After his talk with Nenne Allister walks to Worlo and the other captives and asks them „Do you have any means to communicate with the other ships? Spells? Magic items?“
Without waiting for an answer he addresses the lizard. „I don’t know who you are or where you came from, but your help in this battle turned the tide. I’m glad you fought on our side. My name is Allister Halving, and what in the Nine Hells are you? Some druid or ranger?“
Funderburk, explaining how they may properly share the treasure among themselves also asks for the two scrolls. Knowing anything he may find will be useful for him; especially Knock.
"Combining the treasure from the coffer and the piles of coin from behind; it brings it to a total of..." With that, Funderburk brings his hands to his chin and after a couple seconds, "60pp, 358gp, 2,640sp, 6,400cp." He begins to fan out his hands, showing the rest of the treasure, "Then there there are 9 bracelets- one to Eku- and a goblet plus... a weird vial. If you would let me take the two scrolls, I would be honored."
"They only problem with holding onto so much money however is the weight." He looked about his friends, "I suggest we figure who gets what, keep the coins in the chest until we reach a proper market to make exchanges, then properly split it; with everyone getting their share."
"The split coins among us six will equal to each of us: 10pp, 59gp, 440sp, and 1,066cp." Funderburk looked around at the objects such as the goblet. "Since I have use in only the scrolls, I will not take any of the goblets nor braces. Not even," and he looked at the weird vial, "whatever that may be."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Funderburk looked to Nenne, "I do not have enough energy to contact Horace, and we need to figure out what we may do from here." He looked a Nenne, "I will take your side of the watch so you may rest longer if you use some energy to contact him." Persuasion: 15
Sthara joins with the rest of the group who are mingling.
"We need to retrieve Eku before we decide to do anything. She said she was going to wait outside of the gates. Besides, I need to speak with her about the letter of Worlo's that Nenne has read to me. It seems as though we should head to the Heart of Ubtao to learn more about this Death Curse. I have not seen the pendant mentioned, but we must find it." Seeing the lizardfolk who aided them, she adds, "Thank you for your assistance with these pirates. Will you continue with us?"
She makes her way to find Eku and relay that same information to her.
In the tavern after Allister leaves, Nenne removes her amulet from her neck to inspect it better. Her fingers trace the scales gently as she sits in front of the drink the fighter poured for her. She closes her eyes in prayer. When she's done, she restores her holy symbol to its rightful place around her neck and smiles sadly at the drink. Then she leaves to rejoin her friends.
She listens to them talk, hanging back roughly twenty feet from the rest of the group so as not to intrude. She's present, mostly, but the more perceptive of her companions can tell her mind is quick to wander. At Funderburk's address, she blinks as if startled before letting a soft frown crease her brow.
"I am afraid I cannot oblige," she replies with a slight incline of her head. "Perhaps in the morning, sir wizard. As for my watch, it is double that of everyone else's. Were you to take it in my stead, you would do yourself and the rest of the group a dangerous disservice. I am loath to facilitate that. Apologies."
Sthara finds Eku patiently waiting outside like she said she would be. Once she's caught up on the happenings of things, She suggests the two of them look for any survivors among the wounded. Together they find five survivors who are brought into the tavern. Eku removes the dead men from the doorway and calls out for everyone to gather in the tavern and bring anyone still breathing. No more survivors are found up up top besides the four captives already in the captain's quarters. Once everyone is assembled she says, "I am your guide. We need to decide a destination and we can't do that apart. If we've learned anything here today, it's that we need to work together. That being said, what is our next course of action?"
That count puts live people at 11 pirates, Fisher, Wallace, Voltan, Worlo, the bartender, Eku, the six of you, and the raptor :P
To Vargach Boosey says in reply, "We are not strong enough to fight another two crews. They may well return , but yes, we would see an end to piracy in these waters. Your people have my sympathy, no one should have their homes stolen. Eventually this place will be destroyed and you can return to live here." He pauses a moment. "I promise," and he is surprised to find it is not an empty promise, now determined to destroy the pirate threat on Chult.
Joining the others in the tavern, he pours himself a drink, keeping a safe distance from the raptor. "Eku is right. We need to make a decision, and whatever we do it will not be easy. Here are the options as I see them." He lifts his first finger. "One. We abandon this place and set fire to it and head into to the jungle towards our drop off point with Horace. The pirates will be back and we would have to deny them the use of their harbour. We would have the problem of the injured prisoners as well as the healthy ones as well as any loot." He gives a meaningful look at Funderburk. "We would have to deal with that one way or another, or just leave them. The latter is not preferable."
He holds up a second finger.
"Two. We rest here and make ourselves as secure as possible. There seem to be plenty of places that are defensible. We would be playing a waiting game until the two ships arrive back. We would be in trouble against two crews, but even if they have beaten Horace, they will have been badly beaten up. Really, we would have to contact Horace to find out the result of the battle."
A third rises into the air.
"Three. We take the last ship. We man it with a skeleton crew, these pirates may not want too but they could help us sail it, however we may encounter the other two ships as we sail away from here. This place can be destroyed before we leave."
He looks round the rest of the party. "If anyone else has anything to add, we should hear it now, any ideas could prove crucial for us. Despite our victory here, we are in a very precarious position. Last of all, it is imperative that whatever we decide we contact Horace."
"I will not see any of the survivors unduly harmed," Nenne says, with more strength in her tone than she's displayed since the incident with Worlo. She lifts her head to look at everyone in turn. "Particularly not Fisher and Wallace, who have pursued nothing but peace at the first opportunity it was given to them. I have tendered my personal assurances of their safety, and I am keen to fulfill that obligation. There has been enough blood spilled here this day; I am weary of its color."
She nods to Vargach. "Your people's tribulations move me, kind archer. I would see you successful in your endeavor to restore harmony to this land. I believe all paths cross for a reason. You have aided me although I was a stranger. It will be my honor to aid you as a friend."
She crosses her arms and turns back to the rest of the group. "I am not overfond of engaging in more violence in this bay. I would sooner see this place razed than take refuge in its caves. I would, however, be intrigued by commandeering the remaining ship with these ramparts ablaze at our backs. It would also provide a magnificent opportunity for our captured sailors to atone for their sins. Atonement outlasts vengeance in its satisfaction, or so I have discovered."
She grows contemplative for a moment, and a bit of white peeks through the pewter strands in her hair. Then she sniffs and gazes at the group once more. "Regardless of what we decide, none of us is in a state to defend or attack. We must keep a vigilant rest this eve and pursue our course with determination upon the sun's rise. As much as I lament to admit, this is a defensible locale whose dangers are already known to us. If we must remain here, one night would suit me. More than that, I do not believe I can stomach."
Funderburk, putting the diamond pendant in his cloak once more, listens to Boosey and his three options, while also thinking about what he discovered about the pendant. "I believe it may be imperative," he began to say, "that we take the ship, and man it with a skeleton crew."
"We have too many people with injuries, and I have also put Fisher in the brig on the Emerald Eye." With that Funderburk brings forth the keys to the cell from his cloak; after a bit he put them back. "taking option three of your plan Boosey will also ensure that the only escape that the pirates have is the ocean. If Horace was to fail, I may man the steering wheel if we need the skeletons to fight with us. I know how to control the ship, I believe I am very much proficient in doing so. Lastly, it is also a great way to transport our supplies and turn in/exchange the coins so we don't have to hold so much."
After a little pause, having him think once more, "We should head right before dawn. Two people stay at watch at all times until then; that way we're able to gain some rest just in case... Horace was unable to make it. Also, in early morn, we will be able to use the stone. We may be able to use that in our favor. Also, you never know but if someone was to communicate back to us through it, we may be able to tell who won the battle. That is what I suggest. Any thoughts?"
"A rest would be welcomed," offers Sthara. She turns to face the ranger, "How would we best leave this place for your peoples' breeding and defense? Razed or intact?"
Allister take an occasional sip from his cup, but this time it’s just water. Too much rum wouldn’t help in making rational decisions. „Y‘all seem to to be very keen on another sea voyage. That’s surprising when I think back to the end we reached Port Nyanzaru. The only problem I see with this option is: how do we get our prisoners to man their stations, work with us and don’t mutiny? Let’s be honest, they would sail directly to the scaffold if they agreed. No offense, Nenne, but redemption is not gonna be the incentive they’re looking for. It’s freedom, that’s all they care about now. Are we willing to make that deal? Take the risk of any of the men signing up with another crew and continue their work? I agree on one thing, we should burn this place to the ground. Not just to deny them a safe haven but also to give Vardach‘s people their caves back. I think we have a fourth option if Horace was defeated. We contact Zindar. He should be able to pick us up at a spot along the coast. We take our prisoners with us, anyone who runs away is on his own in the jungle and had made his decision to rather die here than plead his case with the authorities. In any case we should prepare for any choice we make. Get provisions, make necessary preparations, feed the prisoners and get some rest. I’ll check the ship to make sure we can sail on short notice.“
"Redemption is not the same as atonement," Nenne murmurs as she watches Allister leave. "Still, he raises a reasonable point. Some of the pirates may accommodate us of their own volition, but certainly not all. I also worry about joining a vessel with Voltan, whose mutinous colors were on full display but an hour ago. Perhaps it is wiser to rely upon each other in the wild than upon impressed bedfellows asea."
A shadow passes over her features and she stares down at Funderburk. "You say Fisher is in a cell? Whatever for?"
Nenne leaves to seek out Fisher. After consulting with him about his predicament and hearing the prodigious number of expletives leave his mouth about Funderburk and his treatment, she spends ten minutes calming him down and persuading him not to exact revenge on the wizard. She then jimmies the lock open with her mace and leads him back to the tavern so he can rejoin his shipmates. After ensuring he won't go ballistic, she steps up to Funderburk and glares at him.
"I would have words with you, wizard," she says, arching a white eyebrow. "Once all is settled and our plans secured, I will tell you a story, and you will do well to listen to it."
She doesn't wait for a response, and takes a position on the opposite side of the room, interposing herself between him and Fisher.
Confused as to why she was mad, Funderburk said nothing. He decided to go right outside the doors to the left while waiting for them to decide. While waiting, he produced the pendant from his robes and began to ponder. Noticing the magic it was still producing he decided that it would be best to mention it now than later while everyone was sleeping. He walked back inside where everyone was, and began to speak.
"When I cast my spell to detect any magic while Boosey and I were looting, I discovered that this pendant," with that he produced the pendant once more out of his pockets for everyone to see, “to have some sort of divination magic. What it does is well… troubling. It is producing a signal. Of our location.” He looked around at his friends. “I cannot track it back to where the source is originating, but I can tell that if we take it with us, it will give us away. Why it was here in the first place, I know not.”
(OOC: Funderburk still does not know about the letter or anything telling that the pendant was someone else's)
Sthara listens to Funderburk's description of the pendant and its capabilities. She thinks on it for a moment, scratching against the ground with the toe of her boot, as she does.
"The letter that Nenne read, said that the pendant was meant for me. I am inclined to believe that it is another path to follow. I had a vision of a red key here that would lead us ever closer to the source of this Death Curse. A red key, and here we find a letter red with blood, speaking on the Death Curse, complete with a pendant that reveals location. Perhaps this V.S. seeks to locate us, to aid us?"
She joins Allister in a tankard of water and drinks it in deeply, her throat dry from exertion and heat.
"There are many times when I wish I could just speak to Ubtao for proper guidance, but I often find that the best that I can do is follow these paths. But if I were destined for great things as he has suggested, wouldn't it make sense for me to just know the right path to take here? What good can I be if I cannot even do that..."
Tracing the paths of the woodgrain with a finger, Sthara comes to a conclusion.
"We have no way of knowing what purpose this V.S. would have to track our location. The best way we can proceed is to take it with us and meet them and decide for ourselves then why it is they wished to follow us."
Nenne casts a sidelong glance at Sthara and lets her lips curl into a tiny smile. "I find that the challenge in discerning the right path is often evidence that you have already begun to walk it. What is right is rarely ever easy." She shifts her stance a little and her mace clanks against her armor. "I also find that the wrong path is littered with signs along the way for the attentive soul to take heed of and turn back. As long as there is life, it is never too late to change."
"I agree with you, lady mage. Let us take this pendant with us and see what the path unveils. We shall keep our eyes keen for signs that we have led ourselves astray, and we will face whatever dangers or consequences may come our way as comrades."
Eku weighs in here after listening to Sthara and Nenne, "If we are to travel to the Heart of Ubtao, then we will have to travel into the Aldani Basin. The basin itself is named after the aldani lobsterfolk who thrive in the area. While they are inherently adverse to conflict, that whole basin is riddled with hordes of undead and should not be taken lightly." After thinking for a moment of thought she adds, "Do you expect to have to get to the Heart, lady sorceress? If so, how are we to ascend however many hundreds of feet that mote of earth hovers off of the ground?"
"I do not think so, Eku," Sthara tells the guide, "The letter said that the answers would be in the Heart. I think there must be some way to enter into the stone. Should we wait and explore further to learn more about the heart? Surely someone has ventured out to it."
An idea crosses her mind and her eyes light up.
"Izifo would surely know. Eku, would it be foolish to make for Mezro to learn more about the Heart? I'm sure that my friend would know about the Heart, and if not him, there would surely be another who has made the pilgrimage."
Vargach takes in everyone’s words and deliberates what would be best for his people. The pirates need to go; but simply denying them refuge by razing the place to the ground may prove effective enough. “If you burn this place, I help you with heart. You help my, I help you.” He had trouble putting his thoughts into common. “Pirates go, cove back to lizard. All good.”
He otherwise does not appear to understand the nuances of their plan and is unfamiliar with names mentioned. For him matters of survival are plain and their help will help his tribe survive, so he will help them survive, in turn and while they’re in these lands he is familiar with.
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After his talk with Nenne Allister walks to Worlo and the other captives and asks them „Do you have any means to communicate with the other ships? Spells? Magic items?“
Without waiting for an answer he addresses the lizard. „I don’t know who you are or where you came from, but your help in this battle turned the tide. I’m glad you fought on our side. My name is Allister Halving, and what in the Nine Hells are you? Some druid or ranger?“
Funderburk, explaining how they may properly share the treasure among themselves also asks for the two scrolls. Knowing anything he may find will be useful for him; especially Knock.
"Combining the treasure from the coffer and the piles of coin from behind; it brings it to a total of..." With that, Funderburk brings his hands to his chin and after a couple seconds, "60pp, 358gp, 2,640sp, 6,400cp." He begins to fan out his hands, showing the rest of the treasure, "Then there there are 9 bracelets- one to Eku- and a goblet plus... a weird vial. If you would let me take the two scrolls, I would be honored."
"They only problem with holding onto so much money however is the weight." He looked about his friends, "I suggest we figure who gets what, keep the coins in the chest until we reach a proper market to make exchanges, then properly split it; with everyone getting their share."
"The split coins among us six will equal to each of us: 10pp, 59gp, 440sp, and 1,066cp." Funderburk looked around at the objects such as the goblet. "Since I have use in only the scrolls, I will not take any of the goblets nor braces. Not even," and he looked at the weird vial, "whatever that may be."
Made you look.
Funderburk looked to Nenne, "I do not have enough energy to contact Horace, and we need to figure out what we may do from here." He looked a Nenne, "I will take your side of the watch so you may rest longer if you use some energy to contact him." Persuasion: 15
Made you look.
Sthara joins with the rest of the group who are mingling.
"We need to retrieve Eku before we decide to do anything. She said she was going to wait outside of the gates. Besides, I need to speak with her about the letter of Worlo's that Nenne has read to me. It seems as though we should head to the Heart of Ubtao to learn more about this Death Curse. I have not seen the pendant mentioned, but we must find it." Seeing the lizardfolk who aided them, she adds, "Thank you for your assistance with these pirates. Will you continue with us?"
She makes her way to find Eku and relay that same information to her.
In the tavern after Allister leaves, Nenne removes her amulet from her neck to inspect it better. Her fingers trace the scales gently as she sits in front of the drink the fighter poured for her. She closes her eyes in prayer. When she's done, she restores her holy symbol to its rightful place around her neck and smiles sadly at the drink. Then she leaves to rejoin her friends.
She listens to them talk, hanging back roughly twenty feet from the rest of the group so as not to intrude. She's present, mostly, but the more perceptive of her companions can tell her mind is quick to wander. At Funderburk's address, she blinks as if startled before letting a soft frown crease her brow.
"I am afraid I cannot oblige," she replies with a slight incline of her head. "Perhaps in the morning, sir wizard. As for my watch, it is double that of everyone else's. Were you to take it in my stead, you would do yourself and the rest of the group a dangerous disservice. I am loath to facilitate that. Apologies."
Sthara finds Eku patiently waiting outside like she said she would be. Once she's caught up on the happenings of things, She suggests the two of them look for any survivors among the wounded. Together they find five survivors who are brought into the tavern. Eku removes the dead men from the doorway and calls out for everyone to gather in the tavern and bring anyone still breathing. No more survivors are found up up top besides the four captives already in the captain's quarters. Once everyone is assembled she says, "I am your guide. We need to decide a destination and we can't do that apart. If we've learned anything here today, it's that we need to work together. That being said, what is our next course of action?"
That count puts live people at 11 pirates, Fisher, Wallace, Voltan, Worlo, the bartender, Eku, the six of you, and the raptor :P
To Vargach Boosey says in reply, "We are not strong enough to fight another two crews. They may well return , but yes, we would see an end to piracy in these waters. Your people have my sympathy, no one should have their homes stolen. Eventually this place will be destroyed and you can return to live here." He pauses a moment. "I promise," and he is surprised to find it is not an empty promise, now determined to destroy the pirate threat on Chult.
Joining the others in the tavern, he pours himself a drink, keeping a safe distance from the raptor. "Eku is right. We need to make a decision, and whatever we do it will not be easy. Here are the options as I see them." He lifts his first finger. "One. We abandon this place and set fire to it and head into to the jungle towards our drop off point with Horace. The pirates will be back and we would have to deny them the use of their harbour. We would have the problem of the injured prisoners as well as the healthy ones as well as any loot." He gives a meaningful look at Funderburk. "We would have to deal with that one way or another, or just leave them. The latter is not preferable."
He holds up a second finger.
"Two. We rest here and make ourselves as secure as possible. There seem to be plenty of places that are defensible. We would be playing a waiting game until the two ships arrive back. We would be in trouble against two crews, but even if they have beaten Horace, they will have been badly beaten up. Really, we would have to contact Horace to find out the result of the battle."
A third rises into the air.
"Three. We take the last ship. We man it with a skeleton crew, these pirates may not want too but they could help us sail it, however we may encounter the other two ships as we sail away from here. This place can be destroyed before we leave."
He looks round the rest of the party. "If anyone else has anything to add, we should hear it now, any ideas could prove crucial for us. Despite our victory here, we are in a very precarious position. Last of all, it is imperative that whatever we decide we contact Horace."
"I will not see any of the survivors unduly harmed," Nenne says, with more strength in her tone than she's displayed since the incident with Worlo. She lifts her head to look at everyone in turn. "Particularly not Fisher and Wallace, who have pursued nothing but peace at the first opportunity it was given to them. I have tendered my personal assurances of their safety, and I am keen to fulfill that obligation. There has been enough blood spilled here this day; I am weary of its color."
She nods to Vargach. "Your people's tribulations move me, kind archer. I would see you successful in your endeavor to restore harmony to this land. I believe all paths cross for a reason. You have aided me although I was a stranger. It will be my honor to aid you as a friend."
She crosses her arms and turns back to the rest of the group. "I am not overfond of engaging in more violence in this bay. I would sooner see this place razed than take refuge in its caves. I would, however, be intrigued by commandeering the remaining ship with these ramparts ablaze at our backs. It would also provide a magnificent opportunity for our captured sailors to atone for their sins. Atonement outlasts vengeance in its satisfaction, or so I have discovered."
She grows contemplative for a moment, and a bit of white peeks through the pewter strands in her hair. Then she sniffs and gazes at the group once more. "Regardless of what we decide, none of us is in a state to defend or attack. We must keep a vigilant rest this eve and pursue our course with determination upon the sun's rise. As much as I lament to admit, this is a defensible locale whose dangers are already known to us. If we must remain here, one night would suit me. More than that, I do not believe I can stomach."
Funderburk, putting the diamond pendant in his cloak once more, listens to Boosey and his three options, while also thinking about what he discovered about the pendant. "I believe it may be imperative," he began to say, "that we take the ship, and man it with a skeleton crew."
"We have too many people with injuries, and I have also put Fisher in the brig on the Emerald Eye." With that Funderburk brings forth the keys to the cell from his cloak; after a bit he put them back. "taking option three of your plan Boosey will also ensure that the only escape that the pirates have is the ocean. If Horace was to fail, I may man the steering wheel if we need the skeletons to fight with us. I know how to control the ship, I believe I am very much proficient in doing so. Lastly, it is also a great way to transport our supplies and turn in/exchange the coins so we don't have to hold so much."
After a little pause, having him think once more, "We should head right before dawn. Two people stay at watch at all times until then; that way we're able to gain some rest just in case... Horace was unable to make it. Also, in early morn, we will be able to use the stone. We may be able to use that in our favor. Also, you never know but if someone was to communicate back to us through it, we may be able to tell who won the battle. That is what I suggest. Any thoughts?"
Made you look.
"A rest would be welcomed," offers Sthara. She turns to face the ranger, "How would we best leave this place for your peoples' breeding and defense? Razed or intact?"
Allister take an occasional sip from his cup, but this time it’s just water. Too much rum wouldn’t help in making rational decisions. „Y‘all seem to to be very keen on another sea voyage. That’s surprising when I think back to the end we reached Port Nyanzaru. The only problem I see with this option is: how do we get our prisoners to man their stations, work with us and don’t mutiny? Let’s be honest, they would sail directly to the scaffold if they agreed. No offense, Nenne, but redemption is not gonna be the incentive they’re looking for. It’s freedom, that’s all they care about now. Are we willing to make that deal? Take the risk of any of the men signing up with another crew and continue their work? I agree on one thing, we should burn this place to the ground. Not just to deny them a safe haven but also to give Vardach‘s people their caves back. I think we have a fourth option if Horace was defeated. We contact Zindar. He should be able to pick us up at a spot along the coast. We take our prisoners with us, anyone who runs away is on his own in the jungle and had made his decision to rather die here than plead his case with the authorities. In any case we should prepare for any choice we make. Get provisions, make necessary preparations, feed the prisoners and get some rest. I’ll check the ship to make sure we can sail on short notice.“
"Redemption is not the same as atonement," Nenne murmurs as she watches Allister leave. "Still, he raises a reasonable point. Some of the pirates may accommodate us of their own volition, but certainly not all. I also worry about joining a vessel with Voltan, whose mutinous colors were on full display but an hour ago. Perhaps it is wiser to rely upon each other in the wild than upon impressed bedfellows asea."
A shadow passes over her features and she stares down at Funderburk. "You say Fisher is in a cell? Whatever for?"
Nenne leaves to seek out Fisher. After consulting with him about his predicament and hearing the prodigious number of expletives leave his mouth about Funderburk and his treatment, she spends ten minutes calming him down and persuading him not to exact revenge on the wizard. She then jimmies the lock open with her mace and leads him back to the tavern so he can rejoin his shipmates. After ensuring he won't go ballistic, she steps up to Funderburk and glares at him.
"I would have words with you, wizard," she says, arching a white eyebrow. "Once all is settled and our plans secured, I will tell you a story, and you will do well to listen to it."
She doesn't wait for a response, and takes a position on the opposite side of the room, interposing herself between him and Fisher.
Confused as to why she was mad, Funderburk said nothing. He decided to go right outside the doors to the left while waiting for them to decide. While waiting, he produced the pendant from his robes and began to ponder. Noticing the magic it was still producing he decided that it would be best to mention it now than later while everyone was sleeping. He walked back inside where everyone was, and began to speak.
"When I cast my spell to detect any magic while Boosey and I were looting, I discovered that this pendant," with that he produced the pendant once more out of his pockets for everyone to see, “to have some sort of divination magic. What it does is well… troubling. It is producing a signal. Of our location.” He looked around at his friends. “I cannot track it back to where the source is originating, but I can tell that if we take it with us, it will give us away. Why it was here in the first place, I know not.”
(OOC: Funderburk still does not know about the letter or anything telling that the pendant was someone else's)
Made you look.
Sthara listens to Funderburk's description of the pendant and its capabilities. She thinks on it for a moment, scratching against the ground with the toe of her boot, as she does.
"The letter that Nenne read, said that the pendant was meant for me. I am inclined to believe that it is another path to follow. I had a vision of a red key here that would lead us ever closer to the source of this Death Curse. A red key, and here we find a letter red with blood, speaking on the Death Curse, complete with a pendant that reveals location. Perhaps this V.S. seeks to locate us, to aid us?"
She joins Allister in a tankard of water and drinks it in deeply, her throat dry from exertion and heat.
"There are many times when I wish I could just speak to Ubtao for proper guidance, but I often find that the best that I can do is follow these paths. But if I were destined for great things as he has suggested, wouldn't it make sense for me to just know the right path to take here? What good can I be if I cannot even do that..."
Tracing the paths of the woodgrain with a finger, Sthara comes to a conclusion.
"We have no way of knowing what purpose this V.S. would have to track our location. The best way we can proceed is to take it with us and meet them and decide for ourselves then why it is they wished to follow us."
Nenne casts a sidelong glance at Sthara and lets her lips curl into a tiny smile. "I find that the challenge in discerning the right path is often evidence that you have already begun to walk it. What is right is rarely ever easy." She shifts her stance a little and her mace clanks against her armor. "I also find that the wrong path is littered with signs along the way for the attentive soul to take heed of and turn back. As long as there is life, it is never too late to change."
"I agree with you, lady mage. Let us take this pendant with us and see what the path unveils. We shall keep our eyes keen for signs that we have led ourselves astray, and we will face whatever dangers or consequences may come our way as comrades."
Sthara smiles at Nenne, adding, "And let us cast those ills into the jungle for the predators to do with as they will."
Eku weighs in here after listening to Sthara and Nenne, "If we are to travel to the Heart of Ubtao, then we will have to travel into the Aldani Basin. The basin itself is named after the aldani lobsterfolk who thrive in the area. While they are inherently adverse to conflict, that whole basin is riddled with hordes of undead and should not be taken lightly." After thinking for a moment of thought she adds, "Do you expect to have to get to the Heart, lady sorceress? If so, how are we to ascend however many hundreds of feet that mote of earth hovers off of the ground?"
"I do not think so, Eku," Sthara tells the guide, "The letter said that the answers would be in the Heart. I think there must be some way to enter into the stone. Should we wait and explore further to learn more about the heart? Surely someone has ventured out to it."
An idea crosses her mind and her eyes light up.
"Izifo would surely know. Eku, would it be foolish to make for Mezro to learn more about the Heart? I'm sure that my friend would know about the Heart, and if not him, there would surely be another who has made the pilgrimage."
Eku explains that whatever Mezro used to be is only an empty crater of a ruin now. She's curious how going there might help.
Vargach takes in everyone’s words and deliberates what would be best for his people. The pirates need to go; but simply denying them refuge by razing the place to the ground may prove effective enough.
“If you burn this place, I help you with heart. You help my, I help you.” He had trouble putting his thoughts into common. “Pirates go, cove back to lizard. All good.”
He otherwise does not appear to understand the nuances of their plan and is unfamiliar with names mentioned. For him matters of survival are plain and their help will help his tribe survive, so he will help them survive, in turn and while they’re in these lands he is familiar with.