Chapter 20: Coming Dawn

[Brian]

Melethos hears Kal's thoughts and Belarin's exasperated comment. He pauses, then nods and spins around. "Perhaps you are right. Why keep secrets among friends. Streko, if you will accompany me."

The tiefling leads Streko over to where Belarin sits. "I want to believe you," he tells Belarin, a gentle smile on his face. "Honestly, nothing would make me happier. But the safety of this party falls partially on me and I won't avoid the tough choices." He takes a breath and lets it out. "I ask your indulgence, my dear friend. You need not do anything but sit there. Will you agree?"

[Ken]

"Bless me, curse me, interrogate me, whatever," says Belarin. "Just be done with it."

[Brian]

"Thank you," Melethos whispers to his friend. He turns to face Streko (assuming he followed Melethos). "I believe you have a spell to remove things like enchantments and curses. Please use it on Belarin now."

[Jeff]

Histra gives Melethos and Streko only one cursory look; she is leaving Belarin to manage his friends as he will.

She digs at the ground with Adamant, using her bare fingers and her staff of bone, not trying to go too deep. "This isn't a real grave," she says to the paladin once he's settled Calirataia comfortably. "Just a place for temporary safekeeping. I will ensure her remains cannot easily be animated. The fauna of this jungle may discover it for their own use; it will not trouble her spirit."

The dryad remains sleeping, but she shifts slightly, and Adamant watches as her hand reaches and finds the base of the palm tree they've settled under. She lays it lightly against the bark.

[Ken]

Belarin stands up and spreads his arms wide. "Remove my curse, Good Streko!" He leans back and closes his eyes. "I might as well try to make this entertaining."

[Dave W.]

Feb 9, 2021 15:47:14 GMT -4 Jeff said:

She digs at the ground with Adamant, using her bare fingers and her staff of bone, not trying to go too deep. "This isn't a real grave," she says to the paladin once he's settled Calirataia comfortably. "Just a place for temporary safekeeping. I will ensure her remains cannot easily be animated. The fauna of this jungle may discover it for their own use; it will not trouble her spirit."

"I understand. She has been gone a long time by the look of it. But we will accord some respect... my understanding is that the earth will make use of her as time marches on." he replies while shoveling dirt.

"In any case, it helps to be useful... working towards something, even this small." He indicates the shallow hole they have made.

[Joe]

Streko follows Melethos, then realizes what he is asking him to do. "If the curse is on Belarin, specifically, this could work. If it is on anything attached to him or around him, it won't. The spell will simply allow him to remove that item, which is just as well." He turns to Belarin. "So we are clear, this should do you no harm and you may not, in fact, know anything has happened even if you are cursed. These things are a bit confusing."

He sighs deeply and touches his friend's forehead with a single finger. "Olladra, answer my plea for assistance and rid my friend of any curse he may have acquired!"
________________________________________________________________

Streko casts Remove Curse on Belarin.

[Dave B.]

"No." Shorak says, shaking his head. "I am still feeling drained from that green vapor. My mind feels unfcused and my hands don't feel steady enough right now to try unlocking the chest. When I am feeling more myself, then I will attempt to open it." Shorak turns over onto his back, his hands beneath his head and closes his eyes.

Just a reminder that Shorak has a level of exhaustion, so he would be rolling with disadvantage to unlock the chest until the exhaustion is removed.

[Ken]

"All right," says Belarin, touching his chest, arms, and neck, as though looking for injuries. "That's done! Thank you, Streko!"

The lightness of his tone fades, and he seems thoughtful. "Interesting...! Fine, let's get some rest so that Shorak can work his own brand of magic."

[Brian]

Melethos frowns. "You feel no different?" he asks Belarin. "There's nothing more you'd like to add besides 'interesting'?"

[Ken]

"Hmmm, no, it just felt... oddly refreshing!" says Belarin. "Granted, I'd still prefer a strong cup of coffee. Listen, Melethos, I understand where you're coming from on this - truly - but I'm fine. Forget I said anything about the Green/Jade/Fuschia Watcher, whatever. I'm not going to mention it again! Promise! Right now, Relwalyn is the only person getting any rest, and I'm sort of jealous."

[Brian]

Melethos doesn't respond immediately. He simply stares at his friend, as if he could divine what was happening with Belarin by sight alone.

He eventually shrugs again. "Very well. I'll drop this for now. Why don't we take an hour to rest, then we can see if Shorak can best the chest's trap?"

Melethos moves to stand near the water. He finds those colorful turtles interesting but he wants to keep an eye on them just as well.

_____________________________________

Melethos will start a short rest to recover his superiority die and his Action Surge feature.

As it is a new day, I believe his armor and his javelin both are recharged with their special features.

[Jeff]

FYI, neither Kal nor Shorak will be back to normal until they've had a long rest. Caliraia needs multiple days, or a paladin's Lay on Hands (which Adamant won't get back until he's had a long rest).

Does anyone plan to do anything else beyond a short rest?

[Dave W.]

Once Relwalyn's remains are interred with a supply of dirt to cover, Adamant will look down on the makeshift grave, "May you find the peace you have been missing now, Relwalyn." He says.

He then goes to sit next to the sleeping dryad. And searches for peace through the aches of his physical form.

---

A short rest doesn't really help Adamant, he's spent all his HD. He's going to need a long rest to get anything back.

[Ken]

Belarin will take a long rest.

[Brian]

If a long rest is in order, Melethos will makes his a long rest, restoring his Indominable feature.

[Jeff]

The shallow grave is finished soon. When Adamant finishes his prayer, which Histra quietly ignores, she performs a brief ritual of her own. She sprinkles some sort of ash or powder over the soil and speaks the words of an incantation.

The morning lengthens, and the sun rises properly, much to Adamant's suggestions. Given the trajectory, this is certainly on the west bank of the river. Assuming it is the same river.

The turtles with the resplendent shells have stopped further in beneath the trees, and have begin to dig a hole. They continue to ignore the party.

The glidewing has drifted away.

Assuming Streko doesn't protest (I believe Shorak's already indicated approval), a long rest will commence. With nothing harassing you, it will require a full 8 hours for most (4 for Adamant). For most of you, especially Kal and Shorak, real sleep is needed, not just light rest.

[Darren]

Kal looks around at his weary friends. "I agree, rest is needed, but before we do, I think we should scout the area. Just in case. From above. Myself and....?"

________________
I think if we're going to long rest, Kal should cast Fly on himself and someone else and just take a quick look around before we do.

[Brian]

"I'll go with you," Melethos says, raising a hand. "I've had some experience at flying."

[Darren]

Feb 10, 2021 16:14:59 GMT -4 Brian said:

"I'll go with you," Melethos says, raising a hand. "I've had some experience at flying."

Kal nods, his weariness apparent. "Alright," he groans, pushing himself to his feet. "Adamant, keep everyone down here safe. Work with the others on setting up a camp. Secure the perimeter as well as you can. We'll be back in a moment."

Kal reaches out and places a hand on Melethos' shoulder. His dragonmark begins to glow, then burn brightly. A light breeze ripples past the two men, but does not ruffle the leaves in the trees. They feel lighter, and with a thought, Kal lifts his body off the ground. "Let's have a look around. Keep sight of each other at all times. I don't want to be a snack for one of those glidewings."

_______________
Kal will start out at 50' above the ground (assuming that clears the treetops) and circle a radius of 200' from where everyone else is.

[Joe]

Streko nods his head and then gasps as he watches Kal and Mel take flight. "Be wary of that flying beast and any of its friends, you two!"

"Alright, let's secure our camp as best as possible. Something to block predators coming from both water and jungle. Flying predators are also a concern. Perhaps making camp just outside the jungle's periphery. Not inside it, but not far from it, either. I will happily take first watch, Shorak. You rest. You as well, Adamant. Belarin, Histra, and I can ensure you begin your rest undisturbed. Melethos and Kalarian can argue amongst themselves. Is everyone okay with this arrangement?"

Streko will begin setting up their little makeshift camp.

[Jeff]

When Kal lifts into the air, the jungle falls below him, but not by much. Not only are the trees rather tall, but the jungle itself gradually slopes upward the further inland it goes, so he doesn't immediately get eyes on the western horizon. Rainforest hills, from which various some stony outcrops emerge, fill his western view. The beach continues to run north and south, though it's mostly rocky and not particularly conducive to boat landings.

Plenty of distant bird activity can be seen, none of which appears alarming.

What is Streko doing to establish a camp? Is he breaking anything out of his haversack? And what perimeter does Kal speak of that he wants Adamant to establish? (Remember, for Adamant to take a long rest, even though it's shorter for him, he still needs to more or less stay in one place...but can remain alert.)

[Brian]

Melethos looks at Streko. "Set up a hundred foot perimeter around the chest. Adamant needs to rest. You and Belarin keep watch until we're back."

With a mental command, Melethos lifts into the air. He rises about one hundred feet then stops. He scans the river to the south, then slowly spins in the air to scan the rest of the terrain. All the while, he is keeping watch for the huge glidewings.

[Dave W.]

Adamant stands up, slowing, with a distinct creaking. He holds his glaive and stands as a guard. He stands perfectly still facing the forest. Though idle he is aware.

---

Adamant will start a long rest. As usual he is completely still but also completely aware...

[Dave B.]

"Thank you, good Streko," Shorak says with a yawn. Closing his eyes again, Shorak let's himself relax and after a minute or two, he is asleep.

Long rest begun.

[Jeff]

Histra normally would try and prepare some kind of makeshift bed, or carefully look around the vicinity for hazards: venomous insects or other deadly fauna. She is too tired, and just leands up against Belarin and falls quickly asleep, one hand around her staff, the other lazily thrown around him.

Meanwhile, Adamant stands sentry.

Melethos joins Kal in the air, going higher and surveying the land and river.

Let me know what Streko is doing for a camp.

[Joe]

Streko nods at his instructions. Streko reaches back and removes his sickle, Therendor, and walks the distance Melethos indicated without going into either the river or the jungle. He keeps an eye out for anything flying above. He will also begin collecting any dry tinder he can find. He will take what he finds back to the camp. Streko will wait for orders before starting a fire. He will, however, attempt to make things as comfortable for his friends for when the return from their reconnaissance.

[Ken]

Feb 10, 2021 18:08:45 GMT -4 Brian said:

Melethos looks at Streko. "Set up a hundred foot perimeter around the chest. Adamant needs to rest. You and Belarin keep watch until we're back."

Feb 10, 2021 23:27:32 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Histra normally would try and prepare some kind of makeshift bed, or carefully look around the vicinity for hazards: venomous insects or other deadly fauna. She is too tired, and just leands up against Belarin and falls quickly asleep, one hand around her staff, the other lazily thrown around him.

Belarin, stuck on the sand with a sleeping Histra draped over him, says in a loud whisper, "I will keep watch."

[Jeff]

When Streko draws the Crescent of Therendor out, he sees the sickle blade nearly shimmers in the morning light. In his mind, he hears again the words of the Mistress of the Wood, when she called it "the falciform of the Healer's Moon." She said, "It was made by your own kind: Talentan smiths who came to my homeland and dallied there, some time ago when Thelanis was much closer to the moon. When Therendor is waxing in your sky, the Crescent will will shine brighter for it. This I give to you, Streko, for your vows and your courage."

At this hour, he cannot see the moon itself, but it must be full or nearly so. And then he remembers: Long Shadows is over. It is the first day of the year, 999 Year of the Kingdom. It is winter, of course, but it's hard to tell here in Xen'dri, where the climate is tropical but the weather can also be unpredictable. Moreover, he remembers hearing that the new year begins with six of Eberron's twelve moons full. A momentous time for whatever powers they represent. He can't remember which moons, but suspects a druid like Calirataia will be aware.

Kal and Melethos watch from above, spying plenty of distant animal life but no threats. And no ships on the water. They can see a curve to the river, but no landmarks they would recognize. Are they near where the Dragonfly was. Where was that?

Then something catches both human and tiefling eyes: moving close to the shore. How had they missed it? A huge dinosaur working its way slowly toward the shore, the sort that's so large even swordtooth titans* are known to keep their distance, unless the odds favor them: thunderherders! Both men know it's an herbivore and isn't likely to bother itself with creatures their size, unless threatened. No doubt, that's what Kal saw footprints of down on the beach. Their name comes from the sound they make, but this one is oddly quiet. And though its hide is grey-hued, even as they watch, they see bands of green flickering across its body; perhaps some form camouflage. The long neck and head clears the treetops by ten feet.

No one down below is aware of the behemoth, but they can see it's not moving toward them, just toward the edge of the water.

* T-rex.

The Crescent of Therendor is a +2 weapon at this time.

[Brian]

We have a friend, Melethos thinks to Kal and gestures to the thunderhearder. Odd that it's not making more noise, and I don't remember hearing about flickering bands of color.

A sense of unease blooms inside Melethos. He thinks back to what he's learned about dinosaurs and, in particular, thunderhearders and anything similar to the beasts.

_______________________________________

I'm going to roll a Nature check to see if Mel knows anything more about thunderhearders or creatures that resemble them.

Melethos: 1D20+2 → 15( (13) + 2)#Intelligence (Nature) Check