Academy of Drell, Part 6

[Zhure]

Glukma

"The warm currents aren't unheard of, even this late in winter. There's a lot of volcanoes deep under water, or at least that's what my professor told me."

 

[Zhure]

The journey goes rapidly, with Rallyn assisting the sails. He manages to not only calm the prevailing winds but to make sailing possible.

Discretion makes him stop well before the unnamed island that is the group's destination.

In the distance, it can be seen welling up from a tiny dot on the horizon until it's true size can be seen. Initially, from the scale of the map and based on local geography, one might've thought this island would be small, but it's larger than Drell in size.

Not much time today; what approach is the boat going to take?

 

[GnomeWorks]

For most of the voyage, Charlotte has sat away from the others, sitting in silent contemplation of her problems and pondering the words of Rallyn. Even before they set off, she was like this, and hardly noticed the addition of yet another to their number...

What do I do?
I don't know anymore.
I used to know exactly what to do.
Now... I don't...

As the ship approaches the island, however, Charlotte suddenly perks up.

This will give you something to focus on. Forget everything else for a moment - think only about how to deal with this island.

"Lyrique." She says, standing up to get a better view of the island. "Is there any kind of cave or other place that will hide us from view from the island?"

 

[Velenne]

Travellios rows when he can, and rubs his aching back muscles when the strain becomes to much. More often than not, he can be seen leaning on his knees with one hand massaging over his shoulder.

"Ah, by the Bright One's Brilliant Blade, land 'ho I say!"

Despite his pain and weariness, the handsome elf always maintains a positive attitude. To those who are kind and friendly, he will offer words of encouragement and eagerly sing along with any sea chanties he knows. If he doesn't know them, he picks them up after a few verses and joins in with a practiced voice and trained ear. Elven nobles must learn to appreciate the elegance of music, after all -even simple, innuendo-ridden sea chanties.

"So, what plans have we to decide upon? Shall we disembark on an uninhabited part of the island and scout about, taking care not to be seen by any beach patrols? Take our chances with docking in the hopes that the fleet has already moved on? Hide and hope to be found adrift and taken into their numbers? Or perhaps some other course of action yet to be discussed?"

 

[Tokiwong]

"I would say we find an uninhabited, perhaps remote location of the island, to begin our search, and steer clear of the enemy until we know just how we plan to rescue thse people and their numbers... that would be my guess," Keith adds looking at the island...

 

[Calim]

"I would agree with Keith, hide and move about unseen as long as we can sending eyes and ears scouting ahead when we can." As Paendaerig rubs his shoulders and stretchs his back so as to try and relieve the pain of the rowing.

 

[Dalamar]

When they finally land, Sildarin levitates the longboat to make it easier to move about.

Slith, do some scouting for me, will you.
Sildarin messages to Slith as soon as it is possible for the psicrystal to get to firm ground.
Sure, send the smallest ahead to get overrun by armies of orcs!
They're not going to see you, like last time.
That's what they always say...

 

[Tokiwong]

Once the craft has landed in a secluded location, Keith takes stock of the supplies, and then looks to the group, and stretches, taking a moment to relax his strained muscles before taking pains to hide the craft as best as possible, and taking stock of the terrain...

I don't want to stay here any longer then we have to... perhaps when we get back, I could treat Charlotte to a nice evening... if we survive...

"I am not sure about the rest of you, but I think scouting the area is a good idea, but not all of us may be suitable to a stealthy approach," glancing at each crew member, "I was trained by my Famly's spymaster, and I am intimate with the vagaries of stealth. Sildarin as well, I am told can make himself go unnoticed, when needed, so that makes two, any others wish to join our little scouting foray?"

Keith pauses, "Those that dstay behind I would suggest, fortifying a position, if we have to flee, or must retreat, I would much rather fight on land that we have molded to fit our tactical needs, thouh if there are any other suggestions, I would surely like to hear them..."

 

[Jarval]

"I'm more of a scholar than a scout, so I doubt I'd be of much help in creeping around." Mortimer says. "But, I am good at digging." He pulls a shovel out of his handy haversack.

"So, who's heading out, and who's going to give me a hand pitching camp?"

 

[Zhure]

There's a small sheltered cove on the east-southeast side of the island, fairly obvious by the map. As the longboat approaches, massive hilltops loom over the cove, blocking the wind, making the final few hundred yards smooth and easy travel.

The cove itself is warmer than anyone would've expected based on experience on Drell. Part of it is in the warmth from the ocean's strong currents and part from the blocking effect of the large hills just north of the cove.

Landing the longboat is simple. Fine white sand dots the shoreline. The group's footprints are easily seen in the crystaline specks; it's clear no one has used this area for portage - their boats would've left a distinctive trail.

Rallyn begins preparing a camp and Slith, given legs by Sildarin, scurries off to make an initial scouting run.

After only a couple of minutes of idle chatter back and forth, Slith reports back a startling find. "Footprints. Really big footprints..."