Zeflan and Eradius both strike at once, and the creature slumps over, letting out one last cry that slowly transforms into a gurgle, then nothing. It spasms once or twice, and is still.

We are out of combat, and everyone gains 50 xp!

The rest of the day passes without a hitch, as long as no one does anything stupid like lighting the ship on fire for fun. Unfortunately, Aoth torched half of Zeflan's catch for the day, but it's understandable, seeing as he's rarely cooked before. Your food is doing well, though your water is almost a quarter gone. It may not seem like much yet, but at this rate it'll be gone in just over a week. Welby spots no land or other boats, even though the air is clear and the ocean is calm.

Day 2 - Complete

Food: -1(42)

Water: -4(32)

Travel: 72 miles east

66th of Flowertime, 978 PD

Another day, another pile of dice. Who knows what will happen? Hopefully not more eel-goblins, I think we're all in agreement that we can happily live our entire lives without encountering another one.

A new sun rose for the crew of the Sea Scout. Like the previous day, Zeflan used the extra time he had on hand to go over the ship. Satisfied with how she was holding up, wet splashes and fish smell not withstanding, Zeflan made his way downstairs again. He reached for his fishing tackle but found himself dropping it back with his other gear. The encounter yesterday with the strange eel like creature had momentarily turned him off of fishing. He was about to go back upstairs for a day of just lounging around when his eye fell on some of his other equipment. A fun little idea formed in his mind. Something he had wanted to do ever since they crossed the barrier at Ioco. He grabbed his net and rope and made his way topside.

Back on deck, he laid his net, rope and trident next to the mast. 'Does anyone have a dagger I could borrow?' Zeflan asked the others.

Welby strides over and hands him a dagger. "What do you plan to construct there Zeflan?"

'Thanks, cap.' Zeflan took the dagger and placed it securely on his belt.

He then began to take off his clothes until he was standing on the deck clad in only his undergarments and belt. 'Who said anything about construction?'

Zeflan took his rope, bound it tightly around the mast and around himself as well. He climbed on top of the railing with his back towards the sea. 'I'm going for a swim.' He smiled at Welby. 'The dagger's a safety precaution.' He hung the net from his belt and after tucking the trident behind it, Zeflan let himself fall backwards into the water.

The first breath of salt water was an odd sensation. The temperature of the water was also colder than the tropical waters of Ioco but nothing that Zeflan couldn't handle. He flexed his arms, feet and hands a couple of times to get them warmed up a bit before swimming along the side of the ship, occasionally dipping his head above water or leaping partially out the water like he once saw some dolphins do at the edge of Ioco's waters. After he had enjoyed himself, Zeflan allowed the ship to drag him along, playing the part of a curious visitor and keeping his eyes open for anything interesting to see. Who knows, perhaps he could get acquinted with some of the local fauna. As long as they would not try to attack him of course. 

Underwater Perception 17

OOC: The rope is 50 feet long so Zeflan can go about 30 to 40 feet away from the ship.
I also did the math:
- The ship has a speed of 4,82803 km/h
- Zeflan has a swim speed of 5,4864 km/h so, barring any muscle fatigue, he can keep up with the ship. The rope is there to reel him(self) in.

(OOC - haha I love that you did the math.)

Welby calls out and runs over just as Zeflan jumps off, but then realises what's happening and that Zeflan is alright. He then turns to the others, "Does anyone have any ideas on what to do about makin' sure we don't run out of water? We seem to have our food under control."

"That is most handy," Welby laughs, "An easy solution for sure. So now we have food and water provided. The next question is, where to travel next? We cannot just simply float here going east forever." He checks his compass again.

Aoth pipes up at this. "Well, we don't have a direction to go right now, do we? Wouldn't the best thing be to keep going straight?" Aoth pauses for a moment, before continuing with, "I mean, that works until we see something. Then we head that way, I'd think?" Aoth glances over the horizon quickly (perception: 17), and turns back to Welby with a slight grin. "Well, then again, don't take my advice - I'm not the one at the helm."

The day passes quickly, with nothing troubling your little crew. Zeflan swims alongside the ship for a few hours, before he begins to lag behind and has himself reeled in. While in the water, he notices a few fish here and there, but nothing else, really. But perhaps what he can't see is what he should fear... ha, just kidding. Maybe.

Day 3 - Complete

Food: -4(38)

Water: -4(28)(kinda doesn't matter though because of stupid cleric powers D:<)

Travel: 72 miles east

67th of Flowertime, 978 PD

Honestly I should stop bothering with these little day introduction things, and just say what you encounter, but whatever. Actually, if you want me to do that, just let me know. It'll probably speed things up a lot. New day, sun rising, blah blah blah, you know the drill.

With food supplies still strong and their water shortage problem seemingly fixed by their holy tortoise, Zeflan decided to take it easy this day after he finished making his round by just taking in the sun on deck.

OOC: we're about to be horribly lost, aren't we? ^^

Aoth spends some time playing his flute, really having nothing much else to do. However, Aoth does attempt to cook again - after all, good food shouldn't just be sitting there. Drawing inspiration from the sea (in other words, winging it), Aoth carries a wild grin and a few fish - hopefully, the fish will be the ones to stay. (Cooking check - 17)

The air is filled with the smell of cooking fish again, and everyone dreads the burnt smell that will soon follow. Except no burnt smell surfaces, and Aoth walks out of his makeshift kitchen with a load of perfectly cooked fish. Well, maybe not perfectly cooked, but it's pretty damn good. This is unfortunately offset by a correction Eradius makes in your course early in the day, which he later realizes was a mistake, and you've been going southeast all day long. But after a bit, it seems like it wasn't actually all that much of a mistake, when you spot a small shape in the distance. It's certainly too small to be a full island, but perhaps it's a ship?

Welby points out the small anomaly on the horizon. "Who knows if it's friend or foe out here? But it's the first sign of anythin' in a few days, I say we have a look-see." And he starts turning the ship towards the distant question mark.

As the shape grows larger, it's revealed to be a small sailing vessel, maybe used for fishing. As you get nearer, you can also hear shouting coming from it. Someone's in trouble.

Welby nods in agreement, "Let's go help 'em out then!" And he swings the Sea Scout in closer to the vessel.

"Hey!" Shouts a man on the little ship. "Please, you gotta hurry! I-" The man is swiftly cut off as the 8 foot long tentacle wrapped around his leg plunges him underwater. A few seconds later, it brings him back up again, gasping for breath. "Please! This goddamn octopus is gonna fuc-" once again, he's plunged into the water, flailing and thrashing. 

(currently you're 50 feet away from the ship, moving at 25 feet per round)

Zeflan jolted awake from the catnap he was having when he heard shouting. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked around. It appeared they had finally encountered something else in this wide ocean. Even more so, they had also found someone else. Unfortunately it seemed that someone was being attacked by a giant octopus.

Somewhat instinctively, Zeflan grabbed the rope he had left tied to the mast and jumped into the water, making sure he stayed right next to the ship so he could scramble back up if need be. He spotted the octopus below the water surface, its tentacles waving through the water as it grappled with the small fishing boat above it.

'Stop that!' Zeflan shouted at the octopus, using his free hand to gesticulate as if he was scolding a naughty dog. 'That is not food!'

Aoth leans over the railing, straining to see the spot where the man was pulled under. He turns to Eradius, and says "I've got this, like, party trick I can do to move some of the water - I'll have to closer though." With a deviant sparkle in his eyes, Aoth thinks about the myriad of ways he can add octopus, or whatever this creature is, to the crew's meals. Hopefully.

(Aoth holds his action to cast Shape Water, aiming to move it out of the way in the spot the man went under - because, well, uh, yes. It sounds fun.)

(Oh yeah, roll initiative by the way :P)

Octopus: 9

Welby Initiative: 21

Initiative 14

Are our actions going to retroactively be the actions we take during the first round of combat?