(OOC Given that Rag's check is now a... 7, Utar spends his inspiration on giving the check advantage. Keeping pace with the halfling, Utar coaches him on a few basics of his own technique - 'just try not to down'.)
Picking up what Utar puts down, Doozey side-eyed Hermenor. But while he had half a mind to leave some "encouragement" behind to keep the ship... he nods softly an agreement, seeing it had served its purpose well enough.
"I'd have to agree with Bigar here. Once we're on the island at the very least, I'd say let Mr. Graxx or Mr. Dornal have at that Heroism one then." He'd suggest as much. Prior to their departure from the ship, he also took a moment to summon Gravy and bid him to watch the group's progress to the island from high in the sky before rejoining them at him at the beach. Though if any were to be seen floundering along the way, the raven was to swoop down and alert the halfling to the best of his ability without putting itself in danger.
Only with all of that taken care of would the halfling line up with the rest for some synchronized swan dives into the drink!
Feeling the pressure to leave the Salty Snapper and following Utar's recommendation to not leave anything behind, CRAP + friends secure their belongings to their persons and plunge into the water, but not before Gravy is released into the air.
With his natural swimming ability, Doozey leads the pack toward the islet. He is followed closely by Peadbody, who has wrapped himself around Bigar and is carrying the greenling on the surface like a buoy. Graxx, Thokk, Utar, Berry, and Dornal all follow the aquatic creature without much trouble. Rag struggles at first but benefits from some dedicated attention from Utar to calm himself down and improve his swimming form. Bringing the rear, Neya looks like she is spending a lot more energy than necessary to stay afloat and follow the others. Perhaps the worrisome thought that another enemy may reach for her from below is keeping her from focusing on her form.
Soon enough, the entire group reaches the small beach with the shed that once served as the ferryman's tool cabin, and perhaps abode. Neya is panting upon arrival. In the distance, the Salty Snapper begins circumnavigating the islet.
Before anyone can have a look about, Gravy's unmistakable sharp cry catches the party attention. The bird is squawking toward something partially hidden by a cluster of trees. Moving around a bit to get a better view, the party sees a human corpse, mangled and twisted into unnatural angles, strung up a rickety wooden structure as if mounted for display. There is blood everywhere (corpse, structure, ground), some of is splattered about as the consequence of violent strikes, some of it carefully painted to form witchcraft symbols. A closer look reveals it to be the corpse of an older woman. An even closer look allows CRAP to recognize her face. This is Rentida, one of the villages crones. She was the one who was seemingly mute and somewhat younger than the other two. She is very obviously dead, and beyond any saving.
There is only one path out of the beach: the one leading in an upward slope toward the village beyond the hill.
Checking his own items are still securely in place after their swim, Utar casts an eye towards The Salty Snapper, fully expecting it to be at full sail heading away towards the horizon.
"We all have what we need to push on? Nothing lost in the water?"
At the trees
Utar takes a sharp inhale of breath on seeing the body of the crone. Peering at the symbols drawn in the what he presumes is her blood, he tries to discern any greater meaning in them other than the obvious shock value and warning to trespassers.
"Nothing that is bound to be missed I'm sure enough."Doozey replied to Utar, following a few moments of shaking his whole body not unlike a dog. Any sense of ease from the stoutling promptly disappeared at the alarm, which had in turn spurred Doozy into instinctively shifted into his werebadger's form and looking sharp. Then with a hand kept close to a weapon, followed along to the next site.
At the Trees...
"It seems... No. I always figured we would be too late from the moment we saw what happened to the dragon."Doozy muttered gruffly just loud enough to be overheard by others. "Try not to get too close to the body or disturb it for that matter. Those that did this... their ilk aren't above using a bit of necromancy for all sorts of vile things."Doozey comments. "Quit astute, milord. Such dreadful creatures. Why I remember the time this other little fellow I walked alongside fancied himself an undead hunter of a sort of adventure. Results were mixed, but beneath his chest pumped the heart of unmatched bravery!" Berry chimed in at the halfling side just as Peabody finally caught up with the group. Doozey squints at Berry. "I... no, this isn't the time for that. Just if you see anything or one hovering about invisibly while we here, do let us know. In words, preferably Berry. And Gravy."He waves the raven down, and in a few short words, bided the raven to fly on high (at least 100ft above ground) and scan the village discretely if he could before returning to the halfling for a report on his findings.
(OOC If/When Gravy returns, Doozy will use his once a day free Speak with Animals so he can actually understand the report.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(OOC: I forgot to mention that Bigar had kept his oversized vestments on and hood up during the entire trip here.)
At the beach, Utar shows his natural leadership skills and checks on everyone. Neya seems a bit sore, and Doozey has already instinctively summoned his inner badger (which gets a reaction from Bigar) but, otherwise, all seems alright. Thokk hits his trident on the one armored arm to indicate that he is ready. Dornal is wringing his beard and Rag is as silent as ever, seemingly unbothered by being drenched. For the first time since the last meal at the Leadstopper Residence, Bigar lowers his hood.
Looking at the sea, Utar sees the Salty Snapper lazily sailing around the the islet. It looks like they are keeping their side of the bargain for now but a separate thought comes to CRAP at this time: anyone on the island who might be able to spot the ship would know that something is up.
Once Gravy gets everyone's attention and the group moves closer to the tree line, Graxx vocalizes what most must be thinking. Utar's religious study of the gruesome display confirms what Doozey has already guessed: the setup indicates some sort of transformative ritual took place in the island, where archaic, evil magic must have been funneled through Rentida's blood and life force.
The group doesn't seem particular keen on staring at the corpse for a prolonged period of time, so Utar's casts his next spell the quick way. He identifies the faint traces of transmutation and necromantic magic around the ritual site, but whatever took place here has long been concluded. Bigar follows that up with a quick arcane analysis of the display: "Whatever happened here was based on some sort of archaic, unknown magic. The symbols used are not particularly religious, but neither are they studious in form. This is a ritual developed before the study of the arcane became an academic subject.... hmm... as far as I can tell, that is. I'm still a novice, after all."
While this is happening, Neya keeps an eye out for anyone who might be keeping an eye on them. She spots no humanoid in the bushes, but she notices something that both Doozey and Utar also seem to pick up on (passive perception): one of Rentida's eyeballs has detached from the woman's head and is dangling from its nerve. The eye seems to be keeping track of the party's movements.
@Doozey: At this time, Gravy is back from his explorative flight. It was too brief and you doubt the bird had enough time to reach and peer into the village from above. You reckon the raven has found something worthy of your attention even before reaching the village. Do you spend you spell to speak with him?
Utar moves his head a little, checking to see if the dangling eye follows.
"Safe to assume that if they didn't spot the boat, they know we're here now."
As the party move off to investigate the next point of interest, Utar will use sacred flame to cleanse the fell sorcery affecting the former crone's body... Hopefully...
Boozey nodded along in agreement, but soon had his attention stolen by Gravy. With eyes narrowed in wariness, the stoutling offered an arm for the raven to land upon had it chosen not his shoulder or head before that point. "Back so soon, Mr. Gravy? My word! It must be trouble approaching then! Perhaps it best we ready ourselves?"Berry comments as he bravely back peddled a little to stand behind Peabody; who had in turn looked back in disappointment at the posh Mastiff.
"Oh don't look at me like that, you serpentine lay-about. I am a Butler, not some dashing warrior such as our Master here."Peabody rolls his eyes and shakes his head at that. But as all of that is playing out, Boozey had long since then uttered a few words of power in Sylvan, leaving his voice a slightly higher pitch for the duration of the spell. "Report. What you find, Gravy?"
Graxx sets his axe down beside him and reaches into his backpack and pulls out the Potion of Growth. He does not drink it yet as he is waiting to hear what Gravy has to report.
Utar tests the hanging eye a bit further, confirming that it is indeed following his movements. Not wanting to feel spied on any longer, the cleric lights the eye ball in holy fire. The organ lets out a screech as it burns into oblivion.
A few steps away, Doozeyinteracts with Gravy as the rest of his personal zoo have their own side argument. The brown bird responds: "Girl. Up the way. Beyond crest of sloped path. Standing. Staring. Waiting."
Graxx holds a potion vial, deciding whether this is the time to drink it or not.
Dornal speaks up: "Let us move. Let us do what we came here to do." He waits for confirmation, and for CRAP to lead the way.
Boozey nodded softly in agreement, and yet still held a trouble look about him. After a moment or two of hesitation however, he finally sighs and then says aloud, "May want drink now, Mr. Graxx... Or may not want. 'cause... I dunno. It could be trick. But... Seems are missing Waif awaits us ahead. Or some girl does at least." With that bombshell dropped, he again quietly bids Gravy to continue his original mission in seeking the village and taking note all that was there before returning once more to report on it.
"Missing Waif? You mean... E-gads! So perhaps its not too late than, Master Doozey! That's excellent news!"Peabody shakes his head over the Mastiff's enthusiasm. "Foolish hound~ Not know way of their world right. Not know anything."Doozey would hear from the serpentine creature before it pointedly meets his eyes. "But you do~ Only pain down that road. Exquisite Suffering. 'They' warned you enough of that. So best make it quick." Doozey scowls at serpentine, then looked sharply to the others."Let's move, but take anything said with a grain of salt. After spending so much effort to get her back and change her, I very much doubt they'd give her free reign without being assured things 'took', if you catch my drift. And Berry. Do me a favor and carry Peabody."
Berry looks confused and even perhaps on the verge of saying something, before whining a bit as Peabody coiled itself about the midsection of the beast.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Nodding solemnly Utar checks the strapping on his shield and takes Lightbringer in hand. Waiting to see if the rest of group is also ready, he sets off towards the waif.
(OOC Given that Rag's check is now a... 7, Utar spends his inspiration on giving the check advantage. Keeping pace with the halfling, Utar coaches him on a few basics of his own technique - 'just try not to down'.)
Graxx makes sure all his gear is secure and then takes the plunge.
Athletics: 17
(@Lerus: E'yup. Berry is coming along.)
Picking up what Utar puts down, Doozey side-eyed Hermenor. But while he had half a mind to leave some "encouragement" behind to keep the ship... he nods softly an agreement, seeing it had served its purpose well enough.
"I'd have to agree with Bigar here. Once we're on the island at the very least, I'd say let Mr. Graxx or Mr. Dornal have at that Heroism one then." He'd suggest as much. Prior to their departure from the ship, he also took a moment to summon Gravy and bid him to watch the group's progress to the island from high in the sky before rejoining them at him at the beach. Though if any were to be seen floundering along the way, the raven was to swoop down and alert the halfling to the best of his ability without putting itself in danger.
Only with all of that taken care of would the halfling line up with the rest for some synchronized swan dives into the drink!
Berry's Athletics: 14.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
After making sure she had everything with her and secured, Neya dives into the water and starts making her way to the shoreline of the small island.
Athletics: 6
Extended Signature
Re-rolling Rag's check due to the halfling's Lucky feature: 17
(@MB: You may keep your Inspiration token.)
Feeling the pressure to leave the Salty Snapper and following Utar's recommendation to not leave anything behind, CRAP + friends secure their belongings to their persons and plunge into the water, but not before Gravy is released into the air.
With his natural swimming ability, Doozey leads the pack toward the islet. He is followed closely by Peadbody, who has wrapped himself around Bigar and is carrying the greenling on the surface like a buoy. Graxx, Thokk, Utar, Berry, and Dornal all follow the aquatic creature without much trouble. Rag struggles at first but benefits from some dedicated attention from Utar to calm himself down and improve his swimming form. Bringing the rear, Neya looks like she is spending a lot more energy than necessary to stay afloat and follow the others. Perhaps the worrisome thought that another enemy may reach for her from below is keeping her from focusing on her form.
Soon enough, the entire group reaches the small beach with the shed that once served as the ferryman's tool cabin, and perhaps abode. Neya is panting upon arrival. In the distance, the Salty Snapper begins circumnavigating the islet.
Before anyone can have a look about, Gravy's unmistakable sharp cry catches the party attention. The bird is squawking toward something partially hidden by a cluster of trees. Moving around a bit to get a better view, the party sees a human corpse, mangled and twisted into unnatural angles, strung up a rickety wooden structure as if mounted for display. There is blood everywhere (corpse, structure, ground), some of is splattered about as the consequence of violent strikes, some of it carefully painted to form witchcraft symbols. A closer look reveals it to be the corpse of an older woman. An even closer look allows CRAP to recognize her face. This is Rentida, one of the villages crones. She was the one who was seemingly mute and somewhat younger than the other two. She is very obviously dead, and beyond any saving.
There is only one path out of the beach: the one leading in an upward slope toward the village beyond the hill.
At the shore
Checking his own items are still securely in place after their swim, Utar casts an eye towards The Salty Snapper, fully expecting it to be at full sail heading away towards the horizon.
Perception - 24
"We all have what we need to push on? Nothing lost in the water?"
At the trees
Utar takes a sharp inhale of breath on seeing the body of the crone. Peering at the symbols drawn in the what he presumes is her blood, he tries to discern any greater meaning in them other than the obvious shock value and warning to trespassers.
Religion - 26
"Bigar, is there any arcane meaning to these symbols? Do they form a spell of some kind?"
If there is time, Utar will cast detect magic as a ritual, if not, he'll burn a first level spell slot.
"I'm fine, if a little sore. I had a harder time treading water than expected, but I should be good to fight," Neya assesses herself.
When looking at the corpse of the crone, she looks around to try to see if anyone else is watching them. Or, at least she tries.
Perception: 9
Extended Signature
Graxx walks up looks at the corpse.
"What evils took place here?" asks Graxx.
Graxx draws Tempus's Dogma.
"Those who did this must be removed from this realm." says Graxx.
Graxx grips his axe tightly.
The Shore..
"Nothing that is bound to be missed I'm sure enough." Doozey replied to Utar, following a few moments of shaking his whole body not unlike a dog. Any sense of ease from the stoutling promptly disappeared at the alarm, which had in turn spurred Doozy into instinctively shifted into his werebadger's form and looking sharp. Then with a hand kept close to a weapon, followed along to the next site.
At the Trees...
"It seems... No. I always figured we would be too late from the moment we saw what happened to the dragon." Doozy muttered gruffly just loud enough to be overheard by others. "Try not to get too close to the body or disturb it for that matter. Those that did this... their ilk aren't above using a bit of necromancy for all sorts of vile things." Doozey comments. "Quit astute, milord. Such dreadful creatures. Why I remember the time this other little fellow I walked alongside fancied himself an undead hunter of a sort of adventure. Results were mixed, but beneath his chest pumped the heart of unmatched bravery!" Berry chimed in at the halfling side just as Peabody finally caught up with the group. Doozey squints at Berry. "I... no, this isn't the time for that. Just if you see anything or one hovering about invisibly while we here, do let us know. In words, preferably Berry. And Gravy." He waves the raven down, and in a few short words, bided the raven to fly on high (at least 100ft above ground) and scan the village discretely if he could before returning to the halfling for a report on his findings.
(OOC If/When Gravy returns, Doozy will use his once a day free Speak with Animals so he can actually understand the report.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(OOC: I forgot to mention that Bigar had kept his oversized vestments on and hood up during the entire trip here.)
At the beach, Utar shows his natural leadership skills and checks on everyone. Neya seems a bit sore, and Doozey has already instinctively summoned his inner badger (which gets a reaction from Bigar) but, otherwise, all seems alright. Thokk hits his trident on the one armored arm to indicate that he is ready. Dornal is wringing his beard and Rag is as silent as ever, seemingly unbothered by being drenched. For the first time since the last meal at the Leadstopper Residence, Bigar lowers his hood.
Looking at the sea, Utar sees the Salty Snapper lazily sailing around the the islet. It looks like they are keeping their side of the bargain for now but a separate thought comes to CRAP at this time: anyone on the island who might be able to spot the ship would know that something is up.
Once Gravy gets everyone's attention and the group moves closer to the tree line, Graxx vocalizes what most must be thinking. Utar's religious study of the gruesome display confirms what Doozey has already guessed: the setup indicates some sort of transformative ritual took place in the island, where archaic, evil magic must have been funneled through Rentida's blood and life force.
The group doesn't seem particular keen on staring at the corpse for a prolonged period of time, so Utar's casts his next spell the quick way. He identifies the faint traces of transmutation and necromantic magic around the ritual site, but whatever took place here has long been concluded. Bigar follows that up with a quick arcane analysis of the display: "Whatever happened here was based on some sort of archaic, unknown magic. The symbols used are not particularly religious, but neither are they studious in form. This is a ritual developed before the study of the arcane became an academic subject.... hmm... as far as I can tell, that is. I'm still a novice, after all."
While this is happening, Neya keeps an eye out for anyone who might be keeping an eye on them. She spots no humanoid in the bushes, but she notices something that both Doozey and Utar also seem to pick up on (passive perception): one of Rentida's eyeballs has detached from the woman's head and is dangling from its nerve. The eye seems to be keeping track of the party's movements.
@Doozey: At this time, Gravy is back from his explorative flight. It was too brief and you doubt the bird had enough time to reach and peer into the village from above. You reckon the raven has found something worthy of your attention even before reaching the village. Do you spend you spell to speak with him?
Utar moves his head a little, checking to see if the dangling eye follows.
"Safe to assume that if they didn't spot the boat, they know we're here now."
As the party move off to investigate the next point of interest, Utar will use sacred flame to cleanse the fell sorcery affecting the former crone's body... Hopefully...
(OOC: Just to further rp out the decision)
Boozey nodded along in agreement, but soon had his attention stolen by Gravy. With eyes narrowed in wariness, the stoutling offered an arm for the raven to land upon had it chosen not his shoulder or head before that point. "Back so soon, Mr. Gravy? My word! It must be trouble approaching then! Perhaps it best we ready ourselves?" Berry comments as he bravely back peddled a little to stand behind Peabody; who had in turn looked back in disappointment at the posh Mastiff.
"Oh don't look at me like that, you serpentine lay-about. I am a Butler, not some dashing warrior such as our Master here." Peabody rolls his eyes and shakes his head at that. But as all of that is playing out, Boozey had long since then uttered a few words of power in Sylvan, leaving his voice a slightly higher pitch for the duration of the spell. "Report. What you find, Gravy?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx listens to the reports of danger.
"I will be ready to draw their forces."
Graxx sets his axe down beside him and reaches into his backpack and pulls out the Potion of Growth. He does not drink it yet as he is waiting to hear what Gravy has to report.
Utar tests the hanging eye a bit further, confirming that it is indeed following his movements. Not wanting to feel spied on any longer, the cleric lights the eye ball in holy fire. The organ lets out a screech as it burns into oblivion.
A few steps away, Doozey interacts with Gravy as the rest of his personal zoo have their own side argument. The brown bird responds: "Girl. Up the way. Beyond crest of sloped path. Standing. Staring. Waiting."
Graxx holds a potion vial, deciding whether this is the time to drink it or not.
Dornal speaks up: "Let us move. Let us do what we came here to do." He waits for confirmation, and for CRAP to lead the way.
Boozey nodded softly in agreement, and yet still held a trouble look about him. After a moment or two of hesitation however, he finally sighs and then says aloud, "May want drink now, Mr. Graxx... Or may not want. 'cause... I dunno. It could be trick. But... Seems are missing Waif awaits us ahead. Or some girl does at least." With that bombshell dropped, he again quietly bids Gravy to continue his original mission in seeking the village and taking note all that was there before returning once more to report on it.
"Missing Waif? You mean... E-gads! So perhaps its not too late than, Master Doozey! That's excellent news!" Peabody shakes his head over the Mastiff's enthusiasm. "Foolish hound~ Not know way of their world right. Not know anything." Doozey would hear from the serpentine creature before it pointedly meets his eyes. "But you do~ Only pain down that road. Exquisite Suffering. 'They' warned you enough of that. So best make it quick." Doozey scowls at serpentine, then looked sharply to the others. "Let's move, but take anything said with a grain of salt. After spending so much effort to get her back and change her, I very much doubt they'd give her free reign without being assured things 'took', if you catch my drift. And Berry. Do me a favor and carry Peabody."
Berry looks confused and even perhaps on the verge of saying something, before whining a bit as Peabody coiled itself about the midsection of the beast.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Nodding solemnly Utar checks the strapping on his shield and takes Lightbringer in hand. Waiting to see if the rest of group is also ready, he sets off towards the waif.
Graxx looks to Doozey and nods.
"Bottoms up."
Graxx will drink the Potion of Growth enlarging himself for 3 hours.
Graxx will pick up his now enlarged Axe.
"Let it begin." says Graxx.
Graxx will take the lead of the group to try to draw any unwanted attention.
Neya takes out the two potions she showcased before and says, "Last call."
Extended Signature