Prelude part 3: Escape from nessie island
A desperate escape. A final choice.
The ground has been set for war. The party has one final decision to make that will determine the fate of Nessie island.
Part I - Sold Out
After resting in the cave following a bloody battle against the sinuous assassin, the party finds themselves refreshed and rejuvenated for the adventures to come. Seven, Twitch, Namira, Davina, and Cyrell notice that the other adventurers they were with had already departed. The center of the room features a statue of Igwe leaning over a small sprout with a simple quote, "bring to me what brought life to this world and you shall be set free." Seven claimed the Ooka Taga as his own.
Our heroes tried many different tactics as Igwe watched from above with slight disappointment. Alas, the party had been asleep for quite some time, and feeling generous, Igwe provided plentiful clues to unlock its secret - it required Igwe's tears which fell from a fountain not to far away.
As they walked up the stairs to the tomb entrance, it was not only the sunlight they were greeted by but a massive ape, larger then the rest. Beside him, a bound cocokin with bright blue eyes and a cut in his shell that stretched to his eyebrows with banana leaves bandaging the wound. Oho.
Oho tried to explain that the Mon-kee promised to free his family in return for telling them where to find the adventurers before quickly being silenced by the Mon-kee leader. The big ape said that the mon-kee want peace, offered a pile of deliciously ripe bananas (which confused the hell out of Cyrell) and told them that the Mon-kee control what they seek. The 'wishing well' was under mon-kee control, and they would allow the party to use it if they brought Chief Magwa and Colonel Toki to a bridge on the island within 2 days. They left, bringing the bound Oho with them.
Alone once again, they continued on their original mission to solve the dungeons puzzle. Seven carried water from a prior statue of Igwe back to the one in the tomb. Seven, being a warforged, had never cried before and so it may have made sense to him when he tried to pour the water into the statues hands. The rest of the party looked on wide eyed and quickly corrected him, reminding that tears fall from eyes. This did the trick, and opened a small hidden passage that contained the sarcophagus of Igwe himself. Inside, among decaying bones and rats, lay a small bottle they would later learn to be the decanter of endless rum. They would also look into a few other coffins that lay around, finding nothing of note, save for a letter written in celestial.
With the tomb fully looted, it was time to move on.
Part II - the choice
The party had an uneventful trip back to the Cocokin camp where they were greeted with open arms. They reported directly to Magwa who was currently meeting with Colonel Toki. Overjoyed, Magwa explained how the artifact, although not a powerful weapon, would be a symbol of hope to inspire his people through an overwhelming battle to come.
The party, rather forcefully, argued to get their reward. Information on how to escape the island in exchange for retrieving the Ooka Taga. Magwa urges them to calm down, that he had no intention of breaking his promise. He reveals a beautiful white flower known as a golden kadpul that only grows once every 10 years on the island. They only need to bring this the center of the island to a well that is inside a cave carved into the side. The only issue is indeed, the Mon-kee control that part of the island.
Distracted by his overwhelming feeling of hope and the many questions - Magwa forgot to explain the plan that he and Toki had come up with to infiltrate the mon-kee camp. The party leave only for a few seconds before they remember that the Ooka Taga is still in Toki's possession, however he is unwilling to part with it to the party he still distrusts.
Outside Magwa's hut the party heads for the tavern discussing briefly some plans on what to do, but decide it will be better to discuss in the morning. Are they really getting the whole story? Davina is quick to mention that both sides have withheld some information so it is possible neither can be trusted.
After a long deliberation of the situation, our heroes feel it is best to hear the mon-kee side of the story. They will pay a visit to them and try to figure the best plan.
They meet a scout and a bound Oho at the bridge they were told to bring Magwa and Toki to who is disappointed they have come without what they asked for. Davina casts speak with animals to communicate with him but alas this is merely a lowly grunt within the tribe. It explains that some feel as though war is the wrong path, but ultimately it is the only one. They have trouble communicating, so they ask if Oho can translate, which he does....by casting speak to animals.
Ultimately the grunt is not useful so they proceed to visit the mon-kee camp after agreeing to have their hands bound. They reach the mon-kee camp and are granted an audience with the large ape leader, whose name will forever remain unknown. The party has many questions that are only returned with disappointing answers. The great ape tries to explain there is no chance for peace between factions. In an unfortunate case of miscommunication, the apes wanted peace with these strangers...not the cocokin. The mon-kee want to rule the island and everything on it.
The party (in a non-unanimous decision) find that both groups are acting like children and this feud is stupid. It would be best to do the easiest thing to get off the island and leave it all behind. It should be enough to bring at least colonel toki to the bridge as well as the the tribes relics as proof there should be no opposition to their conquest.
The sky darkens from its peaceful blue to a more sinister shade.
Part III - The trade
Back at the cocokin camp, Magwa explains that he and Toki have come up with a plan to sabatoge the Mon-kee's pending invasion. A perfect opportunity to isolate Toki. The party convinces Magwa & Colonel Toki to hand over the Ooka Taga AND convince Toki to go with them to scout out the mon-kee camp. As they approach the bridge where the deal was set to take place, Toki becomes increasingly uncomfortable with their plans realizing something is amiss. The party is quick to respond, distracting Toki before attempting to knock him unconscious. While Cyrell reaffirms the plan to Toki, Seven, Twitch, and Davina all ready to knock him out. Only Twitch is able to land a hit as the other two blows are deflected. Toki pleads with the party, the Cocokin welcomed them, trusted them with their gods artifact, fed & housed them, and this is the repayment they get?
His words fall on deaf ears. Only Namira seems truly uneasy with the choices the party is making. Davina entangles Toki, who is unable to break free as the rest of the party excluding Namira stab and whack him until he falls unconscious. They continue on to the bridge, where the great ape stands waiting for his prize. Seeds of doubt set in Cyrell's mind, but he does not go against the party. Namira wants no part of this plan, and leaves to head back to the cocokin village. Seven ambiguously tries to explain that none of this really matters,
Although the great ape initially shows anger at only one of the requested cocokin being brought, he relaxes after they explain that the tribe is more or less left without hope. The great ape understands that victory is more or less assured, and grants them passage up the mountain. The great ape showcases his strength and his victory by nearly crushing Toki's head before sending him off with the original bridge guard. Toki, with his last words, explains the party are no better then the enemies they have sided with.
Part IV - the Escape
If anyone tries to accuse Cyrell of not having a conscious, it would be clear they were not with him on Nessie Island. As the party marches their way up the mountain, Cyrell remains behind, pondering certain options. Before leaving himself, in an attempted act of mercy, he channels lightning energy that directly hits Toki, killing him. The mon-kee are unsure if this was an attack against them, and begin to go on a rage, willing to kill the party for this transgression.
What should have been a simple hike to the well now became a frantic sprint. From trees surrounding the path, Mon-kee begin throwing poop, shooting back mounted crossbows, and trying to punch the party into submission. Seven is knocked unconscious, & the great ape questions the remaining members motivations. All of the party members are quick to throw Cyrell under the bus, claiming that they are not with him to flee with their own lives. He questions Cyrell why he did what he did...and ultimately lets Cyrell go. It is not worth his time, after all, there is a war to win and this nuisance will be out of their fur shortly.
As the party, minus Namira, continue up the path of the mountain they see a warship with a loaded trebuchet departing to sail to the cocokins village. The party members are convinced there is nothing they could have done, and that the odds were stacked too far against the cocokin. As they climb higher, they are able to see the ship approaching the village, and launching a fireball towards it. Screams fill the air as an orange glow lights up the village. At the peak, another fireball, more screams, and the entrance to the cave. There must have been nothing they could have done...right? The sky darkens further, as white streaks begin to paint across the sky.
The entrance into the mountain is guarded by two mon-kee who let them in without issue. In the center of a damp cave lies a single well. The party holds hands, drops the flower into the well, and wishes to return home. Finishing their wish, the center of the mountain blows off and a beam is cast down from the sky engulfing the party. They are blinded for a moment, before their senses return to them.
The last thing the party sees is an elderly man smiling over them as a dark blue portal with white streaks closes. Surrounding them, a well decorated and modestly furnished room. On a table across the room, a small snowglobe with an island inside, a large mountain in the middle.
The warship departs from the Mon-kee dock as the party climbs up the mountain to escape