[Adventure] Serpent's Skull: Souls for Smuggler's Shiv (DM: Mewness; Judge: THB)
- Thread starter Mewness
- Start date
Mewness
First Post
The adventurers slowly wear down the hideous conglomeration of fungal blooms and the island becomes deathly quiet once again. The nearby wrecked ship is covered in the same unpleasant growth that coats everything here, but once enough is cleared away, its name is revealed as none other than the Nightvoice.
The contents of the ship have rotted or been stripped away--all save for a strange box made of dark, dense wood. Handling it reveals that it must be hollow, for it is not nearly heavy enough to be a solid block, and yet there is no visible seam to indicate how it opens, or, for that matter, how it was constructed. Kane detects a distinct magical aura on the box, and in tracing his fingers over the surface reveals a mark that appears as a bright glow for a moment and then fades. He understands that there must be some magical procedure for opening the box, a secret that in all likelihood has been lost with its owner.
The trek back to camp is uneventful, but arrival yields a surprise: as the adventurers enter the camp toward evening, there is a sudden burst of brilliant light that leaves them dumbstruck. The lighthouse is working, and Pezock has chosen this moment to light it.
The next couple of days are spent recovering from the nasty spores encountered on the silent grey island. Castile, despite having stood right next to at least a dozen exploding puffballs, is as active and cheerful as ever, but the other adventurers are somewhat ill. The second night, however, brings a most welcome sight--an approaching ship.
It has been decades, if not centuries, since a ship has arrived safely on the shores of Smuggler’s Shiv. The captain is amazed to find a working lighthouse on that cursed isle, and regards the adventurers with a sort of incredulous awe. He readily agrees to carry them back to the Isle of Opposition and then on to Daunton, if they choose to go so far, but insists on leaving as quickly as possible.
No-one is pleased to give up the search for Ieana, but not to take this opportunity would be sheer insanity; only Pezock decides to remain behind. “Someone’s got to keep it running,” he says, leaning affectionately against the wall of the lighthouse. “A fine old structure like this--I daresay we won’t find its like from one end of the Seas to the other, will we, Pearl? Don’t make that long face at me. Come back sometime and you’ll see--we’ll be here, and the light will be lit.”
There are a few hiccups getting away from the Shiv--gremlins seem to creep into the ship’s rigging, the wind changes oddly, and everyone wonders whether the island is exerting its strange influence still. But the ship at last makes it away, and it seems as though a heavy fog has lifted from the minds of the new passengers, who are finally able to sleep peacefully.
Aerys returns to Bacarte. She is boisterously effusive at the parting, hugging, kissing, and playfully slapping all of her friends and telling them not to hesitate to call on her if there is ever any favor she might offer them. Only with Kane is she somewhat hesistant, giving him an enigmatic look before grasping his arm and frowning in annoyance at his stammering response.
Gelik is overjoyed with the box from the Nightvoice, even though, like Kane, he has not the faintest idea of how to open it. “Someone will know,” he says mysteriously, with a wide grin, and leaves it at that. Some time after Gelik has departed, though, Kane finds a slip of paper in his pocket with a peculiar invitation.
[sblock=Note to Kane]There's a group that would be pleased to know a capable fellow like you. Don't worry--it's nothing sinister, just a little club for those who like to pursue the study of magic with as little interference as possible. If you're interested, seek out Veruzak in Daunton.
[Kane has been invited to join the IAC. If he ignores the invitation, nothing untoward happens. If he chooses to meet with Veruzak, he can consider himself a member in good standing.][/sblock]
Ishirou remains steady on the journey back to Daunton, but on arrival, he humbly begs Noriaki to allow him to return to the Kingdom of Jade, the home he has not seen for over thirty years. Noriaki therefore invents a mission for him to perform in that far land and directs him thence, though perfectly indifferent as to his success: for the earnest longing in the old man’s eyes is something he cannot ignore.
Jade returns willingly to the Valley of Bone to throw himself at the mercy of his King. “He has a bad adviser, but he is a good king,” he says. “I t’ink he will see de evidence and listen.” Despite the uncertainty of the outcome, Jade’s mood is buoyant--he seems eager to see his homeland again, even under such difficult circumstances.
Only Sasha does not seem to find the rescue entirely welcome. Though she is initially as thrilled about the lighthouse as anyone, she soon becomes subdued and withdrawn, avoiding even Takahaan and Noriaki, from whom she was once almost inseparable. Her usually malleable disposition seems caught in a permanent funk; no amusement arouses more than a brief smile from her, and no amount of cajoling is enough to draw an explanation. Her misery only increases during the journey back to the Isle of Opposition, and any attention shown to her brings her near to tears.
The group spends a night on the Isle of Opposition while the ship takes on new cargo. In the morning, Sasha is gone, leaving no sign but a brief letter that Noriaki finds tucked into his things.
[sblock=Note to Noriaki, from Sasha]I lied to you about my reasons for being on the Jenivere when we met--but I suppose it doesn’t matter now. It was foolish and selfish of me to want impossible things, to fancy that a great nobleman could come to share my concerns, to hope that I should be freed from them indefinitely.... I’m truly sorry for deceiving you and for leaving so suddenly. Please put me out of your mind, if you have not already. It will be better for both of us.
Sasha[/sblock]
THE END
(but rewards are coming!)
The contents of the ship have rotted or been stripped away--all save for a strange box made of dark, dense wood. Handling it reveals that it must be hollow, for it is not nearly heavy enough to be a solid block, and yet there is no visible seam to indicate how it opens, or, for that matter, how it was constructed. Kane detects a distinct magical aura on the box, and in tracing his fingers over the surface reveals a mark that appears as a bright glow for a moment and then fades. He understands that there must be some magical procedure for opening the box, a secret that in all likelihood has been lost with its owner.
The trek back to camp is uneventful, but arrival yields a surprise: as the adventurers enter the camp toward evening, there is a sudden burst of brilliant light that leaves them dumbstruck. The lighthouse is working, and Pezock has chosen this moment to light it.
The next couple of days are spent recovering from the nasty spores encountered on the silent grey island. Castile, despite having stood right next to at least a dozen exploding puffballs, is as active and cheerful as ever, but the other adventurers are somewhat ill. The second night, however, brings a most welcome sight--an approaching ship.
It has been decades, if not centuries, since a ship has arrived safely on the shores of Smuggler’s Shiv. The captain is amazed to find a working lighthouse on that cursed isle, and regards the adventurers with a sort of incredulous awe. He readily agrees to carry them back to the Isle of Opposition and then on to Daunton, if they choose to go so far, but insists on leaving as quickly as possible.
No-one is pleased to give up the search for Ieana, but not to take this opportunity would be sheer insanity; only Pezock decides to remain behind. “Someone’s got to keep it running,” he says, leaning affectionately against the wall of the lighthouse. “A fine old structure like this--I daresay we won’t find its like from one end of the Seas to the other, will we, Pearl? Don’t make that long face at me. Come back sometime and you’ll see--we’ll be here, and the light will be lit.”
There are a few hiccups getting away from the Shiv--gremlins seem to creep into the ship’s rigging, the wind changes oddly, and everyone wonders whether the island is exerting its strange influence still. But the ship at last makes it away, and it seems as though a heavy fog has lifted from the minds of the new passengers, who are finally able to sleep peacefully.
Aerys returns to Bacarte. She is boisterously effusive at the parting, hugging, kissing, and playfully slapping all of her friends and telling them not to hesitate to call on her if there is ever any favor she might offer them. Only with Kane is she somewhat hesistant, giving him an enigmatic look before grasping his arm and frowning in annoyance at his stammering response.
Gelik is overjoyed with the box from the Nightvoice, even though, like Kane, he has not the faintest idea of how to open it. “Someone will know,” he says mysteriously, with a wide grin, and leaves it at that. Some time after Gelik has departed, though, Kane finds a slip of paper in his pocket with a peculiar invitation.
[sblock=Note to Kane]There's a group that would be pleased to know a capable fellow like you. Don't worry--it's nothing sinister, just a little club for those who like to pursue the study of magic with as little interference as possible. If you're interested, seek out Veruzak in Daunton.
[Kane has been invited to join the IAC. If he ignores the invitation, nothing untoward happens. If he chooses to meet with Veruzak, he can consider himself a member in good standing.][/sblock]
Ishirou remains steady on the journey back to Daunton, but on arrival, he humbly begs Noriaki to allow him to return to the Kingdom of Jade, the home he has not seen for over thirty years. Noriaki therefore invents a mission for him to perform in that far land and directs him thence, though perfectly indifferent as to his success: for the earnest longing in the old man’s eyes is something he cannot ignore.
Jade returns willingly to the Valley of Bone to throw himself at the mercy of his King. “He has a bad adviser, but he is a good king,” he says. “I t’ink he will see de evidence and listen.” Despite the uncertainty of the outcome, Jade’s mood is buoyant--he seems eager to see his homeland again, even under such difficult circumstances.
Only Sasha does not seem to find the rescue entirely welcome. Though she is initially as thrilled about the lighthouse as anyone, she soon becomes subdued and withdrawn, avoiding even Takahaan and Noriaki, from whom she was once almost inseparable. Her usually malleable disposition seems caught in a permanent funk; no amusement arouses more than a brief smile from her, and no amount of cajoling is enough to draw an explanation. Her misery only increases during the journey back to the Isle of Opposition, and any attention shown to her brings her near to tears.
The group spends a night on the Isle of Opposition while the ship takes on new cargo. In the morning, Sasha is gone, leaving no sign but a brief letter that Noriaki finds tucked into his things.
[sblock=Note to Noriaki, from Sasha]I lied to you about my reasons for being on the Jenivere when we met--but I suppose it doesn’t matter now. It was foolish and selfish of me to want impossible things, to fancy that a great nobleman could come to share my concerns, to hope that I should be freed from them indefinitely.... I’m truly sorry for deceiving you and for leaving so suddenly. Please put me out of your mind, if you have not already. It will be better for both of us.
Sasha[/sblock]
THE END
(but rewards are coming!)
Last edited:
Mewness
First Post
|
jbear
First Post
[MENTION=14889]Mewness[/MENTION] Thanks for the wonderful adventure. I will miss it. If you ever get another game going I'll jump in with both feet whatever the system you choose to run.
With character approvals, can you give us 1 approval as you've followed the PCs all the way through?
With character approvals, can you give us 1 approval as you've followed the PCs all the way through?
Dekana
Explorer
Castile insists on accompanying Jade on his journey back to the Valley. "After all, you might get lost or captured again if I'm not around!" Despite her stated reasons, one can't help but notice the dwarf girl blushing whenever Jade gets too close.
|
Last edited:
jbear
First Post
That would be great.
Kane remains at level 5. He has spent his share of the treasure already though
TwoHeadsBarking
First Post
[sblock=judge]
Approved.[/sblock]
Approved.[/sblock]
jbear
First Post
|
Sorry! Levelling up now!
Last edited:
Similar Threads
AD6_gamerati_skyscraper
Recent & Upcoming Releases
-
April 16 2024 -
May 31 2024 -
June 3 2024 -
June 4 2024 -
June 18 2024 -
July 16 2024 -
September 17 2024 -
October 1 2024 -
November 12 2024 -
February 18 2025
