the hideaway ➞ open island log

[ramuhs]

Who: The Hideaway Crew
Status: Semi-Open
Where: On their island, "The Roost," and other places for errands
What: A general catch all log for crew shenanigans and quests! Non-members are allowed to join so long as they're with a current crew member!
Warnings: Other than natural circle of life for animals, presumably none /eyes everyone

I. GRYPHON AID

A relationship with the gryphons who dwell in the high peaks of the island mountains has been established. Led by the black feathered matriarch, Brynna, and her mate, Kaj, a golden brown gryphon, the majestic beasts prove capable of understanding words spoken to them and while they cannot speak they are still capable of communicating to get their point across. But while they remember their predecessors forming bonds with the original inhabitants of this island, they won't automatically trust Cid's crew. To prove themselves and establish better relations, the following are tasks that crew members should do to help bolster these relations:

🪺 Clean up nests. Gryphons are part feline, part eagle, and both parts neat and messy in their own ways. The nesting and brooding season is still underway, and while there are nests still with eggs waiting to be hatched, others are seeing their first hatchlings. Which just means more messes. Help tidy up the gryphon nests by replacing any bad material or cleaning the ledges a bit. Doesn't have to be perfect, but getting rid of any unwanted debris, old bones, or a good rinse may improve their moods. Gryphons like looking good, too! Decorating the roosts with colorful ribbons or pennants will also curry favor, as long as they are out of young one's reach. Wouldn't want them to choke!

🐍 Protect the nests. While they have always been natural enemies, there has been an increase in basilisks and large snakes that are hunting the gryphons' eggs and young hatchlings. Neither Cid nor the gryphons want to exterminate them completely as that would upset the island's isolated ecosystem, but at the very last the gryphons want them away from their nests and rescue any eggs that were already taken. For those that do not survive or come to late, participating in the mourning or even burying the lost will help.

🦅 Gryphon rides. Some gryphons may want to test the mettle of their new two-legged neighbors and will "offer" them a ride. This "ride" of course will be sending them through a lot of dives, steep climbs, barrel rolls, and dipping way too close to the ocean's surface than they may like. Hang on and the gryphons will be impressed. But if anyone loses their grip, the gryphons will catch them. Or at least make sure they fall on something soft. Like water.

Just be careful round the gryphon roosts. They are on some very tall, steep peaks with a number of tunnels that go into the mountains. Some even have made their nests in caves. Finally, a fair warning to those who may have close affiliation to birds or cats: the gryphons may "flirt" with them.

II. MYSTERIOUS SHIPWRECKS

Scattered around the island are a few shipwrecks. Not too surprising given the location, and most of the ones found within the inner island, including the inner beach are likely ones from the previous inhabitants. But there are some shipwrecks that are found beyond the island that ran aground on the rocks or reefs that protect it. The crew is tasked to investigate the ships and see if there is anything worth salvaging. Perhaps records or books left behind could also be valuable...?

There are also a few smaller boats and ships scattered about that can be found intact with just needing a few repairs and upgrades to make them sailworthy again. While not so fit to be used out on the rougher ocean waters outside of the island, they could be made for good use in the inner enclosed bay, larger lakes, and river channels both above and below ground.

Note: players can have fun and come up with anything useful that could be found! Items will not be too game changing, but there can be interesting records of how people used to live or useful tools and materials, even treasures found on the ships. Generally they will date back a few decades, up to a century or so, with the ships outside the island being more "recent."

III. REBUILDING AND CLEANING

While some clean up and repairs have already started since last month around the town hub hidden within the mountain caverns, there's still much that needs to be done and salvaged. Various materials also need to be found and brought in to their new hub, so while the ship is available to heavier hauls, those who have yet to get their Ring of Returning for a faster trip to and from The Roost, they better do so! Gathering materials from within the island using the newly discovered boats is also possible.

Here are some things that could be done:
🌽 Find suitable locations to create fields for gardens and small crops. Finding, repairing, and repurposing the old ones from the previous inhabitants will make this easier.
👨‍🌾 Harvest some of the local fruit, vegetables, and herbs found around the island.
🐇 Hunt to start building their own store of preserved meats.
📦 Import any other food necessities that they can't get from the island. Obtained legally or not, Cid won't ask...

🧹 Continue cleaning and clearing out the rubble in the various buildings and rooms so people can comfortably live in them should they wish.
🛠️ Continue repairs and improvements for anything broken around the hub town.
📦 Find and gather materials to help with overall building. Wood, metal, nails, tools, glass, etc. Similar to the foodstuffs, obtained legally or not, Cid won't ask... These materials can be gathered within the island or off the island.

And other possible tasks to help improve their living situation.

IV. WILDCARD

Crew log with special crew quests! Which is really just a lot of "go do stuff for the island" lol. All quests are worth 4 points, and non-crew members can participate and also get the 4 points! For more info on the crew, can refer to Hideaway info page here. If interested in joining, comment here.

The log lasts for the entire month and everyone is free to do more than what is included, including general exploring and making more discoveries. So everyone is free to make up whatever you want, whether it be a location, creature, plant, or whatever else might be cool so long as it fits. Characters can also claim whatever house or building or mark a new place for themselves. If a space is needed for a library or a workshop or bathhouse or whatever, boom it exists. There are NPC crew members both human and animalkin alike, mostly to help with sailing the ship, so feel free to use them as well.

GALLERY

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code by efrynidel

Comments

closed to cid - introductions??

[apothecarry]

[Through circumstances, Alfyn has found himself in the position of potentially joining Joshua's crew. Regardless of whether he does, he's been on their island for a few hours now helping out. The man is unable to resist offering a hand if someone needs it. So! He's spent his time at "The Roost"...clearing out brush. Moving debris from one place to a more convenient place. Pocketing a few specific plant cuttings or seeds as he finds them.

So when the time comes to meet the captain of this crew, Alfyn's looking a little scruffier than usual. But he's not afraid of the dust of honest work, even if it isn't his usual.

He's sitting on a log, back under some shade, plucking burrs from the hem of his shirt. Waiting. He's not sure what this Cid fella will be like, but Joshua spoke pretty highly of him.]

[ramuhs]

[Hearing of a potential new recruit, Cid makes time to meet with him. He's unfortunately running a little late as he had been attending to some other matters (ever the busy man this one), so when he finally approaches the meeting spot—]

You must our special guest. Apologies for the wait, things ran a little late.

[Though he is a bit surprised to see Alfyn's state. The man really had thrown himself into the work, eh? And for a group he's not even officially affiliated with... Well, that's certainly going to give him a few positive points.

Regardless he holds out his hand.]

Cid Telamon.

[apothecarry]

[Alfyn is quick to get to his feet when approached!

"Special guest" gets a wary smile and a quick shrug of his shoulders; he shakes his head at the apology. There was plenty to occupy him while he waited!

He takes the offered hand with his own - absent its (rather dirty, now) glove. Alfyn has a respectably firm handshake.]

Alfyn Greengrass. Pleased to meetcha. This place looks like it'll really shape up into something.

[ramuhs]

[He smiles at that, eyes gleaming a little.]

It helps that we're mostly rebuilding what was left behind, but we'll see what kind of place it turns out to be. And I have to thank you for your own assistance.

[And then a small chuckle as he glances him over again.]

Looks like you really got in the weeds there.

[apothecarry]

Ah, ha, yeah, I sure did.

[It could be worse! He isn't caked in mud or up to his knees in river slime. A little hard-earned dirt just reminds you you got some work done.

Yet Alfyn runs his hand over his hair and then nervously tucks both hands into his pockets. There's something about this Cid - and not just that he's tall and deep-voiced. It reminds him of talking to Olberic. You just know he's a certain kind of strong, even when nothing's going on.]

People help one another out with all sorts of chores and projects like this where I'm from. Can't say we've ever had anything on this scale. But it's not a big village, so you do what you can for each other.

[His tendency to prattle is usually pretty helpful if the other person's nervous. ...Alfyn has a hard time picturing this fellow being nervous.]

[ramuhs]

[Indeed, Cid is quite relaxed as he listens to Alfyn, and with some interest.]

So you're from a small place, I take it. What did you do?

[apothecarry]

I'm an apothecary.

[He pats his satchel fondly. That, and his green overcoat, would be dead giveaways back home, but he's learned that most people here don't recognize them on sight.]

Haven't been home in a while though. I'm a traveling apothecary now.

[ramuhs]

An apothecary?

[His brows rise with interest.]

Do you also know your way of treatment or are you just the kind who sells what is needed?

[He knows it can be a mixed bag with them, with some also capable of providing medical treatments while others just keep their knowledge in preparing the medicines either by their own knowledge or as ordered.]

[apothecarry]

Oh, no, it's a lot more than only selling things!

[The truth is...that Alfyn rarely sells anything at all. Most of his medicine ends up given away.

Cid's interest is obvious, though, and he enjoys talking about his job. His shoulders relax somewhat.]

My best friend and I took care of everyone back home. We learned from his Pa, and he was the best around. [The open and earnest satisfaction with what he does for a living takes over Alfyn's expression without his permission.] And, since I've been travelin', I've really learned a lot that I...I know I couldn't have, just stayin' in one place.

[Exciting things and very, very hard things. His smile wanes for a moment; with some effort, he exhales quickly and shrugs.]

And now that I'm here...there's a whole lot to learn all over again.

[ramuhs]

[He can see it clearly on Alfyn's face, and it's a bit refreshing, really. Always is, to see someone so clearly enthused and passionate about what they do. So there is something of a softer expression as he smiles a bit upon listening.]

I imagine so, what with new types of herbs and ailments here that you wouldn't have back in your world.

[apothecarry]

You got it. Many medicines are also fully functional poisons, so you can't just hand some over to a fella and hope for the best.

[They're lucky, in Orsterra, to have a couple of plants that suppress common illness symptoms without a lot of concern for someone taking too much. Alfyn just can't presume that's true everywhere.]

I haven't even gotten into unfamiliar diseases yet. Still working on what different herbs and such will treat the familiar ones.

[ramuhs]

[Cid muses for a bit as he looks Alfyn over again, noting all the dirt and grass stains.]

Find anything interesting here on our little island?

[apothecarry]

[Alfyn is as honest as he is chipper. With only a little embarrassment, he pulls a folded handkerchief out of his pocket. Unfolded, it holds a little collection of seeds, and a bunch of one type of leaf as well.]

You might've meant something more like treasure, but this here's what interests me. But it's, ah, your island, so if you'd like these things instead, I'll hand 'em over.

[ramuhs]

[He just chuckles at that.]

No, that's exactly what I meant.

[And then a grin.]

You can hold onto them—you'd probably find more use for them then use at the moment. However, that is on the condition that you tell us what all you can learn from them.

[apothecarry]

Well, these leaves here, you can break 'em and use the sap inside as a sunblock.

[This is very important! They're doing a lot of work in the full sun and nobody wants a sunburn.]

The seeds, I'm hopin' I can get to grow, mostly. At home, I had to either buy or forage what I needed. Havin' a growing supply of some things would be great.

[ramuhs]

[He rubs his chin idly as he listens, intrigued. The sunblock would be appreciated surely!]

Do you know what kind of seeds they are?

[apothecarry]

I think I know. What I do know is where I can get my hands on a book to compare 'em to. But I wouldn't start growing anything I wasn't absolutely certain about.

[Just in case Cid thinks he'll start planting, growing, and testing just anything to see what happens.]

There's still some of my supplies from home left, too. Maybe I'll get lucky and those'll take.

[ramuhs]

Well if you need any help with it, I know Kaveh here has a way with plants. And if you need the space...there's no shortage of free land here assuming the soil is good for it.

[He'd reckon it should work if they are native to this island, but he's also aware there could still be difficulties.

But he's already that just maybe this young fellow may be a worthwhile member of the crew...]

[apothecarry]

Hey, you mean it?

[It's a little out of the way, and he's pretty sure this is firmly in some kind of Corsair territory or other, but the thought of just having a dedicated bit of land to use earns Cid a bit of earnest eagerness.]

But- are you sure you wouldn't rather I paid for it somehow?

[Doesn't seem right just to show up and use up some of their space. Even if he would very freely share the bounty with people living on this island.]

[ramuhs]

[HmmMMMMmmmMM. There's just a low hum as Cid studies him.]

Might depend on what you can offer. [And then a grin.] And how skilled you are.

Truth be told, we could use someone knowledgeable in medicine.

[apothecarry]

[The low hum sure makes it seem like he's being studied. Alfyn shifts his weight a bit.]

I've been learning to be an apothecary since I was pretty young. My best friend and I, back home, have been working together and takin' care of the whole village ever since his Pa died.

[He told someone else this story not long ago, but he doesn't mind going over it again.]

But I've been travelin' the continent for some time now. There's always something new out there to learn. I, uh, know that isn't exactly telling you whether I'm any good or not. [He runs a hand over his hair.] Feels a little prideful just to claim somethin' like that.

[ramuhs]

[A light grin.]

Aye, anyone can spin pretty words about themselves, but it won't be until we can see with our own eyes if your claims are true.

That said, I can already tell you're earnest about it, and you don't strike me as much of a liar.

[apothecarry]

[Not that Alfyn is very hard to read, but Cid has read him correctly. His feelings and intentions are as honest and apparent as your average golden retriever the day is long.]

I'd really like it if you never had to find out. I don't want to see anyone hurt or sick, you know?

[Nevertheless, it happens, and so there are apothecaries like Alfyn. ...And apothecaries wholly unlike Alfyn.]

[ramuhs]

[The whole rooting around in the dirt is also pretty convincing—]

Hmm, perhaps you could start with the basics then. Have any special medicine for standard wounds and care?

[apothecarry]

Sure do.

[That's one of the first things you learn. Even without all the traveling, farmers and fishers and riverboat crews deal with scrapes and sickness all the time. Then he got worldly friends with dangerous careers (like schoolteacher. And sister of the Church.) and he's really refined his basics.]

Things like that get a lot of use, so I'm almost always carrying a fresh batch, plus some ingredients if I need them in a hurry.

[He scratches the back of his neck and adjusts his satchel on his shoulder.]

Truth is, that's one of the things I'm most worried about. I don't have any seeds on me, since I use the grown plants to make 'em, and it ain't practical to carry 'em for anything else when I'm on the road all the time.