Quest The Island of Lost Souls (Darva Quest)

[Lucas Arias]

Lucas looked at the map with interest and tried to decipher the words on it, but unfortunately found that they didn’t resemble any of the languages he knew. He turned to his fellow adventurers. Even though most of them looked like idiots, that didn’t mean that they couldn’t be useful in a certain regard.

„Can anybody read this?“ he wanted to know. When nobody answered, he turned to the map again. „The two words that are larger than the rest … Charm, do you know what those two places are called? If we can identify certain letters, we might be able to decipher the rest of the map.“

He wasn’t sure if splitting the group up when the island might be full of unknown dangers was a good idea, but he decided to defer to Charm for once. She wouldn’t send them to their deaths on purpose, would she?

„I’m pretty good at drawing“, Lucas said as Iskessah asked for a copy of a map. „If you give me a piece of paper and a pen, I can create a copy for us. And I agree, we should decide on a meeting time.“

[Ayatah]

Like everyone else in their party, Ayatah shuffled closer to peer at the map. They were a thing rarely used in Taloba, where each and every Myrian knew the city and jungle well enough to navigate their way around. But she could not deny their usefulness when it came to exploration, and as Charm had pointed out, even if this map was written in a strange language nobody could read, it at least highlighted two particular areas in the island.

The Myrian woman noticeably winced when the female Dhani spoke in that typical snake-like fashion. She had ben bought up to detest the ancient enemy of her people, and it was difficult to imagine working with one peacefully. This is no place for old hatred and rivalries, she told herself, watching the other woman as she spoke. ”I second that idea,” she said, mentally kicking herself for agreeing with the Dhani, ”we should take as many precautions as possible.”

The very fact that the words on the map were indecipherable emphasised just how unexplored this island was - perhaps it was an ancient language which was no longer spoken by any living person, or even a language that belonged to a now extinct race. It stimulated a question Ayatah could not help but ask, ”does anyone know how old this map is? The island might have changed since it’s last visitor.”

Whoever had written the map must have survived long enough for it to end up in the hands of the other Wright sister, she supposed. That, at least, hinted that this mash-up of explorers stood a chance of making it out of the island alive.

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Liminal]

Charm nodded at Iskessah. "It's a big island. Perhaps we should plan on meeting back in six days. That should give us enough time to get to the mountain and back, and you to get to the beach and back. Assuming that all goes well, of course," she added with a grim chuckle.

She retrieved a bottle of ink and a quill from inside a small chest of drawers in one corner of the room. As she handed them to Lucas, she said, "That's Fog Mountain, or at least that's what the sailors call it, but that doesn't match up at all to the six characters on the map. As far as I know, the spot on the beach doesn't even have a name. I wish I had a better answer, but that's all I have."

Then the old woman looked at Ayatah. "I don't know for certain the age of the map, but given that it was among my sister's papers, it's at the very least half a century old. I also don't know if it's the original, or if it's a copy. You're right though, the interior of the island may have changed since then. After Lucas has finished copying the map, I'll give each of you a pencil -- we should make notes as we explore, mark down anything that may be different."

Smiling very briefly, she said, "And please, write your notes in a language the rest of us can read."

The captain paced to the other side of the room. "Take a bell to prepare your things, and then meet me at the longboat. It's time to go ashore."

[Besnik]

Besnik ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lucas entered the room next with a few choice words that sounded as though he were trying to stir up trouble amongst the group. Besnik ignored him despite wanting to point out that petty snide comments weren’t going to keep them alive if something went wrong. As Miles entered the room, the Kelvic turned his head and returned the warm smile sent his way with a large grin and a nod of his head. He listened with interest as the man mentioned forming ranks based on abilities, agreeing in his mind that that was the best course of action. Charm then drew their attention back to herself by withdrawing a piece of paper, holding it out. The map of Darva was shown, with characters marking certain points. As she pointed out that she couldn’t read it either, the Kelvic was glad to find out that it was in a strange language. He could barely read, having had little need for it, and was glad to not be at a disadvantage before they’d even set foot on the island. Then Charm made the point they should take from this, that someone had been here before long enough to make notes and explore. Somehow, also, they must have made their way off the island in order for the map to be away from it. At least that gave the canine a little hope that they’d be able to make it back. She then assigned them groups. Whether having been the plan all along, or she was following Miles’ advice, Besnik didn’t know. He was glad nonetheless that he’d be going with her, for she seemed experienced, and Miles whom he already knew. He didn’t know much of Ayatah, bar her name and face, but this would give him the chance to get to know more about her. The fact that they’d be going up the mountain was also good to know. His stamina was one of his best attributes, one which would help in a trek up a mountain. His keen sense of smell might come in useful should they get lost, but he hoped with Charm as a part of their group and the map there’d be little chance of that happening. Iskessah approached the table and gave a good suggestion, both on creating a map copy and meeting up again at a certain time. Besnik felt surprised, though considering things he shouldn’t have. The woman seemed unfriendly, which the Kelvic automatically associated with unwilling to help or contribute, but it seemed she had a level of intelligence hidden within her. He was happy to listen to others’ suggestions for now, feeling no need to input. His personality was one that happily jumped in and made him talk non stop, for hours if he felt like it, so he decided it best to just keep quiet lest he start rambling. They were trying to make plans and figure out clues, not socialise, so until he figured something out or had a good idea he’d remain an observer. Besnik would have liked to help in copying out the map, but he wasn’t sure about his drawing skills. His writing was too poor to copy out the language that wasn’t even recognisable, and his short lesson with Valo in art had been more about the theory of colours than anything else. As Ayatah spoke, he was glad she’d be going with them. She pointed out the possibility of the island changing since the map was created, showing some intelligence that would surely be helpful when they arrived on land. He frowned slightly at their lack of information about the island, but that should make it more interesting to explore. He was glad when they were dismissed to prepare their things, for he knew he’d be more useful on land than in making plans. As he left the room, excitement brewed within him at the prospect of finally getting off the boat. He fetched his pack, containing supplies and gear he’d need if they got into a fight on the island, and headed for the longboat. He stood there, waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, looking out at the island in front of them. Inhaling deeply, he grinned widely at the prospect of very near adventure. The scent of sea salt and water, bland and normal after their travelling, was mixed in with wood, grass, and new tropical scents he’d never smelt before. Tracking and hunting for food in this land would be where he’d come in most useful, and he looked forward to seeing the environment on the way up to the mountain. He then turned back around, listening for instruction. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Besnik|| ||4 years|| ||Kelvic|| ||Bondmate - Valo||

[Lucas Arias]

Lucas didn’t look particularly disencouraged as Charm informed him that the mountain’s Common name didn’t match up to the letters on the map. In fact he looked intriguded. Here was a riddle, and he intended to solve it … sooner or later! „Maybe it’s a language where the vocals aren’t written down, some form of especially secret code. And anyway, if some of those places don’t have names yet, we should name them! We could make a Common version of the map, with notes for those that come here after us!“

He smiled – he thought his suggestion was brilliant – and then he took the quill and started drawing. Lucas had never had any formal training, but he possessed a certain amount of natural artistic talent, and soon Charm and the mismatched band of would be adventurers could see the island of Darva taking shape on Lucas‘ paper. Before too long he presented his finished copy of the map to them, looking as if he expected some kind of compliment from them.

“I don’t need time to prepare my things“, he then informed them. “I’m as ready as I can be.“

[Iskessah]

Iskessah wasn't sure why Charm was surprised about Fog Mountain. "Thisss map isss ancient, and sssailorsss have never ssseen the island up clossse. Why would the namesss match up? Even if thisss language hasss a direct transsslation to Common, which I doubt, the oddsss of everyone naming landmarksss the sssame way are laughably ssslim." As far as she was concerned that was all there was to say on the matter, and she dismissed the so-called "mystery" from her mind. There were far more important things to be concerned about, she was certain. All of Iskessah's belongings were already in her backpack, so they wouldn't take long to gather. She arched her back to lean over Lucas and observe his drawing skills. It was by no means a perfect copy, but it was better than she had expected, and should at least prove functional. "Not bad," she acknowledged quietly when he had finished. When the meeting broke up, she went back to her bunk area and gathered her backpack. After a bit of thought, she decided that it might be best to approach the island in human form to start. Who-or-whatever was waiting for them would most likely be expecting human explorers, and she did not want to tip her hand too early. Of course, shifting to human led her to realize that some of her clothes were missing. She had intended to be ready in just a few chimes, but much of the allotted bell was occupied visiting various sailors' rooms to find her belongings (and perhaps getting distracted by obtaining a brief farewell). She met the party at the longboat, her hair slightly mussed but herself fully clothed, with her backpack. "Well, then, let usss begin the adventure," she said dryly.

[Ayatah]

When the rest of the team broke away from the table, Ayatah hung about, looking at the map with unbidden interest. Her dark eyes traced the outline of the island, then up to the peaks of the mountains. Such adventure, such mystery! Her stomach fluttered with childlike excitement, but she managed to keep a smile off her lips.

Ayatah did not have many things to collect; apart from the daggers that hung at her hips and the clothes on her back, she had bought very few items with her. And what little possessions she did have, she had kept in her leather satchel.

It did not take long for her to get ready, and she spent the last fifteen chimes of their allotted bell waiting on the deck of their ship for the others to arrive. She cast a look out to Darva, and the many unknown things the island inhabited.

Time to play adventurer.

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Liminal]

A bell later, Charm and the others gathered around the longboat. They clambered in, and then the grim-faced sailors lowered the boat into the water. A small splash, and they were into the still waters of the inlet.

It was a quick row to the shore of the island. The boat was soon pulled ashore, and Charm looked at the rest of the group.

"All right then. Six days, and if it's at all possible, we'll meet back here. Be careful, keep your wits about you, and if you find anything, try to be as meticulous as possible in noting everything about it. I wish I could be more specific, but that's the best I can do. May whatever deities you follow look kindly on you."

They walked a few yards beyond the inlet, and at that point, the map started to make a bit more sense. There were two trails, both seemingly well-used -- one that led toward the mountain, and the other that led more or less in the direction of the southern beach.

"Well, here we go. Best of luck to you," the Captain said. Then she motioned her group to follow her along the mountain trail, leaving the others to move on toward the beach.

Charm's group continues here.
The other group continues here

Also, +1 XP in drawing for Lucas ^_^

[Pulren Marsh]

A Grade is Coming
Your Wave

Permission to grade given by Liminal. This grade will only be for Ayatah, as she is the only remaining active member. Should any of the rest return, PM me and I will be happy to amend.

 

Ayatah

XP

• Cartography 2
• Observation 3

Lores

• Being Seasick
• The Ancient Map of Darva

Your Grader,


Pulren Marsh