"Oh I am sorry" Cassandra said looking embarressed "There was so much talk going on I didn't realise you were talking to me.  This isn't my normal language so unless I concentrate sometimes I don't understand it properly. It wasn't deliberate"

"It's very kind of you to offer to help. My family wasn't on board the ship. I was captured by slavers and carried on the ship as cargo. I'd like very much to get back to them, I miss them terribly."

"No the priestess isn't my Kin. But we respect the same Gods"

Malvolo was using the wreckage for a crude covered oven. When he was done there would be 20 crude, ten pound bricks of silver, deceptively small for their weight. He would laugh in delight as he wipes sweat from his brow, "It may not look like much but there was quite a value of silver in that rock."

He makes no show to hide a curious glance as he overhears Anstice talking in another language. After a moment he smiles warmly and goes to assist with cooking. He doesn't remember enough to make outstanding meals but he can at least slowly and carefully cook things to a decent fair, or he makes an excellent second set of hands if someone else has profession chef to treat it. "I have a small cut, it will heal overnight. I admit to being unwise to the nature of the wild places... But I have made something of a devotion to Athena in my life though war is the least of her aspects in my mind. I'll take a shift that ends in the morning. Yngvar I think we have enough people to double up on watches, how about you join me?"

"That would be fine, Malvolo is it, and if you need help. I'm an excellent cook and brewer, but will get better." he says to the ladies that made the meal.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Sun 29 Jan 2023.

"It's the tongue of nature and priestess's of nature. Most who have such strong bonds to animals as she and I do speak it." Anstice explains a bit trying to remove some of thr confusion from others faces.

She gives one of the six special berries to Malvolo on closer examination they appear golden,"Better to heal the little cut quickly. Also the berry is food blessed by Artemis. It will serve as all needed for a full day and will only last until tomorrow afternoon."

She takes a deep breath and considers the watch problem, "We should attempt to have a person with martial skill on every watch. I will take the watch that would end at midnight. Perhaps Cassandra you can take the one that starts at midnight. Allowing a warrior to join each of us." Anstice was also attempting to set up so Cassandra would have a her awake and mediating for the first hour to help her feel comfortable with the another person.

OOC:The retcon with the berries was after a clarification with the DM on how they work
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Sun 29 Jan 2023.

"If there are three watchs and ten people" Cassandra said counting "then roughly three people a watch. And perhaps four on the dawn watch because that is the hardest"

"I have little to contribute in the area of martial skills. I do not possess or want a weapon. Weapons are tools for the destruction and killing of others. But I can at least do my bit"

Looking mildly like he was making some progress if his glances skywards were any gauge Aetius might have seemed to be paying no attention to the rest of the goings on as conversation continued. However that was evidently proven not to be the case as he strolled over to eye Malvolo's work as the completion was announced, nodding appreciatively at the effort, "Who knows, if you're fortunate there might be chance to examine more of the rocks around here when there's a path back to civilisation. Perhaps there's a fair range of the metal nearby."

Anstice's advice about the berries earned a nod of agreement, "Wise advice. While a night's rest might have you feeling hale and able to press on if you get your injuries taken care of now it means that should anything happen during the night you're better able to face it."

He made a brief mental note about the girl's remark about this not being her native tongue which coupled with the one she and the priestess spoke in was interesting. Foreign slaves were far from uncommon but with her language of choice being not one of another land but of those who favoured nature narrowed down possibilities. He had minimal interest in it though, people's matters that led them onto the ship were of far less importance than surviving the aftermath of it wrecking.

"I'll take a berry. A few of the stone pieces found their way onto my head during the skirmish." she says, parting her hair to show a moderate gash from the falling rock. "For watch overnight, I am happy to support wherever I am needed. I recommend if someone is not particularly observant that we double up watches, and the suggestion of a warrior in each is also wise. Come morning we travel to the river and then upstream until we find something more interesting. She passes the crab around to anyone who wants some, eating a little bit to savor the flavor of the meat. "I am happy to be in or near the front while we travel, best way to stay between any aversaries and our less robust companions. Alternately I can be a rearguard as well, though my preference is the front.

To Cassandra "Weapons can be used for that purpose, and often are. They can also be used in warning or delivering justice. A properly brandished spear can end a fight in more than one way. Fighting is becasue diplomacy broke down somewhere along the way. I believe weapons are necessary in life, even if only to defend. However, I respect your choice to not harm others. It is not an easy road to lead."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Sun 29 Jan 2023.

"You can deliver a warning with a word. And 'Justice' is just another way of saying 'revenge' or vengeance. As my Elder Sister says 'There is no Justice, there is Just Us'. If your 'Justice' involves sticking a sword into someone, then I think my words described it well"

"The Gods have picked you for their tool, as is their right and pleasure. That is clear. A tool that will be used to bring destruction and violence all around you. I think your sword will be sheathed in blood and kill many things before the God's tire of this game. It will have little to do with 'diplomacy failing' and far more to do with providing amusement"

Eleni listens closely as Cassandra explains her beliefs. "You are correct that many confuse justice and vengeance. I also prefer words to swords and spears, but like earlier, I think there are times where weapons and violence are warranted. The responsibility we share for exhausting the alternatives to fighting are an important one to bear. We have differing philosophies but I am happy to have someone who both understands the value and facility of true peace with us. She explains, ending with a soft smile at her companion.

Garvarius smiled as he heard the words of the young girl and Eleni. Cassandra was honest, young and naïve. "In nature the lion kills with tooth and claw. If not for the strength of arms, we would be in Hades now. Many gods, beast and men prey on the weak. The weak expect the strong to protect them, and if you get strong enough...they may even call you a hero. Many heroes end up dying, protecting the weak, as they sit in their ivory towers with their strange...philosophy. It happens all the time."


"First watch, I suggest we have Yngvar, Aetius and myself. Second watch, Cassandra, Anstice and our best warrior Eleni. Third watch could be Malvolo, Gerakas, Pantelis and Theoros. Are all agreed?"

This message was last edited by the player at 22:38, Sun 29 Jan 2023.

Mal nods and consumes an offered berry of healing, "The stone and bones commanded by Ares earlier are hardly a force to be reasoned with. There can be no sin in answering. Though, in the future we may meet such as could be reasoned with. Then I'll hear your ire and support your argument, Cassandra. Education and kindness are some of my core beliefs.

To that end, if Arachne catches something of at least cat size in her webs, she will come back to camp and alert someone by tapping your left foot. She is supremely intelligent for a spider but, still a spider. She has a decent but childish grasp of the common tongue."

If no one mentions location, taking 20 will pass the Sailor check (even if there is a -4 for lack of tools) and taking 10 will net him the History check. He would share all this with the party freely.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Sun 29 Jan 2023.

As the sky darkness, Aetius marks a few constellations in the night sky. During the early weeks of spring, the most widely recognized constellation at nightfall is Orion, standing upright in the southwest. Then he compares them to the other seven prominent constellations associated with springtime, Ursa Major, Boötes, Cancer, Leo, Coma Berenices, Virgo, and the Hydra. Using each in relation to the other and given how mush sailing to they had from Troy, Aetius's keen mind is sure they are on the island of Ameíliktos. He shares this knowledge with the others. Malvolo, remembers reading and hearing of this island and shares what he knows about it. (The island of Ameíliktos, (Made for this game). you would know that this island is a colony of Troy, but has suffered under heavy pirate and bandit troubles recently. There is a small village somewhere on the island called, Néa Elpída.)

The night watch goes on without any trouble and as the sun begins to raise, the party begin gathering for the days travel ahead. As some of the party has eaten the golden berries that where blessed by Artemis, they are free from any hunger or thirst (for 24hrs from eating them). As the sound of the waves slowly disappears, replaced by the sound of the river, birds and the soft wind through the trees, bushes and grass, the party moves on.

As the party moves on, they caught the smell of death up ahead. Eleni being the first to notice it. They then spot a man tied to a tree with a sign around his neck. "To those who fail to pay the tax of Sun." The older man (40s), had been tied to this tree for a week, maybe two. His eyes and tongue where gone, likely feeding the nests of crows. Maggots crawl in the empty eye sockets and mouth. (Any who have at least 1 rank in the Heal skill would know that this poor man was beaten mercilessly, before being tied to the tree).

While no stranger to the pungent smell, she still covered her nose and mouth as she moved up to look over the dead man. She then turns around to face the party. "Anyone opposed to helping pull this man down and building a large fire? I don't want to bury him here near the river and the tree roots will make digging a grave quite difficult I suspect. I am open to other suggestions if someone has any. Have any of you heard about the tax of the Sun before? It seems like it might be a shakedown by the bandits mentioned earlier. Either way, we should remain vigilant. she says to the group before turning back and assessing how to get the body down gently.

Anstice rests as best she can before and after her watches. It was a night of very strange dream. Stories told at her mothers knee play across her dreams interspersed with the voice of a goddess offering power in exchange for service. The dreams at a few points nearly beceome nightmares of the aftermath had she said yes.

As they come to this strange warning sign. Brutal and horrifying to just leave the dead to rot as a warning, "I agree with the fire and let us deal with the dead first. I will consider on the tax of the sun."

Now Cassandra really knew that she was in the realm of mortals. Her face went a little white and obviously she was deeply uncomfortable with the whole thing. Not just the old man himself, but what this represented

"I didn't see this yesterday" she said obviously "But I took a different route. Let's hope there are not more" given her slight build she wasn't much suited to the task of 'dealing with the body'. "I will go ahead and see what I can find. Hopefully not missing another thing as obvious as this..."

She walked into the bushes and was gone

OOC
A few questions

• How big is the river?
• Are we talking a mile across, 100yds across or something you can jump across?
• What is it like: white water or gentle snaking oxbow you would find at a large estuary

Yngvar pulls out a very sharp dagger and holds the body against the tree as he cuts the rope off of the body. He gently lowers it to the ground and stands back. "Are you sure it wouldn't be better to bury him beneath stones instead of the fire of a pyre. The smoke will give us away, or do we care?"

Listening to the information others had about the island Aetius was relieved to hear it at least was settled, though problems with raiders added to the possible threats they would be facing. Quiet during his watch hen he rose the following day with initial slight confusion at his surroundings before he remembered where he was, shaking his head and helping break camp.

As they drew close enough to the body to get a clear look at it he shook his head, expression as disgusted as many others. The question of what the tax might be earned a one-shouldered shrug, "Could be a range of things. Bandits using a grandiose term, a tithe for an area devoted to Helios, some creature or another that lays claim to a region and uses that as a term for passing through."

OOC: 14 on the Knowledge Religion

"That is a good idea Yngvar. I think the stones will work great, and the river should have plenty for us to obtain easily." She says to him as the assists in lowering the body and removing the sign. She then begins collecting stones for the burial.

"We shouldn't leave him this way. I'll help gather up some stones, and then we can bury him." Garvarius began gathering up stones, while looking towards Anstice, before dropping his gaze. The golden berries triggered something in the savage man, like a dream...or a memory. As they worked, Garvarius smiled to himself. "My mother use to take me and my brother into the forest. We would eat fresh berries and my mother would make some golden. I was only a boy of four or five back then. I had forgotten, until now. That was before...the Agoge."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Tue 31 Jan 2023.

Malvolo tried to inspect the body and account for the manner in which it was hung. He investigated even the tree and its position... The direction the man and sign had faced. "Taking him down at all is something someone will notice. This is a border. How closely watched, I don't know. They don't seem the type to let a long time or space go unobserved though. We are officially on a clock though. They will likely see this as a disrespect. I'm inclined to approve as there seems little intelligence in such an example as this."

He began marking symbols in dirt considering further possibilities.

Pantelis had been quiet mostly since the day before. Though he gladly had taken his part at the end of the night to help with watch and as the sun had risen he played a soft low tune on his pipes to wake everyone. Happening on the sight of the suspended man he shakes his head, "I know there are those that mark their territories and show punishments for law breakers, but it still sickens me. Of course I shall help take care of the dead in any way possible."

As he then watches Cassandra go off into the forest surrounding he murmurs low to himself in the sylvan tongue, "I hope she learns to trust us, this alone proves there is more danger here than we know."

Anstice looks over at Garvius when he mentioned the Agoge, "Garvarius are you from Sparta? I was raised at the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia." Anstice helped how she could thinking back of her time there, "My teacher and effectively mother would do the same with berries. Eventually she taught me how to make them myself." She smiles at the thought, "She would tell me stories of her husband and sons. Until something happened and she stopped. I never understood why." As she remebered old times the training in religions came up. Perhaps the subconscious thoughts would bring her further ideas.


OOC: Knowlege Religion 24

An hour pasted by and the poor man that had hang from the tree of woe, was put to rest under stones. By now the sun was high, just about noon time. With the few hours of travel from earlier, the group made ready again to continue up the river.

As the group moves up the river they begin to slowly begin walk up a worn, dirt path that seemed to follow the river. Then almost without warning, arrows come flying out of the woods. Ambush! Spot or listen checks, DC 12 Please. This is so you may act during the surprise round. Also, Initiative rolls please.


OOC: A DC 20 Knowledge Religion check will tell you that the tax of the Sun, is the call of the priests and worshippers of Apollo. One must pay gold to the priest or offer a family member to be "offered" to Apollo (consumed sacrificially). As every human as a tiny spark of divinity in them, gifted by Prometheus, that gift can also be consumed by a hungry deity (like a juice box, or in this case wineskin).

Looking in Pantelis' direction at the remark about displaying lawbreakers Aetius shrugged, "Seeing criminals punished swift and fair is one thing. It deters others and shows the citizens that the laws are enforced rather than offenders set free. The condition here though is to horrify more than any of that it seems. As authoritarian as it is for an island as small as this it seems more than simply excessive."

Listening to others talk of their time prior to the shipwreck with interest he did do the same, merely paying attention as he continued to examine their surroundings. Fortunately enough for him while not especially sharp of eye he did catch enough of a warning in the undergrowth that he was prepared for the incoming arrows even as he called out a warning to others.

OOC: 13 Spot/Listen (same modifier) then I proceeded to call my Initiative roll a Listen one.

23 Initiative
AC 17
HP 11

Cassandra was in front of the party, scouting for ambushers and things, when the ambush happened. So wasn't around when the arrows began to fall upon the others.

Hearing the sounds she was at first shocked. How had she missed the ambushers? Had they teleported in like the skeletons and stone men? Had they had invisibility spells? or jumped out of pits. Simple hides would not have concealed them from her as she was on the other side of them

Feeling a failure and useless she returned to the scene of the ambush. Not able to do much other than watch and hope that her critical failure as a scout wasn't going to cost some of these mortals their lives.

Spot 28, initiative 10
This message was last edited by the player at 23:16, Tue 31 Jan 2023.