1353/04/24
A grand summary of the Selune's Bracelet exepedition
Foreword:
I write this grand summary of our, the crew of Whistling Wanderess, expedition to the uncharted isles acquired by a woman named Esvele and contracted to our crew with purpose of collecting all captain's logs and individual reports previously filed in one joint batch. Maps and sketches are attached, or references are made as to where in Candlekeep's library they can be found. Furthermore, this grand summary will not contain minute details as concerning my work as an astrologer for purposes of rightly choosing the orientation of the islands in regards to Candlekeep, the Spine of the World and the Sailor's star. My works regarding that are published under the title of Navigator Dacino's astrological studies of Selune's Bracelet, and can be found in the library under the Geography section.Altogether, this expedition lasted, in a rough estimation, a tenday or so shy of two months (from the eighth of when we left port, and we returned to port on the 22nd of Tarsakh)
The way yonder:
Summary: Uneventful voyage, beyond sighting of harmless corsairs. We successfully made land and made initial discoveries as henceforth noted.First Officer-Reader Dacino's recount
Hidden: show
1353/03/08-1353/03/11
As it turns out, this woman's father had acquired a map to the location of these isles, and heard of great sources of natural riches there. He hired a crew, but he has not responded in many a tenday. Worried sick, the girl tried to petition for board but I was rather skeptical of the story. Where did he acquire the maps? Is this girl Samara, perhaps, or one of the Rats of the Docks? Eventually I decided to grant her permission to board, letting the Captain sort it out.
Sort out he did, by instructing Esvele and myself to check if indeed the isles her father found were the same as ours. And by Shandakul, within a reasonable margin of error of course, she pinpointed our isles! With no reason not to believe the girl, beyond the healthy paranoia of a grizzled sailor-adventurer fearing she's in fact a ghastly black dragon's puppet, we let her and her hirelings accompany us.
Wyrmblade did not take kindly to my "taskmaster" nature, despite his own underlings jumping for the occasion. Even the rich girl was not afraid to get her hands dirty after my speech on how we are all family while sailing together, and family must take care of their shared home, on how if everyone works equally, everyone gets to work less. After a long while and threats to not take him along, he caved*.
And so, we set sail.
* = Even if Ulraunt walks unto my ship, I'll make him work. Even if Oghma himself sends his avatar unto my ship, I'll make him work. My ship isn't a luxury liner, nor is it a millitary ship with "traditional strictness". It is a home, and all of a family must equally contribute to his or her mates. I get my own hands dirty and I'm the First Officer and a small woman at that for hells' sake!
I must say I was very proud of the crew. The regulars were, as always, fantastic and needed no instruction but even the hired hands, even Esvele and even Palandar worked with all their strength and genuine effort to follow exactly as Captain Mealir Ostirel and myself have commanded. Normally, we're lax on instructions, letting experience guide the lads and lasses on what needs doing, unless they're still growing their sea legs, but general quarters calls for a special consideration.
Naturally, we didn't even have to fire off a single fireball from my wands, for our clandestine maneuver of waiting until the night, turning off all the lights and bestowing all the crew with the vision of an elf in a moonlit night, then working through orders and practice to take to take our ship on the verge of close hauled, and yet still enjoying the marked advantage of reaching into the wind, tacking between broad and beam reach every now and then. We made this plan as result of our scout, Vendor Xon's observations and later Faelyns confirmation of what we were dancing the dance of navigators with. To simplify this report yet maintain fact as fact, in essence their ship, although altered for more speed, still lacked the characteristic maneuverability of the Whistling Wanderess***.
To put some jest to my report, for this voyage has made me giddy as if I was but a little girl, general quarters called to such a special consideration we even let the dirty minded Faelyn the bard waltz into the female quarters. Although it was for a honest duty, it still turned to be the topic of after-battle boisterousness.
**General Quarters: A term used on naval vessels to call all quarters**** of a ship to Duty, to their assigned stations. As a result, the active working personnel increases many fold and the number of idlers is reduced to the minimum caused by the marine complement. During General Quarters, disobedience and insubordination are punishable by death even in more Just Navies. The General Quarters we call on the Wanderess means about the same, except the marine complement also takes part in station work and we do not execute crew, merely assign bilge duty and reduced rations for endangering their mates. Exception is given if it is a Just disobedience, due misguided orders, so long an alternative is suggested
***Regarding why we picked this tactic: The Whistling Wanderess is a caravel with a hull that's deceptively graceful considering her width. We also run three masts plus the bowspirit, and use a mixed-sail configuration of lateen mizeen, square fore and main, with royals and gallants hoisted upon highly maneuverable yards. In essence, we are able to sail incredibly close to the wind without losing speed. Reaching into the wind is the ideal point of sail of most ships, and close hauled means you are dabbling into the no-go zone, causing slow down. It is interesting to note that running with the wind, as in, having it directly behind you is less effective than a 30 degree reach. I should note that the 0th degree is considered to be running parralel to the wind, and the one hundred eightieth is when you are "sailing" directly into the wind. Note the quotation marks: the most sailing you'll do that way is backwards if you have an oval hull shape, if not just fluttering sails.
****Quarters: Except in General Quarters, only a certain number of people are actively working. Usually, their numbers equal that of the recommended watch for a ship where there is no loss of performance. For our ship, that is seven. A certain Watch composition is called a Quarter, and General Quarters comes from all quarters being on watch.
A copy of the chart and leagues I have used to sail from Baldur's Gate Harbour to the isles is attached.
As we came in, we had to bring in our sails except for the spirit topmast and the mizzensail. It was hard work, as we've had to turn the mizzen in co-operation with the spirit topmast and the helm, and believe me- it's hard work! But a good old shanty kept us merry and working without issue. The senior deckhands who sailed with us from the maiden voyage of our beloved vessel let the juniors work and grow their own sea legs, as they went and measured the depth and spotted rifts. At this point, I abandoned physical labor and commanding in favor of marking depth and charting the archipelago.
It is an ongoing process, for the thing is massive! Its shape reminded my dear captain of the patron of our ship, and so he named it Selune's Bracelet.. Finally, we approach an island and dropped anchor, where even now the ship is sitting, letting the client Esvele make her observations, and let the lads enjoy wild fruit.
***** - A sketch is included in the report folder.
But the beauty of the Isle, which Captain Mealir immediately named Jannath, after Duchess Jiaa Jannath, one of the Dukes as the time of this report set up in Baldur's Gate. It was due to the sheer beauty of the Isle, I think he named it for, and as thanks for the Duchess' amiable dealings with our crew without threatening our independence in the process.
Upon the Isle we encountered many strange plants and colours so vivid, so alien and beautiful compared to what we witness on the war torn Sword Coast that one could live her whole life there and want for nothing, should the Isle have fresh water and people to share it with, that is.
We almost found people. Almost, for we came upon recently dug graves and the gaping cadaver of a fine ship. Picking through the remains, we came upon a journal which we must give special treatment to, for its owner may yet live, and his daughter definitely does! For we did indeed find the tracks of the Girl's father, and surprisingly for a silversmith, the journal contains valuable information regarding the archipelago due to his experiences.
The sole fauna we ran into wasn't exactly welcoming, for it was one of those great chultan lizards - a dinosaur I was told they're called stood as lone king of the Isle. We tried to avoid having to tango with him, but it could not pass up the opportunity to dance with the student of the Coast's greatest Dancer, myself. So we danced the deadly waltz with sword and spell, our hired hands and officers and crew participating to bring down this fell beast. Thanks to our bards, we could subdue it without slaying it. Later on, it returned to the sea - for it was an amphibian it turned out, with webbed feet!
I must admit the label of "sole fauna" is not exactly truthful, as in our explorations we did enter a cavern where a giant spider did beset us. And we did kill that one, for lack of ability to subdue a spider. There we found remnants of treasure once hidden - a pirate captain will be sure angry when he finds we plundered his booty. But such is the law of the seas, alas!
Since I am a scholar, I did take care not to let greed fully overtake me, and so I took a fine sampling of the treasure for purely research purposes, that is, until I managed to create an impression of the coin faces unto sheepskin with ink and force, and in a gypsum cast.
Sketches of the flora, impressions of the leaves in gypsum for preservation, impressions of the coins, sketches of the dinosaur and the corpse of the spider are attached for in-Candlekeep research. Furthermore, the incomplete map of the archipelago detailing Isle Jannath and her waters is also included.
The Wanderess shall remain at the archipelago for the coming future to collect more data and explore the rest of the isles. We'll also look for the lost men described in the journal who have supposedly built a raft to look for an island with fresh water and more edible flora, maybe non-murderous fauna as well, if Ilmater grants them such mercies.
Participants (All on Duty/Candlekeep, Whistling Wanderess)
Expedition to Uncharted Isles, Arrival & First Island
Foreword
The Whistling Wanderess has finally reached the islands and we are now conducting mapping and other forms of exploration. Furthermore, we are looking for survivors of a shipwreck we stumbled upon. In this report, I will be describing the voyage and our experiences on the first Island
At the Docks
I have gathered the hired hands for the vessel, and have had an anomolous volunteer as well, one going by the name Palandar Wyrmblade, with Morwen and Sadie at his side. He was hired by a woman who has heard we were heading for an unknown archipelago to petition for a spot on my ship. As it turns out, this woman's father had acquired a map to the location of these isles, and heard of great sources of natural riches there. He hired a crew, but he has not responded in many a tenday. Worried sick, the girl tried to petition for board but I was rather skeptical of the story. Where did he acquire the maps? Is this girl Samara, perhaps, or one of the Rats of the Docks? Eventually I decided to grant her permission to board, letting the Captain sort it out.
Sort out he did, by instructing Esvele and myself to check if indeed the isles her father found were the same as ours. And by Shandakul, within a reasonable margin of error of course, she pinpointed our isles! With no reason not to believe the girl, beyond the healthy paranoia of a grizzled sailor-adventurer fearing she's in fact a ghastly black dragon's puppet, we let her and her hirelings accompany us.
Wyrmblade did not take kindly to my "taskmaster" nature, despite his own underlings jumping for the occasion. Even the rich girl was not afraid to get her hands dirty after my speech on how we are all family while sailing together, and family must take care of their shared home, on how if everyone works equally, everyone gets to work less. After a long while and threats to not take him along, he caved*.
And so, we set sail.
* = Even if Ulraunt walks unto my ship, I'll make him work. Even if Oghma himself sends his avatar unto my ship, I'll make him work. My ship isn't a luxury liner, nor is it a millitary ship with "traditional strictness". It is a home, and all of a family must equally contribute to his or her mates. I get my own hands dirty and I'm the First Officer and a small woman at that for hells' sake!
The Voyage
The voyage would have been almost uneventful, if not for running into a rogue mast that decided to try and match our course. Big mistake there on their part, for we held course until night then I called General Quarters**. I must say I was very proud of the crew. The regulars were, as always, fantastic and needed no instruction but even the hired hands, even Esvele and even Palandar worked with all their strength and genuine effort to follow exactly as Captain Mealir Ostirel and myself have commanded. Normally, we're lax on instructions, letting experience guide the lads and lasses on what needs doing, unless they're still growing their sea legs, but general quarters calls for a special consideration.
Naturally, we didn't even have to fire off a single fireball from my wands, for our clandestine maneuver of waiting until the night, turning off all the lights and bestowing all the crew with the vision of an elf in a moonlit night, then working through orders and practice to take to take our ship on the verge of close hauled, and yet still enjoying the marked advantage of reaching into the wind, tacking between broad and beam reach every now and then. We made this plan as result of our scout, Vendor Xon's observations and later Faelyns confirmation of what we were dancing the dance of navigators with. To simplify this report yet maintain fact as fact, in essence their ship, although altered for more speed, still lacked the characteristic maneuverability of the Whistling Wanderess***.
To put some jest to my report, for this voyage has made me giddy as if I was but a little girl, general quarters called to such a special consideration we even let the dirty minded Faelyn the bard waltz into the female quarters. Although it was for a honest duty, it still turned to be the topic of after-battle boisterousness.
**General Quarters: A term used on naval vessels to call all quarters**** of a ship to Duty, to their assigned stations. As a result, the active working personnel increases many fold and the number of idlers is reduced to the minimum caused by the marine complement. During General Quarters, disobedience and insubordination are punishable by death even in more Just Navies. The General Quarters we call on the Wanderess means about the same, except the marine complement also takes part in station work and we do not execute crew, merely assign bilge duty and reduced rations for endangering their mates. Exception is given if it is a Just disobedience, due misguided orders, so long an alternative is suggested
***Regarding why we picked this tactic: The Whistling Wanderess is a caravel with a hull that's deceptively graceful considering her width. We also run three masts plus the bowspirit, and use a mixed-sail configuration of lateen mizeen, square fore and main, with royals and gallants hoisted upon highly maneuverable yards. In essence, we are able to sail incredibly close to the wind without losing speed. Reaching into the wind is the ideal point of sail of most ships, and close hauled means you are dabbling into the no-go zone, causing slow down. It is interesting to note that running with the wind, as in, having it directly behind you is less effective than a 30 degree reach. I should note that the 0th degree is considered to be running parralel to the wind, and the one hundred eightieth is when you are "sailing" directly into the wind. Note the quotation marks: the most sailing you'll do that way is backwards if you have an oval hull shape, if not just fluttering sails.
****Quarters: Except in General Quarters, only a certain number of people are actively working. Usually, their numbers equal that of the recommended watch for a ship where there is no loss of performance. For our ship, that is seven. A certain Watch composition is called a Quarter, and General Quarters comes from all quarters being on watch.
A copy of the chart and leagues I have used to sail from Baldur's Gate Harbour to the isles is attached.
The archipelago
We've been granted vision of the isles even before they appeared on the horizon, as a sea bird of unknown species resembling a familiar sea gull but with brown feathers came to land on our sterncastle and cawk hungrily at us*****. Not long after, Vendor saw them from the crow's nest and we made our approach.As we came in, we had to bring in our sails except for the spirit topmast and the mizzensail. It was hard work, as we've had to turn the mizzen in co-operation with the spirit topmast and the helm, and believe me- it's hard work! But a good old shanty kept us merry and working without issue. The senior deckhands who sailed with us from the maiden voyage of our beloved vessel let the juniors work and grow their own sea legs, as they went and measured the depth and spotted rifts. At this point, I abandoned physical labor and commanding in favor of marking depth and charting the archipelago.
It is an ongoing process, for the thing is massive! Its shape reminded my dear captain of the patron of our ship, and so he named it Selune's Bracelet.. Finally, we approach an island and dropped anchor, where even now the ship is sitting, letting the client Esvele make her observations, and let the lads enjoy wild fruit.
***** - A sketch is included in the report folder.
The First Isle
Some three days into the voyage we finally dropped anchor and stepped onto solid land. Although I am filled with pride to sail upon one of the fastest and most graceful vessels of the Sword Coast, the short voyage still fills my heart with longing for more. I'll make it no secret that I wished the Archipelago was hidden far within the Trackless Sea, for a truly grand voyage with many leagues.But the beauty of the Isle, which Captain Mealir immediately named Jannath, after Duchess Jiaa Jannath, one of the Dukes as the time of this report set up in Baldur's Gate. It was due to the sheer beauty of the Isle, I think he named it for, and as thanks for the Duchess' amiable dealings with our crew without threatening our independence in the process.
Upon the Isle we encountered many strange plants and colours so vivid, so alien and beautiful compared to what we witness on the war torn Sword Coast that one could live her whole life there and want for nothing, should the Isle have fresh water and people to share it with, that is.
We almost found people. Almost, for we came upon recently dug graves and the gaping cadaver of a fine ship. Picking through the remains, we came upon a journal which we must give special treatment to, for its owner may yet live, and his daughter definitely does! For we did indeed find the tracks of the Girl's father, and surprisingly for a silversmith, the journal contains valuable information regarding the archipelago due to his experiences.
The sole fauna we ran into wasn't exactly welcoming, for it was one of those great chultan lizards - a dinosaur I was told they're called stood as lone king of the Isle. We tried to avoid having to tango with him, but it could not pass up the opportunity to dance with the student of the Coast's greatest Dancer, myself. So we danced the deadly waltz with sword and spell, our hired hands and officers and crew participating to bring down this fell beast. Thanks to our bards, we could subdue it without slaying it. Later on, it returned to the sea - for it was an amphibian it turned out, with webbed feet!
I must admit the label of "sole fauna" is not exactly truthful, as in our explorations we did enter a cavern where a giant spider did beset us. And we did kill that one, for lack of ability to subdue a spider. There we found remnants of treasure once hidden - a pirate captain will be sure angry when he finds we plundered his booty. But such is the law of the seas, alas!
Since I am a scholar, I did take care not to let greed fully overtake me, and so I took a fine sampling of the treasure for purely research purposes, that is, until I managed to create an impression of the coin faces unto sheepskin with ink and force, and in a gypsum cast.
Sketches of the flora, impressions of the leaves in gypsum for preservation, impressions of the coins, sketches of the dinosaur and the corpse of the spider are attached for in-Candlekeep research. Furthermore, the incomplete map of the archipelago detailing Isle Jannath and her waters is also included.
What happens next
The Wanderess shall remain at the archipelago for the coming future to collect more data and explore the rest of the isles. We'll also look for the lost men described in the journal who have supposedly built a raft to look for an island with fresh water and more edible flora, maybe non-murderous fauna as well, if Ilmater grants them such mercies.
Participants (All on Duty/Candlekeep, Whistling Wanderess)
- Captain Mealir Ostirel
- Seeker, First Mate Lafali'Atria-Hoihe Dacino
- Scout Vendor Xon
- Deckhand Junior Tasia
- Client Esvele
- Sailor Tella Erling
- Culinary-Officer Lorrain Lackland
- Sailor Kurt Armstrong
- Sailor Arto Quickdraw
- Sailor Larry
- Hired-hand Sadie
- Hired-hand Delilah Silversmithy (Daughter of Harmon SilverSmithy, the woman from the docks
- Hired-hand Paladar Wyrmblade
- Hired-hand Sadie Ironfaar
- Hired hand Galaran
- Hired-hand Elyssa Symbaern
- Hired-hand Faelyn
- Hired-hand Fenor Ironfort
- Officer-grade/Marine-grade is to be paid 500 gold (scout counts as officer)
- Sailor-grade, Deckhand-grade is to be paid 400 gold
- Hired-hand-grade is to be paid 300 gold
They were told to come to Candlekeep for their wages. No need to seek them out. If they forgot, their fault.
- To be paid special attention to
- The Archipelago is hereby named Selune's Bracelet.
- The marked island in the archipelago chart is hereby named Isle Jannath
-Seeker Lafali'Atria-Hoihe Dacino
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West of Baldur's Gate, Sea of Swords 8th of Ches
Blessed be that woman, Esvele, and that unexpected and very pleasant exploration expedition.
This morning, as the breeze was singing the dawn along the main sail, a pair of birds came to salute us. Two cheeky, unafraid volatiles who took some rest on the deck or the mizeen mast with dozen pairs of eyes on them. Smiles were decorating the lips, not that the voyage had been long or unpleasant (the contrary !), but we were reaching our goal. On all the usual maps we had not even a rock was indicated for a great number of miles around us.
Soon enough their surfaced on the horizon, floating points lighted by the grazing light : they shone. A string of islands was being unveiled from the night, for the deity's love and the rumours of silver I named the archipelago Selune's Bracelet.
We found these islands and we landed there. There was a shipwreck but no survivors in sight, it appeared they left the island on a raft to find water after having taken care of their deads. It was no surprise to find someone there but a surprise to find a shipwreck, we will sail with care, sandbanks abound in those parts.
On an impulse I named the largest island : Island of Jannath, in honor of the Duchess, and even though we did not find anything of monetary value there I trust she will appreciate the symbol. At the very least we shall bring back a large fragment of that strange underwater mineral tree whose vivid colours are so fascinating.
Vivid ... everything is, in those islands, and likewise the fauna is alert and alien. I wished we found hairless bears in that (moderate) heat but it was a giant lizard, that some name "Dinosaur", a Chultan word, who attacked us. The beast was tall as a Frost giant, its teeth the size of large daggers and assorted bladed feet. She struck as soon as she perceived us and therefore I do not think she met many humans, if any. Some of us were thinking of not harming it but lightning fast jaws and shrieking sounds halted any deliberation.
The fight went quickly in our favor, as big as it was the beast was not smart. Harassed from every side, harmed by spells, she collapsed, unable to fight and got promptly restricted .. and even healed, slightly. The meekness some of us showed for this beast baffled me, I am wholly unable to forgive anything that wanted to eat me moments ago.
Either way, we explored the island promptly, found unexpected bounty (I still hope we will be able to discern its provenance) and then went back to the Wanderess in order to find the survivors. We had an unplesant surprise on our way back as the dreadful beast escaped, not without leaving large amounts of blood in its wake : it swam away, horrible thought.
There are many islands left to explore, if the first one did not hold the famed riches I do not despair from finding some. In that matter finding the survivors of the shipwreck will prove useful on top of being a moral obligation. The maps did already exist, how ? Who, in which obscure period of the history found Selune's Bracelet ? Questions that will need answers soon as I do not like to dance on some unknown tune.
We shall spend enough time to explore the main features of the archipelago, the trip was short and this will have consequences for the most sharp fangs are at Baldur's Gate.
Mealir Ostirel, capitain of the Whistling Wanderess
The Journal of Harmon Silversmithy, I
Hidden: show
1346 XI:
a smuggled day and year.
1347 IXI:
The gods of fortune and wealth must have abandoned me. I prayed before the shrine again and yet no turn in my business. Politicians and adventures bringing war ruins good families. Who is to buy my wears when the land is in fire with war between Amn and Baldur's Gate.
1351 XVI:
They closed the warehouse and the land will be taken for back tax, I have the yards still, and a charlatan is offering coin one eighth of its value. I feel like he's a pirate, robbing me like this. Perhaps he will use it for a grave for all the dead this plague has brought. War again.
1351 XX:
I took the charlatan offer as no one buys, you cant sell anything in this city, its starving due to war after war.
1353 II:
Was it the drink that night or fortune of lady luck turning my tides. I was offered a map by a dwarf, claiming lost family silver mine on a long forgotten island. I paid him my purse and the families ring. I've no choice but to forward on this.
1353 IV:
The ship is serviceable, it floats and I am told not to call it boat. Far from a ship it looks. Twenty hands to sail her this long journey. We set out in the morrow.
1353 XI:
I kissed my dear girl good by, my daughter Delilah is why I fight, the birthday I will miss hurts me already.
1353 XXV:
We have been at sea, we are in a doldrum the captain says. my lips are crack and dry and there is no sea life. No fish to be caught or whales to be sighted. Supplies will be low, even the mages spells last only so much. Where trapped. Delilah I am sorry.
...Tymora Forgive Me...
We gave her what was requested, it was made and a hard choice.
1353 IX:
With three crew down we struck reef, I snapped at the captain for his incompetence, the hull of the ship is split and the waves are pushing us over the razor corals. It is only time before she splits. the shore can be reached by long boat. the island.. its beautiful.
1353 IIX:
Men tried to swim but where taken by large snapjaws or something. the blood turned the crystal waters red. Other men swore it was some aquatic two legged lizard.
1353 Xx?:
We are on the island now Delilah my sweet daughter. We lost another man to poisonous bugs, his leg swollen to twice the size before the pain took him. The mage went mad and we have not seen the sea bitches priest in a tenday. Where did that mage go.
1353 ??:
Tomorrow we will climb the red peaks and search the caves we can spot from here with the glass. One of those must be the silver mine. I can feel its close..
1353 ?:
We are not alone on this island, another one of our numbers where taken at the night. I know that mage is out there.. I can hear the howling mad man at dawn every morning.
1353:
We had found the cave, though all we found with in the old mine was a phase spider. I did not even care when it took one of our men, we are now less then half our number and who or what stalks us here draws closer. Delilah, you are why I came. It took me all this time to learn, as long as I was there with you, it was all we needed even if we where poor. What have I sacrificed to learn this. How many days, have I been gone now? Is it months or years. I think of your childhood, how many years did I miss then. Always at work. I wish we were together now.
1353:
We will flee this island, we need water and supplies and what haunts this wood picks us off, we constructed a raft from the old ship and will try to the sister island, pray there is peace there. Pray there is Water.
a smuggled day and year.
1347 IXI:
The gods of fortune and wealth must have abandoned me. I prayed before the shrine again and yet no turn in my business. Politicians and adventures bringing war ruins good families. Who is to buy my wears when the land is in fire with war between Amn and Baldur's Gate.
1351 XVI:
They closed the warehouse and the land will be taken for back tax, I have the yards still, and a charlatan is offering coin one eighth of its value. I feel like he's a pirate, robbing me like this. Perhaps he will use it for a grave for all the dead this plague has brought. War again.
1351 XX:
I took the charlatan offer as no one buys, you cant sell anything in this city, its starving due to war after war.
1353 II:
Was it the drink that night or fortune of lady luck turning my tides. I was offered a map by a dwarf, claiming lost family silver mine on a long forgotten island. I paid him my purse and the families ring. I've no choice but to forward on this.
1353 IV:
The ship is serviceable, it floats and I am told not to call it boat. Far from a ship it looks. Twenty hands to sail her this long journey. We set out in the morrow.
1353 XI:
I kissed my dear girl good by, my daughter Delilah is why I fight, the birthday I will miss hurts me already.
1353 XXV:
We have been at sea, we are in a doldrum the captain says. my lips are crack and dry and there is no sea life. No fish to be caught or whales to be sighted. Supplies will be low, even the mages spells last only so much. Where trapped. Delilah I am sorry.
...Tymora Forgive Me...
We gave her what was requested, it was made and a hard choice.
1353 IX:
With three crew down we struck reef, I snapped at the captain for his incompetence, the hull of the ship is split and the waves are pushing us over the razor corals. It is only time before she splits. the shore can be reached by long boat. the island.. its beautiful.
1353 IIX:
Men tried to swim but where taken by large snapjaws or something. the blood turned the crystal waters red. Other men swore it was some aquatic two legged lizard.
1353 Xx?:
We are on the island now Delilah my sweet daughter. We lost another man to poisonous bugs, his leg swollen to twice the size before the pain took him. The mage went mad and we have not seen the sea bitches priest in a tenday. Where did that mage go.
1353 ??:
Tomorrow we will climb the red peaks and search the caves we can spot from here with the glass. One of those must be the silver mine. I can feel its close..
1353 ?:
We are not alone on this island, another one of our numbers where taken at the night. I know that mage is out there.. I can hear the howling mad man at dawn every morning.
1353:
We had found the cave, though all we found with in the old mine was a phase spider. I did not even care when it took one of our men, we are now less then half our number and who or what stalks us here draws closer. Delilah, you are why I came. It took me all this time to learn, as long as I was there with you, it was all we needed even if we where poor. What have I sacrificed to learn this. How many days, have I been gone now? Is it months or years. I think of your childhood, how many years did I miss then. Always at work. I wish we were together now.
1353:
We will flee this island, we need water and supplies and what haunts this wood picks us off, we constructed a raft from the old ship and will try to the sister island, pray there is peace there. Pray there is Water.
The expedition itself
A short summary:Although interrupted by my returns to the Sword Coast through use of teleportation magic, we did spend a period of peaceful exploration between the 10th of Ches and the 15th of Tarsakh. In this period, Esvele and I surveyed the coast lines to map out the reefs, the mountains for their height and the stars for our relative coordinates, as related to the Spine of the World's westernmost peak, our library fort of Candlekeep and the sailor's Lucky Star. Furthermore, local flora was taken samples of, given taste and sketches.
This part of our expedition is best examine through the maps I have drawn and donated, and the essays bound in their own covers as titled:
- Navigator Dacino's Astrological studies of Selune's Bracelet
- A collection and amateur analysis of sketches of native flora of Isle Jannath by Reader Dacino
- A deadly encounter recounted with native fauna of Isle Jannath by Reader Dacino
- An essay on abundance and taste of local schools of Fish of the waters of Isle Jannath
- A word of warning about local flora causing indigestion or worse of Isle Jannath
- A Traveller's guide to the best shores and mountains of Isle Jannath to bask.
The Final Tenday
Summary: This is, perhaps if you are keen for misfortune and the dangers of new worlds, may yet be the most interesting chapter to peruse. For come the fifteenth of Tarsakh, we have finally found clues as to where Harmond Silversmithy might have went, and so we made port on their island.As it was my turn to be watching the ship, I was left on board as the others landed. And so, I can only recount the events of this island through others' reports.
Captain Mealir Ostirel's report
Hidden: show
West of Baldur's Gate, Sea of Swords 15th of Ches
As I reach the end of these journals I wonder what to do. Some vicious apes nearby, smart enough to sabotage ships and adept at butchering horribly people like us, to feed upon them. Orcish cookpots, similar enough.
But back to the perils of the day. We located the island with fresh water easily enough, a waterfall was even visible, it must have been an hellish sight for those people struck by thirst. Nearby the shores where we landed we spotted a camp but this time again it was desert, with traces and remains suggesting another very hasty departure, towards the forest this island holds.
In her haste of discovery, as this island holds treasures unseen before, Esvele drifted towards the lake and stepped on mushrooms. Almost as soon as she did she fell unconscious ! Those mushrooms were of a particularly deadly nature, poisonous ! Hopefully a one of a kind potion I keep for such situations helped her back up, I don't have more of those however. We have to be incredibly cautious in our every day habits it's almost unnerving, peeing in the bushes is an adventure of sorts.
That said nature was not the worst this day, we were near the lake and admiring the view while letting Esvele recuperate a bit when I noticed the lake was overseen by a skull-shaped rock as tall as three men ! The skull looked human enough, except for thorns on the forehead, and was definitely ominous. Intrigued but unabated we were about to head for the forest where the tracks lead when we heard a moan coming from the mouth of a cave nearby the lake. Unsure of its nature we headed in, chances were that wounded shipwrecked found a shelter inside after all ...
Alas it was only a shelter for foul undead creatures, zombies, former sailors held captive by an unholy magic. With fire and swords we put them down for good, even though one managed to almost drown me, right when we reached an unholy altar I could sense my lungs filled with water as I was fighting ! Falling back and puking water uncontrollably while gasping for air my companions hopefully fended off the rest of the cursed creatures without my help and I was able to stand back after a bit, I felt pathetic but for my defense these cursed creatures all went for me first.
Either way, with no other immediate danger we were able to stand back and observe where we were exactly. A natural cavern it seemed, waterfalls on both sides of the uneven room made for an impressive sight, giving the altar in the center the importance it deserved. While loads of riches could be seen behind it we had a fit of cautiousness, Esvele was able to tell that the altar was responsible for the zombies but that the riches were without risk, we plundered.
Leaving behind such an accursed and dangerous altar was a possibility, condemning the cave could have been enough ... however it was also responsible for poisoning the fresh water. Magic against magic,
Elyssa cast a Mordenkainen's disjunction on the altar, hoping to severe its connection to the Weave and thus break it. A wave of undead creatures poured from the sides while she was preparing but too little too late ! The creatures fell to the floor, truely lifeless and, at last : motionless. The altar crumbled and I unearthed a potent scimitar from the rubble, maybe fit for Lafali.
With that good deed done and danger set aside we headed out of the cavern, the water was cleaned and, marvel the ominous skull was gone ! No rubble could be seen, it must have been a complex illusion.
Taking into account that the water was enchanted and that the altar fueled necromantic magic I am rather impressed and worried ... not to mention it could be an altar to the Bitch Queen, something I only considered afterwards and told my companions to kept quiet about. May Valkur help us if the she wants to torment us on the way back.
The way back .. we're not quite there yet. We took a quick rest and resumed the search for the shipwrecked, not without a deer approaching Elyssa without a hint of fear, a sight so unusual it seemed magic, Keira's stomach took control of her mind for a good while though, as she couldn't see anything but a marvelous piece of meat. Granted, it was tempting ! We pressed on in this land of plenty, between deadly mushrooms, suicidal boars and dinosaurs. Boars ! They felt forced to charge us and it was perfect for miss stomach, enough game for a couple of days for the crew. And way to come back here for more as there are more than a few of these animals around.
Another camp, another desert, so eerie and disturbing ! Looking in the remains I spotted another journal that hinted at what we feared after discovering the cursed cave : they drank from the lake and some of them turned mad, starting to kill each other like wild beasts. The journal of Silversmithy indicated he fled yet again, abandoning his fellows without much remorse from what I can tell.
However those fellows were indeed bloodthirsty, three of them attacked us fiercely and we had to defend ourselves, the last one was spared as it became clear for me they were not quite themselves. Breaking the curse proved possible with a wand, probably because the altar was destroyed in the first place and we managed to save one of those poor fellows, who confirmed what happened as much as his patchy memory could tell.
With no more chance of finding other survivors on the island we headed back to the Wanderess, where I write this entry on the eve of this very eventful day. The question remains, what to do ? I shall discuss it with everyone.
Mealir Ostirel, capitain of the Whistling Wanderess
Journal of Harmond Silversmithy, II
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Of the Water Raptors
These creatures are fast they swam after us till we reached deep water. Tall, two legged lizards with long heads and sharp claws. They seem to breath under the water or are able to hold their breath for a very long time.
1353:
Water thank the gods water. Fresh and sweet, nothing has ever tasted so good. The rock formation is strange it looks like a skull, but who cares now that we have fresh water to drink. There is even game to hunt.
135?:
Five of us left. What were the others names? I don't trust them they are after my silver mine, or worse.
13?:
Last night Jerrico Lee died. I am sure Pryma killed him. Pryma claimed a whisper was in her ear and she chose to listen to it. Four of us left now. These islands are damned. We should of stayed with the raptors.
13:
I have chosen to leave the other three at camp on this new island and took one of our rafts to circle the sandy shore. Heard drums two nights ago, perhaps the locals are interested in aid. Maybe they are dwarves like the one whom sold me the map.
My friends have betrayed me
The three I left behind hunt me now. They are savage and given into the island. I saw a pigs head on a stick. they want more then the taste of pork now.
13:
I will have to find another place. I can't go back to camp now. At least my head is feeling clear again. the Whispers are gone. I will sail along the beach in my raft, head in the direction I heard the drums. Maybe the locals will be friendly. Gods pray they are.
These creatures are fast they swam after us till we reached deep water. Tall, two legged lizards with long heads and sharp claws. They seem to breath under the water or are able to hold their breath for a very long time.
1353:
Water thank the gods water. Fresh and sweet, nothing has ever tasted so good. The rock formation is strange it looks like a skull, but who cares now that we have fresh water to drink. There is even game to hunt.
135?:
Five of us left. What were the others names? I don't trust them they are after my silver mine, or worse.
13?:
Last night Jerrico Lee died. I am sure Pryma killed him. Pryma claimed a whisper was in her ear and she chose to listen to it. Four of us left now. These islands are damned. We should of stayed with the raptors.
13:
I have chosen to leave the other three at camp on this new island and took one of our rafts to circle the sandy shore. Heard drums two nights ago, perhaps the locals are interested in aid. Maybe they are dwarves like the one whom sold me the map.
My friends have betrayed me
The three I left behind hunt me now. They are savage and given into the island. I saw a pigs head on a stick. they want more then the taste of pork now.
13:
I will have to find another place. I can't go back to camp now. At least my head is feeling clear again. the Whispers are gone. I will sail along the beach in my raft, head in the direction I heard the drums. Maybe the locals will be friendly. Gods pray they are.
Hidden: show
Book of the Apes 1214 DR
The findings of Marcis Anthrili
Naturalist and Ships Barber
Merchant of the City of Splendors
We have arrived upon these uncharted islands through miss fortune. The storm that blew us so far off course has faded now and here we are in this new world of wonder. As a man of learning I can only say that the great miss fortune of the crew is to my great fortune. I am enjoying cataloging insects new to the world of academics. The findings of Marcis Anthrili
Naturalist and Ships Barber
Merchant of the City of Splendors
These Islands truly hold secrets never before seen. Species of plants and creatures as alien to my eye as any from my deepest imagining. I eagerly write this as I am observing an ape like creature nearly nine foot tall. It is much less hairy than most apes I have seen in books of study. I wish I were an artist so that I may illustrate it for you. The creature seems very intelligent. I am watching now as it is using a net to capture fish!
It has been days now and I still sit watching the Apes from afar. My hypothesis is to believe that tool use and tool making are an extremely important part of these apes evolution.
I have even seen what appears to be a trace of primitive language. They even seem to have a religion of sorts though it is related to a hunting context. This tribal ape population deploy hunting as their primary way of acquiring food. So it is no shock to me that hunting is also a religious experience for them.
One of the ape tribe attacked our camp and I was sad that it became necessary to kill it.
In my years of study I have had many a opportunity to examine a dead body. The body of a mans gut consists mainly of small worm like guts which I think are responsible for the rapid breakdown of foods and absorption of nutrients. The ape’s gut is primarily large Worm like tunnels which to me indicates a diet that was not always carnivorous. This structural difference supports my hypothesis that these creatures my be a branching point between modern man and modern ape. Is It possible we are not so different?
I have been following the hunting groups of the apes and have found the bones of animals these apes have killed. They show cut marks at strategic points on the bones. This would indicate a more advance tool usage than I thought them capable of. This provides evidence that these apes are skilled butchers.
The ship will be fixed soon and ready to sail. I do not wish to leave. There is still so much more for me to learn.
My wish has been granted though not in the way I wished it. The ape tribe has come down from there mountain and sabotaged our ship. Gods I knew they were smart but this smart?
Upon further investigation of the attack, they seem to have worked together. This is possibly an action they learned from there evolution as great hunters here on the islands. It also fills me with dread five of our group were killed and there bodies dragged off. Do these apes see us as a new food source?
The ape attacks have been getting worse. We set guard through the night but still men vanish. Our ships carpenter was lost last night. He went to do his private business in the bushes and never returned. I fear that the crew may not have the knowledge to fix the ship with out him. I for one am no carpenter, I am a naturalist.
I have decided that our best course of action will be to try and make peace with these creatures. If they are as intelligent as I think they are then perhaps I can communicate with them. I have been studying there primitive language which I shall mark here. It is mostly a system of grunts and gestures.
*there is a long entry detailing the language of the apes*
Tracking the beasts in to there mountain home has proven difficult. Not only are they able to craft tools but traps as well. As if this mountain on it's own was not enough of a death trap. They can also craft instruments of music, or drums anyway.
The closer I go towards the mountains the more I hear there drumming. There is a fire on top of the mountain it appears to be a volcano.
I will draw closer by night fall. I am not fool enough to enter in to the middle of there tribal village. I shall try to find one alone and attempt to communicate with it.
The horrors I have seen this day will haunt me for the rest of my years. Should I live that long. The ape did not wish to speak with me. I tried to talk it down maybe I was wrong about it's language. Maybe it's nature is only cruel.
The beast attacked me and took me captive. It dragged me to it's village and there I saw what was happening. The apes are feeding on our crew. Taking them apart piece by piece yet keeping them alive with a skill of barbery I never imagined any animal could have. I was lucky to have escaped before I was next on the menu.
I can hear them following me in the night with there damn drums. I am injured and it will take all my skills of survivalism to make it back to camp and warn the others. There is a army of these Demon Apes. Hundreds maybe Thousands! We need to get of this island. I must get back to warn the others or Gods Saves us All!
*The book ends here it's final pages are empty of words and soaked in blood*
The return
We found ourselves discussing if we were willing to risk rescuing Harmond. We decided to do so, and succeeded without encountering these mythical ape-demons. In doing so, we acquired seven skulls of their kings - which I will have absolutely nothing to do with, anyone who wants those skulls can get them herself - and set sail to return home. The means of rescue was simple: Teleport in, muffle Harmon, teleport out. The ape-things ate his leg, but was otherwise unharmed, and his daughter hailed us as heroes.
We were beset by a ghastly flying waterdhavian, armed with armies of beholders chained to her bulwarks with hundreds of oars driving its shallow draft gliding through the reefs as if flying, with magical mist concealing it until the last of moments. My men feared undead, but it was crewed by live people alright, a corsair king I would presume, one who we have swore revenge on for the events that follow struck us deeply.
We have lost Tella Erling and Arto Quickdraw to their barrage of fireballs, members of the original crew. We managed to escape through the divination of Esvele Ravenwind showing us a safe passage through the reefs.
Upon our return to Baldur's Gate, a massive crowd awaited us as our ship was hauled into the piers to be unloaded. We were hailed as adventurer-heroes who discovered a new world, and Captain basked in the glory. Alas, I was still too grief-stricken of having men die on my watch as their leader to enjoy the revelry, instead insisting my captain to bring them to the temple of Tempus - we have an understanding with the Exarch - to have them resurrected.
Captain Mealir Ostirel's report:
Hidden: show
West of Baldur's Gate, Sea of Swords 8th of Ches
Magic can make some things very simple. Instead of brazenly facing hundreds of demonic flesh-eating apes our wizards located Silversmithy, then we teleported on top of his head in what happened to be a treasure room, we took a few things with us, notably Silversmithy with one leg less, and we .. teleported back to the Wanderess. Without seeing a single ape, arcane magic by Lafali'Atria, I hope these apes will be enraged and perplexed for the longest time. The reunited Silversmithy family was a sight to see, a few heartbeats ago the father was forced to work for the apes and fated to be eaten and killed slowly while now he was reunited with his daughter, two daring souls overall !
There were worries in the Wanderess before we left to try this however, especially as a "ghost ship" was sighted a few times at dusk, powered by oars and sails with an ominous cloud lagging behind it. In our absence the Wanderess was to sail slowly around the island of Jannath in order to not be found anchored and helpless. It turned out the ghost ship was not only an illusion as it showed itself soon after we saved Silversmithy. It came down on us quickly while we were slowly navigating through sandbanks and reefs to reach the high sea where such a war galley would lose its advantage. It was so close that we knew two things, first Esvele detected no undeads but ... it looked like the ship kept chained beholders on its deck. Needless to say fighting was the last thing I had in mind ! However it was looking like it would be on us before we reached the open sea as we had to navigate slowly to not risk a shipwreck. Fire started to rain from the war galley and I gave orders to turn around and face it, feeling cornered like a fox by large hound. My only hope was to break its oars on one side and escape, a mad gamble if anything.
Esvele saved us from this mad gamble, divination truely offers great possibilities : she was able to discern the path out of the reefs. When I heard her tell that I sent her running towards Kurt to guide the helmsman while everyone on board made everything they could for the Wanderess to gain some speed while putting out the most threatening fires. We made it, one of the last projectiles hurt badly Arto as well as Tella and outright killed Johnny, the first lad we managed to rescue.
We escaped, gut wrenched and cursing those people, whoever they were. At times like this I regret making the Wanderess a small ship unable to face such threats, fleeing is dishonorable but it would have been a slaughter. Even if in hindsight I wonder how much of what we saw was an illusion ... who would be able to actually keep chained beholders as pets after all ? It seems beyond reckless, even more than actually allying with such creatures. I for one plan to come back, and not alone, to make them pay if possible.
Diminished, damaged, we sailed directly towards the Gate and hopefully didn't have to face other perils. Our arrival in the Gate was more spectacular than I expected, word of mouth must have traveled fast as we were sailing up the Chionthar. We were greeted by nothing less than a crowd ! Considering the success of the expedition I put our mages to contribution another time, for some flashy lights this time.
I improvised a short speech while some of the exotic wares we came back with were unloaded on the dock and I dare say the sailors of the Wanderess will be listened to for a good tenday after this ! I hope to go back there soon, with other ships alongside the Wanderess, in order to map Selune's bracelet completely and who knows .. discover more uncharted lands ?!
Mealir Ostirel, capitain of the Whistling Wanderess
Magic can make some things very simple. Instead of brazenly facing hundreds of demonic flesh-eating apes our wizards located Silversmithy, then we teleported on top of his head in what happened to be a treasure room, we took a few things with us, notably Silversmithy with one leg less, and we .. teleported back to the Wanderess. Without seeing a single ape, arcane magic by Lafali'Atria, I hope these apes will be enraged and perplexed for the longest time. The reunited Silversmithy family was a sight to see, a few heartbeats ago the father was forced to work for the apes and fated to be eaten and killed slowly while now he was reunited with his daughter, two daring souls overall !
There were worries in the Wanderess before we left to try this however, especially as a "ghost ship" was sighted a few times at dusk, powered by oars and sails with an ominous cloud lagging behind it. In our absence the Wanderess was to sail slowly around the island of Jannath in order to not be found anchored and helpless. It turned out the ghost ship was not only an illusion as it showed itself soon after we saved Silversmithy. It came down on us quickly while we were slowly navigating through sandbanks and reefs to reach the high sea where such a war galley would lose its advantage. It was so close that we knew two things, first Esvele detected no undeads but ... it looked like the ship kept chained beholders on its deck. Needless to say fighting was the last thing I had in mind ! However it was looking like it would be on us before we reached the open sea as we had to navigate slowly to not risk a shipwreck. Fire started to rain from the war galley and I gave orders to turn around and face it, feeling cornered like a fox by large hound. My only hope was to break its oars on one side and escape, a mad gamble if anything.
Esvele saved us from this mad gamble, divination truely offers great possibilities : she was able to discern the path out of the reefs. When I heard her tell that I sent her running towards Kurt to guide the helmsman while everyone on board made everything they could for the Wanderess to gain some speed while putting out the most threatening fires. We made it, one of the last projectiles hurt badly Arto as well as Tella and outright killed Johnny, the first lad we managed to rescue.
We escaped, gut wrenched and cursing those people, whoever they were. At times like this I regret making the Wanderess a small ship unable to face such threats, fleeing is dishonorable but it would have been a slaughter. Even if in hindsight I wonder how much of what we saw was an illusion ... who would be able to actually keep chained beholders as pets after all ? It seems beyond reckless, even more than actually allying with such creatures. I for one plan to come back, and not alone, to make them pay if possible.
Diminished, damaged, we sailed directly towards the Gate and hopefully didn't have to face other perils. Our arrival in the Gate was more spectacular than I expected, word of mouth must have traveled fast as we were sailing up the Chionthar. We were greeted by nothing less than a crowd ! Considering the success of the expedition I put our mages to contribution another time, for some flashy lights this time.
I improvised a short speech while some of the exotic wares we came back with were unloaded on the dock and I dare say the sailors of the Wanderess will be listened to for a good tenday after this ! I hope to go back there soon, with other ships alongside the Wanderess, in order to map Selune's bracelet completely and who knows .. discover more uncharted lands ?!
Mealir Ostirel, capitain of the Whistling Wanderess
-Reader Lafali'Atria-Hoihe Dacino, First Officer of the Whistling Wanderess
