The Savage Tide III: Tides of Dread [IC]

[lostsole31]

DAY 28

In the afternoon, as expected, the party reaches Tanaroa. A feast with tribal leaders and elders (nope, no longer a whole-tribe ritual ... they are getting used to you, now) will entertain the party. You inform them that the tar pits are safe, that you made friends with the phanatons, and even earned the favor of the protetor of an ancient "Temple of the Jaguar."

Does anyone have specific they want to do here? If so, post. If not, note in Discord, please.

[Blackhawk101]

Does the local shaman/ wise woman have any “special” herbs to sell?

[lostsole31]

Depends on what you are using for currency. "Sale" is not understood; "trade" is. But what type/ manner/ properties are you looking to get?

[lostsole31]

Unable to find suitable communication, Hoggie leaves the shaman without any product.

Are we ready to move out? Or did anyone have anything they wanted to do in Tanaroa?

[BuckGodot]

Ready to move on!

[lostsole31]

DAY 29

Once again, the Farshore Delegation is on the move. The move due SE to camp with the villagers of Burouac that evening. Vona and Tom will engage in clever wordplay together, the former only partly surprised at the tiefling's skill at prevarication, given his fiendish heritage mixed with his devotion of dragons. Rabbi Cohen will lead everyone else, including the key persons of the Olman village, in a variety of intense calisthenics to make sure the sedentary Burouacians are not without some physical preparation for the coming trials.

[lostsole31]

DAY 30

Farshore Fellowship falls out, and with them are three Olman hunters heading with them to the village of Mora, the last stop. No encounters today. That night in Mora, Hoggie conducts "professional training" with the local herbalist and tests the efficacy of his product, falling deep into meditation. Rabbi Cohen enters solitary prayer at the bay's edge. Vona leads the rest of the team and the top warriors from Mora in calisthenics similar to what the Rabbi did for the villagers of Burouac last night.

Tomorrow, the group will take the outriggers back to Farshore.

[lostsole31]

DAY 31

The entire day is taken up by the Farshore Condederacy being ferried to Farshore by the fine folk of Mora. When the party returns to Farshore, they will see the four now-operational watchtowers!

It is a long voyage and the end of a major mission taken in the evening. Instead of any debriefing on the like, the party will disperse to their various homes as Rabbi Cohen checks in with Lavina.

Everyone can expect to be called in the mid-morning to be present for the debriefing in front of the council.

[lostsole31]

DAY 32

Everyone is called forth the following day in the mid-morning council, which includes some new faces.

Each of the PCs of the last expedition help in Rabbi Cohen's account of all that had occurred, and that groups must be sent to get tar and collect weapons, as well as understanding that the phanatons will aid as best they can. The account of the felling of Temauhti-tecuani is likewise applauded.

But the PCs have not been the only ones to have adventures, success, and in some cases ... failure.
* The Caller, assisted by Tolin Kientai, Shouting Tree, & Tavey Nesk, have been successful in upgrading all of the watchtowers (a week ago, actually).
* Zan Oldavin defeated a local troglodyte tribe, ensuring internal security and likewise - with treasure found - increasing assets.
* Zan Oldavin, again, conducted a sting (things were being stolen from the warehouse) and killed an "ethereal filcher." So as new things come into Farshore, they will no longer be plundered by an internal thief.
* Zan Oldavin has had a little more trouble recruiting additional militia from locals. He met with failure at first, and then some success. There are still recruitment efforts that can continue and he has been trying.
* Liamae Teslikaria has found that aiding the Farshore Chapel has been difficult, having met with more failure than success.
* Kaskus Kebel Hiel has been utterly flustered in fixing the infirmary's efficiency, and all month he has been more overwhelmed than helpful.
* After success with the Caller upgrading the watchtower, as of yesterday Tolin Kientai has failed to be able to upgrade the harbor.

The votes were counted last night, and it came down to a terribly slim margin of only 13 votes, but at this meeting Lady Vanderboren is officially named the new Lady Mayor of Farshore. Lord Merivanchi, though unhappy with the loss, is surprisingly philosophic about it all. He figures he can now turn his attention to more "important" concerns. The public announcement will occur after this meeting.

Here is what yet needs to be done....
* The Rakastan weapons need to be actually delivered (transport and working party beyond a PC party).
* The Sea Wyvern needs to be raised and salvaged, if possible (variety of skills).
* The palisade needs to be upgraded (engineering).
* The harbor needs to be upgraded (engineering).
* Kaskus desperatelyi needs help fixing the mess that is the infirmary (Heal).
* Liamae could likewise use help at the chapel (K: Religion).
* More militia could be recruited from Farshore and local tribes (Diplomacy).

Now that The Caller is no longer lobbying to get Lady Vanderboren elected, he volunteers for that detail, replacing Zan Oldavin. Corrin Fiddlebitter is asked to accompany him as a bodyguard. He will no longer be on dangerous outlier missions.

Vona volunteers to upgrade the palisade and harbor, which means she will remain at Farshore and not go on any dangerous missions. Tolin will be glad for the help.

Rabbi Cohen stuns his own group when he offers to stay behind .... at first. Everyone knows that as the former first mate of the Sea Wyvern (he only became Acting Captain of the survivors), that he is the best one to raise the hulk and sail it back to Farshore, if possible. He asks that Skald take mission lead and acting captain, and to be sure to take Tavey Nesk as his acting first mate if Rabbi Cohen can't make it to the group in time. However, it is absolutely essential that the chapel and infirmary get squared away. To that end, Rabbi Cohen will try to get both places fixed and combat-ready. Afterwards, he will fly and try to catch up with the party, using a pre-arranged trail and sailing route.

There are two stranger persons who are willing to join and help in whatever way they can. They are asked to stand and introduce themselves, what brought them to Farshore, and what they can contribute.

Kabsi and Rhoha .... please give a complete description of your PCs, and make an introduction as requested.

[bcool999]

Spoiler: Image

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Rhoha is more than happy to speak after remaining silent so long through all the talking. He rises to his full height of 8 feet tall clad in tribal dress but with the notable additions of crystalline spaulders and gauntlets. He then excitedly slaps the meeting table with his palms making the table clatter with the force before announcing in heavily accented common, "I am the Great Hunter RHOHA! The mightiest, bravest, most good looking hunter ever born of the tribes! I heard tale of a... Scarlet Flock? Plaguing the Isles and came to hunt them down and feast on their succulent eggs! Rhoha can hunt them anywhere not only over the land, but can follow into the skies or beneath the waves if needed! Rhoha is not afraid of pecks Rhoha is invulnerable in his armor, and Rhoha's fists are the mightiest weapons ever made!"

Rhoha then seems to remember something as he pulls a blue stone that might have been mistaken for a brooch off of his outfit and holds it up for all to see, "And this is Sparkles! He is good rock who sometimes warns of prey nearby! He may Unchahu-mei, err... soul speak to you sometimes if he feel like it."

Spoiler: Sparkles Image

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With his introduction complete, Rhoha sits with his arms crossed and a smug smile on his face as though expecting shock and awe at his presence.

[digiman619]

Kabsi is a (relatively) tall redheaded man, standing about 6'3''. He was muscled, but he had more of a swimmer's build that anything built for strength. His crimson mane is cut rather short and with shaved sides. He has a slightly too pale complexion; it as if a painter didn't have quite enough brown for his portrait but had mixed the paints anyway. His blue eyes give off a sense of intensity and determination; once focused on a task, very little will keep him from doing it. He doesn't wield any weapons or armor, nor does he have any of the trappings of a caster. However, some of his accouterments glow as though made of light, so he has mastered the Olman art of veilweaving. The only other thing of note with his apparel is that he carries the tools of a healer, which he clearly has some skill in.

"Greetings." he says in a deep baritone. "You may call me Kabsi. I come from the ocean. The oracles of my people have detected a disturbance in the waves. Something is coming, and it threatens the entire region, both above and below the surface. I have been sent here to try and stop this oncoming evil, and I believe what you are preparing for may be its harbinger. Hence I have come to offer aid, to save both realms."

[lostsole31]

Two newcomers, both very tall, and yet both very different on how they present themselves. The two applauded by Lady Mayor-Elect Vanderboren for their volunteerism, bravery, and willingness to work across social, racial, and cultural boundaries to ensure that the coming evil does not harm the symbiosis that these connections represent.

Skald is asked by Rabbi Cohen to choose his team from the worthies that are not tasked with other things

Skald (Team Leader until relieved by Rabbi Cohen).
Newcomer #1 - Kabsi
Newcomer #2 - Rhoha
Hoggie (& Rusty)

Two more persons are recommended for this mission (nt counting Rabbi Cohen, who is to arrive later), but it cannot be from those who are already tasked. That leaves a choice of two from the following:
Tom Underhill
Avner Merivanchi
Shouting Tree (& Ix-Caban)
Tavey Nesk
Tolin Kientai of the Jade Ravens

Spoiler: Okay, players ...

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Buck Godot is on hiatus. So, just from what you know previously, in the OOC .... NOT on Discord ... I want each player to give their recommendation.

[Blackhawk101]

Spoiler

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Hoggie feels a philosophical kinship with Tom Underhill and would suggest he accompany the group. ...and the name!

[lostsole31]

After everything is settled, the officials open the doors and perform the swearing-in ceremony for the new Mayor of Farshore: Lady Lavinia Vanderboren!

Rabbi Cohen takes his leave of the group, apologizing again that neither his hammer or healing will be with them for as long as he is needed at the chapel, but Shouting Tree is a better hammer, and Tom arguably a better healer (and a fine sailor should the hulk be successfully raised). He is saddened that the group would not take his advice and take Tavey Nesk for this task, but he understands that the young man might be a liability in the dangers of the Isle of Dread, despite making it before, and trusts Skald and his new roster of companions to make the right choices.

Skald leads the group to the pier (after their goodbyes and taking what they need), but have no time for celebrating Lavinia's election or anything else. Several Olmans with outriggers await the group, and Rhoha is packed into one practically by himself. And they are transported across the gulf to the Olman village of Mora on the far side, where they spend the night.

[lostsole31]

DAY 32

The next day, after everyone's preparations and making sure that muscles are no longer sore from whatever exertions were made last night, are guided by Hoggie and Skald northeast towards the village of Burouac. Along the way, as Hoggie is focused on looking for dangers or ambush from predators, Great Hunter Rhoha is only too happy to loudly tell his new tribe how to do the same. Skald has helped the party who need protection to deal with the hot weather, but a squall rises up, filling the grasslands with a glaring mist. It is at that point that Skald, a self-proclaimed "storm druid," moves a little further out in the queue, claiming his eyes are better suited to seeing through some of the foggy glare. He likewise brings Tom up with him to the front.

If there is one thing to note for the newcomers, both who are tribesmen, there is something about the land they walk on (or the companions they are with), that make their senses more finely sharpened, and their aggressiveness a little higher (which can be held in check, of course). They both sensed it yesterday, figuring that Farshore and the colony was dulling their senses. But on this second day, Kabsi and Rhoha both internally surmise that something is actually enhancing their senses!

The group reaches the village of Burouac in the late afternoon. The plan tomorrow is to shoot northwest directly to the large village of Tanaroa.

[lostsole31]

DAY 33

The northwest trek from Burouac to the great village of Tanaroa is a full day of march, the middle of the day's grassland briefly interrupted by a thin stretch of jungle. Finally, the group gets to the village, which sets on the tiny isthmus of the southeastern peninsula before connecting with the mainland of the Isle of Dread.

However, as commonly happens mid-day, there is a downpour. The heat is there, too, but Skald's druidic magic protects the group. The party happened to be right at the thin stretch of jungle during the downpour, and Skald uses that time to meditate in the weather. He seems to be the only one happy that it is raining. Then again, for those that don't know, he is a self-professed "storm druid."

The villagers of Tanaroa hold Skald, Shouting Tree, and Tom in particularly high regard, with Hoggie a little less so. Shouting Tree and his large black panther enjoy the last bit of swimming they will get for awhile. Under the watchful eyes of some Tanaroans. Kabsi goes out to swim with for awhile, feeling the pull of the sea.

Spoiler: Kabsi

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The black panther, like a jaguar, is a natural swimmer, though not quite as fast as yourself. The thing is, they are swimming on the heavy side of the choppy eastern shore of the isthmus. Assuming you try to match them, you still have them on speed, but you quickly find in the heavy rolls that both of them are stronger swimmers than yourself. Shouting Tree is a solid enough "non-natural" swimmer and fast enough to go about half the speed of Ix-Caban. Ix-Caban, on the other hand, is practically an aquatic juggernaut, swimming like an unstoppable whale through the severest waves. You, on the other hand, can take choppy water easily enough, but stronger than that and you get rolled back unless you submerge entirely.

When all is said and done, Kabsi is ready to go to bed, having been enervated by the waves, whereas Shouting Tree and Ix-Caban are almost energized by the affair.

Rhoha fascinates the Tanaroans with the ways that he can energize his fists. Hoggie takes an odd detour from his normal plant-related studies. As Rhoha wows the basic jocks, Hoggie (a minor celebrity for the slaying of Temauhti-tecuani) watches some of the warriors engage in mock dagger battles, with some of the senior warriors showing techniques. Hoggie is fascinated by the dance-like maneuvers of the savages.

[lostsole31]

DAY 34

Hoggie, aided by Skald (who has come from this way, roughly), follows along the shoreline so the trackless plains don't throw off his orienteering. He figures that by the end of the day, they will have covered 24 miles. That evening, Hoggie meditates on some of his deepest mysteries (with the aid of local herbs). Tom does deep breathing exercises, to concentrate the cold on his breath weapon. For observers, he can breathe either a 15' cone or a 30' line of cold that he can deliver every 1d4 rounds.

Shouting Tree (and Ix-Caban) works on long running exercises around the encampment (easy visibility because of the low grasslands), and if Kabsi joins in, Kabsi will see that while he [Kabsi] is faster, Shouting Tree isn't too far behind (50' speed). He is actually faster than his panther (40' speed). Shouting Tree also has better running endurance than Kabsi (Endurance feat), so ... Kabsi is faster, but Shouting Tree can probably go longer distances.

Rhoha mentally "tinkers" with his suit. Skald meditates on a koan that Corrin had taught him to better get in touch with his fey side.

Watches are set, and goes by uneventfully ...

[digiman619]

Upon hearing the proposed watch order, Kabsi will approach his appointed leader. "I have an issue with your watch schedule. Please put me in a different position in the schedule."

[BuckGodot]

Skald turns to look at Kabsi and gesture that they step off to the side to discuss it. "What is your issue? I ask so that I don't make the same mistake twice."

[digiman619]

You can tell Kabsi is upset, though not at what. "I do not wish to be directly before or after Shouting Tree in the watch. The less I have to directly interact with the man, the better."

[BuckGodot]

Skald looks closely at the man and seems to think before speaking. "Here's the situation. We're on an important expedition and I have to know that each and every member of my team has the back of every other member of my team. That means trusting everyone. With your life. What is it exactly that is the issue? I can't make adjustments for everyone simply because you don't like his hair or something."

[digiman619]

Kabsi shifts uncomfortably. "I am sure that when the times comes, the Olmans will be of great assistance taking on our foes. I just don't want to interact with them if I can avoid it."

[BuckGodot]

Looking down at the ground for a moment, Skald looks back and makes direct eye contact with his single eye before speaking, "I understand, however might I suggest that, much like when we train to use our weapons, it doesn't just instantly come to us. We have to work at it and learn step by step. As you will need to interact with them on a regular basis, why not start off small and build up to the necessary level of communication. What better way then through the limited exchange required by a watch turn over? I'm not asking you to carry on a conversation. Simply do the watch turnover. Shouting Tree and I do not exactly see eye to eye either, but we have learned to work together. Does that seem like a too difficult a task?"

[digiman619]

Kabsi is getting frustrated "It's not-" He paused. "I just don't want to deal them. I don't trust any of the Olmans. They're superstitious and cruel, and I'd much rather ignore them if I can."

[BuckGodot]

Skald looks at Kabsi with some confusion before continuing..."I see. I wish you had voiced these objections before agreeing to come on this expedition. You're going to have to trust him. As he will need to trust you. I've been with him for some time now and he has always supported our group. I trust him. I don't like him. But I trust him. Do you trust me? I assume you must as, again, you agreed to come along knowing I was in charge. If I say I trust him, and you trust me, then by rights, you have to have at least place some trust in him. Truthfully, he barely has any Olman in him... In fact, you look more Olman than he does.

[digiman619]

Kabsi took a deep, calming breath. "I said they were superstitious and cruel for a reason. Yes, I was born an Olman. However, I was different. I don't know if I was the result of a one night stand, or my mother was blessed by an outsider or maybe even avatism, but I have a affinity to the element of water. Upon learning this, they decided that rather than using and nurturing that affinity, their best bet was to put me in a basket filled with rocks and 'send me back to the ocean'." Despite his attempts to calm down, you feel the anger rise as he speaks.

"Luckily for me, my water affinity extended to being able to breathe both air and water, but what if I wasn't? What if I simply took to aquatic spells faster like some sorcerers do, or one of the water gods showed me their favor? Or maybe if was a more direct control of water like a water kinetisist? They let their fear of the unknown move them to kill an innocent child."

He stops, and does his best to get control over himself. "So that's why I would prefer to not have to go directly before or after Shouting Tree in the watch schedule."

[BuckGodot]

Skald sighs... "So... you're different? Than the other Olmans? How do I know? I've not spent much time with you. What can you do to show me you're different?" He pauses here to let what he's saying sink in...

"See my point? How do you know that Shouting Tree is like all the others? I'm not judging you based on your origins. I'm allowing you to prove to us that you're as just as you claim. Shouting Tree has already demonstrated that to us. So now it's your turn."

[digiman619]

"Because unlike them, I can breathe water, you-" Kabsi held himself back, taking another calming breath. "Fine, you've made your case. I will speak to Shouting Tree and judge him as an individual, not as part of a monolithic whole. But know this:" he says, his voice serious. "Next time you have to meet with the Olman leadership and the whole tribe as a group, leave me out of it. Persons can be reasonable. People are flighty and likely to strike first and ask questions later, especially groups of people with a history of superstition."

[BuckGodot]

Skald nods acceptance. "Thank you. I will honor your request should that happen." And he turns and resumes what he had been doing before the conversation began.

[lostsole31]

DAY 35

It is very late at night, not too long after midnight, and Hoggie (and Rusty) have the watch. As the party has gotten closer to the hills, the sounds of bats have increased night-to-night. But in the night sky, there are now much larger shapes. Usually there are no shapes, just the occasional winking out and in of a star. Now, however, it is as if something the size of an ox ..... rather, many somethings the size of an ox .... fly about the sky. At some point, these shapes get awfully close to the party, spiraling about. Hoggie is almost about to wake the party before the dark, flying large shapes making bat noises lose interest and continue onwards.

Rusty looks to Hoggie and says, "I don't know what they are, but they seemed like massive-sized bats. I think they might have left when they saw that enough people-sized bumps were there to make things difficult. Too difficult a meal."

The party wakes up and heads out, getting to the foothills soon enough. In the middle of the day, a flock of flying reptiles are spotted some ways off. They start wheeling towards the party.

What is the plan?