Welcome to the Island

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Scribe Notes

Summary

GM: Jacqui
Season: Summer 826 WK
Night: Tuesdays
Location: Online
Level: Lowish

Party
Employer
Mission

Grizelda has gained access to a mysterious island. Only she doesn't know where it is. She'd like you to explore the island and it's environs. She can provide a base of operations (she's been busy tidying it up and fetching bedding and so on from Seagate). She will be able to provide a variety of buffs (rune cookies and so on). For payment you get loot, and she'll give you all rune tattoos (assuming you don't have them already). The Guild will chip in with a weekly stipend. Oh, and Grizelda is a master chef.

Scribe Notes - Summary

  • The party assemble and we travel to the island.
  • Head east and fight gob-topus. Find broken Monolith
  • Encounter Tiko (Bird people), find Monolith of cape. Snowdrop Injured.
  • Back to beach and walk coast, find six more monoliths and shipwreck.

Scribe Notes - Full

Commencement of Travel

Dawn left far behind.
Stone circles greet evening light—
Maps fail, boots press on.

We have been retained by Grizelda, a warrior of clear experience and firm bearing. Two years past, she inherited an island and now seeks knowledge of it. She commands a powerful gate—an art beyond my understanding—which allows passage to a fortress upon that island.

The immediate area by the portal have already been surveyed, yet she desires that we explore the land itself and determine its true nature and position. The island lies within Alusia, though at a great distance from Seagate. When the sun rises over Seagate, dusk falls upon the island. This unsettles me; distance should not twist the heavens so.

Grizelda, a master of the Rune College, will reside in the island fortress and will place powerful magics on us. I do not fully grasp this craft, but her confidence suggests long practice. In return for our service, we are to receive two hundred silver pieces per week, and may claim any treasures discovered upon the island.

We spoke at length on matters of command. Briar, who carries herself with calm authority, was chosen to lead. Vath, a veteran of many battles, will advise on strategy and the ordering of troops. This structure is sound; a blade cuts best when its edge is guided. The remainder of the day was spent in preparation—checking arms, provisions, and resolve.

At first light the next morning, we gathered before the gates of the Mercenary Guild. Grizelda led us beyond the city, into quiet woods where few paths run. There, in a place deliberately hidden, she performed her art. With gestures and words unknown to me, she opened a gate in the air itself.

We stepped through.

In a single breath, the world changed. We stood among ancient stones arranged in a wide circle, set within an open field. The light, which was moments ago early morning, is now dusk.

Grizelda guided us to her fortress. It lies beneath the earth, shaped by magic rather than stonecraft. Its doors do not exist until summoned, appearing only when called by her will. I find this deeply unsettling—things that are and are not, at the same time. We locate rooms within the fortress and settle into rest the night. The earth above us was silent, and the walls did not breathe, as living stone is said to do, and sleep came slowly.

Interrupted Breakfast

Dawn breaks on wet sand.
Arrows fall, claws crash like drums—
Axes end the tide.

We rose before the light. Snowdrop had begun preparing the morning meal when Grizelda abruptly ordered all activity to cease. She commanded that we proceed at once to the shoreline to confront an enemy. As this was presented as a test of readiness, she refused to disclose any intelligence regarding the nature or number of our opponents.

Once arms were secured and ranks formed, Vath, our Commander, issued the order to advance. We moved in disciplined formation toward the beach.

There we encountered the enemy: large crustacean creatures, each the size of a war dog. Their armoured bodies and powerful claws marked them as a serious threat in close quarters.

Briar and Walks in Clouds began ranged engagement, maintaining steady bow fire to disrupt and contain the enemy’s movement. Snowdrop, Koshi, and Terra advanced to meet the creatures directly.

The enemy struck with surprising force. Multiple claw slashes knocked Snowdrop to the ground, temporarily removing her from effective combat. However, Koshi pressed the assault without hesitation, delivering repeated, decisive strikes with his great axe. His aggression broke the creatures’ momentum and allowed us to regain control of the field.

The enemy was eliminated.

After the engagement, once Snowdrop had recovered, she harvested the remains which she would later cook. We then returned to the cave in good order, re-established security, and took rest and sustenance.

Eastern Reconnaissance

Rain on lacquered roofs.
A thousand spears stand waiting
for clouds to decide.

We departed the complex after the midday meal. With orders to survey the full extent of the island, the commander directed us east. We entered a dense forest, advancing along animal trails that suggested frequent use by large game. Progress was steady but slow.

Several hours into the march, we were engaged by three massive boars, enraged and territorial. They charged without warning. Formation held. Steel answered flesh. Koishi once again demonstrated precise and efficient bladeword, while Terra met the beasts with unrestrained ferocity. The animals were slain at the cost of sweat and strained breath, but no ground was lost.

Shortly thereafter, we reached a river. Waterskins were refilled and armour washed clean of blood. The commander judged that gaining elevation would better serve our understanding of the terrain and ordered us to follow the river upstream. A light rain began to fall, cooling the air and muting sound.

Some time later, we discovered a small dwelling set back from the river. Its construction was unmistakably Kinlu in style. Inside we found a scroll offering welcome and and expressed gratitude for the removal of the boars, and a meal already prepared. No host was present. We concluded the shelter and provisions were a gift from a Bake-danuki, a forest spirit known in Kinlu. As the rain intensified, we accepted the shelter and remained there for the night.

Local Inhabitants

Red hair in rice fields.
Courteous smiles ask for aid—
Sea calls beyond trees.

At dawn, following the Bake-danuki’s guidance, we continued uphill. Several hours later we encountered cultivated rice paddies, followed soon after by a village inhabited by red-haired folk we identified as Kitsune. They received us with courtesy and provided an excellent meal. During the exchange, they requested our aid on behalf of their allies, the Kaffa (Kappa?), who dwell along the coast and were under attack by hostile sea creatures. Why the Kitsune themselves did not intervene was left unspoken.

We departed without delay. The march to the coast took many hours through forest and uneven ground. As the sun fell, darkness overtook us. With most of the party unable to see in such conditions, the commander ordered camp. Watches were set, we rested.

Gob-topus

Arrows cut wet air.
Swamp water churns with ??? shouts—
Allies found in mud.

We rose early and continued our march toward the coast. Our route carried us through a swamp—wet, foul-smelling, and alive with biting insects. Mud sucked at our boots with every step, and the water reached my knees, rising nearly to Snowdrop’s waist. Progress was slow and unpleasant.

Less than an hour into the march, we heard raised voices ahead—angry shouting in a language unknown to us. Vath ordered an immediate advance toward the sound. We entered a clearing and observed four turtle-like beings—likely Kappa—in full retreat. They were pursued by eight unnatural creatures: the upper bodies of goblins fused to the lower forms of octopi. Their movement through the swamp was disturbingly swift. We identified them thereafter as gob-topus.

Vath made a rapid decision. We would support the Kappa.

Briar and Walks in Clouds opened fire immediately, loosing arrows into the pursuing gob-topus with deadly accuracy. The rest of the unit advanced through the swamp to engage in melee despite the difficult footing. Once engaged, the remaining creatures were dispatched quickly. Koshi delivered several decisive blows, ending the resistance.

With the threat eliminated, the Kappa guided us along a hidden path through the swamp to their village on the beach. There, they offered us food in thanks for our aid.

They showed us a standing stone set near the shoreline, which once served as their protection. The stone had fallen, and upon examination Koshi identified carved runes along its surface. These wards had lost their power. He confirmed that he lacked the skill to restore them, but believed Grizelda could re-enchant the stone if given the opportunity. With this knowledge, we returned to base to inform Grizelda.

Bird People

Silent monoliths stand
Feathered watcher speaks half-truths
Snow falls, carried home

The following morning we escorted Grizelda to the shoreline, where she remained behind to study the monolith in detail. Briar, our commander, ordered us to advance over the hill to continue reconnaissance. During our ascent we encountered an unusual sentient being—equal in height to Vath, but bearing the unmistakable features of a bird. The creature identified themself as Tiko. They explained that their people dwell in high places - atop the hill and within the nearby mountains, though they do not maintain regular contact with outsiders or even all of their own kind. From Tiko we learned of another monolith located at the far end of the cape. With this intelligence secured, we adjusted our objective and began the march toward the cape.

The journey proved far more difficult than anticipated. After many hours of movement, the terrain became increasingly hostile—jagged stone, steep inclines, and unstable footing slowing our advance to a crawl. Eventually, the terrain became impassable. Rather than risk injury or delay, Briar deployed her avian companion, Ash, to conduct aerial reconnaissance. Ash returned with confirmation: the monolith remained upright and intact at the cape’s end.

With our objective confirmed but unreachable by foot, we withdrew over the hill and returned to the beach. Our revised plan was to conduct a systematic search of the coastline for additional monoliths. We saw a bird creature flying overhead toward the mountain, Tiko had not been honest with us. Fate intervened early in our journey. While traversing the uneven rocks, Snowdrop lost her footing and suffered a severe twist to her ankle. She was rendered unable to march. Recognising the risk of further injury and the loss of operational effectiveness, we ordered an immediate withdrawal to the bunker. Walks in Clouds carried Snowdrop personally, ensuring her safe return.

Friends from Kinlu

Five stones face the sea
Night spirits mend broken wood
East calls Kinlu home

After one week of recovery, Snowdrop regained sufficient mobility for travel. We redeployed to the beach and began an extended coastal survey. Over the course of six days, we located five additional monoliths. All remained standing, undisturbed by time or the elements. Their purpose and alignment remain unknown, but their persistence suggests deliberate placement and enduring power.

During our patrol we encountered a group of shipwreck survivors from Kinlu. Walks in Clouds was able to communicate with them and gather their account. They had been stranded on this island for three months. Fear of the Yoki inhabiting the forest had prevented them from venturing inland, confining them to the shoreline. Their vessel lay crippled, beyond their ability to repair.

We assisted them as best we could. Despite our efforts, our lack of proper shipwright skill slowed progress. It was only through the intervention of the Yoki—who worked upon the vessel secretly during the night—that the repairs were ultimately completed. Their motives remain unclear, though their actions were neither hostile nor deceptive.

Once seaworthy, the Kinlu sailors prepared for departure. They estimated their homeland lay a month away by sea, in a direction primarily east and slightly north. Before leaving Walks in Clouds entrusted them with a written message addressed to House Takama, which they vowed to deliver upon their return.

Ancient wreck

Ancient hull breathes rot
Coral-bound dead rise in chains
Steel frees silent bones

Commander Briar ordered us to continue our westward march along the shoreline. The sea breeze was steady and cool, offering relief from the otherwise harsh and unforgiving terrain. For several days we advanced without incident.

On the third day, we discovered a sheltered bay dotted with several small islands, exposed by the retreating tide. One of these islands held the remains of a shipwreck. With the tide low, we were able to reach it by carefully wading across sharp coral formations. Terra revealed a strong aversion to the water and required firm encouragement to proceed. Despite this hesitation, the unit remained intact and operational.

The vessel was clearly ancient. Time and the sea had worn the hull. Many of its beams were splintered or missing entirely, and no sails remained. The stern was partially submerged, its lower decks claimed by the ocean. Snowdrop, whose light footing made her ideal for such tasks, conducted an initial structural assessment of the deck, accompanied by the magical eye of Vath. She determined it could bear our weight, and we boarded cautiously. Finding nothing of immediate value above deck, we proceeded below.

The air beneath was stale and heavy with rot. Seawater filled the rear of the ship, flooding the lower compartments. As we advanced, movement stirred in the darkness. Several skeletons, still bound in rusted chains and encrusted with coral and barnacles, rose from their resting places. They did not pursue us at first, instead swaying in place as if caught between death and duty.

Recognising both the threat and their unnatural torment, Vath gave the order to engage.

The skeletons movements were stiff but relentless. Under Vath’s direction we dismantled them methodically. During the engagement, Walks in Clouds suffered a severe wound—his arm slashed deeply, the claw cutting to the bone. Despite the severity of the injury, Koishi sealed the wound with powerful magic and preserving Walks in Clouds’ fighting capability.

With the threat neutralised and no further discoveries of value, we the wreck and withdrew. The ship now rests once more in silence, its dead finally released from their chains.

Map
































Buffs & Mil Sci

Long Term (assumed always on)

Magic (caster) Rk Effects Duration Te Sd Br WC Ko Va
Greater Ench. 7 +8% to Resistances, and Stats & Skills. 1 Day Y Y Y Y Y Y
Smite 10 D+11 Damage 11 hrs N N N Y Y N
Greater Heart Rune (Gr) 6 Heals 6 EN immediately 7 days Y Y Y Y Y Y
Rune Shield (Gr) 16 +21 def/+2 FT armour/+2 EN armour Creates small round shield of force - no hands, 0MD, can be cleaved to avoid one spec grev. Does not stack with shield. 17 hr Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit
Rune Shield (Ko) 12 +17 def / +3 FT/EN armour, can be cleaved to avoid one spec grev. 13 hr Y Y Y Y Y Y
Resist Cold (Sd) 6 7 hours Y Y Y Y Y Y
Willow Healing (Gr) 7 heals 3 EN per pulse for 9 pulses 14 hours Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit
Weapon of Cold(Gr) 8 +9% to hit, + 3DM 13 min Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit Sit
Self Only
Evil Eye (Va) 6 -6% Magic Resistance to targets. 7 Days Y
?? ?? ?? ?? Y

Short Term

Magic (caster) Rk Effects Duration Ta Sd Br WC Ko Va
?? ?? ?? ??

Misc

  • Giant cookies (Grizelda) - keep for 9 day. effect last 12 hours: +6 PS and +6 EN
  • Restorative cookies – keep for 9 hours: –9en for +18 ft

Watch Order

8pm 9pm 10pm 11pm 12am 1am 2am 3am 4am 5am 6am 7am
Walks in Clouds
Vath 		Koishi
Briar 		Snowdrop
Terra

Marching Order

Skirmish Formations (Front)
Default

(10' or so gap per rank/person usually)
Scout
Snow Drop
Front Line
Koishi, Terra
Mid Rank
Walks in Clouds, Vath
Back Rank
Briar

 Double File

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Single File

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Significant Items & Loot

Loot

Calendar

Summer: Meadow 826 WK
Moonday Duesday W'ansday Th'rsday Frysday Reapsday Sunday
Beltane Full Moon 1 Guild Meeting
Mission briefing. Head to island. 		2 Fight crabs. March east 3 Fight gob-topus. Return to base 4 Walk to beach. Up hill, meeting Tiko, explore cape. Sprained ankle. back to base. 5 White Lotus
Rest while ankle repairs 		6 Rest while ankle repairs
7 Rest while ankle repairs 8 Rest while ankle repairs 9 Rest while ankle repairs 10 Rest while ankle repairs 11 Rest while ankle repairs 12 Return to and explore beach 13 Explore beach
14 Explore beach 15 Explore beach 16 Explore beach 17 Explore beach 18 Explore beach 19 Repair boat 20 Repair boat
21 Repair boat 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 Full Moon 29 30 1 2 3 4
Summer: Heat 826 WK
Moonday Duesday W'ansday Th'rsday Frysday Reapsday Sunday
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 Full Moon 27 28 29 30 1 2
Summer: Breeze 826 WK
Moonday Duesday W'ansday Th'rsday Frysday Reapsday Sunday
3 Day of Death 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 Full Moon 25 26 27 28 29 30
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