By the next morning they could see land in the far-off distance, jutting into the azure sky. Mid-afternoon they docked on the island claimed as New Zephyr. The dock and inlet were barely wide enough for the slip-stream design of the Athan Miere, making it clear to the adventurers why the current setup was not satisfactory. The island was a more primal land than they were used to, with lush forest creating a wall where the white sand beach ended. The water was as light a blue as one could describe, and the small settlement did not look out of place- being that all the structures were made from deforested trees and thatch. The settlement itself was no bigger than most town squares, hosting an open market, a blacksmith in the open air, a shack hosting a variety of magical items, and an inn, all in front of a low-lying megaplex lacking in windows as well as multiple doors. First stop was the magic shack, where they met an old woman under a thatch roof held up by four small tree trunks, with impromptu shelves taking up every bit of spare space in the abode. Buying alchemists fire and potions for the job ahead, the woman began to whine about the monkey in this area that stole everything shiny it could get its hands on. Without hesitation, an orange, wiry monkey snatched some gold out of Dali's hand when giving it to the woman for her wares. Chuntaka threw a knife, attempting to stop the monkey, but luckily failed, as Quinn and Castillo put their heads together and agreed that following the monkey to his nest of shiny things (undoubtedly gold and precious items). Quinn laid a trap the monkey couldn't resist, shiny stones on the ground. As the monkey jetted off, hands full, the adventurers ran after it. Running up and down fallen trees, across rivers and thick underbrush, Chuntaka is the first to climb after the monkey when they finally reach its tree. The entire crew climbs the tree, gazing upon a treasure horde like no other they've had the privilege in taking part of. Among the gold, copper, and precious metals, all identifiable by the adventurers, the only unknown item was a small, golden rectangular box with a strange clawed, serpentine but feline insignia on the top sliding piece. Chuntaka quickly put this in his robe as the monkey, Pokko, took O'Malley's hat and began to chew on it. As he took it back from the small tamarin monkey, she climbed up on Quinn O'Malley's shoulder and fit perfectly. With a new familiar with a pirate-esque lust for the shinier things in life, they head back to the settlement not far away, but invisible because of the vast forestry. Skrim climbs a tree and looked overhead, seeing the bald mountains in the distance and the insurmountable jungle this chain of islands possessed.
Back at the settlement, they walked past a large fence made completely of stripped rain forest trees, with a group of men coming through its only gate with seemingly nothing in their possession. Dali and Skrim followed the men back to the large, windowless building. Trying to gain entry to the guarded door, they were quickly shunned, and reunite with Chuntaka, Quinn and Castillo who were dropping raw materials off at the blacksmith. All together, they head to the inn, where they met Therion, the innkeeper. Only having wine to serve, Skrim made the old man's life difficult until he lost his temper and Skrim simmered down. Therion told them the settlement had only been there two months, him being the ambassador for the South Zephyrian Trading Company, but not busy enough given there weren't that many visitors. Therion was convinced this was to be some day the best vacation spot in the world, and he would have a world-class resort ready for the influx of wealthy travelers. The inn was not ready yet, having only a one-story tavern at the front and a large room full of hammocks and lacking walls right behind it. The roof was made out of an oiled windsail to keep out the rain, and hung from the ceiling were mosquito nets, making the gentle breeze of the mild tropics blow gently over every patron of the inn. Talking to Therion long into the night about a manner of enlightening things, he offered them a drink made from the beans here, called coffee, which was exported heavily to cities. As he was pouring everyone a small teacup-full a lady walked in, accompanied by Uncle, who chimed in asking Therion to pour her a cup. They all sat at the inn's largest round table, Uncle clearly taking the position of silent sidekick which was strange to the adventurers. She introduced herself as Lady Kaliska, current president of the South Zephyrian Trading Company, and their employer. Her poise, calculated answers, and casualness of what goes on on the island made some of the party very suspicious, but nonetheless no one backed out, especially after she claimed their reward would be a percent of the profit made on the island if they succeed. Wanting to oversee the loading of cargo onto the Athan Miere, she bids them goodnight and walked out the door. Therion broke the silence offering the "lads and lady" a stay at his soon-to-be resort, costing them only the promise that they'll tell their friends about his establishment. Chuntaka walked out the door to the dock to find Verdana, who was shouting orders at the SZTC soldiers carrying the cargo up the gangplank. Chuntaka asked if she had a moment, and they walked together. After they were a good distance away on the beach, he reveals the tiny, golden box. Before even pulling it out all the way, it's shoved back in by Verdana's hand. She spoke in a harsh whisper "they would kill you for much less, don't show this to anyone and get rid of it safely as soon as you can."
Telling him that the island is cursed, as every Arythean has repeated to the party at one time or another, Chuntaka walks back to the inn to join in another game of liar's dice, or sygerrik d'aemar ("game of deceit") in the old tongue. After everyone's lust for gambling is temporarily quenched, Castillo walks out to talk to Verdana. Audible to the entire patronage of the inn, he is shot down again and again by the windfinder, telling her "you have braved much on the high seas, as have I, but you have never felt a storm like me." After resorting to yelling at him, Verdana goes back on board the Athan Miere and tells Castillo to go away. Laying in hammocks under the over-sized awning in the moist air, Dali usurps the sound of the ocean and trees, asking why Castillo is so bad at women. He says that he falls too hard, and does things that even scare him, but promising her that "Veridana" will soon be his, as he is already hers. Dali tells the tale of her fleeing her homeland to save her life, as her family is taken down one by one for political power. Skrim interjects, saying that she's safe here from that, but not safe from anything else, these traders were not to be trusted. They all agree they've only been told half-truths and partial lies by the SZTO so far. In the morning they will set out on a small sailboat to navigate the gorgeous, but choppy, waters of the islands in search for a decent harbor. Unknown dangers await as they finally pay back their end of the bargain, with heads spinning of endless possibilities and the rush of coffee, they try to fall asleep.
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