15: Kenku Island Rescue
On a dark night at sea, the Efreeti’s Fortune was consumed by an unnaturally thick fog. When the fog finally cleared, something seemed amiss as another ship was quickly sailing way. Ember ordered all hands on deck for roll call. Every sailor was accounted for except for one- Jin-e The Manslayer. The crew gave chase.
The Fortune crew cornered the kidnapper’s ship at a dock on the mysterious jungle island, Silvanyria. The party made landfall and was greeted by strange bird people- the Kenku. The gang failed to communicate with the local birdbrains and instead began tracking Jin-e’s captors into the untamed jungle.
Aralia looked for Silvanyrian wildlife to ask for advice and was surprised to meet a tiny dinosaur creature. The micro micro raptor guided the gang through an illusory tree portal into an enchanted hedge maze of horrors.
Deadly traps, feral dinosaurs, and confounding corridors led the party deeper into the dark inner jungle. A frail cry for help drew the heroes to a little lost Kenku child who was looking for a mama to call his own. The little crow was quickly adopted by the ever-motherly Vash and wandered the maze atop Mirri.
After being thoroughly mauled, skewered, and singed, the party finally found evidence of their shanghaied compatriot. Jin-e was bound atop an alter and Kenku cultists surrounded him in some dark sacrificial ritual. The party wasted no time dispatching the dubious birdmen.
Vash charged headfirst and laid waste with his magic greatsword in hand. Aralia summoned a pack of hungry dire wolves and called forth thunder. Ember opened fire with his father’s flintlock after the string of his dragon wing longbow snapped (had he been sabotaged?). Rowan gave magical life to his tea set to provide a distraction while he warped the Kenku’s minds with illusion.
As the battle unfolded, the Kenku’s second prisoner sat in a nearby cage- an elf with long red hair, wielding a long katana. With the help of Rowan’s lively teapot, this mysterious swordsman escaped the cage and sliced cleanly through his captor’s flesh with gruesome skill and precision. The swordsman hoisted Jin-e onto his shoulder and began fleeing the battlefield- only to be surrounded by Vash, Ember, Aralia, and Rowan in a dramatic standoff.
The stranger explained the bounty on Jin-e was rightfully his and threatened to fell the entire party in one mighty blow even though he was greatly outnumbered. The heroes insisted upon the urgency of their quest- which was impossible without Jin-e, wicked though he might be. The lone bounty hunter turned over his quarry and before departing, vowed to never stop hunting Jin-e. The elvish swordsman vanished into the jungle.
The heroes brushed themselves off and returned to their vessel with Jin-e in hand and the Kenku child in tow.
The little Kenku, who Vash has been calling “Nav,” ran happily around the Fortune’s deck, pestering the crew with the few words he continues to repeat (his favorite of which seems to be “kill”). Nav has made a little nest in Chrysaor's quatters. Chrysaor has taken a liking to the bird and the two seem grateful to have eachother.
Rowan is seen retiring to his quarters to study a pitch black orb he recovered from the maze- which has granted him new sight, but at what cost…?
Player's Present:
Rowan - Ernie
Vash - Juston
Aralia - Katie
Ember - Austin
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