Malta Session 53: Interested Parties, A Couple of Knights, and Acererak

We begin this session on the deck of the Bonded Mind accompanied by the individuals we saved from the Egyptian Imol salvers, set for Dingli.

Earlier that morning: Carlo woke to a note from Stewart that he will be gone for a few days. Carlo only wished to prosper more relations between the monks and ‘his’ people and left word accordingly.

Carlo and Marco spot one of the Knights from Dingli flying towards the canal; Carlo notices that the rider has dark hair and a dark cloak and is not an individual our characters have interacted with.

It takes our characters some time to anchor due to the influx of new traffic into Dingli harbor. Several people can be seen working on various ships as well as the bustling docks; some vessels have seen battle along with anxious crews relieved to be at a port.

Eventually we spot a striking elf with a long mane of silvery hair wearing what looks like a mithril robe, a fantastic crown with his hair woven into it, and a rapier. He introduces himself as Domveris Eglor, the Knight of Coin. He says he has heard of our mercantile endeavor and says we should all talk. Our characters arrange passage on the lifts and to the Barn to meet Domveris.

When speaking with some of the crew of our other ship, Jabari gets a feeling of superstition and wariness as while they have not experienced battle, they have certainly been witness to it. Example being the Dark Gorgon; but even the other night there was a fast moving ship in the darkness that operated with efficiency and swiftness out near Fifla. Whispers and rumors of concern have spread about since it was spotted. Jabari arranges for each crew member leave for a not meal at the Barn with hopes to relieve the tension.

Domveris Eglor

Jabari also learns that while the Bonded Mind was berthed here there was a large amount of interest taken with the ship, the same individual came to the ship more than once, maybe a Spaniard, maybe a Egyptian. Jabari believes he saw this individual at the Barn before- the one seemingly very interested in Lermang; which, after some additional conversation, is the same man who tricked Evagara.

Eventually our characters arrive at the Barn our characters arrive to a pig roast Gunred Vuggel has slain two dire boars and has caused some excitement. As Gunred tells the story of how he killed the two dire boars, more people arrive and leave.

Everyone save for Carlo, experience the uneasiness of being watched- at different times throughout the next few hours; some magical scrying effect.

Once inside the Barn our characters find Imenagara Tetarta Master of coin as well as Domveris Eglor, the Knight of Coin. Lete immediately attempts to turn on the charm with Imenagara, the gesture seems well received. Nevertheless, more concerned with Evagara, Imenagara asks her well being and hands over a scrolled up note.

The scroll is a dossier of two individuals interested in our characters- a man named Ossam an Egyptian wizard warrior, or magus. The other one is named Nemo (also in the same post). Less is known about this individual but he is well connected and protected.

Our characters proceed with telling the two Knights of Dingli our character's encounter with the giant drow as well as the fact Lex lost his life during the encounter but was revived; Jabari relays our story from the return to the underdark cave for round two as well as returning to Dingli with the head of the giant drow, and the leading message from Evagara to Filfla including the fight with the were-creatures that got away.

Imenagara Tetarta

Domveris says to Imenagara that she must tell us….so..  Imenagara reveals to our characters about  Abushamon as well as the Knight of Death that they are Egyptian sympathizers and are in league with the drow. Abushamon visits the temple of Hades regularly and has stood in the way with dealing with the drow as well downplaying the drow threat. Abushamon's lusts to rule. Our characters end up settling an argument between the two about the existence and involvement of a diabolical imp.

This was a lot to speak about and talk wanes to mercantile trade of foodstuffs and Malta routes that can be arranged now that Malta is unified against the Egyptians.

We conclude our conversation with the two Knights but Lex is held back for a moment while the rest of our characters retired for the night. Imenagara tells Lex that she wants in with his endeavors. Her inquiries into our group led her to talking some friends in Paola. She understands Lex can move cargo for the organization and she wants a cut of the action. Lex seems agreeable. Imenagara tells him the master of Tombs is an ally and can arrange long-term storage. She tells Lex there will be goods waiting for delivery at their convenience. Lex dropps his disguise and reveals himself as a Fetchling and how it may help them in times to come.

Our characters learn The ones we turned over to the sky knight are held for trial for today.

The next morning Jabari will examine the VH sword as well as the arcane staff. 

Acererak

(Jabari is struck when Marco brings out the VH sword that the sword and the priestess’ arcane staff have been together before…)

With eyes rolled back Jabari begins to spasm for about a minute; in his mind Jabari has a flash back. He sees an individual holding the VH sword with a group of adventurers who are in some dungeon. To his horror Jabari sees on a cliff a massive Crystal golem. The VH wielder stays kill the golem. Then over head a creature (Acererak) holding a staff and using divine magics. Jabari sees the golem also has a staff, however Acererak’s staff looks like a greater version of the staff Jabari holds. Eventually the golem is destroyed and Acererak screams as Jabari sees Acererak phylactery held by one of the party members.

For the next hour Jabari will experience free-writing in the answering of questions. What are the properties of the sword? Having achieved its purpose, it has returned to it’s normal state. The vision was when the Evening Isles were still intact but not on what is now known as Malta. Was the creature destroyed when the phylactery was? People believed, it but was wrong.

Then another vision… .the moment the phylactery is destroyed. We learn that Acererak put himself in the staff which can still serve as a phylactery. The staff can be destroyed for weal and woe. Who is the name of the sword’s crafter? Van Helsing and he or his descendants have wielded the blade over the coarse of history. What was the sword meant to kill? And gets a vision of bats (perhaps vampires?). Is Acererak watching now? Unknown but he is confirmed as an Imol Egyptian.

Evagara observes that if Acererak is an Imol then our group is a threat to his family. Our characters turn our attention to Acererak’s former phylactery, the staff. Jabari attempts to burn it with oil and a magnifying lens. The process blackens the staff but it remains- actually revealing further the arcane symbols on its surface better. One of the markings means the 'City that Waits'. Another symbol: Tomb of the Nine Gods. Lex realizes this staff is a cypher and the symbols are answers. Another symbol is a medusa. The staff is a key or the answer to something.

Our characters resort to storing Acererak’s Staff in Lex's bag of holding.

We plan on two days of downtime before we set sail to Ghallis Rock.

The merchant Misrah Ghar Kbir reaches out Lex later that night and informs him an individual from Ta’Tabibu sent items down from Bugibba: scrolls, potions, and wands; a couple of rings, and the offer of a couple of ships. Lex sets him up with (2) 250 diamonds in return.

The scrolls are divine and arcane 4 spells of every level 1-5 level at the minimum CL level; potions up to 5,000 of healing type; decoy ring, and a ring of curing; wands (2) 3^rd level, (2) 2^nd level, (5) first level wands. The ships the Blood Prince and the Dread Cyclops have been abandoned in the bay of Bugibba and offers them 20 percentage of trade with Lex.

Misrah also says Ta’Tabibu says an individual that matches Nemo’s description looking for Lex in Bugibba. If Misrah is not in Dingli he can be at Mgarr on Gozo.

We pick up next session with our characters taking the Bonded Mind and the Algiers to Bugibba before setting off for Ghallis rock.

Gazzeteer: The Grotto

 The Grotto is Rock located in square D-2 on the grid. The Rock is formed from the peak of a long dead volcano that last erupted in Antiquity. The island is oblong, about 3 miles wide and 4 miles long. It is encircled by a ring of sharp volcanic rock reefs that lay about a mile off shore, with an opening on its western waters that allows ships in closer to the rock.. The dead volcano forms a natural well that collects rainwater and holds it, but the minerals in the volcano rock are well leached into the water. Many sea birds fly over and drink it, but most people find it unpalatable. The Rock  has been a popular ship moot for generations, especially for Sicilian merchants. Despite the rocky shore and desolate location, three people live at this rock. Though none in particular claim ownership of it, two are permanent residents, while the third is a merchant who still sometimes sails abroad. The reefs are sharp and treacherous to new navigators and captains. There are more than a few wrecks in the nearby waters of ships that took to much damage trying navigate the reefs and sank.

The merchant is a man named Bluath, whose family is a merchant house in Carthage. He managed to acquire a good number of hounds that are descendants of a distinguished breed of Italian greyhounds, piccolo levriero itialiano. They are very fast, and his stables are in Carthage within his family estates. Of course, Italian breeders say he is sham, and his hounds aren't genuine. But his dogs win, at least occasionally, at every track they race. Ever since Moffetta has come to the rock to live Bluath has spent more and more of his downtime here, and over the past couple years called it his home. He keeps a warehouse of sorts in the rocky, slightly damp caves in the sides of the old volcano. The Grotto is where he makes most clients come to complete their acquisition of his racing greyhounds. He is good friends with Moffetta and regards him as a very wise holy man. He likes Zeryph well enough, but is a little afraid of her. Since she has moved here, he has grown a little superstitious.

Moffetta found this rock a little more than 15 years ago, and has called it home ever since. He spent his younger years as a ship spellcaster for the merchants of the port of Tripoli. A druid by class, he finds the old volcano a very spiritual place, and loves it fiercely. He genuinely likes Bluath, and counts him as his best, probably onl, friend. His Druidic nature makes survival very pleasant here, and the merchant brings all the comforts one could desire. He regards Zeryph as a wild force of nature.  He gets along great with her, but finds her very strange. He is amazed by her powers of divination and sight and happily provides her with food and water, and companionship. He lives in a magical grove he creates with his own magic every day, the only respite from the sharp, rocky volcanic substrate this rock was crafted from.

Zeryph is relatively new, coming here to live a couple years ago. She claims to not know how old she is, but she appears to be a dark skinned woman of about 30 years. She has the classic look of a wild woman witch, but she is, in fact, an oracle. She doesn't ever remember not having mystical sight that allows her to see the world of sprits, the mysteries of the oceans, and the tides of time. She is troubled by a very recent event that she still hasn't grasped the full extent of. Not long ago she fell victim of a sleepless 3-day fugue. During the entirety of this fever she was locked in the throes of The Sight, mystically witnessing the release of thousands of wretched prisoners from a jail older than the present age. Her spirit was touched and viewed upon by every single wretched prisoner that erupted from the ancient well she watched, the mouth of the ancient watery prison that lay at the deepest floor of the ocean. She was different since she woke from the fever, even Moffetta knew tat for sure. She knows she is more powerful than ever before, and she knows it is in a different way than her oracle class would grow. She likes Moffetta a great deal, and occasionally takes him romantically. She is friendly towards Bluath and delights in teasing and terrifying him.  She lives by herself in a cavern in the side of the volcano on the opposite of where Moffetta and Bluath live.

Malta Session 52: Full Moon Night, Were-Creatures, and An Entrance To The Ways

We begin this weeks session examining the items off the Temple of Hades (and the Golden Medallion) when Jabari begins to feel sickened and suspects the quarterstaff gained off the priestess. The staff is stout and a very old with arcane markings. Several of our characters as well as Evagara examine it and each agree it is an item of antiquity. Our characters note it as we decide what is helpful to our characters and what will further our mercantile efforts.

Our characters return to the Broken Moon Monastery around midday, but about midway back a few of us notice a couple of ships out on the southern horizon, however none of us see details. Some of us use the day as downtime, while Jabari examines the necromancer's spellbook. A name, Acererak stands out from spell book upon examination while Lermang and Marco watch the horizon and looking for those ships. This until the full moon ceremony.

Later that night at the Full Moon ceremony, our characters find the monks dressed in fine lose-fitting clothes; the area definitely feels different like we are at higher altitude. The monks perform a combat opera until the full moon reaches a certain point in the sky filling the broken moon on the observatory. It is then our characters begin to feel lighter off the ground and where the moon finally fills the broken medallion on the monastery, strange images being to materialize. It is Evagara that realizes this at one time was a portal to the actual Moon.

The formerly stoic monks are now at ease and seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and excited our characters are here to witness their celebration. The ceremonial and effects last into the late night and early evening.

As our characters make our way to our living quarters, a few of us hear what sounds like a wailing coming from the direction of the Temple of Hades. 

This piques our characters' curiosity and we begin to make some preparations and take to the air towards of the Temple ruins. At about 100 feet out, those of our characters who can see in the dark, spot two animal like humanoids- werewolves, as well as other individuals (Egyptians) who seem to be running from the temple. Then waves of bats erupt from the temple lower levels and as they do they appear to be growing in size. Our characters eventually discover the Egyptians were running from wererats.

Our characters quickly kill the werewolves and half the werebats. The wererats escaped but it is our character’s intention to explore the Temple undersides and after a time our characters come to an area that slopes down where it was rumored to lead to the Underworld. We find evidence of dried blood along the way but no other sign of were-creatures.

We continue despite the danger of the Underworld and eventually begin to feel a change in the surrounding environment. After a time our characters find a chamber with a strip of antique arcane symbols along the wall. In the center is a round patterned spray in the floor with six secret trap doors in the floor. We eventually tie this chamber to the Artificer and is an old as the structure above.

We investigate an inset in the wall to find a passage leading under the chamber and machinery rising out the darkness: old entrance to the Ways. So it appears this area is also connected to the moon and so when the full moon occurs an opening to the Ways opens to release were-creatures upon the world.

Eventually our characters decide to head back to the Monastery and tell some of the monks about the effects the full moon has on the Temple of Hades; eventually we make our way back to the building we have been staying at. When we are there one of the physic community tells Carlo of a vision he had and that was our characters in the underchamber and the entrance to the Ways. Tal then joins the conversation and states that Kella was once interested in the Ways and is possible she feared lost. Carlo mentions that one of the wagoners was last at the Temple of Hades.

Our characters take a well deserved rest and pick up with Carlo meeting with Stewart and investigating the VH Rapier and the quarterstaff from the priestess, as well as taking the seven prisoners to Dingli after two days. 

Malta Session 51: Monks of Filfla, A Gifted Community, and The Attack On The Temple Of Hades

We begin this week's session with our characters arriving at the Resting Moon Observatory with Stewart greeting us correctly assuming we have many questions. He leads us beyond the observatory and to the monastery along the uneven rocky ground left over from previous ghostly structures.

Stewart opens by answering the unasked question- the monks came here about 100 years ago and since have utilized this space for training and daily living. As he spoke Stewart seems at home with the monks and admits, at length that he thought he was dying Filfla but awoke at this place after an unknown length of time and after acclimating to this climate he eventually recovered. 

Stewart continued. He maintains there were others that were drawn here, and speaking to Carlo there are many more of ‘us’ than previously thought. The monks here have been more than accommodating; furthermore none of the monks tolerate the Egyptians or the slavers. This is how they ended up finding Evagara quite by accident. Stewart says it was the Imol family that targeted Evagara. He continues and says the Monks will have our characters but expect more trouble from the Egyptians. 

Evagara describes an individual Jabari remembers having seen before. 

Carlo eventually comes to realize that small communities have formed here consisting of the Jailer's refugees and that no harm shall be raised between their kind. Tal, who was also with our characters, mentions to Carlo there are other Borg here. Tal Borg is the first to come to greet Carlo and Lete with crystals fashioned into rough shapes. Token gifts of appreciation. Tal leads our characters around sharing stories including how Tal was lead here. Carlo relies the unfortunate news of Elsar and her companion passing and how they were killed. This effects Tal greatly and says Perhess would want to hear this information.

We are next introduced to Dynel, a woman named Baneld, and Rakmir who looks Egyptian but was among the Jailer’s many victims. Conversation is casual but eventually Rakmir asks if our characters will be staying for the full moon tomorrow night; it seems Rakmir does not think before he speaks and seemingly spoke out of turn or without authority. Carlo agrees enthusiastically and admits to be curious about the island. 

Eventually we are lead bast scores of other individuals, the beginnings of a community when eventually Stewart excuses himself as Tal takes our characters to Perhess. Tal talks about other creatures that have taken an interest in this place and there are possibly two reasons for this: someone already here affected by the moon or another possibility is there are others on the unique island- either one of the monks or a cult.

Tal takes us to a narrowish building and casually knocks before a tall individual answers the door. Perhess is slender, tall as mentioned with mayhap a little elven blood in his ancestry. We make introductions saying where our characters been and where we are all from. He seems mildly surprised to see us but Perhess has heard of Carlo before. It was Carlo who relays how Elsar and the other individual was found. Perhess seems concerned and explains that since the destruction of the Plank and the portal every full moon has brought the discovery of a dead mutilated body.

Since his travels from Birzabugibba he too discovered a body and something purposefully opened the skull. Carlo says the Master of Tombs has welcomed people of their kind in their conversation.

Eventually Lermang comes in and retrieves Jabari concerned that come of the terrain here is foreign. When pressed Lermang says it may be stone from somewhere else. Lermang leads Jabri to a strange cactus shaped ferrous material that looks like it came up from the ground. Lermang then takes Jabari to another example of strange terrain and how it occurs that these strange stones came from above and not below. Jabari touches the stone and sees faint visions but no new information.

Back at Perhess, he says he will inform the monks of our stay and eventually learns the people have segregated into groups with complementary skills to develop a structured community using a chronicler. Usually after the full moon they wish to have a meeting to address common issues with attempts to reach out to other individuals transitioning to this place.  

With the late hour fast approaching, Tal will lead our characters to the monastery side that is closer to the Observatory to find the monks stretching and cooling off after a day of rigorous physical activity.

Nyth

We then soon introduced to the Abbot Nyth, a firbolg who moves with great tactical efficiency. He greets us and immediately takes a liking to our characters because we like to kill Egyptians too. He leads us around and eventually a music auditorium where our characters learn every monk learns to play an instrument. He invites us to attend the ceremony tomorrow night and learn there are upwards of 50 monks here.

Lete asks about the training grounds and Perhess invites Lete and Carlo to come at first light of the new day to train with them. Zidel will be Lete’s instructor. Marco inquires about some cross training and Perhess will spar with Zidel before the Moon Celebration. Zidel is a Dingli man and is described as one Perhess’ best students.

Jabari inquires and learns the Imol Egyptians have an interest in the Temple of Hades and knows of only the  Imol woman is the only cleric of Hades that attends the Temple, but have heard of others there as well. It is possible the ones that retreated to shore with their prisoners and may of gone to the Temple of Hades.

Chamber time comes early for the monks- 8 pm, and soon our characters are left to our own devices. We find an empty building outside the monastery and take our rest. However Carlo is a minor celebrity with the physic folk so it is later when Carlo gets to rest. Carlo gets a handle on the power level of these individuals and realizes he is easily the most powerful physic individual here although Tal has come along way since last Carlo saw him.

Rest is comfortable and early in the morning Carlo and Lete meet up with the monks. Lex’s post occurs tonight and is back in the morning.  

We eventually meet the 6’6” tall Zidel who proved to be strong and difficult to get leverage with. Carlo and Lete train until midday meal which happens to be when the party wishes to investigate the shore to look for possible slaves from the Golden Medallion.

While we are training Jabari and Lermang spend more time investigating the strange rock and metals that are not native to Filfla trying to map out the area. However after mapping it out it appears that some of the rock is a radius around the temple as if the broken moon at it's top was once whole.

After the midday meal our characters make our way down to the shore to find eight row boats as well as several small groups of individuals, some minding their own business.  A couple of individuals take out one of the boats, another couple are seen pulling one of the row boats onto shore; while another few look to be enjoying the shore. We don’t see any ships in the immediate area.

Our characters follow Lermang’s lead and find two sailor messengers looking for the same place we are. They too are looking the temple- "a priestess and a wolf’s head." Lex attempts a slight of hand and pulls out a handful of messages from one of the messengers. One of the messages have the Imol symbol as well as a few others with unrecognizable symbols. The other messenger seems to work for a specific individual- possibly Davos.

Lermang calls us to a halt as we come to a narrow passage that slopes down at a 75 degree angle with Egyptian slaves guarding the temple grounds. Approaching closer our characters see several individuals preparing for the full moon, we also hear sounds coming from the temple. Lex and Jabari get closer still after some additional spell casting.

The temple is a pillared open-air structure containing a dozen individuals with hooded slaves kneeling around an altar in front of them. Among the dozen, Jabari identifies the Imol priestess who anoints the prisoners one by one as she removes the hoods from the docile prisoners.

We agree to a surprise attack, so while Lex and Jabari wait for the rest of the characters to catch up they overhear an ominous exchange of conversation. “What’s the most successful you have been with the gift? I’ve had 3 in one cycle. And the rest? We usually give them to the necromancers.”

Lex easily and quickly kills the Imol priestess while the rest of our characters split up to attack mercenaries and Egyptians. Eventually our enemies surrender while Lex slays the mercenary necromancer.

We save seven of the prisoners and gather items off the defeated opponents heading for the shore.

We gain our 10^th character level.

Off the priestess: cloak of resistance +1 (Ahumm), light chainmail +1, +1 crossbow with 20 +1 bots, +2 inspired headband (Ahumm), pearl of power 1 st level (Jabari), ring of protection +1 (Lermang), 500 gp onxy gems.  160 gold of silver dust.

Necromancer: +1 quarterstaff, lesser silent metamagic rod (Jabari), wand of animate dead 10 ch (destroyed), amulet of natural armor +2 (Marco), ring of protection +1 (Ahumm), cloak of resistance +2 (Lermang)

2 dead Egyptians: (2) +2 bladed weapons (Lete/Trade), (2) ring of counterspells (Jabari/Evagara), 4 potions of CSW (done), +2 mithril chain shirt (trade)

Mercenaries: (10) adamantine weapons, (11) composite longbows (+3 str), 50 +1 adamantine construct bane arrows, 50 adamantine arrows (Lermang), (5) scrolls of cats grace, and 5 scrolls CMW (Jabari), (5) +1 chain shirts, 1 random magical item roll…

Randomness: Ring of spell knowledge II (trade), +2 mithril chain shirt with a +2 SA (Marco), serpent belt greater (Evagara), rod of cancellation (Lex), +1 weapon (trade)

The Places I've Been

Warjden and Engoss had both made fast friends amongst the crew of the Algiers, but even quicker friends between themselves. In the tense days that the captains had been delayed inland, both of these charismatic sailors were impressed by the steadfast enthusiasm of the crews of both ships. Morale didn't falter, but it was still glad news when Lermang had said they were returned to Dingli. It was the halfling who first voiced the idea of a bonfire party on the beach head, and it was soundly seconded by all. First Mate Ahumm allowed three barrels of rum to be unloaded, and the party was grand indeed.
It was as all settled around the fire pit for smoking and drinking that Captain Sven began prodding these two eloquent sailors, asking where they had sailed to. Warjden, the elf, started.

"Well, have any of you fished the the Shark Fisher Rocks? It's a big stretch of rocky islands in the Great Sea maybe 25 miles square. The piles of rocks don't hold much and ain't good for much above the surface, that's for sure. But all those rocks so close together make for fairly shallow seas, and beautiful rock and coral habitat for a rainbow of fishes. But it's true secret is that the 35 - 75 feet depths make it prime hunting grounds for all the Sharks of the sea. This is where fishermen go to bring in the big sharks, providing great food for hundreds with each monster fish. Sharks 12 - 15 feet long have been brought in. Of course, there are monsters much bigger than that, but no one can bring in such behemoths. There are so many sharks there that Dolphins and even the whales avoid the area, almost never being seen there. Also, the great school fishes like sardines and anchovies aren't found there because of the shallow seas, but the variety tropical reef fish in the rocky island bases is staggering. Manta rays and sea snakes are nearly as populous as sharks, also in numerous variety. I say, Engoss, have you ever ventured to Figgy Rock ?"

"Aye, that I have, though I first heard it called Squirrel Rock. " Engoss pulled an impossibly long, dramatic draw from his pipe, and slowly exhaled into the ocean night. "It's a queer oddball of an    island to be sure. The waters that surround the thickly forested peak of soil are deep- three hundred    fathoms to the base where the island meets the seabed. It's peak towers 1500 feet high above the sea. It's the only island in the sea that is home to a particular oak tree, but the island is being taken over by fig trees. The figs grow from every crack and crevice of the rich black dirt on this 3 mile diameter peak. Happily chittering away are colonies of squirrels that frolic and feed among the acorns and figs. These squirrels are only found here, nesting among these rare oaks. Many lizards, chameleons and geckos mainly, and tropical birds also live here, living off the bugs and beetles of the Rock. But you,  Warjden, are a far more worldly sailor than I , and there is a place that I have only heard of. It is an island of legend to the Romans called Insula Phocarum. Have you ever seen it?"

"I have, I have indeed. It lies closer to Malta than the Roman shores, and is as strange a thing as any. It's true what is said of the idyllic shallow blue waters, and the smooth sands that seem to stretch for a mile around its shores. The island of seals is home to more seals than any Roman can count." The smile that crept onto the face of the middle aged elf gave away the influence of the halflings fine hedgeweed. "You see, it only takes a few months for their seal pups to mature enough to go to the   sea, so the seals mate and bear young all year long, with no regard to season. The shallow beaches have depths of ten feet several hundred feet out at low tide, so it is far to shallow for sharks to hunt them there. It is no effort at all for a crew of men to fill a boat with them to take to harbor and sell them for meat and oil. The waters are fairly deep a couple thousand feet away from the island, and is full of dolphins and whales. These waters are also rich in mullets, tuna, and ocean catfish. The rocky island is large, but supports no plant life at all. It is a flat beach of hot rocky sand that doesn't rise far above the surface of the sea. The beach is so gradual that at one thousand yards , at low tide, the seas are only 20 feet deep." He smiled broadly, and handed an empty pipe back to Engoss, who chuckled appreciatively.

"It seems there is no end to these island homes for strange creatures. The Cactus Rocks are the most beautiful I've seen, with tortoises nearly as tall as me ! The Channels made up of the cliff walls of those tightly compacted island are spooky, and I believe the tales of ocean dwelling humanoids hidden in their depths. Of course, the chances of shipwreck make it necesary that small boats be used  to land among these arid lands, but what a bounty! Filled with loose sandy soil, the islands are about 100 square miles of cactus pears and primitive kiwi vines. Many lizards and tropical birds share these rocks with the tortoises that dominate it's shores. It's also rich under the waves, with brightly covered coral reefs that are home to a variety of octopus, including some very large ones. "

"Of course, all these places are one thing shy of paradise, aren't they friend ?"

Warjden smiled, this time at the wisdom of his friend. " No water. "

They toasted one another, touching cups and smoking until the rum was gone.