Chapter Five: Bapdis Orjo's Gift of Reconciliation

"At the very least, I suggest we move toward the treeline, in an effort to reduce our visibility to any who may be watching. Give me some time. I may be able to learn more about Vorch, from a different point of view." With that Vhezyen advances toward the treeline, allowing his familiar to serve as scout. Fly ahead. See.

Vhezyen would have his familiar stay within telepathic range (1oo feet) and scout ahead, having it perch on a tree at the edge of the foliage, vigilant. There, he'll perform a Find Familiar ritual and transform it into a gull, then send it out to perform an aerial recon of the island, with special interest on the smoke. Given how small the island is, I imagine that won't take too long, and it might have a big payoff.

Even though we may have already been seen, I'm trying to be wary of giving away our presence by having a foreign animal (owl) flying around overhead. Also, Octo, what time of day is it? I'm thinking we may want to break camp here, and get a start at dawn, giving us maximum daylight to move into the jungle.

"Entirely possible the smoke is the result of some natural process," Domarc says. "I have heard of such things, though never seen any. It does seem like something that would naturally draw anyone who came to the island, however."

Every day that passed aboard the ship, Leth grew more and more anxious. Thoughts of the 6PC tormenting Martjan for information, or worse - going after and finding the sphere - weighed heavy on his mind. Still, there was no turning back now, and they might as well make the best of where they are. The captains unsettling tales of the island were also particularly concerning.

I wasn't counting on this island being uninhabited... this will make finding our elven friend much more difficult. Why would he even come here in the first place? And what reason do we have to believe he is still here? He considers to himself as they disembark.

As the group tries to get their bearings and formulate a plan, Leth examines the ground and their surroundings carefully for any signs that might indicate what lives here, and how often it comes through the area. He is looking for potential game/sustenance, as well as signs of anything dangerous - or possibly even intelligent - that would live here.

Zangua rests against his glaive as Vhezyen performs his 1-hour-and-10-minute ritual, taking the body posture of a city guard forced to stand around.

Yeeeaaaah Rituals can take a while.



Leth turns to the group. "I'm seeing signs of at least one pretty large creature living here in those woods. Hard to tell more about it from here, but that's a potential threat we should be aware of. I'll keep my eyes open for more as we go... but where are we going? What's our next destination?" He asks. "If Pafthinel - or anyone - does indeed still live here, they would need to be somewhere relatively safe from the dangers of the island as well as near provisions. On an island this size, provisions probably wouldn't be too far away, no matter where you are, but safety is another thing entirely. Perhaps on the hills? They would provide a vantage point to observe the whole island. And that smoke is certainly intriguing."

"I appreciate your patience," Vhezyen casts a knowing look at Zangua's clear body language, then addresses the group, "but I can now tell you that the smoke is coming from cave like openings on the top of the hill, and there are streams flowing from the tops of both hills."

He spoke directly to Leth now. "You mentioned that the denizens of the island would need provisions, which includes water. We could follow one of the streams to the top of the eastern hill. It would provide fresh water if we break for camp, not to mention that any indigenous peoples might make their homes close to such a water source, or have established trails, and, whether they are friendly or not, information about Vorch could be had."

It's not that rituals take a long time, but Find Familiar does. The ritual part just adds 10 minutes. Anyway, it seemed prudent to have my familiar blend in with the environment.

Also, Vhezyen shares the rest of the knowledge he learned from his familiar, as described previously by Octo.

Leth nods as Vhezyen mentions a stream. "My thoughts exactly. The downside is that not only would a stream attract possible indigenous people, but creatures as well. We'll have to be extra careful - but that's as good a plan as any."