Exploring the Island

From the Chronology: 

"Un Animal Fantomatique" by Géo Dupuis
 Je Sais Tout (November 1913 - July 1914)

17-21 Reaping (July), 590 CY The expedition sails back to Great Wall and Tanaroa. They decide to build their fort right against the wall on the outside, at its western end. With the ships anchored there, they begin offloading supplies and men, constructing a camp and beginning construction. Long rope ladders are constructed allowing people to travel back across the Great Wall from the fort. Basic construction is done on the fort, aided by magic. Some of the party travel south to visit the hermit witch and trade with her for information and knowledge of the island. 

22 Reaping (July), 590 CY A small band follows the native trail from the gates of Tanaroa towards the tar pits, while most of the expedition continues working on the fortification. The small band camps that evening at the Tar Pits. That night they are approached by two phanatons, who ask them to come to the Phanaton village to speak with the chief.

Rosters

Exploring Party: Tolum (1/2 orc Paladin of Cuthbert), Torrance (Human bard), Corvus (human priest of Pholtus), Höss (human gunslinger), Rickus (human wizard), Lilianna (elf wizard), Bob (1/2-elf druid), Morbor (dwarven Rune Knight), Olga (Dwarven Scout), Victor aka Rinaldo (human rogue), Benedict (human cleric of St Cuthbert), Verity (elven druid),  Gnarl (1/2-orc barbarian) 

Sea Ghost, PCs:  

Sea Ghost, NPCs: Nathan (Captain), Rodrigo the Bull (1st Mate), Brunus Pumpwagon (Bosun), 6 Sailors (Ned Shakeshaft, Jack Swallow, John Copper, Abner, Bartle Shorewood, Jaques Brawn), 

Sea Ghost Cargo: 

Sea Lion, PCs: 

Sea Lion, NPCs: Edoral (1st Mate), Boone (Bosun), 7 Sailors (Gort, Brendan, Drake, Davey, Akir,  Adrian, Finn), 

Sea Lion Cargo: 

Fort, PCs: Sir Percy Cleghorn Stanley Hobar (human noble artificer), Sheila (human paladin of Pholtus), Cornelius (human wizard/scholar), Gozara (human barbarbian warrior), Evryhss (elvish adventurer)

Fort, NPCs: Fabian (engineer captain), 134 Honorbound (16 muleteers, 78 infantry, 12 knights, 10 pistoleers, 8 sergeants, 4 artillerists, 6 acolytes), 20 engineers, 

Equipment: 1 cannon, 8 ballistae, 8 mules

Casualties as of 22 Reaping 390 CY: Sazarh (NPC Captain), 1 Sea Lion Sailor, 1 Sea Ghost sailor, 2 Honorbound gunners, 2 Honorbound artillerists

The Narrative: 

Returning to where the Great Wall meets Benedict Bay, the expeditions leaders decide this is the best spot that meets their needs and obeys the native's restrictions. They begin to construct their for on the outside of the Great Wall but backed up against it, so they only need to construct four walls. 

Sir Percy and Fabian take charge now, supervising the movement of men and supplies ashore as they plan the construction. The engineers and the Honorbound are disembarked and put to work clearing the land around the selected spot and cutting timber. Tents are set up as living quarters the the focus is on constructing new walls. The work is hard, but the men are steady and day by day progress is seen. Rope ladders and small cranes are constructed that allow folks to move from the nascent fort and the Great Wall. The Sea Ghost and Sea Lion ride at anchor in the small anchorage that the natives use for their fishing canoes. 

On 20 Reaping a handful of the adventurers head south to meet the hermit Mika the Shaman at the urging of their guide, Mika. Torrance, Gnarl, Morbor, Benedict, Lillianna, Renaldo, Cornelius, and Verity find her an eccentric old woman but make some deals and gain some information and potions. 

On 22 Reaping an exploring party is formed (see roster above). Carrying the Teleport Chain, and led by Mika they travel the jungle trail from great gates of Tanaroa to the tar pits (17). Along the way they were pelted by rocks from baboons but otherwise encountered nothing of interest.  

They set up camp just south of the tar pits, and were visited in the night by two visitors, small creatures that looked like a cross between a raccoon and a flying squirrel. Identifying themselves as Flit & Flap these phanaton asked the party to come with then to their settlement to meet their chief.   

This played out on 18 January 2026.

Disclaimer: This blog recounts the fictional events of a game of Dungeons & Dragons. Views expressed by characters within the blog are those of the characters, not the players, dungeon master, nor the blog's author. All other views in this blog are my own and represent the views of no other person, organization, or institution.