Fang looks up a bit startled “Only if you’re willing to be a target for arrows” Fang looks around as if thinking. “I thought Pincushion seemed the most apt choice” he says more as a joke than seriousness. Though it’s hard to tell which he intended. “I’m attempting to get these arrows” gesturing to the ones in the beach with the strange mix of symbols around them. “To launch themselves at any attackers. I figured it would be useful when we set up camp in the evening.” (If the time expires on the spell, are the arrows recoverable.)

How would the arrows ken if there be attackers or no?

“That is something I’m trying to figure out.” Fang says a little embarrassed by the question. “Some of my kinsman were able to plant lots of arrows and they only moved when people that weren’t part of the tribe approached.” He says matter of factory. “Glasses here is helping me figure it out.” Fang then looks to glasses for confirmation of this statement. 

As Berrus steps closer, one of the arrows flies straight towards the dwarf.

Berrus, please roll a dexterity save.

Dex save 5

As Berrus approaches, an arrow flies up at him from the sand. Thanks to overhearing the conversation, Berrus is ready and quickly throws himself down to the ground, with the arrow whizzing over his head harmlessly. Berrus quickly withdraws a couple of feet.

"ima tinkin tha it dinna ken friendly from nae

Fang looks a bit puzzled and turns to Glasses, “It’s not supposed to work like that. Your alarm spell doesn’t go off for everyone does it? How does it know who to ignore?” Fang inquires of the scholarly magician with apologetic looks towards Berrus, secretly hoping he didn’t anger the burly dwarf. 

Glasses:

”I think you may need to work the names of those you wish to be unaffected by the spell into its casting, much like the Alarm spell,” suggests the Professor, pointing at an open space in the arcane symbols of Fang’s Draconic script.

Fang makes the adjustments Glasses suggests and looks to Berrus “Try walking closer again. ... but maybe have your shield ready just in case.”

Berrus gets up and approaches again

As Berrus approaches, no arrows stir.

Fang gives a satisfied lopsided grin at having worked out how to recreate his own version of the magic he’s seen others in his tribe use. “Thanks for your assistance sage. Apologies if my intrusion caused any disturbance for you.” Then gathers his belongings, except for the four arrows in the sand and finds a place on the ship to stow most of his gear. He gathers his fishing tackle and begins fishing off the aide of the boat. (I assume the arrows have to stay planted for the next eight hours)

Having added a further layer of security, all of you rotate with shifts of work and watch on board, or helping to stow the rest of the gear on board. Thessalnadra is in her element, and together with Brax, she ensures that the load is evenly distributed. Falx meanwhile has been going over the rigging and the steering oar, ensuring that it would be up for the voyage. Shae, after a few questions from the Captain, has been pouring over your maps to try and determine the best lay-over points for the coming days, since you're likely going to have to stock up on supplies along the way.

After about three hours, now in the later hours of the afternoon, all your gear is stored on board, and unless you wanted to go out hunting and gathering once more, you're ready to cast off. The captain turns to you all, to show you the proposed route, given the maps that you have:



"It looks like a three- day journey to the excavations at Mezro. We might be lucky and find some traders there, otherwise we'll stock up on the way. Then, a five day journey to Fort Beluarian, where we should be able to find shelter for the night, and guides for a quick land route onto the Bay of Chult, so that a day or so later, we should be on our last stretch to Port Nyanzaru. Altogether about ten days if all goes well. Alternatively, we could strike inland from Mezro, to try and find the Tiryiki river, and follow that to Port Nyanzaru. That way we're in Port Nyanzaru within a week, all going well."

"Let's first get to Mezro. I think I had enough of this land for the life time, but who knows - may be water here will prove to be even worse even not far from the shore?" Maxine was full of enthusiasm and anticipation - it looked like they were indeed were finally going to civilization.... But that would not be the first time for the future to betray any promises.

"Right, Mezro is our next destination then." WIth that, Thessalandra gives a sharp whistle, and Brax and Flax both heave up the anchor around the large rock. The tide has risen to the point where the ship is within the water, and about half an hour later, you cast off from the beach around the ruins of Ishau.

The movement on the waves is rapid compared to the progress through the dense foliage of the jungle, and most of you enjoy the wind in your hair or on your skin. After a couple of hours though, Thessalandra asks whether about a third of the group could go to rest, so that they'd be able to start implementing a rotation to keep sailing as much as possible, before having to go back to land to stock up on supplies. Leading by example, Brax excuses himself back to the deck cabin, ready to take up his shift during the middle of the night.

What would you all like to do while sailing?

Fang is still busily fishing. (Though unsuccessfully so far it would seem. I do have:

Berrus lends a hand where needed , otherwise watches for dangers

Glasses:

The Professor will finish up his transcription of “Counterspell”, then take his rest.  He will get up for the early morning shift and keep watch until the others become active, then prepare spells and work on the other spell transcription (Hypnotic Pattern, I think).  

He will offer to use the mirror every evening for items or places of interest, see if anyone wishes to copy his new spells (Dispel Magic and Tidal Wave), and see if others have spells he can copy.  If no one has anything in particular, he will investigate their upcoming ports of call and any of the magic items they have found he hasn’t investigate in detail before (no detailed visions necessary).

Helping to keep watch and using his magic to ease their travel as he can, Snively also spends a lot of time writing about his experiences in his journal and updating his Gazetteer with new references for the things he has seen.  He dedicates a section to the healing herbs and asks for Shae’s and Fang’s help to draw/describe each of them.

Something weighed heavily... steadily on her heart. It had since the first day they crash landed here. There was a sense of responsibility that morphed more into a sense of duty the moment Shae stepped on the ship. When the Captain had approached her to review her maps in detail and to assist them in plotting their course back, she had felt humbled. Shae desired to participate and contribute in any way that she could. She truly did.

During the beginning of the preparations Shae was quiet and meek, but as she witnessed Thessalandra settle into her element with her crew, something donned on the scholar. And it hit her hard. Shae would ball her hand up in a first and gently, but firmly place it against her chest over her heart. She'd take a good look around the ship before closing her eyes. The warlock would inhale a deep breath as she'd straighten and correct her posture. She'd swallow, pushing back her self-doubt. I'll do my best... For Nhar... For those who deserve to go home...

Shae would put her best foot forward. Shoes needed to be filled, though too big for her to fill alone, she was committing to making the effort. To learn. This time, when the Captain approached her with questions, Shae was more engaging. She was confident when addressing the map, and more inquisitive on the matters she was less experienced in.

Shae could sense Maxine's enthusiasm and anticipation. She agreed with her friends wise suggestion to focus on getting to Mezro first while keeping in mind the long term should their situations change. They had options depending on how the weather and sea would fare them.

When Thessalandra would give her sharp whistle, Shae would also snap too regardless of whether it was intended for her. She'd shadow and observe the preparations for them to set sail. The scholar would take notes and even start sketches for visual diagrams as always, to reference back too. Yes, deep down she knew she was running from some emotions, but her desire was to focus on being a sponge. That's how she could best apply her energy and keep positive.

And as the ship casted off, moving through the waves, Shae felt a sense of peace wash over her. Feeling the sea air against her face and blow through the air, she felt... calm. Breathing was easy. Whether this was a newfound comfort, a rediscovery of an affinity for water, or just a fresh start to a new part of their journey, she accepted it. After all, they'd be spending at least the next 7 to 10 days at sea.

Those first hours seemed to have passed quickly, and when the Captain would make her suggestion on a rotation, Shae would take note. When Brax would take the lead with the lead to head down to prepare for a night shift, she too would excuse herself. It was time she took confidence in her strengths, and with Kam's gift, seeing in the dark was one of them.

On her way down to the cabin though, she'd pause to meet up with the study group. Shae would offer a smile, welling up with pride remembering how they all worked together as a team to assist Fang with a new discovery. She had enjoyed watching when she could sneak a glance. Everyone was hard at work bettering themselves and improving their skills, bonding as they did it. The warlock fought the urge to pull them altogether in a big sappy group hug.

Instead she'd just beam at them and present her Tome to the Professor. "I will be joining Brax on night watch. So while I prepare for my change in shift, I encourage you to continue your studies." Once again, she was trusting him, Fang, any of them, even Maxine and Berrus if they were so curious. Her Tome was her most prized possession and connection with Kam, containing their collective spell knowledge. "Since we are opposite shift schedules Professor, perhaps I can suggest an alternating study schedule as well?"

"I'm happy to build on Fang's knowledge and add in the grung knowledge that was shared with us." Shae would nod. A refresher and learning more from Fang and his ways was more than welcome. "I would also like to suggest," her eyes would look for Maxine, "We consult and dedicate a section to Maxine's potion studies. I imagine she'd have plenty of insight to add to the botanical section as well. She has accompanied me on practically every one of my searches and has the analytical mind to lay out their properties and potential... Assuming she's willing of course." Her cheeks would turn a little red. But Shae missed working with her and their teamwork.

Should Maxine not be there, Shae would set out to find her to at least let her know what shift she was taking and her proposition for contributing her knowledge, should she wish. Most importantly, to Shae at least, she'd ask that if Maxine needed anything to come get her, even if she needed to wake her in the middle of her sleep. She'd sneak in a quick hug before setting off.

Shae would make her rounds say all her goodnight/their good afternoons before finally retiring herself to prepare for her shift.