HSI: The Island

Mauve studies Halor for ill effects. Satisfied, she bites hungrily and thirstily into the fruit.

Still watching the surrounding grasses and trees intently, Gonnar grabs and nocks one of the arrows -- but doesn't fire it at the retreating rat. His skills with a bow are lacking, and he knows shooting into the foliage and hoping for a hit is likely to simply lose the arrow...

Day 1: 2PM - 6 PM
You circle the small island, sticking to the beach. There is the occasional rustle in the grass and brush, but no other creature comes out to challenge you. The exotic birds call to each other from the trees. They glide from branch to branch, stretching their colorful wings, but they remain at a safe distance from the group.

The lagoon water is crystal clear. There are schools of colorful fish zipping back and forth just below the surface. Most stick close to the bottom of the lake darting in and out of the colorful coral. Near the center of the lagoon, at it's deepest point, you see a multitude of large, round brownish boulders. The are all perfectly circular. Most are about the circumference of a carriage wheel. Some are as large as a carriage. They are too deep in the water to get a good look.

You land the boat on the other shore, it's sand as black as the sand on the island. The beach circles around the lagoon to the north and to the south. The island itself is thick with vegetation. There are plenty of trees, but they're spaced enough to make navigating into the island easy enough. The trees increase in number further in. You can see mountainous terrain making up the horizon. It looks like this side of the island is cut off by the mountains that extend from the north to the south. The largest peak to the north glows red and plumes light grey smoke into the air. This volcano is dwarfed by the one at the center of the island, but looks just as dangerous.

There is a rustling in the trees as something zips past at incredible speed. It is about the size of a dwarf, but moves much too fast to be human. A horrible screech echoes through the jungle ahead. A few seconds later another screech responds.

Halor is not the hardiest of the group, but he gleefully stands up front, his shield and weapon ready. "Come now!" he bellows, striking his hammer upon his shield to create a jarring sound of metal on metal echoing across the beach. "Show us what you're made of!" He intends to seem threatening, but looks back after a moment at the others, shrugging.

Fafnir takes in the majestic peaks and lush jungles of this island; even the voracious bugs and the punishing humid heat can't diminish the sight. He walks behind Halor, glad the holy man is in front to catch all the spider webs.

When they encounter the speedy creature, he finds the cleric's honest gestures refreshing after the years of sell-sword living. A straight-forward show of strength rather than smiles concealing knives in the back - what an idea. He isn't sure if it was good idea, but it reminds him of the way they do things back home. So, he beats his shield in unison to add to Halor's noise and the intimidation factor.

"What is it?" Gonnar asks as he tries to get a bead on the fast-moving thing thing, pulling back on his bowstring until it creaks.

"HAH! What matters, Gonnar, is what it WAS. That's the question we'll be asking in short order, I think."

He scans the tree-line, waiting to see what comes.

A large bird steps out from behind a tree about 10 feet in front of Halor. It has a squat body of white feathers atop powerful red legs. The creature stands tall, staring directly at Halor. All of a sudden it leans forward and emits a blood-curdling screech that echoes through the trees around you. All of you hold your positions and ready your weapons, awaiting its move.

Gonnar notices some movement from the trees to his left. He is quick to react as one of the beasts zips in quickly for an attack. The lead bird was merely a distraction. Another bird attacks from the right. The lead bird emits another screech and pushes off it's powerful legs and leaps at Halor, it's sharp talons aimed to eviscerate him.

Mauve draws her throwing knife and stands behind the others.

"Didn't take long for this island to turn bad did it?"

"Watch the left, there's another one!" Gonnar shouts as he takes aim at the bird-thing trying to flank them, then lets fly with a whistling arrow!

"Clever girl!" Halor shouts and braces himself with his shield as the large bird pounces.

The group has been searching the island for about 4 hours. It is reasonable that you would have switched to your preferred weapon during this time. Feel free to change your response and roll.

Fafnir braces for impact as the creature flashes its razor sharp talons at him! He manages to wedge his battle-worn shield between himself and the kick, but feels the impact all the way down through to his heels.

The birds are Nearby. They are roughly 10 feet away.

Gonnar fires. The creature is quick and just ducks past the bolt. The arrow disappears into the brush.

Gywdion speaks in a strange tongue that sounds formal and archaic. The last word however they can all understand as he focuses his power on the bird attacking Halor. "Flee!"