Day 3, Night

The adventure thus far has been full of twists and wrong turns, but now Strekela, the object of the party's quest, was standing right in front them. She gazed at them calmly for a bit, lingering in the doorway of Adwonus and Pyrra's cabin; she then glanced over her shoulder and called toward yet another hidden person.

"Nurick, can you come here, too?"

She was joined by a human whose features were largely hidden by a hood; like Pyrra, he also had a bow strapped on his back.

"Who's this?" asked Johannes.

"Protection," Streleka replied succinctly.

The tension between the two groups jumped up a few notches.

Cabrakan then issued a deliberate cough, awkwardly claiming the attention of the party. "Ahem. I know this might be a bad time, but I need to take Crispin (er, Crispina?) back to Fort Zombiehead. . . like, right now; it seems that there's another complication to his curse that I didn't notice the first time, where time might be a pressing factor. It would be best if I take him (her?) straight to an expert as soon as possible."

Ziv examined the sky above, which was now dark and adorned with stars; the last band of light had become nothing but a faint glimmer on the horizon. "Can't it wait 'til morning? It's dangerous to travel at night, especially here of all places."


"I don't think so," said Cabrakan. "If we wait that long, Crispin might just end up being a woman forever. . . . Not that there's anything wrong with that!" he hastily added in reply to Ziv's piercing look. "Besides," he continued, "I think we can make it if it's just Crispin and myself. We have a better chance of getting through the wilderness unnoticed with a small group. And if the rest of your were to leave now, you might never find Streleka again."

"I can't say I approve," said Johannes worriedly. "But if Crispin's manhood in on the line, then I understand if he's willing to take the risk. Go now; travel swiftly and safely!"

"Thanks guys," said Crispina, beginning to tear up. "You're willing to risk so much for me; I don't know what to say. . ."

"Look! He's already becoming over-emotional!" cried Lerdeth. "Go my friend! Make haste!"

Stricken by alarm, Cabrakan and Crispin quickly proceeded to leave and plunged eastward into the woods; the sight of them was soon swallowed by the darkness.

"Alright, now that that's been taken care of, we can get back to the matter at hand," said Johannes, turning to face the curious gaze of Streleka. "Please be at ease, Lady Streleka." Johannes relaxed his muscles and disarmed any hardness in his expression. "We just want to talk. . ."

---A Chatroom has been opened---

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:50, Sun 14 Jan 2018.

Streleka: *cough. This is the part where I tell you you're all fools.

Ziv: I'm not surprised, to be honest. You might want to check that out though. Everyone we come across has had these small little coughs.

Alacor: But why would you say that? I'll admit you don't seem to be lost as we were led to believe.

Ziv: Anything to throw off our scent to give her more time? That seems more likely.

Streleka: Tell me, what exactly did my brother say to you? What's the reason you're here?

Alacor: He told us you were here looking for surviving Estraens. He said you would be in danger, but that does not appear to be the case.

Ziv: To be rather frank, he wants you escorted back home, dead or alive, and seeks out this ring that you wear. Personally, I would just follow you for as long as you needed to make that happen. If you want to spend more time here, I'm all for it. He didn't seem to give a time restraint.

Johannes: Madam, Miss Streleka, let me clarify that last statement.  Your brother wanted the ring yes, but expressed great concern over something he valued much more greatly.  He wanted you back home, safe and sound, he was genuinely concerned for your safety and was greatly concerned he would lose his dear sister, and what little family you have left, to a rumor he feared is false or worse a Galian trap. This is not to say your quest is in fact chasing after a false rumor, or needless, he just did not want to see your people dwindled even further and him lose a dear sister.

Streleka: My brother? Concerned for my safety? That's the funniest thing I've heard in weeks. Have you figured it out yet? The truth is staring you right in the face. My brother doesn't care an inkling about me. What he really wants {she holds up her finger adorned with an ornate ring with a red diamond} is his ring back! Technically it's half mine, so I guess you can't call it stealing; but I basically did. Whether I died or not would hardly bother him, as long as he got his ring back. I going to go out on a limb and say that he said he would pay you even if you 'failed' to bring me back alive, as long as you brought the ring. Am I right? Of course I am. I can already see it in your faces.

Alacor: You are right on that account. That doesn't look like a common Ring, but is it truly worth this kind of terrible to get?

Ziv: I knew this was finicky, since he said the, well I paraphrased: 'dead or alive' thing.

Streleka: It is. This ring is family heirloom almost a thousand years old and has enchantments that only work when worn by a member of our family - meaning just my brother or me. My brother used the ring to acquire all the 'success' he has today. Do you even know who my brother is?

Ziv: Pray, do tell.

Streleka: He's the Pirate Lord of Deon's Rise, the strongest of them all. That's my brother, and YOUR employer.

Ziv: Hmm... Now I REALLY want to take my time. And that would explain the immediate access to a ship. ...Err, wait; that's  Johannes's.

Alacor: Well that is not the turn I was expecting. So then what ARE you don't here?

Ziv: Streleka, what kind of politics are between you and your brother?

Andriel: Is that really a red diamond? Not a ruby?

Streleka: The relationship between me and my brother is. . . I'll just say complicated. But he told the truth, for once, about why I'm here. Like many, I'm here to rescue my people in the center of the isle; and I don't plan to leave until it's done. As for what the gemstone is on my ring, that's no business of yours.

Ziv: Fine, fine... Do you have any idea what these flowers are?

Alacor: And who is this you have for protection? But perhaps the better question is protection from what?

Streleka: Ask him {Glances over at the human}. As for those flowers, yes, I know what they are. They're cursed flowers left by The Hunter.

Nurick: Yes hello. I'm Nurick, it's a pleasure to meet you all.

Alacor: The hunter?... Pleasure to meet you Nurick, I am Alacor.

Ziv: What is its function?

Streleka: The Hunter used to be a guardian spirit of the forest, but now it is a dead and corrupted thing. Once it selects its prey, it will stalk it for several days, fulfilling some sort of sadistic desire to hunt - and only once it's satisfied will it finally seize its prey, and kill it. If you've encountered the Hunter, then you're cursed to die as long as you remain in these woods. Consider yourself lucky you only found its flowers.

Ziv: I'm concerned for Crispina...

Alacor: So if this is hunting us or one us, any chance of killing it?

Streleka: {She shrugs} No one's done it yet, so who knows.

Ziv: Well neat. We'll find out.

Alacor: We're probably all wondering at this point, but do you have any involvement in the pirate business? It sounds like you're fairly separated from your brother and I for one don't wish to assist the pirates.

Johannes: Do you have any sort of proof your brother is who you claim he is? And, where do you stand on all of that? Are you also involved with the pirates in some way?

Streleka: I take no part in my brother's affairs, and I don't want to. Our parents didn't sacrifice themselves, just so we could kill and steal from others to gain a luxurious life; they gave us the chance to do something meaningful. Personally I don't care if you believe me about all this or not, but if you want proof, just go and ask him. He'll probably tell you straight to your face.

Ziv: We didn't travel all the way here just to be sent back. To be honest, I'm kind of curious about these lost elves. The situation kind of reminds me of home... But enough about me.

Streleka: If you're sincere about that, then why don't you come with me? I intend to help my people in their plight, and I'm not picky who helps - as long as I don't think they plan to stab me in the back while I sleep.

Ziv: (Folds arms.) Johannes? What do you think?

Alacor: If there's survivors here I'm not about to let them fend for themselves like that. And after the stories Johannes told about a pirate lord he had met I'm not about to further their cause. {10:04, Today: Alacor rolled 11 using 1d20.  Sense motive check; Streleka not being associated with the pirates.}

DM Ryan: Alacor's Sense Motive Check ~ Alacor could not discern if she was telling the truth or not.

---End of Chatroom---

Post:
...In response to Cabrakan's explanation about Crispina:
"Crispin!  Cabrakan!  before you return, I need to know what magical gear you have from the party and we will need that ring of lesser invisibility back, and any other gear not essential to your journey.  Else we are without a scout and our primary healer, -only 1 of you can use it so that does not help you both return as much."

After they return the magic items of the party I bid them farewell
"God Speed Cabrakan and Crispin, keep a look out for that hunter."

...After our conversation with Streleka
Streleka's news was not what I expected.  I expected she would give us some sort of ultimatum, like 'I will only come back with you if you help me free my people...' leaving us to decide whether to try to convince her it is a Galian trick or to just go with her and assist her in her noble, if perhaps misguided, quest.  That the biggest concern would be that the quest is merely chasing a false image, a wish that is only that, a wish, or worse, a nefarious trap for someone naive enough to believe it.  A trap seeking to complete the actions the Galian's cataclysm failed to complete in the past.

This also causes a serious issue for us in the way of funding- how do we pay for the expenses of this expedition and recoup the projected profits that made this journey worth it.

This was, however, not our only problem.  Reports of this hunter from Streleka were not good, and the seriousness of Cripin's, or rather Crispina's, condition was not helpful.  Our company that had begun at 9 strong was now reduced to a mere 5.  Having members leave in large part due to them lose their stomach for combat.  Some had legitimate reasons, like unfinished debts and threatening medical conditions, but at the current rate, without reinforcements, the party would have little option but to return to the fort.  Streleka's offer may be a viable solution for this, combining our group with theirs... but for now, we must prepare for another night on the Dead Isle.

Actions:
See Chat addendum, set up camp
Sense motive and Knowledge Checks

Rolls:
{23:47, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (History), on Streleka's family; tDI.
23:46, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (Nobility & Royalty), on Streleka's family; tDI.
23:45, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  Lore, on Streleka's Brother; tDI.
23:41, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Sense Motive, is Streleka trying to deceive us; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 04:48, Sun 21 Jan 2018.

In Character Chat Addendum:
Johannes: I need time to think this over.  This is really quite unsettling news to me.  It is too late in the day for us to go elsewhere, we need to set up camp here tonight.  We need space for this Pyrra, Streleka.

I need time to think this over.
Alacor, we absolutely need to make sure to have the house set up securely with the reports of this 'hunter.'  We need a secure shelter, and we might need to keep watch from inside tonight.

Alacor: Yes I agree

Johannes: After we cook over a fire outside to cook, we need to move to within the shelter, as well as cast any remaining enchantments that would help protect us over the night, like perhaps the spell alarm around the perimeter.  Make sure to check with Pyrra about where those traps are before we set up camp, would not want to step in one accidentally.