Thursday, November 27, 2003
Telimos' Journal, issue 1
Day 1 - I have begun this log as I begin a new journey, one that could become quite perilous. This is meant to be a record of times and events, not one of my hopes and fears, so if anyone other than myself is reading this they may find themselves disappointed. If someone is reading this, chances are very good that I am dead, although it is possible I am simply absent-minded and misplaced this log. Hopefully the knowledge I have recorded will be of some use. As for my motivations - all anyone else need know is that I continue in my quest to fulfill the oath I swore over a decade ago - to find a way to defeat the Sea Hags and restore the land of Caribdus.
I will give the barest amount of background. I am Telimos, magus and Kracken. I have traveled for many years with my good friend Aquillikae, Kracken marine and fellow magus. An unfortunate shipwreck has seen us cast our lots in with the goodly company led by the visitor Blackpower Pete, our captain. The the visitor John Smith, the half-Ugak savage Karn, and the vengeful Doreen hunter and scout Ash were also members of the crew of the ship that shipwrecked. We have also rescued Equius, a Scurillion super, and Serenity, an Atani trader, from a shipwreck, and we have been sailing with all of them for almost a month now.
The beginning of a new mission - the East India Trading company accepted the offer for us to launch an expedition to retrieve McBryde and his crew, as well as to explore the resources of the savage land. Examined curio shop in Baltimus. Purchased healing potion of exceptional potency.
Day 3 - Mongrel, our guide for Toranth Ka, joined the crew. We return to Baltimus to see the Frigate.
Day 5 - Examined the frigate for the first time. Pete seemed pleased. No problems recruiting crew. Set sail tomorrow.
Day 6 - Set sail for Torath Ka from Baltimus. Anticipation of making good time, as in the past few weeks I have learned well how to persuade the winds to aid us, and Blackpowder Pete's skill as a captain and navigator is significant.
Day 10 - Passed by Azy Cay. Turning towards open ocean. In a few days, we should be sailing along the coastline of Torath Ka.
Day 12 - Still sailing open ocean, spotted swarm of razorwings. They were dispersed without casualties, although it was close. Next time, I'll ask the others to hold off and I might be able to disperse the swarm with a single gust of wind, as Aquillikae's flames seemed to only force them to regroup as smaller swarms.
Day 14 - Within sight of Toranth Ka. We're now sailing with the shoreline of the savage continent in view.
Day 17 - Spotted another swarm of razorwings. A zephyer summoned from 100 paces away dispersed them without other incident.
Day 21 - Approached the last known location of McBryde's expedition. Were attacked by a giant shark - perhaps larger than our ship. Ship sustained heavy damage, and we lost one crewmember. Multiple magical and cannon volleys finally destroyed the beast. We all owe much to Salas Sharpeyes, one of the crew we hired on in Baltimus. Made landfall at Vitoria, McBryde's settlement. Many survivors, perhaps more than we can carry. McBryde disappeared some time ago. We brought our ship in close, got the local started on repairs. Tomorrow we will go into the jungle, with a small compliment of McBryde's men, to find the missing captain.
Day 22 - We begin our expedition into the jungle today, taking 6 stout men from Vitoria with us. With luck, we will find McBryde and shortly return. If fortune turns against us... I am leaving this journal aboard the ship at Vitoria, just in case.
Day 24 - Returned to Vitoria. To explain in chronological order... First day in the jungle, we encountered little sign of McBryde.
Second day, we encountered a group of monkapes that battered us with coconuts until finally they were driven off. We found traces of other travelers where we ambushed by the monkapes, and followed the trail to an Ugak village. A very, very large Ugak village. Came across McBryde, and two of his men who were still free. The rest of his expedition had been captured by the Ugaks some time ago. We began formulating plans for a rescue mission. Perhaps our plans should have been more thorough. We planned to wait til nightfall, then light a fire in the yellowback pens, stampeding them, and allowing us to slip into the center of the village, do away with any guards remaining, and escape with the prisoners in the chaos.
Karn set out to scout around the outskirts of the village. It seems he was spotted, as half the village formed up and started chasing him. We knew we had to act quickly, as we would likely only get one chance. Myself and on of McBryde's men(McMurty) went to the other side of the village to attempt to light a fire for a distraction, an exercise that proved only somewhat successful. We regrouped, and crept in closer to witness the Ugaks preparing to sacrifice the prisoners! We took a few seconds to formulate a battle plan, and then sprung to the attack.
All went well at first. I almost killed the Ugak shaman with a single jet of water, but I would come to regret that "almost". Many of the Ugak warriors fell in the first volley from Telimos and myself. Then the Ugaks started pushing the prisoners into the pit of vile red liquid. We charged forward, hoping to save the rest. I was cut off from the battle by a giant monkape, 20 feet tall at the shoulder, who lumbered forward with nearly impossible speed, and nearly killed me in one stroke. I believe now that if I simply had better command of the elements, if I had focused my will more, and found the strength I needed to destroy that monkape by myself the entire battle may have gone differently. But, much to my shame, some small effort was diverted onto rescuing me instead of rescuing the captives, and that may have made all the difference. The offensive bogged down. Razorwing swarms appeared, and I was too bewildered to disperse them. We almost defeated the Ugak's completely none the less, with much owed to McBryde's blade. But every second that passed by saw another one of the men fall, and tossed into the pit. Then the shaman reappeared, and completed his summoning as I looked on, too exhausted to bring any power to bear to try and stop him. A giant ape, 60 feet tall at least, rose out of the pit, with a glimmer of evil intelligence in his eyes. We did what we could - we fled to try and reach Vitoria before it did. We entered the battle with 13 men, trying to rescue 12 prisoners - and we returned to Vitoria with 10 men.
We got everyone aboard the frigate, and set out to sea, and none to late. The monstrous Donga destroyed the stockade with casual effort. We all regretted leaving, those of us who had come with hopes of not merely bearing a defeated McBryde home, but for perhaps even taming the savage land. Perhaps it can still be done. I learn more every time I see their shamans at work, and I believe if we can learn more about their blood magic and the source of their powers, we could defeat them. The Ugaks themselves are formidable, but it is their shamans who defeat us every time. For now, we sail north to reach the Keiran Empire and make repairs to our ship. From there, Baltimus. I must remind myself that what we have achieved is indeed a victory. We had hoped for more, but we did save the lives of almost fifty men, even if there were over a dozen who could not be saved. Although I had hoped for more, I must be cautious in my words around the rest of the crew. It would not do to sour their victory with my own disappointment.
OOC Quote: "Jesus, being able to shake that monkey was goddamn good!"
I will give the barest amount of background. I am Telimos, magus and Kracken. I have traveled for many years with my good friend Aquillikae, Kracken marine and fellow magus. An unfortunate shipwreck has seen us cast our lots in with the goodly company led by the visitor Blackpower Pete, our captain. The the visitor John Smith, the half-Ugak savage Karn, and the vengeful Doreen hunter and scout Ash were also members of the crew of the ship that shipwrecked. We have also rescued Equius, a Scurillion super, and Serenity, an Atani trader, from a shipwreck, and we have been sailing with all of them for almost a month now.
The beginning of a new mission - the East India Trading company accepted the offer for us to launch an expedition to retrieve McBryde and his crew, as well as to explore the resources of the savage land. Examined curio shop in Baltimus. Purchased healing potion of exceptional potency.
Day 3 - Mongrel, our guide for Toranth Ka, joined the crew. We return to Baltimus to see the Frigate.
Day 5 - Examined the frigate for the first time. Pete seemed pleased. No problems recruiting crew. Set sail tomorrow.
Day 6 - Set sail for Torath Ka from Baltimus. Anticipation of making good time, as in the past few weeks I have learned well how to persuade the winds to aid us, and Blackpowder Pete's skill as a captain and navigator is significant.
Day 10 - Passed by Azy Cay. Turning towards open ocean. In a few days, we should be sailing along the coastline of Torath Ka.
Day 12 - Still sailing open ocean, spotted swarm of razorwings. They were dispersed without casualties, although it was close. Next time, I'll ask the others to hold off and I might be able to disperse the swarm with a single gust of wind, as Aquillikae's flames seemed to only force them to regroup as smaller swarms.
Day 14 - Within sight of Toranth Ka. We're now sailing with the shoreline of the savage continent in view.
Day 17 - Spotted another swarm of razorwings. A zephyer summoned from 100 paces away dispersed them without other incident.
Day 21 - Approached the last known location of McBryde's expedition. Were attacked by a giant shark - perhaps larger than our ship. Ship sustained heavy damage, and we lost one crewmember. Multiple magical and cannon volleys finally destroyed the beast. We all owe much to Salas Sharpeyes, one of the crew we hired on in Baltimus. Made landfall at Vitoria, McBryde's settlement. Many survivors, perhaps more than we can carry. McBryde disappeared some time ago. We brought our ship in close, got the local started on repairs. Tomorrow we will go into the jungle, with a small compliment of McBryde's men, to find the missing captain.
Day 22 - We begin our expedition into the jungle today, taking 6 stout men from Vitoria with us. With luck, we will find McBryde and shortly return. If fortune turns against us... I am leaving this journal aboard the ship at Vitoria, just in case.
Day 24 - Returned to Vitoria. To explain in chronological order... First day in the jungle, we encountered little sign of McBryde.
Second day, we encountered a group of monkapes that battered us with coconuts until finally they were driven off. We found traces of other travelers where we ambushed by the monkapes, and followed the trail to an Ugak village. A very, very large Ugak village. Came across McBryde, and two of his men who were still free. The rest of his expedition had been captured by the Ugaks some time ago. We began formulating plans for a rescue mission. Perhaps our plans should have been more thorough. We planned to wait til nightfall, then light a fire in the yellowback pens, stampeding them, and allowing us to slip into the center of the village, do away with any guards remaining, and escape with the prisoners in the chaos.
Karn set out to scout around the outskirts of the village. It seems he was spotted, as half the village formed up and started chasing him. We knew we had to act quickly, as we would likely only get one chance. Myself and on of McBryde's men(McMurty) went to the other side of the village to attempt to light a fire for a distraction, an exercise that proved only somewhat successful. We regrouped, and crept in closer to witness the Ugaks preparing to sacrifice the prisoners! We took a few seconds to formulate a battle plan, and then sprung to the attack.
All went well at first. I almost killed the Ugak shaman with a single jet of water, but I would come to regret that "almost". Many of the Ugak warriors fell in the first volley from Telimos and myself. Then the Ugaks started pushing the prisoners into the pit of vile red liquid. We charged forward, hoping to save the rest. I was cut off from the battle by a giant monkape, 20 feet tall at the shoulder, who lumbered forward with nearly impossible speed, and nearly killed me in one stroke. I believe now that if I simply had better command of the elements, if I had focused my will more, and found the strength I needed to destroy that monkape by myself the entire battle may have gone differently. But, much to my shame, some small effort was diverted onto rescuing me instead of rescuing the captives, and that may have made all the difference. The offensive bogged down. Razorwing swarms appeared, and I was too bewildered to disperse them. We almost defeated the Ugak's completely none the less, with much owed to McBryde's blade. But every second that passed by saw another one of the men fall, and tossed into the pit. Then the shaman reappeared, and completed his summoning as I looked on, too exhausted to bring any power to bear to try and stop him. A giant ape, 60 feet tall at least, rose out of the pit, with a glimmer of evil intelligence in his eyes. We did what we could - we fled to try and reach Vitoria before it did. We entered the battle with 13 men, trying to rescue 12 prisoners - and we returned to Vitoria with 10 men.
We got everyone aboard the frigate, and set out to sea, and none to late. The monstrous Donga destroyed the stockade with casual effort. We all regretted leaving, those of us who had come with hopes of not merely bearing a defeated McBryde home, but for perhaps even taming the savage land. Perhaps it can still be done. I learn more every time I see their shamans at work, and I believe if we can learn more about their blood magic and the source of their powers, we could defeat them. The Ugaks themselves are formidable, but it is their shamans who defeat us every time. For now, we sail north to reach the Keiran Empire and make repairs to our ship. From there, Baltimus. I must remind myself that what we have achieved is indeed a victory. We had hoped for more, but we did save the lives of almost fifty men, even if there were over a dozen who could not be saved. Although I had hoped for more, I must be cautious in my words around the rest of the crew. It would not do to sour their victory with my own disappointment.
OOC Quote: "Jesus, being able to shake that monkey was goddamn good!"
The Sea Journals
What follows are the sea journals that chronicle the adventures of a brave group of heroes that saved the world of Caribdus. Join us in the tale!
