one would not want to trifle with. The ex-busgirl-turned-hero was not only someone she cared about but a future attraction for the future rebuilt tavern and was informed about the possibilities on every occasion).
Your friend Brados followed the shark-hunters and the first thing he did, was to ask about his precious helmets. Once he made sure they are all here and undamaged, he became the embodiment of hospitality again, endlessly thanking the group for the great deed - the man had big plans for the island and the next season of the game (though the current one was not over either, and Brados was going to squeeze every ounce of usefulness from the events and the stories about them). Of course, the group was the dearest guest (and one of the main attractions) of the show. There was a good side of it too - the gold as a reward for a deed well done, the free lodging on the island, in the village or in Brados's house, the endless flow of any kind of drinks from never-ending crowd willing to listen about the adventure, and the tremendous respect from every living soul for the miles around. Kalis (who decided to stick around for a while) even said she heard about plans for the new monument that will depict all five of you.
Yes, only five. Vadok was counted as another man saved by The Five Heroes. Technically, that was the truth, the old turtle never claimed to be anything but a humble helper, grateful for his rescue. He was spending his days on the island, claiming that he needs to get used to the world again. But more often than not, he could be found near Trudie talking about Chult and getting his courage to ask her to accompany him there.
Sylsa - the girl Davis saved from sahuagin the day the island has drawn, listened to his story at least five times with inextinguishable interest, before declaring that she decided to become a warrior. She humbly asked to be trained by him but as humble as the request was, "no" was definitely not the answer she was ready to accept.
Whether Yusko planned to open a medical practice around here or to hire himself as a more of a "special requests" guy - he was now famous enough to pull any of his schemes off and then some. As every hero too, of course. You were welcome to stay and observe or help the raising popularity of the place. The sahuagin never returned, however, now there was a permanent guardpost here, on the island, and along the shoreline too. Any willing and able could help in organizing defence, especially a living legend.
There was the matter of the rod too. The thing was unanimously declared "dangerous" by both Brados and Kalis (actually, by anyone else who saw it). Both, however, could not hide the desire to get it off your hands - the story alone would make the thing precious and could make the centrepiece of a collection of any eccentric collector. But most importantly, it was bound to the island and could become a symbol of victory over the sahuagin. So, until the fate of the rod was decided, any conversation one way or another was ending with the ultimate question - would you part with it?
But any decision could wait, for now, you could finally just relax and enjoy the lazy summer on the lazy beach of the true paradise - Peara Tira.
The end
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice