Hélène: Losing ourselves

It had been argued that we should probably allow for a few days, possibly even weeks, for Jomba Town to calm down, and so we directly proceeded to this ominous island where someone was allegedly waiting to be rescued by Barton Grey. After a pleasant day's journey we got said island into view, and from afar it appeared just like a tropical paradise, with a radiant white back backed by a craggy, lushly overgrown hillside.

We went ashore in a dinghy and looked around. On the beach, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, there were no hidden treasure chests nor anything else but warm sand, so we decided to move inland. Scaling the hillside was a rather difficult and arduous task, and it was made even more difficult by the wildlife. At one point, we spotted a group of rather savage-looking monkeys, but we managed to sneak by without startling them.

A while later, we had to pass a narrow ledge while moving further inland. And there we were attacked, by a man in what looked like a ragged military uniform, who appeared up the cliff above our heads, and from there, threw down an explosive device, which blasted apart a portion of the ledge, with the splinters gravely injuring some of my friends. After that, the assailant ran off, and we were in no position to pursue. We pressed on, though, and managed to reach the end of this narrow climb, where we found that a device with a tripwire had been installed, probably in order to alarm the inhabitants, who had otherwise remained hidden from us.

There was nobody around, though, and we took the risk of hiding in the vicinity and taking the time to tend to the wounds my comrades had suffered. We remained undisturbed for the half hour I needed, and after all of us were in shape again, we decided to follow the path of the wire, to find the source of the attackers. This led us towards the large, dormant volcano, and when we reached the crest, we saw that there was a settlement within the caldera. From the distance, we could see that multiple shapes were moving around the buildings; this was not a small village.

Before we could come to a decision how to proceed, Carlton claimed that he had seen a creature or person, someone vaguely humanoid with feline features, who had obviously observed us for a while, but now, having been seen, retreated back into the jungle. We decided to follow its tracks, which to me, were only few and far apart, but the others claimed they could follow them easily. This went on for about half an hour, when it became increasingly clear that there were no usable tracks, and we found ourselves lost in the jungle, with no obvious way out.

Sira Saran: The Vulcano Island

So we came along with another island, after we did plunder the ghostship. I don't remember why we landed there or why such a "normal" island did grab our attention.

Still after landing on the beach things got strange. bombs fell from the upper cliff and after climbing up we found a tripwire which seems to be part of a larger alarmsystem.
Following the wire seemed to be easy enough and the view into the volcano crater showed us a larger town at the bottom of the crater.
A strange place to hide a town.
Then we got discovered by a strange creature, like a cat on two legs. We followed it, but lost it in the jungle.

Cortez: Yet Another Weird Island

So we decided to follow a hint from Carlton. He saw some ghostly projection asking for help at this island. The island was easy to find. However, once we found it, things turned strange again. I am pretty sure we aren't imagining this. But at the same time, it's rather strange.

We followed a path inland and I decided we should take the shortcut. Unfortunately for me, and Kyrie, there was some sort of trip-wire alarm system that I didn't notice. And so when we were about halfway up, a bomb was dropped on us.

I mean a literal bomb, mind you. Someone blew me, Kyrie, and... I think Krastus. But honestly it's hard to remember for me. Shook my brain up really good. Poor Kyrie was hurt really badly. But Helene managed to make us feel better.

When we climbed the rest of the way, I decided we should follow the alarm string, and we discovered a town. We did NOT go into that town. Instead we went into the woods, following a strange cat-humanoid creature. I was doing a decent job tracking it, but then the tracks just vanished! So we may be a little lost.

We'll camp here until morning and then try to find out way out by daylight.

Krastus: In Which We Were Pelted With Bombs

We sailed on from our little incident with the zombie ship to go to the island and find this woman. As we drew close to the island it seemed empty, devoid of any intelligent life. This could mean humans were still there, however. We found a gap in the cliffs and anchored the boat, rowing ashore.

We decided upon a faster a scent on the narrower path over a slow descent on the wider path because of the constraints of the sun - as it turned out this was interesting. As the others hauled themselves up the rocks, I walked via my powers. Then we came upon a troop of monkeys that we had to get around. I naturally strode through them, when they turned to look at me I masterfully pretended to be a rock - classic scurillian ruse - and it tricked them.

As we were continuing, an explosion rocks us - eating away the ground under us. We leapt to the remaining part of the path and I caught the glimpse of a uniformed man. Some military perhaps - no doubt one the captain has upset in his usual way. I did ponder whether I could climb up the side of the cliff to get to him with my powers, or whether I could quake the mountain. But I thought I would be responsible and it would be rude to leave the humans down here and run off. So we plodded along.

We found another of the little warning wires this terrorist had left, and I deftly dealt with it - I think the captain forgot I am also the skilled ship's carpenter. I should remind him of it more often, I don't think he remembers well. Anyway, we finally made it up only to have Carlton lead us off on some damn fool chase for cat-monkey people. There are times I wonder if he fell in the grog barrel as a child and is now just constantly pickled. Very odd. Very odd indeed.

Oh! Helene performed some magic and it seemed to work. Clearly being around me is rubbing off on her, giving her something to look up to. I must remember to pat her on the head - show encouragement and all this. I cannot be grumpy at the humans for being so backwards if I never reward them for doing well. Just like with my pet cuttlefish back home.

Carlton Grey and the Climb to the Ghost Island Volcano

Leaving the zombie-ship behind, we arrived at the ghost-lady-island after a day of sailing. It was a weird looking place, with some giant dead volcano, and a lot of steep hill paths. I tried to convince the others to take the scenic route where we wouldn’t have had to climb, but the captain thought that it might be a trap. 

We started climbing one of the slopes, and it was quite fun. There were a lot of nice jungle plants, fresh air and we even met monkeys. What else could you want on an island?

The problems started, when someone attacked us again. He seemed to have some sort of military uniform on, and threw bombs at us. Thankfully no one was hurt, but he disappeared before we could ask why he did it. Maybe he was jealous of our non-tattered coats. It’s a good thing I lost my magical coat, he might have been even more jealous if he saw that.
Anyway, we evaded a few more traps, and arrived at the top of the dead volcano. There was some sort of village down in the caldera, but before we could start to move towards it, I saw something much more interesting.

It was some sort of cat-monkey creature, but it ran away after I tried to greet it. Maybe it was shy. We tried to follow it through the jungle, but got lost instead. Still there is no reason to worry, we might see something even more interesting in the jungle. I am keeping my fingers crossed for dragon.

Hélène: Another haunted ship, another cursed weapon?

Once we had returned to our ship, we estimated that the local council would be very wary of us. The burning sloop incident had made it clear that they had considerable resources put in motion against us. Apparently, they were intent of demoralising us or driving us off, and regardless of whether they knew of my successful escape, it was plausible for us to oblige.

As I was told, the others had made a rather remarkable appearance in front of the manor of an important council member. They had surmised there was something hidden there, and it had obviously not been me. However, security there was tight, and a frontal action was out of the question, and at this point, a covert one was difficult at least.

Our new plan involved sailing away ostentatiously, and after ensuring that we were no longer watched, possibly approaching the town at night, from the inland. Hence, we left port the next morning, imagining the council left behind smugly satisfied with their crude scare tactics, and set a new course northward, around the island.

It was only a few hours until our lookout spotted a derelict vessel, idly floating about. Several unmoving human shapes were scattered about on deck. We decided to investigate, warily. We approached, went alongside and prepared to board the vessel. From our ship, I watched as a boarding party climbed over and examined the ship. Indeed, the crewmen had apparently been slashed and stabbed to death and left to lie where they fell. The instigator, however, was nowhere to be seen.

The Captain decided to search the officers' quarters, to find a logbook or any other clue what had transpired here. He spent several minutes in there, and then rushed out, alarming the crew that we had to leave immediately. The corpses on the other ship began to stir, and the boarding party quickly retreated to our ship.

We watched from our ship as the undead took positions on their deck, as if reenacting a boarding defence drill. A strange, cinnamon-like odour filled the air as the Captain reported he had encountered, and smashed, a strange crystalline contraption. He insisted that we had to inspect the captain's cabin again, as there had been a valuable weapon there he didn't want to leave behind.

We had our best marksmen stand overwatch on deck, while a small group of us took a dinghy to the other ship's aft. With his magic, Master Krastus scaled the ship, affixed a rope and proceeded to smash open one of the aft windows. Meanwhile, we attempted to scale the rope, one by one. Both of these tasks turned out more difficult than we had anticipated. Fatefully, I was the first to reach the opening, and climbing over the shards, I made my way into the cabin.

I had been expected. The captain of the other ship had risen again as well, and with his weapon in hand, he engaged me. Furthermore, reinforcements rushed in from a neighbouring room. I called up my elemental companion to cover my flank, and hoped the others would relieve me in time.

I had sustained multiple, painful hits until the others had finally overcome the enemy, but just when I thought the battle was over, inexplicably, a fight had broken out between our Captain and Master Krastus. It appeared that something had a malign influence on the Captain, a similar one, perhaps, to that which had caused the crew of this ship to fight and kill each other. Or a similar one to that heinous axe that Master Krastus had wielded once.

In my condition I had a hard time following the fight, but it ended about as abruptly as it had begun. The others helped me out of the window and back down into the dinghy. Back on our ship, I proceeded to treat my wounds, and then those of Master Krastus and the others. Obtaining answers to what exactly had happened on board that other ship would have to wait until later.

Krastus - In which I stood on the back of a ship and attacked a window.

We left Joomba Town - finally they listened to me. It was a small victory, but one I hope had them learning that I did know somethings. Silly pink things.

Shortly after sailing out we found ourselves with a very interesting situation. A ship, adrift and derelict. The crew seemingly dead on the deck. We hauled up close, and we boarded her. I went up to check on the steering system - which was destroyed - while the others explored. The Captain was having fun in the cabin below me and was in there a while - before he came stumbling out and telling us to get off the ship.

We did.

Then the captain said we had to reboard the ship, now full of animated corpses. This seemed like an odd tactical maneuver. But, well. What are you going to do?

We took a boat and scaled up the back of the ship - walking in my case. I smashed one window so the smaller ones could get in and then I went at the other window so that myself and Grip could get in. We eventually got in, found Helene hurt, and put an end to their captain. And then...well. The captain took the enemy rapier and attacked me. I was surprised and so was badly hurt. I tried to dispel on him, eventually he got himself under control, but I was badly hurt. I grabbed Helene and escaped.

Humiliated by the captain....oh, he will pay for this one, after all the nonsense they gave me about my axe supposedly making me attack them? No, he will pay. But I might make him pay in contrition - make him learn humility. Or make him into a gelding.

Carlton Grey and the Quiet but Zombie-Rich Interlude

We left behind Joomba Town with its annoying council, and went to save the Ghost lady, who confused me with my brother. I was curious about the kind of trouble a ghost could get into. If I was a ghost and got into trouble I would just walk through some walls or turn invisible, and then it would be solved. Maybe she did not figure this out yet.

Anyway, I have to wait to find out about her, because on our way we encountered a ghost ship. We boarded her, but only the captain found a ghost, and also some sort of red mist thing. After this, all the dead sailors turned into zombies. The service in Caribdus Heaven must be really atrocious if this many people come back to the land of the living instead. I wanted to ask the zombies about this, but they only moaned something. Rude.

I was ready to set sail again, but the captain wanted to go back to the zombie ship. He saw a sword there that he wanted to have, so he staged some sort of burglary to get it, while we stood watch with Serene.  I hoped, that something interesting would happen, like a dragon would appearing, or the ship flying away, but nothing did.
I hope we will leave soon.

Kyrie: Ugh.

Before most of the crew abandoned the officers back in Kiera, they said life was really dangerous here. I thought they were just grumbling and upset. Well, guess what? They weren't. Well, maybe they were, but they still were telling the truth.

So less than a day after Helene almost got burned alive, not to mention our fearless captain and one of the crab helpers, I almost got killed by zombies.

It all turned out for the best, because I didn't die. But if this is going to be regular, I should look into getting higher pay!

Cortez: Ghost Ship? Nope. Zombie Ship.

We left Joomba town to seek out some other adventures and give time for them to forget about us before we return and enact some justice for the mistreatment of Helene. We were about a day out when we ran into an old ship, filled with bodies.

Like any smart folk would do, we investigated. While the rest of the crew explored the deck and the cargo hold, I went into the Captain's Cabin to see what was there. Inside we found a gem that seemed to be linked to the activation of the corpses. Or the sucking of souls or something like that. I destroyed it... which woke the zombies up. All the while being attacked by some sort of red mist like thing.

I held my breath as long as I could. But then I had to wind up breathing it in. That was bad for me... since now I'm really angry at Krastus all the time. If he were a woman, I'd beat the smartness out of his stupid face.

Kyrie handled herself well. Though she didn't really do anything. Typical woman.

We fled the ship, then returned to the captain's cabin because the captain had some special Rapier. It's a very fast rapier... I've held it and used it effectively... but with that said, it makes me want to attack my crew. I know this is wrong, and there is some force at play here.

I don't really want to kill my crew most of the time.