Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [2][IC][2024]

Onji glances from person to person, takes a deep cleansing breath, then blurts out,

"Can...can...assume...can we... assume...that there have been lots of wrecks...over the...the...years... but...but the...but the zombies are new?"

Breathes a few breathes, then continues quickly, "so...so...what changed?"

States as an after thought, "hopefully I am not out...out of line, sor... sorry to...blurt...blurt out of turn."   Onji dips his head slightly to avert his eyes.

Marin looks more concerned about Onji's health now than he did when Onji was seasick.

"Are you well Onji, take a moment to steady yourself if you have to before continuing, it was a long climb up from the beach."

Onji gives Marin a stink eye, and whispers,  "Just... nervous."

"Yeah, sorry... bad joke." Marin wipes his hand through his deep green locks to brush it out of his eyes and gather his own nerves.

"We were lucky at the beach to dispatch them so quick, I've heard some undead rise again or even worse... if they drain your life some can have you rise as an undead servant for evermore."

Marin lowers his hand from brushing his emerald hair.

"If that ever happened to me can you all promise to burn whatever remains and destroy whatever is left... I would never sleep again if I thought that could be my fate."

Onji repeats his stink eye and gleefully says, "I will gladly destroy and burn your body...and scatter your ashes across the land".

Then breaks into a large smile...with a low chuckle, as he slaps Marian's back.

“It’s okay Onji, you’re brave when it matters most.  I need to warn you though, what Marin says is true the bite or scratch of certain undead can transform you.  If you can deal with them at range it is much safer.”  Dirk says in dwarvish…

unless

Onji looks at Dirk and nods an smiles.

Marin stumbles a step forward after receiving the slap on the back and decides to use the opportunity to also blurt something out.

"Our introductions were interrupted by the 'unfriendly visitors' on the beach and we may each have our own reasons for being here but if there's a chance of rescuing some survivors shouldn't we at least try?"

Runara watches this exchange with a polite, but amused smile. Finally she says to Onji:

"Actually, there weren't many wrecks over the years. Sometimes - yes, but what we've been seeing in the past few months has been much worse than before. And it seems that there is no logic in these wrecks."

One of the kobolds suddenly joins the conversation. "I saw it! I saw the crash! The sheep just suddenly veered off course and CRAASH into the rocks!"

Runara nods at the kobold and then at Marin. "Saving innocent souls is a most noble task. Perhaps you could lend us your aid. About forty years ago, a ship named Compass Rose carrying passenger bound for the cloister wrecked on the rocky shoal on the north side of the island." 

She turns to look in this direction and sighs deeply. "There were no survivors. I remember that's when it all began, when the first wave of those who drowned found their way ashore as shambling zombies. Since the loss of that ship, each new shipwreck has brough new zombie sailors. Up until recently, those wrecks were rare. But now they occur so often, there must be something else at play."

Finally, she turns back to face you. "Would you be able to help us? Perhaps you could investigate the wreck of the old ship and find out what causes all of this... "

Irtos chips in, "I'll help!"

Onji looks and grins at Irtos, then speaks to Runara,

If my ...feet stay dry I am all in...if I have...have to swim, I am just half in...to assist and help.

Dirk looks at Runara…

"Welcome, Dirk, son of Gravus, of the Quarvien people. I believe I may have read of your clan's history," she says, her expression showing a flicker of academic intrigue, although she doesn't press for details in front of the crowd.

“I will certainly help any besieged by such foul creatures.  I would also suggest exploring the wreck of the Compass Rose to destroy any curse associated with it.”

Dirk’s hand is subconsciously counting the daisies carved into his bow, the earth and stone kobold finally stops and takes a bow becoming an inanimate object as the magic is released.

Marin sort of swells with pride at finding himself in such good company.

"Do you know how far it is to the other side of the isle Runara? Even better if you happen to have a map?"

He double checks his equipment with little reassuring pats here and there about his person and backpack.

"A little planning and preparation couldn't hurt."

{Checking past posts, the harbor is on the north side of the island, so we're already on the right side.}

Irtos asks, "Can we reach the shipwreck by land? Is it inside the harbor? Or do we have to take the rowboat out to the open sea to reach it?"

Ash snaps back to the present, after being lost in deep thought over the situation. He finds it strange that something is drawing ships to the isle then crashing them only to turn the crew into zombies, or that is what he thinks is being discussed.
"What did the Druids say about zombies?" he mutters quietly as he tries to remember anything from his teachings.
Religion: 5
History: 7
Arcane: 25

Ash

 

"The wreck of the Compass Rose is only a few miles away from here, it is a bit further on to the north," Runara answers Marin. Then she turns to Irtos. "You can take the rowboat from the harbour to get there. It should take you an hour and a half, maybe two at most."

She explains that the wreck is located at the northern end of a long spur of sharp rocks and dragon bones jutting from the waves. Most of the other ships have crashed into that same spur of rocks, too, though not much is left of those older ones.

Onji whines, "guess I am getting wet feet.  I...will help row"

Irtos comments, "Sounds like at least part of the shipwreck is above water. But it will probably take some swimming to explore it completely. I have to admit, I'm not looking forward to trying to fight things under water. Hopefully we can stay on deck and shoot any zombies below decks from above."

Onji looks toward Irtos, "any chance the monsters can also be above in the riggings?  What about their parrots?"

“Like oil on water this wreck has made quite a mess.  Let’s investigate, while it’s not yet too late.  Onji can row and secure the ship while I go below.”  Dirk is switched back to gripping his stone club, reflexively casting shillelagh.