Chapter Four - Here There Be Monsters

[Vardaen]

Daerith didn't even hit the thing once, and he shrugs guessing at least he didn't risk chipping Torothalion. Once its dead he dismisses his grease spells one by one and puts his sword away. "Now I feel better, now we have done a good thing, the Fogmire is ended." He glances over at Berek, "I'm sure Fin will have you right as rain in no time. We should be happy, you are right Berek." He is tired of this place and sick of monkeys and apes. "Demogorgon worshipers this far south makes me worry. I wonder if we will encounter other such dangers on this isle."

He moves to gaze as the base where the statue was, "We should search this place, perhaps there is a secret cache of treasure some place, taken from its victims, that we can put to the use in the fight against evil."

[veritas]

Fin takes a look at Berek's wounds, frowning as he examines them.

"I can do a little for you, but not much. I'm afraid that most of the magic gifted to me by Procan has been exhausted in the fighting, but tomorrow we should be able to get you fixed up."

With that Fin lays his hands on Berek and begins praying.

Action

Use the two remaining uses of Channel Energy and sacrifice Air Bubble to cast Cure Light Wounds.

OOC

Tapped out, sheet updated

[Trogdor]

Wounds are tended and all of the major injuries are taken care of. Berek's arm still hurts where the golem's evil rotted his flesh. But now all that remains are sore red spots on the dwarf's arms rather than festering wounds. In the end, Fin has totally drained all of the power that Procan has granted him today. But everyone is in pretty good shape. And everyone knows that by tomorrow, when Procan blesses Fin with more power again, their remaining injuries can be taken care of. That is, except for the mental injuries that Urol has sufferred. The gnome seems very quiet and withdrawn after his time of captivity, not at all the talkative person he usually is. no doubt he suffered greatly at the hands of the baboon demon.

The room is then searched. But aside from what the bar-igura - the one who called himself the "Master of Fogmire" - was carrying, there's nothing else of value. Then, the rest of the complex is cleared out. Berek tears up the empty chest from the floor and carries it along with the group, certain that it must me more than just a simple empty chest - though thorough examination seems to say that's just what it is.

Eventually, the Sea Wyverns return to the magic mirror, which works much more easily in reverse, sending them back to the dark temple on the other side. A short while later, they meet up with Amella, Tavey, and Avner outside. The trio is very glad to see everyone safe and sound, and Amella and Tavey take charge of Urol, trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. Avner reveals that a short time ago - about the time the group defeated the Lemorian golem - there was a change in the air outside. It was as if a dark cloud were lifted from the area. More literally, the fog started to clear, to the point where now the sun is starting to cut through it. Visibility is up to a hundred yards and getting better by the minute. Even the trees and other vegetation seem to be a little stronger and less warped than they were before. It's even more clear now that with the destruction of the golem, the pall over Fogmire has been removed. No doubt, the golem was some kind of focus for the dark magic that previously suffused this area. And without the mystic fog that covered Fogmire, it should be easy for the group to get its bearings and head southward once more.

GM

I'll fill the loot sheet with the goodies that you find.

[Vardaen]

Daerith is silent during the search, with the adrenaline faded he worries now about Urol's mental health. He is also spent with arcane power, only the most minimal energy remains in him. Outside he is glad to see that the fog is lifting, "We did a good thing today, two in fact." Since there is much day left he suggests moving on, out of the Fogmire swamp and pressing on even if they have little magic to use. There are still people back at the wreck counting on them.

Eventually, once evening arrives its time to camp, a bit early even is fine. He uses his last energy of the day to summon an unseen servant to do most of the heavy lifting around camp -- everyone needs a rest.

[mackaber]

Berek while thoroughly exhausted still has enough energy and determination to find even the last gold piece. Not finding it would do injustice to himself and would be rather stupid, sort of like eating your dinner without having a beer with it...

The Dwarf is insistent on even taking along the empty chest as he wants to examine it more precisely once they reach camp. Also they can use it to carry valuables anyhow.

OOC

Put my name down on the sheet for things I'm interested in.

[Trogdor]

The group moves a little south and then takes a rest after their trying encounter in the temple to Demogorgon. As they rest, Berek looks over the chest he took from the temple. He checks it out top to bottom, inside and out. And no matter how much he tries, he simply can't find any evidence that there's anything hidden inside, or even that there's a hidden compartment. To all appearances, it's just a large wooden chest.

By morning, things look a little better. The fog is all burned off, and no one had any terrible dreams the previous night. Even some of the sick trees and plants look a bit healthier. It may take time. But it looks like Fogmire in on the mend.

With the fog gone, it's relatively easy to head south, and by the end of a day's march, the group is rewarded with a wide trail. And this is no mere game trail - it's a poorly-maintained but nonetheless recently used trail running northwest to southeast. Urol recognizes the trail, and quietly informs the Sea Wyverns that the trail should leads to the friendly village of Tanaroa to the southeast.

So the group marches down the trail. More miles pass until eventually the group comes to the end of the trail, at which stands a fifty-foot-high wall of stone that extends to east and west as far as the eye can see. Urol says that it goes all the way to the sea, about a mile in either direction, cutting off the southern isthmus from the rest of the island and protecting the local villagers from the worst dangers of the Isle of Dread. In the center of the wall is a pair of massive wooden gates. As the group arrives, a group of natives on top of the wall shout down something in a language that only Urol and Daerith recognize.

Roll

Berek takes 20 on a Perception check. He can't find anything strange about the chest. The next step would be to smash the thing to flinders to see if there's anything hidden in it. Regardless, it would be a pain to carry very far. It's not quite the size of a sea chest, but it's big enough to be awkward.

BTW, Berek starts recovering Wisdom.

[Vardaen]

Daerith holds his hand up, "Halt." He only recently learned Olman, and much of it is from writing and what Urol taught him, but its enough. "They are Olamni, the language is hard to understand, but they want us to halt." He steps out in front of the Sea Wyverns, "<Olman>Greetings keeps of the gate! I am Daerith of the Sea Wyverns, we are not your enemies. We were shipwrecked in the north, and have traveled south seeking our friends at Farshore. We have come a long way, doing battle with the beasts of this land. We have defeated the Master of Fogmire, and seek entrance through the gate to your lands. We mean no harm to any of your people."

He quickly and quietly translates for his friends anything he says or they say back.

[Trogdor]

Daerith shouts a response in the natives' own language, which starts them talking among themselves. Word is quickly sent for someone who wears a small feathered headdress - a leader of some sort. He looks down and calls out, "<Olman> You are clearly outlanders like the people of Farshore." His words are unintelligible to most of the Sea Wyverns. But everyone can hear that the native used the word 'Farshore' in what he said. "Your proper place is with them. We shall help you get there. If you are strong enough to have survived the jungle, then you are worthy of our help. Wait where you are."

A few moments later a small postern gate opens at the bottom of one of the huge wooden gates. Out from it steps an Olman native wearing a headdress not quite as fine as that worn by the man above. "<Olman> Welcome to Tanaroa," he says to the group. "Please come with me."

Roll

Diplomacy check (DC 15): Automatic success
The Olmans are friendly.

I'm pushing forward with only V's post, since Daerith is the only one in the group who speaks Olman (or even Polyglot, which would have given you a chance of understanding what was said).

Olman warrior

Progress so far

Here's a map of your current progress.

[Vardaen]

"<Olman> We thank you honorable Olmani!"

Daerith waits for the arrival of the man out of the gate. He bows to the man, "<Olman> Yes of course. We shall follow." He fills the other in on what's going on and then falls into line behind the warrior. He makes sure not to show any insult to any of them, doing his best to recall any etiquitte he needs to follow.

[mackaber]

Berek after examining the empty sea chest for what seems to the others like ages decides to leave it be as the other prod him on, then as they exit Fogmire he leads the group south through the jungle until they come in contact. Berek doesn't speak Olamn and is happy to leave the talking to Daerith as he is still feeling a bit numbed.