~ Uncle Ziller garners no questions from the party and the meeting is officially adjourned. Folks finish stuffing their faces and filling their stomachs to their particular genealogical capacities. Extra rations are also appropriated and squirreled away for the mission...
As others begin selecting rain gear, checking over their weapons and securing their items against the elements, Emm does proffer a nervous point of order about whatever it was Shanny sensed was not disseminated by the baby giant owl whilst it was on watch, so logic would dictate it could not be natural. Ziller and Billy both nod agreement, the old master thief's visage turning noticeably white at the apparent thought of what happened last time they tangled with it and the halfling commander's growing grim that he was not present to fight alongside his men.
"I most wholeheartedly agree, Emm," Ziller replies, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "It is our hope that the creature can only come out at night, and during the small window of the witching hours. Nonetheless, we do not know for sure and so therefor must be vigilant. Shanny is helping Najania develop a way to seek out it's location, so that we may know where it resides on the island and whence it comes forth.
"So I again caution you, friends. There are likely dangers here that we have not yet discovered or are aware of. Be vigilant at all times. Remember and trust in your training, as well as each other. And always keep a sharp eye out for your brothers and sisters in arms in times of trouble..."
It's sound advice to be sure, if not overly redundant. Everyone in the room, save Manoah and Hollis, recall what happened that night. They also remember and dearly miss Sergeant Zimba, who tangled with the beast and paid the ultimate price...
Whilst Bogdan marvels over the ever-sharp edges of his new magical throwing axes, wishing his specialized weapon of choice was also so endowed, and Lauranna offers follow up confirmations to Emm and Ziller to her hopes that they will indeed confront their missing Karagonian adversary, the door to the captain's cabin flies open. A shirtless and somewhat disheveled Lord Jovak emerges with Li'l Pickles in his outstretched arms. What was a mere hatchling just three days past, and the size of a small cat not two days ago, is now the size of a large dog! It fidgets and flaps it's reptile head and clawed turtle feet as it screeches in protest, but to no avail in the high priest/fighter lord's iron grip. As soon as the creature looks forward and sees Ulrich, it's annoying crying becomes a soft whimpering.
Jovak clears his throat and raises his head higher. "It is time, Ulrich..."
It's now the younger dwarf's turn to get solemn and confront the sudden blast of emotion that arrives with the reality of the moment. A moment he tried not to think about but one he surely knew was inevitably coming. He steps forward and takes hold of the baby dragon turtle, straining under the creature's weight. Pickles stops struggling and begins snuggling, licking and nipping him affectionately!
An awkward pause transpires whilst everyone looks on and around to each other. Jovak clears his throat again and crosses his massive arms in resolve, which are covered with dozens of scratches and steam burns from his daycare duties. Ulrich, drops his head in resignation, turns to grab the bundle of crab meat he already made up and moves for the door. Emm suddenly realizes what's happening and tries to intercept him to lodge a protest but Gentleman Billy steps in front of her and grasps her magical leather-armored shoulders as he shakes his head softly in a please don't manner.
The recently magical gem-leveled Curate and his unlikely pet emerge from stern castle and make their way to the starboard rail to depart the ship. Whether curious, incredulous or indifferent, the others follow. The rain is coming down in sheets and the wind whips about the cove with vindictive fury as the procession disembarks the Seahawk. Ulrich makes his way toward the cove entrance and looks to want to stop short within the spell bubble, but with Ziller's gentle urging, passes through the invisible barrier and follows the halfling commander all the way to the beach outside the cove and just south of the inlet. The morning light is barely making headway but it's enough for all to see when the cortege halts and Ulrich walks out into the waves...
SocraticLawyer wrote:... Setting Pickles carefully in the water, Ulrich pets him gently and says, "It is time for us to part ways, little one. We cannot care for you here, and besides, the water is your home. You are a wonderful, magnificent creature, a testament to the Dwarf-Father's power and grace. But your place is out there," he says, indicating the waves. ...
The baby dragon turtle lets out an excited squeak to be in its natural element for the first time. It swims and thrashes about in a playful manner as it circles around the cleric, not really realizing what's happening. Emm takes advantage of the moment to step forward and plead her case...
tkrexx wrote:... Ulrich, I beg you not to do this, regardless of your good intentions! I feel this infant's Mother still resides near or even within this isle; it may well be the difference between life or death if we confront such a creature. I understand the crew's trepidation regarding the Dragon child, but if we indeed encounter the bairn's Mother, would it not be better to promise safety, rather than to feign ignorance?
SocraticLawyer wrote:Ulrich shakes his head. "I am sorry, my friend," he tells the druidess. "But Pickles cannot stay with us. He is a sea creature, and belongs in the sea. If we encounter an adult dragon turtle, Pickles would not save us; his mother will devour us without regard to our care for Pickles.
"Besides, we have not the resources to feed and house him. We must let him go.
"You know, perhaps better than all of us, that Nature must oft be cruel to be kind. And so it is with Li'l Pickles."
Pickles stops swimming and thrashing about and watches the exchange between the cleric and the druid...
SocraticLawyer wrote:Giving the baby dragon turtle a gentle push out towards the deep sea, he says, "Go." If Pickles is at all reluctant to leave, Ulrich throws some of the crab meat into the sea for the creature to eat. ...
The creature looks back up at him curiously for a moment and then seems to somehow understand. It nuzzles up against the dwarf's banded grieves as he stands knee-deep in the surf, and whimpers until he produces some crab meat and feeds it to him. It gobbles up the succulent morsel and looks back up for more. Ulrich produces more, but this time stands tall, winds up and throws it out into the waves. Pickles dives in after it like a dog going after its ball whilst everyone looks on in wonderment.
A half minute later, the baby dragon turtle reemerges in the surf and begins to approach but Ulrich's resolve remains firm. He points out and away to the open sea and declares his intentions with another "Go!", this time louder.
The baby dragon turtle looks to him longingly for a handful of segments, and then seemingly arriving at an understanding that the time for it to leave has come, turns and starts swimming back out to deeper water. Ulrich's eyes well up as he watches his previous pet and the future sinker of ships and bane of all sailors disappear under the surface. To most folks relief, it does not return. With reaffirming pats on his armored shoulders and back from his mates, Ulrich complies and the group departs the beach to head back to the ship and cove...
Final preparations are made and the party is soon ready to depart. With an official salute from Uncle Ziller and wave from Gentleman Billy, they depart the cove and head out on the southern trail...
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Ok gang! Let's pick up the action here: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1690&p=307782#p307782
OOC: Apologies for the delay here all, been brutally busy at work. All pms responded to and went back through everyone's Battle & Character Sheets to confirm total encumbrance & updated movement rates. Marching order & WIH is also listed below, so please make sure to confirm that looks good when able!
TOD: 6:30am Day 13 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: almost 23 days)
If you have any questions, or need additional clarification, please let me know!
HPs/Status: Bog 38/38 ; Emm 20/20 , Lauranna 19/19 , Manoah 43/43 , Ulrich 28/28
WIH (primary/secondary):
Bog – Karagonian masterwork spear* & shield / longsword, axes of hurling & dagger
Emm – spear & shield / SC
Lauranna - none / magical DDDs, short sword & throwing knives & SC (& Wily!) (daggers thrown: 0)
Manoah – +2 short bow* & fine flight arrow / +1 longsword, dagger (fine arrows fired: 0)
Ulrich – +1 mace & shield / holy symbol & SC
(S.C. = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded & ready to fire/or to throw at beginning of round)
Spells cast:
Emm: none
Lauranna: none
Ulrich: none
M.O./Location:
Departing ship & cove for southern trail: Bogdan , Emm , Manoah , Lauranna (& Wily) & Ulrich
Following close behind: Griffo, Hollis & Thalion