A8-Cursed Island

The Moons Festival: There are two nights in the year in which both moons are full at the same time. The first is called Hexensnacht ("Witching Night") and the other one Geheimnisnacht ("Night of Mystery"). To most, these are greatly feared and ill-omened nights of the year, and even the most cynical skeptic will avoid the eerie light cast by the full moons. On the other hand, gatherings and ritual sacrifices are held by the worshipers of Chaos on these nights.

While the others had sense to stay inside and participated in drinking challenges (Rufus even bested the dwarves and elves earning a well-deserved pounding hangover and 10gp reward), Tulkir & Ranulf chanced the night outdoors. Both swore in the morning they had seen some ‘Blessed by the Moon’ beastmen wandering the streets! At least all had days to recoup (Endeavors). With Kruger providing a list, Ranulf bartered for ship upgrades. Lemmy purchased a compass to help with navigation, while Ranulf overheard juicy gossip:

·         The ruler of the City of Bechafen (owner of a broken magical sword) was looking for people to help him show Brine wife who was the real boss.

·         How are the high elves able to sail south around Lustria without losing a ship?!

·         In southern Lustria, there is a causeway that spans a massive distance.

Set Sail: The harbormaster grilled Kruger about our sailing purpose. With required cat aboard, promise to sacrifice to the god Mann, and to pay our sailors regularly, we set sail aboard the Dargo One bound for the rumored mysterious island, Zarmuda. We stayed wide of Port Reaver and Swamp-town despite flying a Swamp-town flag. On the 4^th day we saw sails on the horizon and soon confirmed an Old Empire large ship was closing on us. 

We ‘heaved to’ the next day as they signaled to board us for inspection. As empire citizens, Rufus and Lemmy appeased any concerns of piracy. Conversation included the arrival of a moss infected ship that required the entire port town to be put to the torch. Capt Kruger revealed how we found a ship adrift months ago, covered in moss with all its crew dead and covered in a mossy fungus. Satisfied, they sailed away.

Graveyard: Days later we spotted the distant island with the ruins of several buildings and a temple. Most concerning were the masts rising out of the water indicating sunken ships! “Lookout for coral reefs or underwater threats!”  We spotted one ship in the process of sinking. With spyglass, Lemmy spotted 3 beached dinghies and footprints leading inland. With sails lowered, oars out, and spotters along the rails, we cautiously approached to beach our ship. Tense minutes per scraping along the bottom of our hull, until we saw skeletons floating just under the water, their boney-fingers apparently raking the underside. Skeletons float?! That can’t be good!

A ziggurat temple rose from the center of the island, with two concentric 15ft tall walls providing protection, one inside the other at higher elevation. We circled the first wall, inspecting the ruins of various buildings, looking for the survivors of the recent shipwreck.

In the first building, we found ethereal lizardmen. Ranulf tried to speak with them in Saurian but theirs was an older dialect neither he nor Tulkir understood. The next ruin was an infirmary with gold…once we dispatched the ghouls! Kruger cleansed our wounds to lessen the chance of infection. We found more gold in the next 5 ruins; 2 occupied by either skeletons or zombies. Kruger had to treat Rufus when his cursed bowstring snapped his forearm and caused bleeding. Dargo also needed care for his twisted knee. But there was no sign of the survivors. We did find a collapsed arched entry thru the first wall. With the sun setting, we chose to return to the ship.

Tying the 3 dinghies to our ship, we cast off the beach to anchor in the bay. No need to let the survivors possibly raid our ship or allow island creatures to attack us on the beach. But just to be sure, we set up a watch order.

No campfire spotted on the island, but Dargo & Lemmy did spot something swimming toward our boat… 6 skeletons and a Sea-Troll climbed aboard! Combat was hindered for all gagging from the stench of the troll. Eventually we killed all threats but hastened to do something with the troll before it regenerated. While Dargo struggled to remove his cursed blade imbedded in the troll’s arm, we rolled it into a dingy soaked in oil. We then set it afire and adrift. Next watch order!

NEXT SESSION: A9-Who was That Wraith?!