Summary Session 3

The party turn from the point overlooking the unhealthy looking island with the bad, dead, decaying and predominantly fungus oriented plant life and head around the cliff tops on the inside of the large northern harbor of the island.

They soon find a lame, unconscious figure clutching an enormous hammer and invite him along.  And then there were 5.

They stumble upon a nest of 3 dimorphodons which also contains a clutch of eggs, presumably domorphodon.  The three beasts are dispatched mercilessly and the eggs secreted in some bizarre body cavity by the mysterious "human" with the hissing tongue.

Spotting a skeletal corpse in a tidal pool, the group descend the cliff (without incident) and are attacked by a giant crab, which is quickly smashed.

While resting, with Helga and Titus on guard, the party is attacked by three shocker lizards, with near-disastrous results.  As the sun rises, the party stretch out their wounded bodies and realize that they actually feel pretty darn good after all, and absolutely ready to fight on.

There is an attack by a ghoul, a campsite with run-down, near collapsed buildings made of driftwood and a zombie woman stroking a dead baby.  The zombie is dispatched, the baby buried in the name of a knife and the party start to worry as the zombie was in fact a yellow musk zombie, evidence of some nasty plants somewhere around, potentially on the forbidding island.

Deciding to cut across the island and head back to their camp along the other coast, the group dispatch a giant spider, find another shipwreck (the Brine Demon) where they recover another magical dagger and a gold locket, as well as some journals and papers detailing the bribes paid and fees and charges stolen by half a dozen officials from Sargavan and Bloodcove from a coffer held by a skeleton.  Titus surmises that these might be worth a reward if handed to the authorities of the Free Captains of the Shackles.

Another shipwreck is spotted 400 meters off shore and not investigated due to concerns with the pounding surf, and the group head inland again to try to find a river fork.

After another few days, three party members are unwell.
Titus has Ghoul Fever
Dorian has Red Ache
Ron has Mindfire

All three have made 1 save against their respective diseases.

Everyone is second level.

xp		Dorian	Szraiel	Helga	Ron	Titus
Start		1403	1303	1353	1403	1303
3 Dimorphodons		240	240	240	240	240
Giant Crab		120	120	120	120	120
3 shocker lizards		360	360	360	360	360
Cannibal		40	40	40	40	40
Ghoul		80	80	80	80	80
Yellow Musk Zombie		40	40	40	40	40
Giant Spider		80	80	80	80	80
RP - Backgrounds				100
RP - General pettiness and bickering		50	50	50	50	50
End		2413	2313	2463	2413	2313

The Old Witch of the Forest 
Part 2. Into the Forest

Hand in hand they entered the forest.  The first thing Claudia noticed was the darkness.  It was dark and very scary.  The trees seemed huge and daunting as they ventured further in.

“This is great,” Jack said with an excited whisper.  It was so quiet and he seemed unwilling to break the silence.  “I bet there are plenty of rabbits in here.  I should have brought my sling.  Look Claudi, look, a path.”  There was indeed a narrow path winding throughout the trees.

“I want to go back,” Claudia sniveled.

“Let’s just follow the path for a bit.”

“No! I want to go back.”

“I’ll leave you here-”

“No.  Don’t leave me.” Claudia grasped Jack’s hand tightly.  It was sweating despite the coolness of the forest.

They reached the path and followed it.  Deeper they went until the stream was well out of sight.  The rustle of the trees caused Claudia to hug Jack tighter.  Once a rabbit darted out of some bushes and Claudia squealed.

“There ARE rabbits in here,” said Jack ignoring Claudia’s squeal that seemed unnaturally loud in the quiet.

They followed the path even further leading them deep into the forest.

“Jack, can we please go back now,” Claudia cried.

“Look Claudi, can you see that?  It’s a house.”  Jack pointed to a little cottage barley visible through trees.  It had a thatched roof just like their place.  It was in a small clearing and looked very cozy.

Claudia gave a small whimper and huddled against Jack’s sleeve.

“I bet the rumours are true that the crazy old witch of the forest lives there,” he said to himself wondering.  “Wait until I tell the other children of the village.”

“Which witch was that?” said a strange voice from behind them.  Jack spun around, Claudia screamed.  Standing on the path behind them was an old and hunched over woman.    Her face was wrinkled like crinkled parchment and she had knobs and warts all over her hands.  She looked very old and feeble.  But how did she get there on the path?  It had been clear only moments ago.

“Don’t be frightened my shy little ones,” she said in a croaky voice.  “I’m not a witch, just an old lonely woman who prefers the quiet of the forest to the clamour of the city.”

“Who are you?” said Jack uncertainly.  He was frightened but would not let it show in front of his sister.

“They call me Halgar.  And what are your names my pretty ones?”

“I’m Jack and this is my little sister Claudia.”

“Jack and Claudia.  Those are nice names.  You must both be very tired after walking so far.  Why don’t you come into my house just ahead and rest for a moment?  I get so few visitors.”

“Um, I’m not really sure about that.”

“Oh, come now dearie, there’s nothing to be frightened of.”  She said this as she started shuffling along the path.  When Jack and Claudia didn’t move she turned back and beckoned them.  “Come, come my little pretties, do not be afraid.  I have sweetmeats waiting for you, all that you could possibly eat.”

“Sweetmeats!  We never get to eat sweetmeats,” said Jack.  “Maybe we can visit just for a short while.”

“No Jack, I’m frightened.  I want to go home,” and with that Claudia started crying and calling out to mummy.

“Oh the poor little thing.  Come follow me dear Jack.  Some sweetmeats with hot cabbage broth will make those tears go away.”

So Jack followed the old woman, who shuffled along at a very slow pace.  Claudia, who refused to move, had to be carried in his arms.  When the old woman offered to carry her, she shrieked and hid her face against Jack’s chest.

The cottage was small but cozy looking.  A nice little hedge surrounded a colourful garden of all kinds of plants and flowers.  The path led right up to the front door.  With creaking hinges she opened it up and the aroma of freshly baked bread could be smelt.

“Come, come my pretties, you must be ravishing.”

So Jack, still holding Claudia in his arms, followed her inside.

Part 3. A Nice little Meal......

 

 

The Old Witch of the Forest

Part 1.  A lovely Picnic.

The sun shone brightly.  There was not a cloud in the sky.  The singing of many birds could be clearly heard in the spring air.  Richard and his family marched across the green fields towards the stream where they would have a lovely picnic.  Richard had to carry the picnic basket of course; his wife Agnes had cooked the meal after all.  Their two children, Claudia and Jack skipped around their parents, whooping with delight, occasionally stopping to pick a sunflower or two.

            At last they reached the stream.  It wasn’t very deep but the water was clear and fresh.  On the other side was the forest, where the light of day found it hard to breach the dense thickest of broad leaved trees.  Richard’s family laid down their picnic rug at the edge of the stream and munched on their hearty meal.

            When they had finished the kids started to get a little restless.

“Mummy can me and Jack go and play,” said Claudia.  Agnes glanced at Richard.  He had that glitter in his eyes that said something.

“Of course dear, but make sure you don’t cross the stream.  Jack take your sister up the stream but don’t go into the forest,” she said sternly.

“Yes mum.”

“Your father and I want to be alone for a while.”

“Yes mum.”

“Bet you can’t catch me,” squeaked Claudia as she darted up the stream, little legs pumping fast.

“I’ll catch ya Claudi,” and Jack was off after her.

 

So they ran and chased each other, occasionally splashing each other in the stream.  Each time Claudia squealed with delight.  They ran far until their mum and dad were specks in the distance.

“Let’s get some berries, puffed Claudia out of breath from so much running.

“There are no berries out here silly,” said Jack with a knowing smug.

“Mummy always said you can find berries every day of the year.”

“There are berries in the forest.”

Suddenly Claudia was uncertain.  “Mummy said not to go into the forest.”

“What are you afraid of scardy?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Are too.”

“Are not.”

“Do you want to prove that you’re brave?” teased Jack.

“But, there are boogey monsters in there.”

Jack laughed.  “There’s no such thing as boogey monsters silly.  Come on, I’m going in.”

“Don’t leave me alone,” Claudia squawked.

“Well then come on!”

“Alright.  But I’m telling mummy when we get back.”

            Jack crossed first; the water only reaching midway up his shin as he crossed.  Claudia came a little more hesitantly, the water coming to her knees.  But eventually she crossed.  They had never crossed the stream before.  They had come to the stream many times before, for picnics or just to fetch water, but their parents had always forbidden them to cross.  They never said why.  But Jack had once overheard them talking about what lay on the other side.

“Jack I’m scared.”  She looked like she was about to cry.

“It will be alright Claudi, I’ll protect you.”

“Promise.”

“I promise.  Take my hand.”

 

Part 2.  Into the Forest………..

 

 

 

Summary Session 2

The party begin following Sasha Nevah, the runnaway NPC.

After encountering some flying dinosaurs (Dimorphodons), they catch up to Sasha near an old shipwreck.

Sasha is convinced to return to camp and the shipwreck is cleansed of some skeletons.

Overnight Sasha looks to flee again, and is talked into staying by a hilariously creepy granny.

The group spend a few days at the camp settling down the NPCs, rendering them all more comfortable on the island and less hostile towards the PCs.

The shipwreck identified previously by abandoned in preference of looking after the NPCs last session is hunted down, but is empty, and the party proceed to the western tip of the northern crescent of the island's bay where they are again attacked by Dimorphodons.

The PCs also notice that there are no apparent shipwrecks within the island's bay, but that there is something amiss with the island making up most of the break for the western landward barrier of the bay.

		Dorian	Szraiel	Helga	Ron
Start		251	201	201	251
3 Dimorphodons		300	300	300	300
RP Bonus - Convince Sasha to return		50	0	0	0
6 Skeletons		202	202	202	202
RP Bonus - Talk Sasha into staying		0	0	50	0
3 Dimorphodons		300	300	300	300
RP Bonus - General NPC work		300	300	300	300
RP Bonus - Summary		0	0	0	50
End		1403	1303	1353	1403

Therapy Session of Ron Plunderman #1

Ron shifted uncomfortably on the long leather couch; he could never really get used to these sessions.

He felt the withering gaze of the doctor upon him and knew that his last answer hadn’t impressed him.

“So … “ the doctor continued, “You felt like it. You knew she had a complex about the unwanted advances of men yet you just ‘felt’ you had to make a crude joke about repopulating the island.”

Ron growled, “Yep I just felt like it.”

The doctor was probably half Ron’s age; well-manicured and dressed in some fancy clothes full of buttons and pockets. He’d probably never stepped foot outside the city let alone been in a jungle or fought off monsters and savages.

“Hmm, “ he said and started writing something down. Ron really hated it when he did that.

“Then after she attacked you and left you for dead …”

Ron sniggered to himself. “Her fists smelt so nice. She was real hot.”

The doctor wrote down some more notes then. “Right… When you were resuscitated you immediately went after her. Why did you do that?”

Ron continued sniggering. “Woulda’ been a shame to lose her. Especially if we did need to restart the human race.”

The doctor sighed. “Do you really want to be committed to the hospital? Hmm? Need I remind you that once committed all your assets will be seized by the state.”

Ron groaned he still couldn’t believe he was in this predicament. Didn’t these people realize what he could do to them.

The doctor continued. “Remember I’m here to help you. I’m not the enemy here; if this is going to work you need to be honest with me.”

The doctor sighed again then continued, “What I want to understand is why you feel the need to be so rude and insulting, you insulted that lady and drove her off into the forest and you denigrated the young Asian gentlemen. Not to mention your fellow companion Dorian…”

Ron immediately got defensive. “Hang on Doc, what do you mean companion? We aren’t companions …”

The doctor quickly interjected. “I meant companion, as in comrade in arms, nothing intimate.”

Ron paused clearly not entirely believing the doctor. “Okay right,you better not have.”

Doctor stared at Ron with an exasperated look. “Anyway my point is you have a long track record of anti-social behavior and I’m afraid it points to serious psychological issues. That is after all why you are here.  Now back to the matter at hand … afterwards you went after that young lady and also convinced your comp…. “ and doctor paused to make a few mental calculations. “ … your fellow explorers and combatants to turn around and check on the ‘civilians’ you all left behind.”

“These behaviors are inconsistent. You are confrontational one minute, then concerned the next.  That is quite a mood swing. It’s important to understand the causality of this. Can you offer anything to me to explain this behavior?”

Ron squirmed and glanced around the room, wishing once more that there was a clock in this room. Surely there wasn’t much more time left.

“Look doc, I just say shit. That’s all; I don’t see the big deal. I don’t mean anything by it. ”

The doctor shook his head. “No that isn’t true. People do things for a reason. You do things for a reason and that is why we are having this session. We… You .. need to understand this, only then can we began to exert control of your…how shall I put it? Extreme emotional reactions?”

Ron sat there completely fed up and wanting to leave. He remained silent willing time to pass him by.

The doctor sighed and shook his head. “Look just try to think about what we just spoke about. Okay time is up. I’ll see you in a couple of days .”

Ron grinned. “Sure doc. I just can’t wait.”

Summary Session 1

Summary Session 1

The party -
Dorian Black the oracle of questionable sexual orientation
Szraiel the archaeologist
Helga the walking stick wielding granny that nobody would dare call a witch
Ron Plunderman the frequently bestial junkie

The party all get to know each other, as well as a few ring-ins on the fateful trip of the Jenivere, and all recall sitting down to dinner as normal before waking up sick on a strange beach, being eaten by lobster-scorpions.

The lobster-scorpions are defeated, the group recovers from their illness and start interacting with 5 other people, also formerly guests on the Jenivere.  One female NPC knocks out Ron and heads into the jungle, the party's attempts to track her are unsuccessful.

The wreck of the Jenivere is spotted and investigated, where some supplies are found and a bigger lobster-scorpion is killed.  The other female NPC freaks out, and several party members try to talk her down.

The NPCs are abandoned to their own devices, while the party wander off looking for loot.  Sickness rears its ugly head, and the party return to the NPC camp to ensure their health and discover that the freaking out NPC has left, and that there is clearly illness in the camp.  The NPC are partially organized, the camp completed and preparations made to track down the freaking out NPC woman.

			Dorian	Szraiel	Helga	Ron
Start			0	0	0	0
Ocre Eurypterids (3)			101	101	101	101
Common Eurypterid			100	100	100	100
Roleplay Bonus			50			50
Ending total			251	201	201	251